Nintendo Switch 2 to launch on June 5
Nintendo has announced that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025.
During the Nintendo Direct on April 2, the gaming company unveiled new features and specs for the upcoming system.
The Switch 2 features a bigger 7.9-inch display with 1080p resolution at up to 120fps—this is an improvement to the current version's 720p screen. It will also come with 256GB of internal storage, two USB-C ports, a built-in mic, and 3D audio support.
Instead of the sliding Joy-Cons, the new controllers on the upcoming console attach magnetically. Players will press a button to detach the bigger Joy-Cons.
The SL and SR buttons on the side of the controller are now bigger, and you can lay the Joy-Con on its side and use it as a mouse for compatible games.
The upcoming Switch will require a microSD express card, which means regular microSD card will no longer be compatible.
New features
Apart from hardware updates, Nintendo also gave a glimpse of some new software improvements coming to the Switch 2.
As seen in previous photos of the device, the console has a new C button, which will be used for an upcoming feature called GameChat.
Chat, share your game screen, and hang out with friends using GameChat, a new online feature for #NintendoSwitch2! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/uhobno5cju
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 2, 2025
With this, users can go on voice and video calls while they're playing—the lower half of the screen will be divided into different panels. Players can also share their screen with others so their fellow gamers can see what's on their console.
Voice will be picked up through the new mic on the Switch 2, which Nintendo says has noise cancellation features so it can pick up your voice even from afar.
When you press the C button, you can pull up the chat menu to expand different screens and mute yourself
To enable video calls, players need a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, which will launch alongside the upcoming system.
Apart from GameChat, Switch 2 will also feature GameShare, so players can temporarily share a game with another Switch to play locally. This way, you don't need to share the same screen and controllers.
GameChat will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Mario Kart World
As teased in previous videos, Mario Kart World, the successor to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, is the launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2. This racing game will be open-world, meaning you can free-roam and drive wherever you want with your friends.
Mario Kart World will launch on June 5 alongside the new Switch. Fans can stay tuned for more details during the Nintendo Direct event on April 17.
Nintendo has previously said that the upcoming console will be backwards compatible.
