Nintendo has officially announced the launch of its latest gaming console, the Switch 2, set to hit the market on June 5, 2025, with a retail price of $449.99. The announcement was made during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct presentation held on April 2, 2025, where the company showcased the console's upgraded features, including a vibrant display, a larger screen, and an array of new games.
One of the standout features of the Switch 2 is the introduction of a new "C" button on its Joy-Con controller, which activates the innovative "GameChat" feature. This function allows players to communicate with friends and family while gaming and share their screens with others. Additionally, a built-in microphone enables seamless chatting with fellow gamers. However, it's important to note that access to the "GameChat" feature requires a subscription to Nintendo's Switch online service.
According to Hannah Cowton-Barnes, a video game industry expert for Tech Advisor, the focus on communication features reflects the popularity of major titles on the original Switch. "When you think about some of the biggest titles on (the Nintendo Switch), it’s like Mario Kart, Super Mario Jamboree, even though that’s quite a new title, has cracked the top 10 of most played games on the console. So, it does make a lot of sense that the sort of headline feature is geared primarily towards that sort of use," she explained.
Another exciting addition to the Switch 2 is the ability to use the Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse, allowing for more interactive gameplay. During the presentation, developers demonstrated various applications of this feature, such as angling a golf club in a virtual game. The new portable console boasts a 7.9-inch LCD screen that displays in 1080p resolution, and when docked, it supports 4K resolution for compatible games.
The presentation kicked off with an extended look at "Mario Kart World," the console's launch bundle game. This new installment adds flair to the series with a knockout game mode and the ability to perform tricks, such as grinding on rails while racing. Alongside this, Nintendo unveiled a new James Bond game titled "Project 007," which revisits a classic Nintendo 64 title beloved by many first-person shooter fans.
In addition to these marquee titles, Nintendo announced two more exclusives for the Switch 2: "Donkey Kong Bananza," a 3D adventure set to release on July 17, 2025, and "Kirby Air Riders," a racing game from the director of the "Super Smash Bros." series, expected later in the year. Third-party titles are also on the horizon, including Koei-Tecmo's "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment," a hack-and-slash prequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," coming this winter, and From Software's "The Duskbloods," a multiplayer title scheduled for 2026.
For players nostalgic for the GameCube era, Nintendo has announced that Switch Online subscribers will have access to a limited selection of GameCube titles, including "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker" and "F-Zero GX." The Switch 2 will also be backwards compatible, allowing users to play both physical and digital Switch games. However, users will need to purchase a microSD express memory card, as standard microSD cards will not be compatible with the new system. Fortunately, data from the original Switch can be transferred to the new console.
The original Switch, released in 2017, quickly became one of the most popular consoles of all time, praised for its unique design and versatility. Scott Stein, editor-at-large at CNET, noted that the original model's capacity to transition between handheld and docked play was groundbreaking. However, as technology has advanced, many gamers are eager for improvements. "There’s a lot of stuff it does well but there’s a lot of stuff that people I think want it to do better for playing games they can play elsewhere," Stein remarked.
With the Switch 2's launch price significantly higher than the original's $299 price tag, questions about its affordability arise. A separate bundle that includes the "Mario Kart World" game will retail for $499.99. Gene Park, a Washington Post reporter covering video games, emphasized that while the new console may seem pricey, it offers more powerful hardware. He also pointed out that the "Mario Kart World" game itself is priced at $80, marking a notable increase in game pricing.
The video game console industry is facing challenges due to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, which have led to increased costs for manufacturers. Joost van Dreunen, author of "One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games," explained the impact of these tariffs. "At the beginning of a new hardware cycle, all of a sudden we’re looking at this price hike. I had originally predicted that the Switch 2 would be $400. Now it’s announced that it’s $450. That $50 difference is a Trump tax," he stated. Van Dreunen noted that the early stages of a hardware life cycle typically yield low margins for manufacturers, and with the added tariff, the situation has become even more challenging.
In response to the excitement surrounding the Switch 2, Nintendo plans to host "Switch 2 Experience" events in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris starting this month. These events will give gamers a chance to experience the new system firsthand, building anticipation ahead of the console's launch.
The Switch 2 promises to deliver an enhanced gaming experience, with new features and a lineup of exciting titles that are sure to attract both new and returning players. As the launch date approaches, the gaming community eagerly awaits the chance to dive into the next generation of Nintendo gaming.
