Everything Nintendo Announced During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

by | Apr 2, 2025 | News | 0 comments

Nintendo held their Switch 2 dedicated Nintendo Direct earlier today, and with it, a lot of new announcements.

Mario Kart World

The event kicked off with a showcase of the newest Mario Kart, Mario Kart World, featuring franchise standouts like Paulina, the new Donkey Kong design, and even the cows from Mario Kart Double Dash. Brief glimpses of the game were shown off, showing that up to 24 players can play at once. Interestingly, gamers will also be racing between each stage as opposed to simply playing stages back to back as seen in previous titles.

New to the series is a new “free roam” mode allowing players to simply drive around and browse the available worlds at their own leisure. The game is said to have its own special Direct coming April 17, 2025, and will be a launch title for the Switch 2.

The game itself, as shown above, will launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, and have a MSRP of $79.99 USD ($50 with the console bundle).

Gamechat and Switch 2 Camera

Next, the joycons for the Switch 2 were shown off and the mysterious C button was finally detailed. The C officially stands for chat, or Gamechat to be more precise. It will allow gamers to chat with their friends while playing games together, and the microphone on the Switch 2 is highlighted as specifically being tuned to pick up on the gamer’s voice, despite any loud noises that may be rustling in the background.

The chat feature also allows users to broadcast their gameplay to friends they’re chatting with, and with the e new Switch 2 Camera accessory, gamers can video chat with each other and impose themselves over the gameplay if they so choose. The company also showed deep integration within games like the upcoming Mario Party, and incorporating retro games alongside the chat feature as well to show player’s faces as they beat challenges or race to the finish of each of the titles available on Nintendo Switch Online.

Within the detailed showcase of the new feature, we got a glimpse of the Switch 2 UI and it still resembles the minimalism of the original Switch. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Outside of this, not much of the Switch 2 UI was detailed, but given the short display shown during the Gamechat showcase, it looks like it will be either beavily the same or slightly improved with the base UX design still present.

The Switch 2 Camera will also be available alongside the launch of the Switch 2. GameChat will exclusively be available to Nintendo Switch Online members, but will be available to all players starting March 31, 2025.

Game share

GameShare is making a return to Nintendo handhelds. Gamers who own one copy of a game can GameShare to up to three different users, allowing for gamers to play multiplayer either online or locally while only one gamer owns a copy of the game.

Switch 2 Details

Nintendo finally dove a little deeper into the direct specs of the Switch 2 after showing off the design of the console late last year.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specs

  • Display: 7.9-inch LCD
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Refresh Rate: VRR up to 120Hz
  • CPU/GPU: Custom Processor made by NVIDIA
  • Storage: 256GB w/ microSD Express
  • Ports: 2x USB-C, 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Battery: 5220mAh (Between 2 – 6.5 Hours)
    • Charging Time: ~ 3 hours
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Mouse, Brightness
  • Dimensions: 271.78 x 114.3 x 13.97mm
  • Weight: 399 grams (No Joy-Cons) / 535 grams (w/ Joy-Cons)
  • Extra Features:
    • New Stand with 150 degrees of motion
    • C Button for GameChat
    • Compatible with USB-C Cameras
    • HD Rumble 2
    • Mouse Mode
    • 3D Audio
    • Built-in microphone
    • Larger SL/SR buttons on the rail
    • Larger joysticks

Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories

Nintendo Switch 2 Screen

The new Switch 2 will feature a nearly eight inch screen at 7.92 inches with a 1080p screen allowing for 120 frames per second when handheld. While docked, the Switch 2 can reach 4K up to 60 frames per second, or 1080p with 120 frames per second. Nintendo did not clarify which titles will allow for which mode outside of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, which will separate each mode between Quality and Performance, respectively.

They did however clarify that the new screen is LCD as opposed to OLED as seen in the current Nintendo Switch OLED model.

Joycons and Hardware

On the joycon front, they’re now magnetic with larger front sticks and SL and SR buttons. The rumored mouse support is now official as well, but given the titles shown with the feature, it lives as a gimmick similar to HD rumble on the original Switch. They do, however, have improved audio capabilities and a built in microphone.

The kickstand is now similar to that of the OLED model but hollowed out. The new Switch 2 will launch with 256GB of internal storage as opposed to the standard Switch’s 32GB and OLED models 64GB. The new handheld will feature two USB C ports as opposed to the one found on the original Switch, one on the top and one on the bottom allowing for charging or accessory connections on either side.

4K output has also been confirmed for the Dock, and the Dock will also feature an internal fan to assist the console in cooling when docked. Nintendo did not clarify which titles will allow for 4K output, but the system itself will indeed support 4K output via HDMI.

New Tech Demo

After showing the Switch 2 off, Nintendo detailed a new smaller game that aims to detail the new Switch 2 itself by allowing gamers to literally play on top of the system. In all honesty, it looks exactly like a tech demo taken to the nth level. Gamers can freely move around and interact with portions of the Switch 2 to better understand its usability. Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be a paid digital title that launches alongside the Switch 2, exclusive to the console.

Storage

Switch 2 game cards were only shown off — they’re red now instead of the greyish black given with Switch titles.

The Switch 2 will only work with MicroSD Express cards, noting that standard micro SD cards will not be compatible.

The new Switch 2 Pro Controller was also shown off with new GL and GR back paddles allowing for custom inputs, and the new C button living directly front and center. It also adds a, hold onto your butts for this one, a 3.5mm headphone jack directly onto the controller.

And finally, a launch date: the Switch 2 will be launching on June 5, 2025.

Switch 2 Edition Titles

Nintendo also shared news that Switch 2 Edition titles are coming to the console as well. As expected, they will, on a base level, upgrade the resolution and fps, but some titles will also feature new modes, features, and exclusives as well.

To detail Switch 2 Edition games, the company showed off Mario Party Jamboree: Switch 2 Edition. It adds mouse control, audio recognition, better rumble, and camera accessory support.

  • The enhanced Mario Party mode was shown off with camera integration to show players faces as they play each mini game.
  • Bowser Live, a new gameplay mode will use the camera and mic to play a variety of mini games.
  • A roller coaster mode was also detailed utilizing the joycon’s new mouse feature to quickly click and make split decisions —  complete with a classic mouse pointer well, reminiscnt of the one heavily featured on the Wii’s homescreen.

Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will receive upgraded Switch 2 Editions as well offering higher resolution and higher fps. The Nintendo app will also allow gamers to use a GPS-like feature giving amers full voice navigation in-game. Cool, but why? It has also been announced post-Direct that those subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online with the Expansion Pack will receive the upgrade for free.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land gets the same resolution and fps upgrade. in its Switch 2 Edition, but will also feature a new land to explore.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond will launch with a Switch 2 Edition and will have the same resolution and fps upgrades ad listed above. The game will offer either 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps split between two modes, Quality and Performance, respectively.

The new Pokemon Z-A will receive the same resolution and frame rate upgrades for its Switch 2 Edition too, but otherwise, nothing else was detailed as being different for the title.

Owning any of the above titles for the original Switch also unlock an upgrade pass to purchase – Again, for an undisclosed price.

To demonstrate the mouse controls, Nintendo showed off a new game, Drag x Drive, that looks to merge wheelchair-bound 3 x 3 basketball and Rocket League to some extent. Accessibility has finally made it beyond controllers, and into actual gameplay. The game will release this summer.

Publisher Titles Coming to Switch 2

Next up we’re non-Nintendo made games.

  • Elden Ring, the smash 2022 hit will be coming to the Switch 2 as  Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition.
  • Hades, a hit on every platform it has been released on, will see its sequel, Hades 2, released on the Switch 2 with more information coming later this year.
  • Capcom tapped in briefly to show off Street Fighter 6: Year 1 and 2 as a launch title for the Switch 2.
  • Demon x Machina Titanic Scion will also be releasing for the console on September 5, 2025.
  • Split Fiction, one of the highest rated games of the year thus far, is also coming to Switch 2 as a launch title.
  • The new EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) and Madden are headed to Switch 2.
  • Hogwarts Legacy will also receive a Switch 2 edition with mouse mode offering similar control to the aforementioned Metroid Prime 4 Beyond.
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is dropping on the Switch 2 as a well at some point this summer.
  • The newest HITMAN series is also coming to the Switch 2 as HITMAN: Signature Edition.
  • IO Interactive also announced that they are headlining a new James Bond game, currently titled Project 007, to be released on the Switch 2 soon, with no expected release date shown just yet.
  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster will also releasing as a lucnhbtitle for the Switch 2
  • Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut was shown off with tiny short clips of its gameplay.
  • Nintendo is partnering with with Koei Tecmo to work on a new Warriors title as well, set shortly before Tears of the Kingdom titled Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and is currently in active development.
  • Deltarune Chapters 1 – 4 are coming to Switch 2 as a launch title
  • Borderlands 4 will launch on the Switch 2 when it launches.
  • Sid Meiers’s Civilization VII will also see a Saitch 2 edition as a launch title.
  • WWE and NBA 2K are coming to Switch 2 as expected with practically every sports title EA can manage to pump out.
  • Enter the Gungeon 2 will be released for the Switch 2 as well, in a new 3D art style, but not as a launch title.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be joining the Switch 2 as a launch title.
  • Square Enix also joined the party to show off the Final Fantasy 7 Remake as a launch title for the console.
  • A new game made by From Software titled The Duskbloods set in a post apocalyptic sdystopian future meshed with classic fantasy stylizations well. Best descriptors a fusion between Devil May Cry, Slden Ring, and guns, slightly.

 

  • Later in the Direct, Nintendo blasted a sea of 3rd party titles coming to the console via an extensive partner spotlight.

Gamecube is Coming to Nintendo Switch Online

Gamecube is finally arriving to Nintendo Switch Online, but will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 customers enrolled in the Expansion Pack option through the service.

Launch titles will be The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker, Soul Calibur II (remember, the GC one had Link in it), and F-Zero GX.

Multiplayer games for GameCube titles support up to 4 games online. Nintendo also shared that button mapping is coming to said titles alongside higher resolution, but did not clarify to what extent.

A GameCube controller akin to the Nintendo Switch Online releases of the NES, SNES, Genesis, and N64 controllers will be available for Switch Online members the same day as the Switch 2 launch.

Capped Off with 2 New Switch 2 Titles

Nintendo capped off the Direct with not one, but two major new first-party titles. First up was a sequel to the Gamecube fan favorite Kirby Air Ride, simply titled Kirby Air Riders – it will be directed by none other than Super Smash Bros Ultimate director Sakurai Masahiro.

Nintendo threw everyone a suprise by showcasing a new entry in the 3D action platforming world, Donkey Kong Bananza. Kong’s return to 3D platforming is expected to launch July 17, 2025 at $69.99.

At launch, Nintendo will have two models of the Switch 2 available, one with just the console, and another bundled with a digital edition of Mario Kart World, continuing Nintendo’s long running tradition of bundling their newest Mario Kart with the respective hardware it is released on.

To recap, here are the important bits of info to know regarding pre-orders.

  • The console launches on June 5, 2025
  • MSRP is $449 for the console, $499 for the Mario Kart World bundle.
  • Pre-orders open on April 9 at your favorite retailer.
    • UPDATE: Nintendo is delaying preorders in the US citing various different challenges related to the newly announced and enacted tariffs. Customers in other non-US regions will not be affected by the delay; it is purely affecting US customers and preorders.
    • Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can register interest to order directly through Nintendo. Those with 50 hours of logged playtime, and have subscribed to NSO for at least 12 months are given priority pre-order slots.

Nintendo is packing a serious punch with the Switch 2. Despite numerous attempts at litigation over emulation these days, it’s not a secret that Nintendo was planning to deliver haymakers with the launch of their awaited console. Currently, Nintendo is only 10 million units away from surpassing the PlayStation 2 as the highest selling console of all time, and ironically, with so many titles being announced today, and some being back-supported for the original Switch as well, it seems like we may be just months away from finally declaring the Nintendo Switch as the top selling console to ever be released while simultaneously gearing up for the Switch 2 as its welcomed successor.

All images in this article are sourced from Nintendo.

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