Release Date & Price
As if our wallets could get any lighter right now, Nintendo has officially announced the highly anticipated Switch 2 console which will launch on June 5, 2025, with a base price of $449.99 in the US. A bundle including the console and a digital copy of “Mario Kart World” will be available for $499.99. Honestly, that’s a solid deal considering Mario Cart will likely be over $70.
Pre-orders are set to begin on April 9.
Features & Upgrades
The Switch 2 boasts several notable hardware enhancements, including a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD 120Hz screen that supports up to 4K 60fps HDMI output resolution when docked. The console also features a built-in microphone for GameChat, allowing players to communicate directly through the device. Additionally, a new camera accessory will enable video calls, adding a social element to gaming sessions. This is actually our favorite new update, this will bring social gaming to a new level for friends and live streamers on Switch 2.
For storage, the Switch 2 will have 256 GB of internal storage and will require microSD Express cards for up to 2TB of additional storage, making the current Switch’s microSDXC cards incompatible. Honestly, it’s a weird choice. They also announced a very confusing new Game Key system that allows you to move games across devices, but the guardrails and hoops you have to jump through don’t sound with messing with.
Games & Gameplay
Technical improvements in gameplay can be seen in “Mario Kart World” which introduces dynamic weather changes and off-roading elements, supporting up to 24 racers per race. Other exclusive titles announced include “Donkey Kong Bananza,” set for release on July 17, and “Kirby Air Riders.” Third-party games such as “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” and FromSoftware’s “The Duskbloods” are also slated for release on the platform.
To enhance the user experience, Nintendo developers have revealed significant improvements to the eShop on Switch 2. Takuhiro Dohta, Nintendo’s senior director for entertainment planning and development, stated that the new eShop will run smoothly even when displaying a large number of games, thanks to the console’s enhanced performance capabilities. Additionally, a ‘For You’ section will be introduced, allowing users to quickly view screenshots and watch introduction videos for games, making it easier to discover new titles without extensive searching.
Let’s hope it runs faster than the current eShop which is like using a gen 1 leapfrog.
As with other Nintendo updates, there are some updates… but not anything earthshattering or revolutionary. It will be an improved system, with some new features. We’re just hoping it will finally run Scarlet and Violet at more than 10fps.
Check out the full video on Youtube.
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