Nintendo Reveals First Images and Key Features of Switch 2 Online App

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Published on: April 12, 2025

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Nintendo has officially unveiled the first images and key features of the Nintendo Switch Online app designed specifically for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, set for global release on June 5, 2025.

The reveal took place through the company’s Japanese website, providing fans and industry professionals with a fresh look at the next generation of Nintendo’s online experience.

Building on the recognizable design of the current Nintendo Switch Online app, the Switch 2 iteration is directly accessible from the console’s home menu.

Users familiar with the existing platform will notice that the interface retains its user-friendly layout, with prominently displayed banners that highlight current online activities, special promotions, and other ongoing events.

Dedicated sections offer quick access to Nintendo Classics and robust cloud save functionality, ensuring that core services remain intuitive and easy to navigate. A standout innovation coming to the Nintendo Switch Online ecosystem is the introduction of GameCube classics, made available to subscribers through the Expansion Pack tier for the first time.

This addition marks a significant milestone for both the service and longtime fans, expanding the library of retro games on the platform and aligning with continued demand for backward compatibility and nostalgia-driven experiences. Nintendo has also enhanced its communication features with GameChat, a brand new service that allows players to converse and share their screens with friends during gameplay.

Notably, GameChat will be offered free to users until March 2026, providing ample opportunity for community engagement and cooperative play across a wide range of titles. Another major benefit for Expansion Pack tier subscribers is exclusive access to upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at no additional cost.

This move reinforces Nintendo’s commitment to adding value for its premium members and supporting flagship franchises in the Switch 2 era. According to Nintendo, these efforts reflect a broader strategy to bolster the value of its online offering as it enters a new hardware cycle.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 launching globally on June 5, 2025, industry observers will be watching closely as Nintendo aims to maintain its reputation for innovation and strong first-party support. For more information on the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Online app, and all the latest developments from Nintendo Direct events, keep an eye on our ongoing coverage.

The momentum behind the revamped online service, coupled with the anticipated arrival of the new hardware, positions Nintendo for another landmark year in the gaming industry.

Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Nintendo Switch Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Switch Online GameChat Switch 2 Expansion Pack Switch Online Switch The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

First images released for Switch 2's Nintendo Switch Online app