Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed: Release Date, Features, and GameCube Support Announced

Nintendo has officially pulled back the curtain on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 during its recent Nintendo Direct broadcast, providing fans and industry watchers with a comprehensive look at the next-generation hardware.

Set to launch globally on June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available in two distinct bundles.

The standard package is priced at $449.99, while a $499.99 bundle includes a digital copy of the newly announced Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 introduces a suite of notable hardware and software innovations, further solidifying Nintendo’s legacy of accessible yet powerful gaming design.

Included in every box are the Nintendo Switch 2 console, left and right Joy-Con 2 controllers, a Joy-Con 2 Grip, Joy-Con 2 Straps, the updated Nintendo Switch 2 Dock, an ultra high-speed HDMI cable, a Switch 2 AC adapter, and a USB-C charging cable. Among the standout features is GameChat, a new system-wide voice chat function.

Players can easily activate GameChat via the newly added C Button on the Joy-Con 2.

Nintendo outlined that, in supported titles, users will be able to appear on screen through the built-in Switch 2 camera, either as a video chat overlay or even as an in-game avatar—an industry first for Nintendo.

Enhanced voice quality is promised, thanks to a new microphone with extended range and advanced noise filtering.

While GameChat will typically require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, all players can try it for free from launch through March 26, 2026. Continuing its tradition of hybrid portability, the Switch 2 features a larger, 7.9-inch full HD 1080p LCD panel.

Despite this bigger display and the device’s significant horsepower boost, the console’s form factor remains as sleek as its predecessor.

Performance enhancements are substantial, with improved CPU and GPU capabilities enabling richer visuals and higher frame rates in upcoming titles—some even running up to 4K and 120 FPS when docked with the new 4K-enabled dock. Nintendo has also overhauled the controllers.

Joy-Con 2 units not only retain their detachable and motion-control functions but now use magnetic attachments for easier, refined handling.

They introduce mouse-like control for innovative gameplay possibilities, with easy removal via a dedicated toggle system. Internal storage receives a significant upgrade to 256GB, quadrupling the Switch OLED’s capacity.

However, Nintendo has moved to the faster microSD Express format, so players cannot transfer existing microSD cards directly. A brand-new feature—GameShare—lets players temporarily and wirelessly share compatible titles between Switch 2 consoles, reducing the need for additional physical games and streamlining multiplayer experiences. Perhaps most exciting for longtime Nintendo fans, GameCube games are finally coming to the platform exclusively through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

At launch, titles such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soul Calibur II will be available, with support for new wireless GameCube controllers—including the fresh C Button—available through the My Nintendo Store. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 begin on April 9 at select participating retailers, and Nintendo has indicated steps are being taken to address pre-order fairness and prevent scalping. For gamers eager to experience these advancements firsthand, or for those looking forward to marquee releases like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, the Nintendo Switch 2 marks the next major evolution in Nintendo’s celebrated hardware lineup. For further coverage on announcements from the latest Nintendo Direct, stay tuned to Nintendojo and our ongoing industry updates.

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