Nintendo Switch 2 Direct April 2025: Full Recap, Hardware Features, and Game Announcements

Nintendo hosted a landmark Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April 2025, fully unveiling its upcoming next-generation console alongside a slew of major game announcements and new system features.

The broadcast, packed with reveals and updates, signaled a transformative year ahead for fans and developers, summarizing the company's renewed commitment to both innovative hardware and broad third-party support. A New Vision for Hardware and Connectivity Nintendo Switch 2, launching globally on June 5, 2025, introduces a host of hardware improvements.

The system features a larger, sharper display with vibrant color clarity, turbocharged by significantly faster processing speeds — achieving visuals not previously seen on a Nintendo console.

Joy-Con 2 controllers connect magnetically and, in a forward-thinking twist, double as mice for supported games.

Nintendo will offer the console standalone at $449.99 / €469.99 / £395.99, or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499.99 / €509.99 / £429.99.

Additionally, the new Switch 2 Pro Controller adds customizable inputs, a dedicated GameChat C button, and a built-in headphone jack. On the connectivity front, Nintendo unveiled GameChat, a robust online voice and screen-sharing feature.

With GameChat, players can connect, communicate, and game together as if they were in the same room.

GameShare further enhances local multiplayer, enabling one game purchase to be temporarily shared with up to three additional Switch units (including Switch 1 and Switch 2), showcasing Nintendo's continued push for accessible social play. Advancements extend to game media — Switch 2 introduces faster, red game cartridges and will require the use of Micro SD Express cards, enhancing storage and load speeds and marking a significant leap over previous standards. First-Party and Third-Party Games Headline the Direct The April 2025 Direct highlighted an unprecedented breadth of launch and upcoming titles.

Leading the way, Mario Kart World arrives June 5, setting a new standard with open-area Free Roam, the innovative Knockout Tour mode, and a dedicated Mario Kart World Direct slated for April 17.

Nintendo also debuted the Welcome Tour, a paid interactive onboarding experience to showcase Switch 2's capabilities. The platform's expansive launch window features high-profile releases from both Nintendo and third-party developers: - Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A all receive enhanced “Switch 2 Editions,” with options for Upgrade Packs for current owners. - Critically acclaimed titles such as Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Hades II, Street Fighter 6 (with exclusive Switch 2 content), DAEMON X MACHINA: Titanic Scion, and Hollow Knight: Silksong will all make their way to the new platform.

- Remasters and new entries abound, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition, Project 007, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut. - Key partnerships bring Borderlands 4, Civilization VII: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and major EA Sports series back to Nintendo hardware. - Additional highlights include highly anticipated titles such as Enter the Gungeon 2, Star Wars Outlaws, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and Marvel: Cosmic Invasion, each enriching the diverse Switch 2 lineup. Classic Titles and Subscription Expansions Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will debut the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics library for Switch 2 users.

Confirmed titles at launch include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX.

These classics come with improved resolutions and both local and online multiplayer support, affirming Nintendo’s focus on legacy content. Looking Forward This Direct sets the stage for a dynamic 2025, underscoring the Nintendo Switch 2 as a powerful and versatile successor.

With a robust lineup spanning returning favorites, remasters, new IPs, and expansive third-party support, Nintendo continues to deliver value and innovation.

From its hardware overhaul to its commitment to online and social features, the Switch 2 aims to redefine the hybrid gaming experience for years to come.

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