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Switch 2 Nintendo Direct: Everything announced today

The wait is almost over, Nintendo fans.

During today's Nintendo Direct event livestream, we received a slew of information about Nintendo's new upcoming console, Nintendo Switch 2.

Mashable has compiled every single details that was shared, including a release date. Here's everything Nintendo announced:

Switch 2 release date

The Switch 2 officially has a release date and it's right around the corner.

According to Nintendo, the Switch 2 will hit stores on Switch 2 June 5, 2025.

Switch 2 price

While Nintendo did not announce a price during the livestreamed event, the company did confirm how much the Switch 2 will retail for at launch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console will cost $450 in the U.S.

A bundled version of the Switch 2 console with a game will also be released at launch. More about which game will be bundled below.

Switch 2 specs

Switch 2

The Switch and Switch 2 side-by-side comparison. Credit: Nintendo

According to Nintendo, the Switch 2 has a larger screen than the Switch at 7.9 inches. While the screen is bigger, the Switch 2 will maintain the same thickness as the original Switch.

Nintendo says the Switch 2 has double the pixels compared to Switch with 120 Hz gameplay on its screen. Nintendo described the display as a "vivid LCD screen" with support for HDR.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 Nintendo Direct today: See the latest updates from the April 2 event

The Switch 2 will have 8 times the internal storage that its predecessor has, with 256GB of storage.

The Switch 2 has a built-in mic with noise cancelling technology (more on that in a second.) The Switch 2 device also has a built-in stand on the back of the device for tabletop gameplay.

Switch 2 built-in stand

Switch 2 built-in stand Credit: Nintendo

There are two USB-C ports on the Nintendo Switch 2, one at the bottom and one at the top of the device, for accessories and charging. When plugged into the dock, the Switch 2 will output up to 4K resolution to TV sets.

Game cards for the Switch 2 are the exact same size as the game cards for Switch, however, to differentiate the two, Nintendo has made the Switch 2 gamecards with a red color. Nintendo says Switch 2 game cards will have faster reading speed as well.

For additional external storage, the Switch 2 will only be compatible with microSD express cards. Regular microSD cards are not compatible with the Switch 2

SEE ALSO: Nintendo announces 'Hollow Knight: Silksong' for Switch 2

Users will be able to transfer data between Switch and Switch 2 via Nintendo's system transfer feature on Nintendo's website. Some physical and digital Switch games will be compatible with Switch 2, Nintendo says.

Switch 2 Gamechat

Perhaps the highlight of the livestream, feature-wise, was the introduction of Gamechat.

Switch 2 Gamechat

Switch 2 Gamechat voice chat Credit: Nintendo

Gamechat is Nintendo's very own built-in video chat feature which can be used to communicate with friends and family while playing a game. Nintendo's demo of Gamechat showed how a user would be able to play a game while voice chatting with other Switch 2 users that are displayed in mult-screen screen boxes below the gameplay.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo brings GameChat live chatting to the Switch 2

Users will be able to screen share too, which will display the current real time gameplay of the users that you are chatting with. Users will be able to screen share any game, regardless of what game the other user is playing.

According to Nintendo, a paid Nintendo Direct membership is required for Gamechat. However, to encourage use at the beginning, Nintendo will make the feature free until March 2026.

Switch 2 Camera

Switch 2 camera

The Nintendo Switch 2 camera Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo is also launching a new device alongside the Switch 2, the Switch 2 Camera.

The Switch 2 camera can be used in Gamechat for video chat capabilities. The user's video feed will display in those aforementioned chat boxes below the screen.

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Switch 2 Gamechat video chat

Switch 2 Gamechat video chat Credit: Nintendo

As shown in some of the title demos during the stream, the Switch 2 camera can also be utilized in-game. Combined with the previously mentioned built-in mic and its voice recognition capabilities, gamers can use their voice and body in games built for these capabilities.

Joy-Con 2 and Pro controllers

One of the biggest visual changes to the Switch 2's hardware may be with its new Joy-Con 2 controllers.

The Joy-Con 2 controller features a new "C" button on the right controller. The C button basically provides complete control of the Gamechat function by bringing up the chat menu options anytime when pressed.

Joy-Con 2 C Button

Joy-Con 2 C Button Credit: Nintendo

The Joy-Con 2 controllers also feature bigger SL/SR buttons and larger control sticks.

When connected to the Switch 2 console, the Joy-Con 2 controllers now snap-in magnetically as well.

Based on Nintendo's game demos, perhaps the biggest gameplay change with the Joy-Con 2 controllers is the ability to use them like a computer mouse. Nintendo showcased a number of games that required users to utilize this feature.

Nintendo also announced a new Switch 2 Pro controller with its own C button as well as programmable GR/GL buttons on the back of the controller. The new Pro controller will also have an audio jack.

Nintendo GameShare

Nintendo introduced a brand new feature called GameShare.

GameShare will allow users to play the same game together locally on multiple switch devices.

GameShare compatible games will be able to be shared with up to 3 other systems on the same local network without each player requiring their own copy of the game.

Switch 2 games from Nintendo

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World Credit: Nintendo

Mario Kart World

Nintendo presented a slew of its own games and third-party titles for Switch 2 at the Nintendo Direct event. However, the new Mario Kart World was obviously the main event.

Mario Kart World will feature the series' largest number of characters in a race at 24 players.

There's all new features such as rail grinding, bouncing off walls, changing weather, and more.

SEE ALSO: The internet reacts to Nintendo's new Switch 2, 'Mario Kart World'

There's plenty of returning and new characters. The livestream chat seemed most excited about the ability to play as the Moo Moo Meadows cow.

The biggest change however is that Mario Kart is now an open world game. Players are free to roam all over the maps. In fact, there's a free roam mode where gamers can just explore on their own or with other players. There's a photo mode to create snapshots of in-game moments. And a new Knockout Tour mode takes advantage of the open world by having players travel to different checkpoints from course-to-course in order to not fall down the rankings and get eliminated.

Mario Kart World will be released with Switch 2 as a launch day title. Nintendo will even sell a Switch 2 bundle with the Mario Kart World game at launch.

Other Nintendo Switch 2 titles

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo showcased other games featuring their own popular characters as well.

These titles include Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment featuring Princess Zelda, a sequel to Kirby AirRide called Kirby AirRiders, a Rocket League-esque basketball game called Drag x Driev, and a new Donkey Kong game titled Donkey Kong Bananza.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo will also launch the Switch alongside a new paid digital game called Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which looks like it's meant to provide users with an intro to a console in much the same way Wii Sports did back when the Wii first launched.

Switch 2 Edition games

According to Nintendo, three types of games can be played on Switch 2:

Switch 2 games

Backwards compatible Switch games

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games

Switch 2 Edition games are popular Switch titles that will be re-released with all-new features and gameplay exclusive to Switch 2. Nintendo fans who already have the original version of the game for Switch can save money by purchasing a Switch 2 Edition upgrade instead of having to fork over full price for the updated title.

Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition, for example, will come with new modes such as Mario Party Mode, Bowser Live, and Carnival Coaster. These new additions to the game utilize the Switch 2 camera and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.

Mario Party Switch 2

Mario Party Switch 2 Edition will take advantage of the Switch 2 Camera. Credit: Nintendo

In addition to upgraded graphics, the Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be able to utilize a new feature called Zelda Notes. By pairing up with the Nintendo Switch app on a user's smartphone, Zelda Notes brings maps, voice navigation, and in-game creation sharing to the game.

Nintendo also announced Switch 2 Editions for Kirby and The Forgotten Land as well as upcoming Switch games such as Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Nintendo Switch Online

As previously mentioned, the new Gamechat feature will eventually require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, Gamechat isn't the only new thing coming to Nintendo Switch Online.

Nintendo says that Nintendo Switch online will be fully playable on Switch 2, with classic games from the NES, SuperNES, and Gameboy consoles.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo is finally putting GameCube games on Nintendo Switch Online for Switch 2

However, Nintendo Switch Online will now come with another tier option, the Plus Expansion Pack, which is the new exclusive Switch 2 membership. This membership will include games from consoles such as Nintendo 64, Gamecube, and even the SEGA Genesis.

Gamecube controller with C Button

Gamecube controller with C Button Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo shared specific game titles coming to the service, which include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX.

The company will also be releasing a brand new Nintendo Gamecube controller with a C button.

Third-party Switch 2 titles

Project 007

A new Goldeneye on the horizon?! Credit: Nintendo

Lastly, Nintendo shared trailers for dozens of Switch 2 titles coming out from partner publishers.

SEE ALSO: Every Switch 2 game revealed in the Nintendo Direct livestream

We have a complete list of these third-party titles that were announced at Nintendo Direct below.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

Hades II

Street Fighter

Daemon X Machina

Split Fiction

EA Sports FC

Ea Sports Madden

Hogwarts Legacy

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

Hitman: World of Assassination

Project 007

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

Yakuza 0 Director's Cut

Deltarune

Borderlands 4

Civilization VII

WWE 2K

NBA 2K

Survival Kids

Enter the Gungeon

Final Fantasi VII

Kunitsu-Gami Path of the Goddess

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Story of Seasons;: Gran Bazaar

Goodnight Universe

Two Point Museum

Wild Hearts S

Witchbrook

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion

Star Wars Outlaws

Nobunga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition

Fast Fusion

Shadow Labyrinth

Raidou remastered: The Mystery of the the Soulless Army

No Sleep for Kaname Date: From AI: The Somium Files

Reanimal

Fortnite

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

Tamagotchi Plaza

Human Fall Flat 2

The Duskbloods

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