Long-time Switch Online members will get first dibs at pre-ordering the console
Mario Kart World has been announced alongside a slew of new featuresopen image in gallery
Mario Kart World has been announced alongside a slew of new features (iStock/The Independent )
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After what’s felt like years of rumours, Nintendo has finally lifted the lid on the Nintendo Switch 2. The company’s latest Nintendo Direct wrapped up yesterday, marking its biggest hardware launch in almost a decade.
The new console features a 7.9in LCD display, magnetically attached Joy-Con 2 controllers, support for mouse-like controls and built-in voice chat. That’s just the new features - there’s also a suite of upgraded internals, including 256GB of storage and 4K support when docked.
On top of that, Nintendo also unveiled a packed lineup of new games, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and The Duskbloods, as well as third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6 and Hades 2.
Launching in June, I’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the all-new console, including the price, pre-order details, release date, the latest features and the most exciting game announcements.
Nintendo Switch 2 UK price and release date
Nintendo Switch 2: £395.99, Nintendo.co.uk
open image in gallery
(Nintendo)
The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in the UK on 5 June. It costs £395.99 in the UK – that’s almost £90 more than the Nintendo Switch OLED. You’ll also be able to pick up a Switch 2 bundle containing Mario Kart World for £429.99.
While pre-orders will officially begin on 8 April at the My Nintendo Store, some major third-party retailers have already listed the console online, including Amazon.
However, there are also a few boxes to tick if you want to pre-order a console. There will be a priority list for Switch Online members on the My Nintendo Store. Priority will be given to gamers who’ve had an active Switch Online membership for at least two years, and eligibility will be based on time spent playing purchased games and whether you've opted in to receive promotional emails.
If you're eligible, you'll receive an invitation by email. Nintendo says that over time, more gamers may be invited to pre-order a console – stock permitting. Nintendo’s new Switch 2 accessories will also be invite-only to start with, including the new pro controller (£74.99), switch 2 camera (£49.99), Gamecube classics controller (£58.99) and MicroSD express card (£49.99).
Amazon’s also running an invite-only system for pre-orders, saying it’s a “high-demand item with limited quantities”. The retailer did something similar with the PlayStation 5 back in 2022 to help stop bots and scalpers, letting customers request an invitation from the product page. If you’re selected, you’ll get an email with a link to buy – but just like with the PS5, there’s no guarantee you’ll be picked.
Pre-order from Nintendo soon
Request invitation at Amazon
Nintendo Switch 2 design, specs and features
open image in gallery
(Nintendo)
The Nintendo Switch 2 looks like an updated version of the OG Switch. It has a larger 7.9in full HD LCD display with 1080p resolution. It supports up to 120fps in handheld mode and HDR both on the go and when docked. The console is roughly the same thickness as the original but with slimmer bezels and more refined edges.
There are new Joy-Con 2 controllers as well. They snap on magnetically instead of via a rail-locking system, making them more secure. You can use them like a mouse by sliding them along surfaces in compatible games.
There's also a new “C” button, which opens the system-wide GameChat menu for voice and video chat. Up to four players can share their screens with video or join in audio-only mode. The GameChat feature is free until March 2026, but will require a Switch Online membership after that. The Switch 2 features a built-in microphone with noise-cancelling tech, so you won’t need to use your own headset anymore.
You can slide the new Joy-Cons across surfaces like a mouseopen image in gallery
You can slide the new Joy-Cons across surfaces like a mouse (Nintendo)
Nintendo has also added a second USB-C port on the top of the console, a nice quality-of-life improvement that lets you charge even when in tabletop mode, or for connecting the new USB-C camera accessory. There’s also a new kickstand on the rear that’s fully adjustable.
On the inside, you get 256GB of storage (an improvement from the 32GB on the original console), and it supports faster microSD Express cards for games and other media. When docked, the system can output at up to 4K resolution with HDR and 120fps support on compatible TVs. The updated dock also includes a built-in fan to help keep things cool during longer sessions.
open image in gallery
(Nintendo)
Nintendo also revealed a new feature called Virtual Game Cards, which lets players share, borrow or lend digital games locally between Switch 2 consoles. It effectively creates a digital version of a game cartridge tied to your Nintendo Account that can be moved between devices.
A new Welcome Tour app will be available to download on launch day. It features a guided walkthrough of the system’s new features, using minigames and demos to help players get to grips with the new console. It was later revealed that this would be a paid app, however.
Nintendo Switch 2 games
There are loads of games coming to the console at launchopen image in gallery
There are loads of games coming to the console at launch (Nintendo)
Nintendo announced a wealth of games during the Nintendo Direct, showcasing both first-party exclusives and major third-party titles coming to the Switch 2.
Big hitters include Mario Kart World, a brand-new entry that links tracks and courses and lets racers go off-track, with up to 24 players racing at a time. It also announced Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D action-platformer, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a game set during the Imprisoning War from Tears of the Kingdom, while a Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Party Jamboree will feature brand-new modes, mouse controls and support for the console’s new USB-C camera.
There’s more Kirby, too. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Switch 2 Edition and Star-Crossed World includes a new story expansion and upgraded performance. Kirby Air Riders, a spiritual follow-up to Kirby Air Ride, is also due in 2025.
Other games getting a Switch 2 Edition include Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the latter offering Quality and Performance modes, so you can choose between that sweet 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will receive visual upgrades, and there’s a new co-op sci-fi launch title called Split Fiction.
On the third-party front, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Hades 2, Street Fighter 6, EA Sports FC 25, NBA 2K, WWE 2K, Hogwarts Legacy, Borderlands 4, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition and Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut are all confirmed. FromSoftware is bringing out a Switch 2 exclusive. The Duskbloods, a new stealth-heavy action game that’s launching sometime this year.
Nintendo also confirmed that GameCube classics will come to Switch 2 via a Nintendo Switch Online + expansion pack. At launch, these games will include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II and F-Zero GX, complete with upgraded visuals and sharper resolution.
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