Nintendo has announced the release date for the much-anticipated Switch 2 console, which is set to succeed the highly successful Nintendo Switch. The console will be available from June 5, 2025, and will feature “Mario Kart World” as its key launch title. This new installment in the popular kart racing series introduces an open-world format.
The Switch 2 will be priced at $450 in the United States, with an option for a $500 bundle that includes a download code for “Mario Kart World.” In the United Kingdom, the console will cost £395 for the base model or £429 for the bundle. Canadian consumers can purchase it for $630 or $700 CAD, while pricing in Australia is set at $699 or $769 AUD.
Similar to its predecessor, the Switch 2 will function as a hybrid device, offering both handheld gaming and connectivity to a home TV screen. Several improvements over the original are also promised.
Following an initial announcement in January, which came after numerous leaks, new details reveal that the Switch 2 will sport a larger 7.9-inch screen when used in handheld mode. Although it reverts to an LCD display rather than using the OLED model found in the original Switch, the screen will feature a higher native resolution of 1080p and HDR support for compatible games. The frame rate capability will reach up to 120 fps, depending on the specific game.
Audio capabilities also see enhancements with improved speakers and support for 3D audio via headphones. A future system update aims to enable 3D audio through built-in speakers as well. The console itself integrates a microphone on top. Despite these updates, the handheld remains 13.9-mm thick, though weight specifications have yet to be disclosed.
The console includes two USB-C ports—one on the top and one on the bottom. The bottom port is designed to connect to the new dock, while the top port serves for charging in handheld mode or for peripheral connections.
The updated Joy-Con 2 controllers feature improvements as well. They connect using strong magnets and include a release button for easy detachment. Confirming longstanding rumors, these controllers can function as mouse controllers, and the SL/SR shoulder buttons are larger and easier to press when utilized as a single controller. The thumbsticks are also larger than previous models.
The right-hand Joy-Con 2 introduces a C button, providing access to audio controls and enabling GameChat features through the built-in microphone. GameChat facilitates voice communication with background noise reduction, and a new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera peripheral will support onscreen group play.
Screen sharing capabilities are also enhanced and can be accessed via the C button menu. Users will be able to resize other players’ screens, offering assistance such as helping a player locate friends within a game’s environment. These features suggest a greater emphasis on social interaction for the Switch 2, though all GameChat features will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
