The long-awaited next generation of the Nintendo Switch was revealed during today’s Nintendo Direct. If you’re ready to hear about the games, the new controller features, and other details about the Nintendo Switch 2, check out Wade Stokan’s report!
MARIO KART WORLD
First things first in the new Nintendo Direct, Mario Kart World is the next game in the Mario Kart series and it looks spectacular! The new tracks are expansive and vast, there are new characters, new items and costumes! It looks like each character will have a series of costumes they can wear.
The game also has a night and day and weather system. Depending on the time of day and the weather, the track will change accordingly. Each race also has 24 racers. The game is also open-world. You can literally drive wherever you want in a free roam mode. There will be a dedicated Nintendo Direct to the game on April 17. Personally, I can’t wait to see it.
THE C BUTTON – GameChat
Nintendo has revealed the brand new C button. When pressed it enables GameChat. Pressing the button turns on your microphone and allows for live chat via with friends or family. There is also a screen sharing mode that you and a group of friends can do in a group. Not only can you play and share your screens while playing together, but you can also play different games and share your screen while continuing to talk. I used to do this with my friends back during the Xbox 360 party days. Of course you couldn’t share screens, but this is really cool. It’s awesome to see Nintendo dip into online play this much. The microphone also boasts active noise-cancelling, focusing on your voice over outside noise. That is a nice positive! Lastly, there is a camera available to have your face in the corner of the screen you’re sharing, or you can just have it focused on your face, no need to share screens. Who needs Zoom when you have a Nintendo Switch 2? GameChat requires Nintendo Online, but it will be available without GameChat until March 26, 2026.
GameShare
Nintendo explains that the newly announced GameShare feature is also fully implemented on Nintendo Switch 2.
THE NINTENDO SWITCH MODEL
Here is a pretty expansive rundown of the console’s new additions.
Nintendo Switch 2 has a larger screen and boasts double the pixels.
The screen also is capable of running 120fps, as well as HDR.
The Joy-Con 2 connects magnetically to the system.
The SL and SR buttons are bigger on the side of the controller, making it easier to use when holding a Joy-Con sideways.
The sticks are larger, and the Joy-Con can now be used as a mouse for compatible games.
The Nintendo Switch 2 also boasts 3D audio.
The stand on the back is new and much larger. You can move it freely.
There are TWO USB-C ports on the console, one on top and one on the bottom.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has 256Gs of internal memory, 8x the amount of the Switch.
There is also full HDR capabilities.
The dock has a built-in fan to keep the system cooler.
Finally, the entire Nintendo Switch catalogue of games is cross-compatible.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 WELCOME TOUR
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a game intended to showcase the new capabilities of the console.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 CARTS, STORAGE AND CONTROLLER
Nintendo Switch 2 has new game cartridges. They are the same shape and size as the previous, but they are now a glorious red.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 RELEASE DATE
The Nintendo Switch 2 releases June 5, 2025.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITION
Some previously released games will receive major upgrades via the ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.’
The first example is Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. There are new games that showcase some of the new functionalities such as mouse controls, cameras and more. You can see yourself standing in the audience of some minigames. Bowser will call you up onto the stage in a new minigame and you’ll be standing next to him. You can even punch power blocks yourself!
Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is out June 24, 2026.
LEGEND OF ZELDA BREATH OF THE WILD + TEARS OF THE KINGDOM NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITIONS
Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be receiving Nintendo Switch 2 Editions will improved framerates and graphical capabilities. There is also a new app called Zelda Notes that can be used to share vehicle blueprints with friends, as well as finding Koroks and other things.
OTHER NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITIONS
Kirby Star and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokemon Legends Z-A will all have a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Each game will boast newly enhanced graphics as well as massively improved framerates. Metroid Prime 4 will also have mouse-controls for better aiming while shooting. Nintendo is really going all out on these new additions.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 THIRD PARTY
Here are some third party games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2:
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
Hades II
Street Fighter 6: Standard Edition / Street Fighter 6: Years 1+2 Edition
DAEMON X MACHINA
Split Fiction
EA SPORTS FC
MADDEN NFL
Hogwarts Legacy
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 (Plus a Spongebob collaboration hinted)
HITMAN: World of Assassination Signature Edition
Project 007
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
HYRULE WARRIORS: AGE OF IMPRISONMENT
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo are working together on a new Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom prequel, HYRULE WARRIORS: AGE OF IMPRISONMENT. It’s a new musou game that acts as the prequel to the game we know and love.
NINTENDO GAMECUBE GAMES ON NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE
The titles available at launch:
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Soul Calibur 2
F-ZERO GX
The games will have higher resolution and image quality. You can also adjust controls and you can even play with your friends. This will all be available on day one, June 5, 2025.
There will also be a new Nintendo GameCube controller for the system, available day one.
MORE THIRD PARTY GAMES
Deltarune Chapters 1-4
Borderlands 4
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
WWE 2K
NBA 2K
Enter the Gungeon 2
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Final Fantasy VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
Hollow Knight Silksong
Story of Seasons
Goodnight Universe
Wild Hearts S
Witchbrook
Puyo Puyo Tetris 25
Star Wars Outlaws
Fast Fusion
Shadow Labyrinth
Raidou Remastered
No Sleep for Kaname Date
FORTNITE
RIDGE RACER
Professor Layton
Human Fall Flat 2
NEW FROM SOFTWARE GAME – THE DUSKBLOODS
FROM SOFTWARE is announcing a brand new game for the Nintendo Switch 2. There are vampires, dinosaurs, and magic. Basically everything you could ever want in a FROM SOFT game.
It’s called The Duskbloods and it will be available in 2026.
KIRBY AIR RIDERS
NOBODY SAW THIS COMING! Directed by the legendary Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the cult classic Kirby Air Ride, is out this year.
DONKEY KONG BANANZA
We have a brand new 3D Donkey Kong platformer featuring DK’s new design. This basically looks like Mario Odyssey but with Donkey Kong. Punch your way through the world when Donkey Kong Bananza launches July 17.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 LAUNCH BUNDLE
You can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 alone or bundled with Mario Kart World. Both bundles will (obviously) be available June 5.
