Nintendo just announced the Switch 2!

The post Nintendo just announced the Switch 2! appeared first on Android Headlines.

Apr 2, 2025 - 16:23

Summary: Nintendo finally showed off the Switch 2. It brings some new features like Game Chat, Game Sharing, a larger and sharper display, and some great games.

It’s finally here, folks! After over a year of waiting, speculation, leaks, and non-starters, Nintendo finally took the wraps off of its next console, the Switch 2! What does this system have to offer? What are some of the games we could expect? Let’s go through it.

Switch 2 console

The Switch 2 console is a bit bigger than the original Switch with a notably larger display. It comes with a 7.9-inch 1080p screen (up from the 720p display on the original Switch). It’s much sharper than the Switch. What makes it better is that it also supports up to 120Hz, which is a major boost. Lastly, the LCD screen supports HDR.

It also comes with improved speakers. That’s neat, but if you’re using headphones, you’ll like the addition of 3D audio.

Joy-Cons

As for the Joy-Cons, the SL and SR buttons are bigger than on the OG Switch’s controllers. You’ll remove the Joy-Cons with a bigger button on the back. This will make removing them less of a pain, but it looks like it’ll be pretty easy to accidentally remove them.

The Joy-Cons are held onto the system using magnets. The company says that, when the controller’s connected, it will create a magnetic loop, thus ensuring a tight grip. Nintendo says that you won’t have to worry about them falling off, but we’ll just have to see when the system gets into hands.

You’ll also be able to use the Joy-Con like a computer mouse to play certain games. That’s one of the more notable features of the system.

Next, there’s another USB-C port on the top of the device. You’ll use it to attach accessories to it or charge it when you’re in tabletop mode.

Switch 2 Pro controller

The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller will look pretty much like the first version. However, it will come with a microphone jack and the new C button.

Along with that, there are two new buttons. The new GL and GR buttons are on the bottom of the handles. You will customize these buttons to your liking.

Dock

The new dock will look rather different from the original Switch. The most amazing thing about it is the fact that you can output up to 4K resolution. This will depend on the game, however, so you’ll want to keep that in mind. There’s also an HDR feature that will make your games look that much better.

There’s also a fan in the dock. This will help keep the system cooler, so you can play for longer without throttling.

Base storage

The Switch 2 will come with 256GB of base storage. That’s 4x the base storage on the original Switch. You can still use microSDs with it; however, you can only use Express MicroSD cards. Regular cards won’t work.

Game Chat and other friend features

The Switch 2 will come with a microphone built onto the top. This will enable the feature called Game Chat. This feature will allow you to talk to your friends live while you’re playing games. It’s nothing special, but it’s still a nice feature to have. A neat feature is the noise cancellation technology that will block out background noise.

Next up, you’ll be able to share your game screen with the other people you’re chatting with. Other players will see a live video feed of your game on their screen while docked. This will work whether you’re playing the same game or different games. With this feature, you’ll be able to stream up to four game feeds while you’re playing. This way, you can comment on how your friends are doing. Who knew backseat gaming could be so easy?!

Just know that the footage might be pretty choppy. This is based on the footage that Nintendo showed.

To use Game Chat, you’ll need a Nintendo Online membership. That shouldn’t surprise you. However, Nintendo wants as many people to try this out as possible, so the company is offering free memberships for a limited time.

Nintendo Switch Camera

Nintendo just announced a new webcam accessory that will let you show yourself on screen. Looking at the video, the system will let you use backgrounds like Zoom or Google Meet.

You won’t only use the camera for chatting, you’ll also be able to use it within certain games. Who knows how the company and its third-party partners will use the camera? It will launch along with the system.

Game Share

Don’t you hate it when you want to play a game with someone, but they don’t have the software? Well, using Game Share, you’ll be able to play the same game locally across systems, even if only one person has the software.

What’s neat is that you’ll be able to share games with Switch 2 users, but you can also share them with original Switch consoles. You’ll still be able to use Game Chat and online play with these games.

Game Share will only work for compatible games, so you’ll want to keep that in mind. Right now, we know that Captain Toad, Super Mario 3D World, Club House, Super Mario: Odyssey, and Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain will be compatible.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games

There are certain games that will get a boost when you play them on Switch 2. These improvements include improved visuals and more features. For example, Mario Party Jamboree will gain new features like the ability to use the mouse feature, the Switch 2 camera, new minigames, and more expressive rumble.

These are separate games, and if you own the original, then you can purchase an upgrade patch.

As for the Zelda games (Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom), these titles will gain improved visuals and HDR support. You’ll also get a companion app that helps you navigate and allows you to share information with other people.

In Kirby: Forgotten Land, the Switch 2 Edition will have improved graphics, frame rates, and a whole new adventure. In the new story, a mysterious meteor hits the planet, which causes some odd things to happen.

Metroid Prime: Beyond will have a 4K 60fps mode in the Switch 2 Edition. Also, there will be a 1080p mode with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR.

Pokémon Legends ZA will launch later this year. It will have a Switch 2 edition that will enable updated visuals like sharper resolution and batter frame rates.

Nintendo Switch Online+

The Nintendo Switch 2 will get exclusive games online. Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, and F-Zero GX are coming. They will have clearer visuals on the console, and you’ll be able to customize the buttons.

Games

Here are some of the software highlighted in the showcase

Mario Kart World

This is the first Nintendo Switch 2-Exclusive game announced. In the game, we see all of our favorite characters along with some new additions, racing through new worlds.

This will be the first Mario Kart game with a dynamic weather system. That’s a neat edition.

The next major change is in the Grand Prix. Rather than each of the four races ending in the Prix, you’ll enter the next track immediately after the current one. These will have up to 24 racers on the track. That’s the most in the series’ history.

If you think that’s a long ride, then you should know about the Knock-out Tour mode. This one looks like you’ll be racing through most, if not all, of the tracks, in one big race with no breaks. However, this is an elimination-style race. So, if you fall below a certain place when you cross a checkpoint, you’ll be knocked out.

The most interesting new feature is the Free Roam mode. This is an open-world feature that lets you drive around the different environments freely. It will remind you of The Crew franchise. While you’re roaming, you can chat with friends and take photos at different locations.

It will launch on the same day as the Switch 2.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

This is the second game in the franchise. This will be the prequel to Breath of the Wild.

Kirby Air Riders

This is a new racing game starring Kirby. It’s the sequel to Kirby Air Ride, which originally launched on the GameCube.

Donkey Kong Bananza

This is a new adventure game starring Donkey Kong. We see him traveling through 3D worlds, backing through obstacles, and fighting enemies. We see that much of the world is destructible.

This game will launch in July.

Welcome Tour

This is a game to help you learn about what’s new with the system. It’s like an interactive tutorial. It will launch as a paid digital game when the console launches.

3rd-party games

The Switch 2 will have some popular games from third-party developers like Elden Ring, Hades II, Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2, Deamon X Mochina: Titanic Scion, Split Fiction, EA Sports: SE, Hogwarts: Legacy, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Delta Rune 3+4, Borderlands 4, Civilization VII, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, Cyberpunk 2077, Survival Kids, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Wild Hearts S, Star Wars: Outlaws, The Duskbloods, and many more.

Launch

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5th, and there will be a digital version of Mario Kart World. However, the company did not detail the price.

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