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Nintendo Switch 2: everything you need to know, from price and design, to games and features

Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, so here's what you need to know.

Jun 6, 2025 - 22:10

Nintendo Switch 2: everything you need to know, from price and design, to games and features

After years of waiting we now have a sequel to 2017's original Nintendo Switch: the Nintendo Switch 2.

Having gone on sale June 5, we're now in a whole new generation of Nintendo, with the Switch's core DNA intact but a whole load of changes and more power promising the path to new games and upgrades for some of the best Nintendo Switch games.

We've got several Switch 2 consoles to check out so do go over and read our live Nintendo Switch 2 review in-progress. And then if you want to buy the console then make sure to visit our live coverage of the Nintendo Switch 2 stocks.

For all the key information you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 read on.

Nintendo Switch 2: cut to the chase

What is it? The successor to the Nintendo Switch console, officially called the Nintendo Switch 2
How much will it cost? $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95
When was it released? June 5, 2025
What will its upgrades does it have? A new design, a custom chipset with a power boost, a 7.9-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution, Game Chat, and more

Nintendo Switch 2: release date and price

Th Nintendo Switch 2 went on sale June 5, after a pre-order period that started on April 8; unless you were in the US where President Trump's proposed tariffs caused Nintendo to pause pre-orders.

Pricing is a little more punchy than that of the original Switch, with the Switch 2 starting at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95. But the better bet might be the Mario Kart World bundle, which costs $499.99 / £429.99 / AU$769.95; that's notable as Mario Kart World on its own costs $79.99 or £74.99, so by going the bundle way you’re saving a nice chunk of change.

For comparison, the original Switch cost $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD$435, but with the Switch 2 you do get a bunch of new features as well as hardware upgrades.

If you've got a Switch 2 and are looking to buy some accessories, check out our articles on where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, Nintendo Switch Online deals, and Nintendo Switch 2 cases and screen protector deals.

Nintendo Switch 2: design

The Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand — (Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch 2 looks a lot like the original Switch, only larger - it has a larger display than the Switch OLED’s 7-inch panel coming in at 7.9 inches, and a bigger overall footprint with Nintendo stating approximate measurements of 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x 0.55 inches thick.

As a result, the Joy-Con 2 controllers are taller and more curvaceous. They’ve dropped the prominent blue and red colors of their predecessors, though the left joystick has a blue accent and the right one has an orange accent.

The Switch 2 Joy Con — (Image credit: Nintendo/IGN)

As a result the Joy-Con 2 controllers are taller and also more curvaceous. They’ve dropped the prominent blue and red colors of their predecessors, though the left joystick has a blue accent and the right one has an orange accent.

The buttons and their layout are the same as before, but there’s now a new square button with the letter ‘C’ in it.

This C button is actually used to control the new Game Chat feature, which is an in-built chat feature for Switch 2 users to talk to their friends by making use of a microphone in the Joy-Con 2.

A close up of the Nintendo Switch 2 button — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Rather than slide and lock in place, like the Joy-Con controllers did on the original Switch, the ones for the Switch 2 snap into place via magnets; there are buttons below the Joy-Con triggers that look like smaller triggers and are used to securely detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Speaking of which, when they are detached the controllers have the same functionality as the original Joy-Con controllers.

However there’s a new mouse function that lets you place the magnetic side of the Joy-Con 2 controllers on a surface where snores in it will act as a form of mouse.

The Joy Con 2 on its side in mouse mode — (Image credit: Nintendo)

Going back to the Switch itself, there are a few nips and tucks to the design of the power and volume buttons, and the ventilation grille now has three instead of five vents.

The biggest difference to the top edge of the console is the addition of a USB-C port that lets you connect accessories like the new Switch 2 Camera. The 3.5mm headphone jack makes a return for the Switch 2.

Speaking of that, on the bottom edge of the Switch 2 there are new downward-firing speakers, which should offer an audio boost.

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A close up of the Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand — (Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers on a stand — (Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

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A close up of the Nintendo Switch 2 console — (Image credit: Future/Nintendo)

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An image of the Nintendo Switch 2 (Image credit: Nintendo)

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A look at the kickstand built into the Nintendo Switch 2, as seen in the teaser, reveal video released on January 16, 2024. — (Image credit: Nintendo)

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The edge of the Nintendo Switch 2, showing some speaker grilles — (Image credit: Nintendo/IGN)

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As you'll see from the gallery above, there's a new kickstand, which like the one on the Switch OLED runs the length of the console but is hollow rather than a single panel. It looks to be more solid than the puny slither-like kickstand of the original Switch, and it looks like it could lock into several positions.

There’s a new more rounded dock for the Switch 2, which now includes a fan to keep the console cool as it can now output a 4K signal; that should make it perfect for one of TechRadar’s picks for the best 4K TVs.

For people who want to game when in docked mode, there’s a rather similar peripheral that takes the Joy-Con 2 controllers and turns it into a single controller; this wasn't a highlight of the original Switch and we can’t say it looks much improved for the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2: display

A Nintendo Switch 2 console on a Zelda background — (Image credit: Nintendo)

As mentioned, the Nintendo Switch 2’s touchscreen display comes in at 7.9 inches, and now has a 1080p resolution; double that of the original Switch.

Slightly disappointing is Nintendo's choice to go for an LCD rather than an OLED panel. However, this could be a shrewd move to keep costs down, and this new LCD screen does support HDR.

But the display now refreshes at a nippy 120Hz when running at full pelt. A variable refresh rate function should keep on-screen action smooth even if a frame rate is well below 120 frames per second.

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Nintendo Switch 2: specs

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At the heart of the Nintendo Switch 2 is a custom chip made by Nvidia.

What specs that chip sports haven’t been detailed, but it looks like this chipset isn’t an off-the-shelf one like the original Switch had.

Default storage comes in at 256GB, but can be expanded with the use of microSD Express cards up to 1TB. But do note: the microSD card that you may have used with the original Switch won’t be compatible with the Switch 2.

There’s a 5,220mAh battery that Nintendo reckons will provide between two and six-and-a-half hours of battery life. When the battery runs out of juice, it should take around three hours to recharge when the console is in Sleep mode.

Other specs include: accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors, HDMI output, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Nintendo Switch 2: games and features

Mario kart World characters race towards the camera — (Image credit: Nintendo)

When the console launched on June 5 it was joined by a host of Switch 2 launch games, the standout title looks likely to be Mario Kart World.

One launch title with a sting in its tail will be Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is basically an interactive demo that people will need to pay for, though Nintendo has yet to give us a price for it. I’d argue such a demo should be bundled for free.

Check out the full list below:

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Deltarune
Fast Fusion
Fortnite
Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
Hogwarts Legacy
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Mario Kart World
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
Split Fiction
Street Fighter 6
Survival Kids
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2 Edition)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 Edition)
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut

But there's a good bit more coming after the launch day, with a big Switch 2 exclusives in the form FromSoftware’s new title The Duskbloods due to come out in 2026, and Donkey Kong returning to the 3D realm with Donkey Kong Bananza being released on July 17.

Other exclusives include Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment coming at some point in 2025, as will Kirby Air Riders, along with others.

There’ll also be a host of next-generation updates for existing Switch games, some of these will be free while others will be paid upgrades or offered to members of the Nintendo Switch Online – Expansion Pack service.

To round all that off, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature DLSS and ray tracing, which should make its games perform better and look slicker, though which titles will use them hasn't been revealed.

There's also a whole new GameShare feature that's tied to the GameChat and lets players share their games with others via the internet or locally; that's if the games support GameShare. This lets people play together without both people needing a copy of the game.

Nintendo Switch 2: early thoughts

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So should you rush out and get? Well, that depends on how much of a Nintendo fan you are, how sold you are on the Switch 2’s features and launch titles, and if you’re happy to swallow an inflated price.

From my point of view, I don’t think waiting will hurt, and the later you buy into a games console generation, the more games you’ll have to play, the more options you’ll have for bundles, and the greater chance of finding offers on the Switch 2.

However, I think there’s a lot to like here, and my colleague, Hardware Editor Rhys Wood, seems to be on the same page when he went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2.

The upgrades and nips and touches to the Switch 2 look like genuine improvements over the original Switch, which was and still is a console I love using. And I feel the potential to run better-looking games and the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, along with having a FromSoftware exclusive, will really boost the appeal of the Switch 2.

Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below and on TechRadar’s TikTok channel. Otherwise, keep an eye on TechRadar as we’ll bring you more news, analysis, and opinions on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 FAQs

How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost and is it available

The Nintendo Switch 2 is available to buy right now, depending on stocks,. The Switch 2 console by itself costs $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.99. There's also an official bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World and costs $499.99 / £429.99 / AU$769.99.

Does the Nintendo Switch 2 support 4K?

Yes, but only when in its docked mode. In handheld mode the Switch 2 makes use of its 1080p LCD display.

Can I play Switch 2 games on Switch?

Yes. Most original Switch game will work on the Switch 2; some games will even get upgrades.

Can you play games on the Nintendo Switch 2 without an internet connection?

Yes. once you've setup your Nintendo Switch 2 you can play games without needing to be connected to the internet; naturally multiplayer games that are based on online gaming, and online services won't be available to use.

Can Nintendo Switch accessories also be used with the Nintendo Switch 2?

Most accessories for the original Switch can be used with the Switch 2. Exceptions include charging stands and AC adapters, microSD cards (the Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards), the Ring-Con, Joy-Con wheel, Joy-Con battery pack, Joy-Con straps and grips.

Can I use GameChat without a USB-C camera?

Yes. A camera isn't required but you can use a USB-C camera if it's compatible with your Switch 2 or buy the dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 official camera.

Does GameShare work with all Switch 2 games?

Nope. It only works with compatible games. Those are currently: Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, 51 Worldwide Games, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Super Mario Odyssey.