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Title: Nintendo Switch 2: The new system update, sold-out pre-orders and
everything else you need to know

Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2025 19:06:00 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nint...

With the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase behind us, we now know more about
the console than ever before, including its release date (June 5) and price
($450). We're also keeping a close eye on how the recently-announced tariffs
in the United States are affecting Nintendo's launch plans. Pre-orders in the
US and Canada are now set to start on April 24.

Thanks to Nintendo's January 16 teaser trailer, we've long known what the
Switch 2 will look like, and that it will arrive in 2025 ΓÇö over eight years
after its predecessor. The Nintendo Switch 2 looks very similar to the
original system, albeit with a larger display, magnetic Joy-Cons and a
sleeker design. The upcoming console will be backwards compatible with Switch
games.

Looking to catch up on everything we know about the Switch 2? Read on.

What are the key new features of the Nintendo Switch 2? Display and dock

The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 1080p 7.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh and
HDR compatibility. It also supports up to 4K output at 120Hz (with variable
refresh rates) when docked.

Joy-Con and Pro Controller

The new Joy-Con 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 attaches magnetically with a button
to release them. They have larger SL and SR buttons (the ones hidden when the
Joy-Con are attached) to make playing multiplayer games on individual Joy-
Cons more feasible. These buttons are also made of steel and attach to the
Switch 2's magnets.

The analog sticks are no longer tiny nubs, and are closer in size to the ones
you might find on a PS5 or Xbox controller. However, they do not have Hall
effect sensors, the use of which can minimize the risk of the "stick drift"
issue that plagued the original Joy-Cons.

The Joy-Con 2 have what Nintendo is calling ΓÇ£HD Rumble 2ΓÇ¥ built in, which
seems to be a refinement of the original (and still very good) vibration
function. Finally, each Joy-Con 2 has an optical sensor that allows you to
use it as a mouse, and a C button, which weΓÇÖll get to in a minute.

Nintendo

The new Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 comes with everything
youΓÇÖd expect based on the refreshed Joy-Con 2: Namely HD Rumble 2 and the C
button. There are also remappable GL/GR buttons around the back and a
standard audio jack for connecting a headset.

Both options come with Amiibo support built in. The Switch 2 comes with two
Joy-Con 2, as youΓÇÖd expect, and additional pairs are priced at $95. The Pro
Controller will cost $85.

The C button stands for "chat"

The new C button is a dedicated way to enter a chat session with friends. As
well as the standard features youΓÇÖd expect from voice chat, Nintendo has
built a Discord-like video-sharing feature, which lets you show your gameplay
to others and see other peopleΓÇÖs screens while youΓÇÖre playing.

The GameChat function works with a mic built into the console, though
headsets are also supported. Nintendo will also sell a $55 camera that plugs
into the USB-C port on the top of the console, which will allow you to stream
your face along with your game.

Nintendo GameCube support

The Switch 2 will work with GameCube games via the Nintendo Switch Online
Expansion Pack. The three titles available at launch will be F-Zero GX, The
Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soul Calibur II.

Improved specs

Perhaps the biggest feature, though, is one you canΓÇÖt see: The Switch 2 has
an all-new processor and GPU and significantly more storage (256GB vs 64GB in
the Switch OLED), along with support for faster and more capacious microSD
cards. This will obviously lead to better first-party games and upgraded
Switch experiences, but more importantly it will mean multi-platform games
that had to skip the original, underpowered Switch will be able to be ported
over. With games like Cyberpunk 2077 coming to the Switch 2 at launch, it
seems like far more ports will be feasible than on the original console.

Another major improvement comes in the form of networking ΓÇö the Switch 2
supports Wi-Fi 6, which will improve the original's often glacial download
speeds. Similarly, the new dock sports an Ethernet port for a rock-solid
connection.

What's it like to play?

Nintendo gave the press a chance to check out the Switch 2 and a few of the
games it highlighted. You can read our impressions of Mario Kart World as
well as more general thoughts on how the Switch 2 feels in person. Right off
the bat, Mario Kart World feels like an outstanding launch title, with more
depth and better visuals than we've ever seen from a Mario Kart game. The
core formula is intact, but there are a lot of new features and play styles
to dig into.

As for the Switch 2 hardware, it feels like a major step forward from the
original Switch ΓÇö it has grown up a lot and feels far more polished and
refined. And while it may not have an OLED screen, the 7.9-inch LED display
Nintendo did use is outstanding.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 come out?

June 5, 2025.

When do pre-orders open for Nintendo Switch 2?

Switch 2 pre-orders were initially set to begin on April 9, but the following
week, Nintendo said it was suspending pre-order plans in the US
"indefinitely" in reaction to a slate of tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Finally, when pre-orders opened on April 24, a hot mess ensued. Those who
stayed up late trying to snag a Switch 2 were often left empty-handed as
Walmart, Best Buy and TargetΓÇÖs websites werenΓÇÖt fully equipped for the
demand. Many customers were left with unmoving queues and error messages ΓÇö
a familiar process for many whoΓÇÖve tried to pre-order a hot gaming or tech
product in recent years. (Folks who pre-ordered a PS5 during the pandemic
caught the nastiest case of deja vu.)

No retailers are currently taking Switch 2 pre-orders. Although thereΓÇÖs
always the chance one will drop an unexpected stock refresh, your best option
right now is to register your interest with Nintendo. That may not lead to a
launch-day console, as Nintendo has warned, but it wonΓÇÖt likely be a crazy
delay like those familiar to GPU buyers. And if your Nintendo cred ticks the
right boxes (you have been subscribed to Switch Online for at least 12
months, have opted in to share gameplay data, and have at least 50 total
gameplay hours), your odds will improve.

Costco is a dark-horse candidate for day-one availability. The retailer
doesnΓÇÖt appear to have taken any Switch 2 pre-orders, but a product listing
claims it will have Mario Kart World console bundles in stock on launch day.

In any case, Nintendo says the consoleΓÇÖs June 5 release date is unchanged.

How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

On April 2, Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 would cost $450 standalone,
or $500 with a bundled digital copy of the new Mario Kart game, Mario Kart
World. ThatΓÇÖs significantly more expensive than the original Switch, which
launched at $300, and has remained at that price ever since. ItΓÇÖs also more
expensive than the entry-level current-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

The comparison looks a little better up against ValveΓÇÖs Steam Deck, which
costs $400 for the LCD model or $550 for the basic OLED model. The Steam Deck
is more affordable than most PC handhelds.

When Nintendo delayed the pre-orders from the original date of April 9, it
said it was doing so "in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and
evolving market conditions." With heavy US tariffs levied on Nintendo's Asian
production centers, the implication was that would have little choice but to
pass at least some of those costs on to American consumers. But Trump's April
9 tariff pivot ΓÇö reverting to 10 percent across the board for 90 days for
all countries except China, which now gets a triple-digit hit ΓÇö further
muddied the waters. That's because it's unclear how much, if any, of the
components and assembly of US-bound Switch 2 consoles will originate in
China.

The administration exempted some electronics from reciprocal tariffs, but
they'll soon be subject to new levies on semiconductors. Some analysts
suggest that Nintendo will be selling consoles at a loss in the US with even
a 10 percent tariff.

Nevertheless, the company is keeping the price of the Switch 2 at $450 and
the Mario Kart World bundle at $450. However, it noted that it had to
increase the prices of Switch 2 accessories "due to changing market
conditions" and added that other price modifications may occur in the future
for a similar reason.

How much do the Nintendo Switch 2 accessories cost?

When Nintendo announced the rescheduled Switch 2 pre-order date for the US
and Canada, it confirmed price increases for many of the console's
accessories. The current US prices for the accessories are as follows:

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ΓÇö $85

Joy-Con 2 Pair ΓÇö $95

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ΓÇö $40

Joy-Con 2 Strap ΓÇö $14

Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set ΓÇö $25

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera ΓÇö $55

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ΓÇö $120

Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector ΓÇö $40

Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case ΓÇö $85

Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter ΓÇö $35

Samsung microSD Express Card ΓÇô 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2 ΓÇö $60

The price of the Joy-Con 2 strap has gone up by $1, but the prices of other
products have risen by between $5 and $10, with the dock set getting the
larger increase. Thankfully, your Nintendo Switch 2 will come with a dock.
Nintendo also released a list of accessory prices for Canada.

How long will the Switch 2's battery last?

Nintendo says that the Switch 2 will last between 2 and 6.5 hours on a single
charge. This is similar to the original Switch, which was rated for 2.5-6.5
hours, though later revisions upped that figure significantly. The company
cautions that "this time is an estimate ... battery life will depend on the
games you play and usage conditions."

When can I try the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo is hosting a worldwide roadshow to let gamers go hands-on with the
console. These events started in New York and Paris on April 4-6, with others
taking place throughout the following two months.

Ticket registration for many of the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events has
closed, but waitlists are available. However, given that Nintendo is taking a
first come, first served approach, your chances of attending the roadshow if
you don't already have a ticket (or unless you signed up for the waitlist
immediately) seem very small at this point.

The full list of Nintendo Switch 2 Experience dates is as follows:

North America:

New York, April 4-6, 2025

Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025

Dallas, April 25-27, 2025

Toronto, April 25-27, 2025

Europe:

Paris, April 4-6, 2025

London, April 11-13, 2025

Milan, April 25-27, 2025

Berlin, April 25-27, 2025

Madrid, May 9-11, 2025

Amsterdam, May 9-11, 2025

Oceania:

Melbourne, May 10-11, 2025

Asia:

Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025

Seoul, May 31-June 1, 2025

Hong Kong, To be announced

Taipei, To be announced

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible?

Nintendo confirmed in November 2024 that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be
backwards compatible. It will also feature access to Nintendo Online, so
users will be able to play all of those old retro titles.

In the initial Nintendo Switch 2 press release, Nintendo reiterated that
physical and digital Switch games will work on the new system. However, it
noted that "certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully
compatible with Nintendo Switch 2." We now have more information on which
games are working thanks to a guide Nintendo put together.

Nintendo's software compatibility chart on April 2, 2025.Nintendo

As of April 1, the vast majority of Switch 2 games are marked as compatible,
but many popular games are said to have some issues. Nintendo has marked most
of these as ΓÇ£under investigation,ΓÇ¥ suggesting a fix may be on the way in
time for launch. Nintendo says it is manually testing every Switch game for
compatibility.

Only one title is marked as incompatible: Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.
This was part of NintendoΓÇÖs Labo range of games that worked with Cardboard
accessories, and is incompatible as the Switch 2 doesnΓÇÖt physically fit in
the VR headset.

Will old games be enhanced in any way?

The original Switch has, to put it mildly, struggled to run some of the late-
generation software that's come down the pike. Could these games be enhanced
to take advantage of the increased horsepower of the Switch 2? ThatΓÇÖs
unclear. In an ΓÇ£Ask the DeveloperΓÇ¥ page on its site, Nintendo says that
old games are working through a real-time translation system, which sounds
similar to how Rosetta allows modern Macs to run old software. With that
said, the new and old Switch are much closer in hardware than that.

In the same developer interview, itΓÇÖs said that in its testing of old games
for compatibility, there were some occasions ΓÇ£where loading times became
faster, or game performance became more stable,ΓÇ¥ but we donΓÇÖt have any
detail beyond that.

As well as backward compatibility, Nintendo is also offering up premium
"Switch 2 Edition" upgrades for a select few games. These have improved
resolutions and frame rates, and (in some cases) bonus features and content.
What exactly that means will vary, but Nintendo did confirm that Metroid
Prime 4: Beyond will have 4K/60 fps and 1080p/120 fps options on the Switch
2.

Games confirmed to have a Switch 2 Edition to date include:

Super Mario Party Jamboree

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

In the case of the two mainline Zelda games, those upgrades will be included
with a Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership or cost $10 each. Upgrades
for the other games are also paid, but Nintendo has not said how much those
will cost.

What will the cartridges taste like?

You may remember that the original Switch cartridges taste absolutely awful.
This was on purpose, to discourage folks from putting the games in their
mouth.

Similarly, the Switch 2 carts are also said to taste terrible, in large part
to stop children or pets from accidentally ingesting them. It is not yet
clear what substance Nintendo has coated the Switch 2 cartridges in to make
them taste foul, but Nintendo's Takuhiro Dohta advised against licking them
all the same.

"We don't want anybody to be at risk of any unwanted consumption," he told
GameSpot. "We have indeed made it so that if it enters your mouth, you'll
spit it out."

What are the launch games?

We expect this list to change substantially over the coming weeks and months,
but the titles currently confirmed to be available on day one follow:

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

Cyberpunk 2077

Deltarune

Fast Fusion

Fortnite

Hitman: World of Assassination

Hogwarts Legacy

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

Mario Kart World

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

Split Fiction

Street Fighter 6

Survival Kids

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

That's everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 today. We'll update
this article with any information we can gather directly from sources. Any
changes made to the article after its initial publishing will be listed
below.

Update, January 24, 2025, 12:36 PM ET: This story has been updated to include
speculation about price, potential game enhancements and the taste of
cartridges.

Update, February 5, 2025, 9:30AM ET: This story has been updated to note the
time when the April 2 Nintendo Direct starts.

Update, February 24, 2025, 12:30 PM ET: This story has been updated to
include speculation about storage and information about the new microSD
Express standard.

Update, March 6, 2025, 2:30PM ET: This story has been updated to note recent
FCC filings to indicate the presence of Wi-Fi 6 and NFC support.

Update, March 14, 2025, 12:15PM ET: This story has been updated to include
pricing and sales speculation from analysts.

Update, March 20, 2025, 12:45PM ET: Updated to include a note about the
Seattle Mariners new jersey patches featuring Nintendo and the Switch 2.

Update, March 27, 2025, 3:50PM ET: Updated to add details about the C button,
Nintendo Today! and Virtual Game Cards.

Update, April 1, 2025, 10:16AM ET: Updated to add link to livestream and
details on its length.

Update, April 2, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added details from the April 2 Nintendo
Direct event, including specifications, price, release date and launch
titles.

Update, April 4, 2025, 11:17AM ET: Added details about pre-orders being put
on hold.

Update, April 7, 2025, 1:56PM ET: Added details about the Switch 2 cartridges
still (reportedly) tasting terrible, the lack of Hall effect sensors in the
controllers and game upgrade pricing.

Update, April 9, 2025, 5:41PM ET: Added context on how the changing rules on
the Trump tariffs may or may not affect Switch 2 pricing in the US.

Update, April 11, 2025, 7:11PM ET: Re-affirmed that May 8 is when Nintendo is
confirming the first batch of pre-orders through its site, after a faulty
report online suggested otherwise.

Update, April 18, 2025, 10:33AM ET: Added details about the new pre-order
date for the US and Canada, as well as accessory pricing.

Jeff Dunn contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nint...
update-sold-out-pre-orders-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-
143310479.html?src=rss

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