Nintendo Unveils Switch 2, Priced at $450, with a Release Date of June 5

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is set for June 5, as announced by the console manufacturer during its recent Direct livestream. The base model of the Switch 2 will be priced at $450, with pre-orders commencing on April 9. In the UK, the console will be available for £396, and pre-orders will start on April 8. The new console boasts enhanced graphics and audio capabilities, as well as a range of innovative online and hardware features. One notable feature is the improved Joy-Con 2 controllers, which support a mouse interface and can be detached and used in a variety of ways. For instance, when placed on their side, the controllers can be used to point at the screen in a mouse-like fashion, thanks to their magnetic attachment to the handheld device. Nintendo has also introduced GameChat for Switch 2, a social feature that enables screensharing and live chat for up to 12 players. This feature can be accessed using the new C button on the Joy-Con 2 controllers, and the console's built-in microphone eliminates the need for a headset. Additionally, a new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera will be compatible with GameChat and will be available on June 5. Some games will utilize the player's camera feed as a feature, and while GameChat will eventually require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, it will be free to use until April 2026. Despite being the same thickness as the original Switch, the Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen, supporting up to 1080p 120fps in handheld mode. When docked, the Switch 2 can reach up to 4K resolution, and the dock's built-in fan helps keep the system cool. The console also includes an additional USB-C port, which can be used with the camera peripheral, and supports physical game cards. The Switch 2 boasts 256GB of internal storage, with the option to expand storage using microSD Express cards. New software for the Switch 2 includes the launch game Mario Kart World, which features a larger, more connected setting for the racing series. Another title, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, will be available digitally on June 5, allowing players to explore a 3D map of the Switch 2 and learn about its features through interactive minigames. Other exclusive games for the Switch 2, such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, will be released after the console's launch. Nintendo has also provided information on backwards compatibility with original Switch games. While most existing digital and physical Switch games will be compatible with the Switch 2, certain titles will offer paid Upgrade Packs for additional features. These upgrades may include enhanced visuals, new gameplay, or quality-of-life improvements, and standalone versions of existing Switch games with these upgrades will be known as Nintendo Switch 2 Editions. Certain titles, such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, will be released on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The Switch 2 version of Metroid Prime 4 will include a choice of quality and performance modes, similar to those found on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. GameCube games will also be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, exclusively for Switch 2 users, with F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur 2 comprising the initial lineup. Third-party support for the Switch 2 was also highlighted, with games like Elden Ring, Hades 2, and Street Fighter 6 among those announced for the console. Some third-party Switch games will offer paid upgrades for the Switch 2, with Civilization VII being one example. The console will be available as both a standalone unit and as a bundle with a digital version of Mario Kart World, which has an MSRP of $79.99 on the official Nintendo US website, suggesting a potential price increase for first-party titles.