Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Everything You Need to Know - Release Date, Games, and Why I’m Waiting

Nintendo has finally lifted the curtain on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and there’s a lot to unpack! From hardware upgrades to exciting game announcements, the latest Direct was packed with information. While I’m definitely intrigued, I’ll be sitting this one out for now... at least until the first wave of adopters takes the plunge. 😝

Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date and Pricing

The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially launching on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of $449.99 for the base model. If you’re interested in the Mario Kart World bundle, that will set you back $499.99. Pre-orders kick off on April 9, but as tempting as it might be, I’ll be holding off for now. After all, new hardware launches almost always come with a few bugs that need ironing out, and there’s always the chance that the price will drop after a while. Patience pays off, right? (Source - Polygon)

Hardware Upgrades: More Power, Better Performance

The Switch 2 brings several significant improvements (Source - The Verge):

Larger Display: A 7.9-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution and HDR support makes games look better than ever.
Performance Boost: 4K gaming at 60fps when docked, powered by a more efficient GPU.
Storage: 256GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
Revamped Joy-Cons: Magnetic attachment and a new “C” button for enhanced functionality.
Audio & Voice Chat: Upgraded speakers, 3D audio support, and a built-in microphone for in-game communication.

These upgrades sound great, but since I already have the Nintendo Switch Gen 2, the original Switch, and the OLED, I’m in no rush to upgrade just yet.

Game Lineup: What’s Coming to the Switch 2

Nintendo is rolling out an exciting selection of first-party and third-party titles, including (Source - Polygon):

Mario Kart World - The next-gen Mario Kart with up to 24 players in a single race!
Donkey Kong Bananza - A brand-new 3D adventure for Donkey Kong.
Kirby Air Riders – A long-awaited sequel to the GameCube classic.
Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Enhanced ports for the Switch 2.

These games look fantastic, but the good news is that I won’t be missing out on everything while I wait.

Backwards Compatibility: Keeping Your Favorites

Nintendo has confirmed that most original Switch titles will be playable on the Switch 2, meaning that your existing game library won’t become obsolete.

Here are some of the confirmed enhanced titles (Source - Polygon):

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Now with improved graphics and a built-in map tracker.
Tears of the Kingdom - Enhanced draw distance and frame rates.
Super Mario Odyssey - Running at 4K resolution with improved textures.
Splatoon 3 - Features a new performance mode and faster loading times.

With backwards compatibility in place, I can still enjoy my existing Switch games while waiting for the Switch 2 to iron out any early issues.

As exciting as the Switch 2 is, I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to buying consoles at launch. There are bound to be some firmware issues, early hardware hiccups, and possible price drops down the line. Plus, with my Switch Gen 2, OG Switch, and OLED model, I’m not exactly in need of another one just yet. I’ll be keeping an eye on reviews, updates, and new game releases before deciding when to jump in.

Are you planning to get the Switch 2 on launch day, or are you waiting it out like me? Let me know in the comments!