TOP 10: Reveals from Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct
After many (many!) months of speculation, Nintendo finally shared its first official Direct on the incoming Switch 2 system on April 2. While the company had officially revealed the hardware in a brief video a few months back — allegedly against its wishes, spurred by numerous major leaks — this was our first real chance to see the system in action, and to get a glimpse of what games will be coming to the successor of the record-breaking Switch.
Read on for our favorite announcements from the Direct. Did we forget your most-anticipated items? Drop them in the comments.
You Might Also Like…
Best Super Smash Bros. Fighter
10. Release Date
We now know when we will actually be able to PLAY Switch 2; it will release on Thursday, June 5. For those keeping track, that’s just over eight years since the original Switch released; that system would go on to be one of Nintendo’s most successful, selling more than 150 million units. On launch date you’ll be able to get the Switch 2 on its own, in a bundle with a digital code for Mario Kart World, as well as peripherals including the Switch 2 Camera, the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and a wireless version of the GameCube controller, which has additional Switch 2 optimized features. Price will be $449 for the base system, $499 with Mario Kart World.
9. System Specs
The Switch 2 announcement video was scant on specifics when it came to the system; this Direct gave us the lowdown on what to expect. In addition to the built-in kickstand for the system itself (a great quality-of-life upgrade) and the new JoyCons that attach via magnets — both of which we already knew — we got more info on the hardware. Look for 1080p display supporting up to 120 frames per second (a significant boost), with up to 4K via TV dock; the larger system display is 7.9” but is no thicker than an original Switch; system memory will balloon to 256MB (you’ll need Switch 2-specific SD cards to enhance this, original Switch SD cards will not work). The basic gist is that performance wise, this machine is shooting to be able to handle games developed for PS4 or PS5 — as evidenced by the third-party port line-up at launch.
8. GameShare
In last week’s Switch 1 swan song Direct, Nintendo announced Virtual Game Cards, designed to make it easier for players to use and even share digital game purchases. Accessibility and ease of use will continue on Switch 2 with GameShare, in which players who purchase a game can share digital copies of that title with other Switch 2 users for multiplayer fun even if they don’t have that game. The example shown was a card game in which one player owned a copy on their Switch 2, and three other players on their Switch 2s played along in the same game — but they didn’t need their own copy. Maybe I’m naive, but this seems like a huge deal to me. I’m old enough to remember the original GameBoy link cable, and you better believe both parties needed to have copies of those games for it to work.
7. GameChat
From a hardware perspective, the biggest announcement of the Direct was GameChat, new social-gaming options for the Switch 2. The new JoyCons have a C button that will activate a built-in microphone that seems to have some form of background-noise cancelling technology. Additionally, players can screen share and — via the Switch 2 Camera peripheral — even see each other on their individual screens. Basically it seems like a private Discord chat, plus built-in tech for streamers. The user experience and quality of connection will be key for adoption, but this could take Nintendo’s ethos for communal gaming to a whole new level if it hits right, and I can see it being deployed brilliantly for certain games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros.
6. Switch 2 Versions of Switch Games
Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with O.G. Switch games — we already knew that. What we didn’t know is that some Switch games will be released with Switch 2 versions that will give additional functionality. Given the spotlight in this Direct was Mario Party Jamboree, which just launched on Switch last year. The Switch 2 Version will include new play modes and incorporate more of the GameChat and Switch 2 Camera functions, which look like they could provide lots of silly fun. Other games mentioned as having Switch 2 versions included Kirby and the Forgotten Land (additional game content), Metroid Prime 4 Beyond (not even released yet; Switch 2 version will include better graphics and mouse controls via the JoyCon 2); Pokemon Legends Z-A (also not out yet, improved graphics), and most interestingly, re-releases of both main Legend of Zelda titles from the Switch, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which will include improved graphics and have integration with a phone app. Talk about wild! Already own those games on Switch? You'll be able to purchase expansion packs for the Switch 2 features.
5. A Slew of High-Profile Ports
A large part of the Direct focused on existing third-party games — mostly from PS4 and PS5 — getting ported to the Switch 2. There were a ton mentioned, but among the bold-faced names are Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Hades II (currently only in early release on PC), Street Fighter 6 (with associated Amiibo), Split Fiction (just released on PS5, launch title for Switch 2), a Bravely Default HD remaster, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Project 007 (a new Bond game from the makers of the Hitman series), and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake titles. But seriously, there were lots more; it was impossible to keep up (especially after my Direct stream froze).
4. New Third-Party Releases
A few interesting titles will be launching on Switch 2. Drag X Drive appears to be a competitive wheelchair-basketball game that will use the JoyCon 2 mouse controls to move the characters. The long-delayed Hollow Knight sequel Silksong was clocked as having a 2025 release — I’ll believe that when I see it. Borderlands 4 will launch on Switch 2 along with other current-gen systems. And most interestingly, From Software — creators of Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — a seemingly new property called The Duskbloods, which looks to be Elden Ring meets vampires.
3. GameCube Coming to Nintendo Online
Switch 2 will bring a new platform of titles to the Nintendo Online classic game service, as the GameCube — now nearly 25 years old — will start seeing its games available on the virtual service. Launch titles for Nintendo Online GameCube library include Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, and F-Zero GX. Here’s hoping we get Mario Sunshine and Pikmin I and II on there soon, as well as Smash Bros. Melee and the underappreciated Mario Kart Double Dash. As previously mentioned, a wireless GameCube remote will be available for Switch 2.
2. New Nintendo Exclusive Games
In addition to Mario Kart World — more on that in a minute — we were also teased with a sequel to the GameCube’s Kirby Air Rider racer game, Kirby Air Riders, directed by Smash icon Masahiro Sakurai. We also got a fairly lengthy look at a new 3D platformer for Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Bonanza, which will release in July and feels like a spiritual successor to DK64 more than Donkey Kong Country.
Also, not entirely first-party, but surely a Nintendo exclusive, we’ll get a new edition of the Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Imprisonment. This is a prequel set during the Tears of the Kingdom timeline where Zelda is thrown back in time and has to trap Ganondorf alongside Rauru and the other Zonai sages.
Details on Mario Kart World
The big launch title for Switch 2 is, as expected, the first completely new Mario Kart game in over a decade, Mario Kart World. (Never forget, MK8 initially dropped on WiiU, even though most people didn’t play it until Deluxe got ported to Switch.) World seems like a major leap for the franchise in numerous ways. First and foremost, it appears to be an open-world Mario Kart game, where players are not restricted to the tracks themselves. In fact, it sounds like you can drive from track to track on your own, getting into adventures along the way? And go on scenic drives with your real-world friends? I need to see more. Races will have up to 24 characters, and periodic checkpoints where you’ll be eliminated if you aren’t at a certain standing. Looks like lots of new Mario-related racers to choose from as well. I’m sure we’ll get plenty more details prior to Mario Kart World dropping on the Switch 2 on June 5.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for preorder via Nintendo’s official site starting April 9; note that there will be specific requirements for preorders through the site.
