New & Now: The Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo fans, gaming fans and anyone who loves to have a little bit of fun—you've all been waiting for this moment with bated breath: the Nintendo Switch 2 is ready to launch. Anyone who bought Nintendo Switch is ready to see how the gaming giant follows up on a console that broke records with impressive sales numbers, console longevity and more. The Nintendo Switch 2 is ready to follow as a successor, but with so many who loved the predecessor, there's a lot of pressure riding on this new console. The Nintendo Switch 2 comes out on June 5 in the United States, so here's what we know so far (and what you should know before you buy).
What Is the Nintendo Switch 2?
This may seem like a silly question to ask, but it's less silly than you'd think. The Nintendo Switch 2 is a new console, the follow up to the Nintendo Switch and a completely new gaming system. In the past, the brand has had some confusion when making the jump between consoles (for example, many were confused with the launch of the Wii U—some buyers thought that it was an addition to the Wii, instead of a completely new console).
How This Console Compares
One of the records that the Nintendo Switch broke was how long it was on the market without a successor. It hit shelves in 2017, and with a successor coming out in 2025, it breaks a record previously held by the Famicom. There's a good reason, too: the Switch is popular. With beloved Zelda titles, more Mario games than you could ever need, indie titles and, of course, the Animal Crossing game that helped so many people connect during the toughest times of the pandemic, people feel a connection with their Switch. It's a way they can both have fun and escape the real world—even with stats that pale in comparison to competitors like the PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S. So, how will the the Nintendo Switch 2 compare ... in the ways that matter?
Going Further
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a 3-in-1 gaming system, just like its predecessor—you can connect it to your TV to play games on the big screen, set up its kickstand on a table and use the Joy-Cons as individual controllers to play with a friend, or take it on the go and play the handheld system on your own. But there are some improvements that players have been asking for and will be excited to see. Between a larger screen, more storage space and easier-to-attach controllers, it's the better console in nearly every way.
The Specs
- 7.9-inch screen
- 10.4 inches wide, 4.5 inches tall
- 256GB of storage space
- Expandable storage with microSD Express cards
- Large kickstand for tabletop mode
- Extra USB-C port on top for convenient charging and accessory connection
- Handheld: 7.9-inch display with 1080p resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate
- When docked: supports 4K display output, wired LAN port
- Battery life: 2-6.5 hours hours of play when undocked
All-New Joy-Cons
The detachable controllers are called Joy-Cons, and these behave differently on the Nintendo Switch 2. On the Switch, they slid along a track and "clicked" into place. At times, that could feel awkward or require more than one attempt to attach. The new Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 bring all-new functionality to the games you play, starting with how they attach. They "click" on magnetically for quick attachment. Plus, these don't just behave like controllers—they can act like a computer mouse. Slide one along a surface like a table (or even your leg) and control what's onscreen in a game that might usually require a mouse to play. With upgraded size and comfort, these are easy to use and make every play session comfortable.
More About the Display
The Nintendo Switch 2 has an upgraded display compared to last generation's 720p, 60Hz refresh rate screen. This new gaming console goes beyond with 1080p resolution and a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. In one sentence, it's a better display—but it's still an LCD screen. Many were hoping for an OLED model (especially since Nintendo came out with an OLED Switch not too long ago). Hoping for 4K instead? When the Nintendo Switch 2 is docked, the console supports 4K gaming—as long as you have a 4K TV with a 4K game.
What's New to the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 does more than just improve on the previous console's standards; the experts at Nintendo packed this gaming console with new features, like GameShare. With GameShare, a console with one game has the ability to share play between other consoles, allowing you to play certain titles with others on other Nintendo Switch 2 systems (and even other Nintendo Switch consoles).
Next up, GameChat. GameChat allows users to play online with friends and talk to them as they play. It's great for competitive play and co-op games where you need to communicate constantly.
Why Some Are Hesitant to Buy
In a word, price. Gaming is an expensive hobby, and the original Switch was a steal at a launch price of $300 (and the Switch Lite ended up costing $100 less without the ability to play games on the TV). Many point out that, adjusting for inflation, the original Switch would cost a little less than $400, so the difference is not as stark as it may seem ... until you pull out your wallet, at least. The Nintendo Switch 2 costs $450 at launch.
We'd be remiss not to mention that the battery life on the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't go as far as some handheld gaming consoles, including the classic Switch. With 5220mAh, this battery can last between 2 and 6.5 hours. That battery sap can be blamed on its impressive graphics and processing capabilities.
Why You Want It Anyway
Nintendo is one of few places you can get certain gaming titles, and the Switch 2 is launching with new games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Looking for nostalgia? 2025 will bring older GameCube titles to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, with favorites like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Soulcaliber 2. Exploring the vast library of classics and fun new games will give players tons of content to love (especially if you never had a GameCube and are interested in playing some amazing games).
Why should you buy a Nintendo Switch 2? This console is truly better than its predecessor in almost every realm, from an impressive CPU and GPU to a larger screen, new features and improvements across the console's body and even the dock. Nearly every issue people had with the initial Switch has been addressed with the Switch 2, and with the ability to play great games from previous generations, this console brings the best of the GameCube and Switch, all with more to come in the future.
Where Can I Find It?
Abt will be carrying the Nintendo Switch 2, but it will be hard to find on launch day like any gaming console. We can't promise that we'll have them in stock immediately. Launch day is June 5, 2025, and we hope you have fun playing some of the newest (and classic) games available.
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