Yesterday was a banger of a day in terms of announcements. Not only did we announce the pre-orders for our latest NAG Magazine Autumn Edition 2025, but Nintendo hosted a Direct where they showcased almost everything we need to know about their latest piece of hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2!
If you didn’t manage to catch the hour-long presentation yesterday afternoon, worry not because we’re about to list all the important features and updates from the show.
Release Date
Of course, we’ve all been dying to know when the Nintendo Switch 2 will hit our shelves! Luckily, Nintendo didn’t just show off the new console; they also gave us a release date and announced when we could pre-order the unit.
The console will officially launch on the 5th of June 2025, with pre-orders opening on the 9th of April. The caveat here is that “most retailers” are stipulated, so pre-order dates may differ in the local market.
Pricing
The console will launch in two versions: a standalone version that includes just the console, retailing at $449.99, and a Mariokart World version that includes a digital copy of the new Mariokart World game, retailing at $499.99.
We don’t yet have local pricing for the console, but we estimate a launch price similar to the Nintendo Switch OLED console, so expect to see pricing around the R9,000 mark.
Hardware
The new console obviously comes with a host of new upgrades, we’ll cover the most important ones here, but you can check out the full direct at the bottom of the article for all the details.
Nintendo has also developed a game called Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which gamifies all the hardware and features of the console. Sadly, yet not too confusingly for Nintendo, the game will not be free.
Larger Screen
The Nintendo Switch 2 now has a larger 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD screen. This screen allows for crisper details and higher-definition gameplay compared to the previous unit. HDR is supported, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock can push this up to 4K when in TV mode.
Joy-Con 2 Controllers
The new Joy-Con 2 Controllers feature a new magnetic snap-in-place connection, ensuring a more secure yet easier way to attach and detach the controllers from the unit. The analogue sticks, SR and SL buttons are also larger for easier use and they feature a handy mouse mode for more ways to play.
CPU and GPU
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with more power under the hood. This means gamers will have access to more graphic-hungry games, faster loading times and visually enhanced gameplay.
Extra Features
The new unit comes standard with a large kickstand, a second USB-C port, more powerful 3D audio speakers and a much larger 256GB internal storage capacity.
Alongside the new console, gamers can expect a new Pro Controller and a new Nintendo Switch Camera for in-game video chat.
Software
The new “C” button on the Nintendo Switch 2 opens up a world of communication with the company’s latest software feature. Game Chat allows players to open up voice-communication features that allow them to chat away with their friends, whether playing the same game together or completely different games apart.
It also allows gamers to chat with other online players in online gameplay.
Of course, new, more powerful hardware means we get access to improved graphics and awesome games.
While more than 20 titles managed to sneak their way into the direct, some notable games include:
- Mariokart World
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Kirby Air Riders
- Split Fiction
- The Duskbloods
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Multiple titles, including The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, will also receive a paid-for Nintendo Switch 2 enhancement.
Again, for the amazing list of titles that Switch gamers will get to enjoy, don’t forget to check out the full Nintendo Direct below.
NAG’s Opinion
Of course, many of us at NAG HQ have the older generation Nintendo Switch consoles docked on our TVs or tucked into our backpacks for some on-the-go fun, which means we’re hella excited for the launch of this sleek-looking Nintendo powerhouse.
But, we do have some reservations…
Game prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 have gone through the roof. Digital games will launch at the $80 mark, while physical releases will sit around $90.
Add to that the fact that physical cartridges are just keys to access and download the digital content anyway, and physical collectors start to feel it even more.
The mouse feature may seem cool at first glance, but it’s quite niche and seems a little odd for a console that we usually play on the go.
Paid upgrades for already existing titles seem like a cash grab, and the extra hardware means gamers will be coughing up quite a bit more than they’re used to for the game-and-go console.
Yes, the added hardware means we have access to more titles, but with other handhelds in the market already able to do this, and at a fraction of the games’ cost, the main draw has got to be the Nintendo Exclusives, which we just haven’t seen much of yet.
Don’t get us wrong – we’re very excited about the console’s launch. We’re just a little sad that it’s not as exciting as we’d hoped.
In the comments below, please let us know what you think about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and all the new features and games.
