Today was the day Nintendo finally shared with us a much-needed deep dive on the highly anticipated successor to its wildly successful hybrid console, the Switch. The Switch 2 was proudly shown off by the company during a Direct and at long last we got a look at some upcoming games, what makes this machine unique from its predecessor, and just what the heck that C button is all about.
If you’re looking to catch up quick on everything announced during today’s Switch 2 Direct, this is the place. Let’s get into it.
You’re reading part of Kotaku’s ongoing coverage of the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. Check back for more news from the showcase including launch games, pricing information, release date, pre-order information, and what that mysterious C button Nintendo keeps teasing actually does. We’ll be continuing to update stories with news and analysis throughout the day as Nintendo pulls back the curtain on its most anticipated console launch ever. You can find more details about today’s Switch 2 Direct and Nintendo online Treehouse Live demos going on throughout the week here.
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Kicking things off right, we got a look at the upcoming Mario Kart World, with the crew racing across a lovely suite of environments. From deserts, to snowy landscapes, to more fantastical settings, Mario Kart looks as speedy and destructive as you’d expect it to be.
The new game is set in a massive open world with dynamic time of day and weather. It could be the Forza Horizon of Mario Karts.
Mario Kart World is a Switch 2 launch title.
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The C-button stands for Chat! Nintendo’s newest console features a “C Menu,” a Discord-call-style way of chatting with friends. The Switch 2 has a built-in microphone with noise cancelling to compete with loud environments, which you can use in docked and portable mode.
Switch 2 features cross-game voice chat as well, so you’re not all limited to playing Mario Kart World if that ain’t your thing but you do want to hang with pals while gaming. The Game Chat feature also lets you watch each other’s screens, too.
The Direct also showed off a new separate camera peripheral that shows your face laid over a game like a Zoom call with a backdrop, or places your lovely visage in various avatar bubbles in games.
And yes, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use this feature, though it will be free for a limited time so you can try it out.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera launches with the Switch 2.
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Co-operative play on the Switch 2 looks to be more flexible than ever. This new feature lets you share a game locally with other Switch 2 systems and even the aging original Switch.
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With a 7.9-inch screen, the Switch 2 doubles the pixels of the original without getting any thicker. The screen is 1080p with a 120Hz refresh rate. And even though its just an LCD, it features HDR support to make colors look nice and vivid.
The JoyCons are magnetically attached as many suspected, with bigger SL and SR buttons, so horizontal play is easier. The JoyCons can also be used as a mouse, which should make first-person shooters even more fun on the device.
Here’s a fun one: with headphones, the Switch 2 features 3D audio, a technology that simulates surround sound.
The console itself features an improved kickstand and two USB-C ports, letting you charge the device while using extra peripherals.
The new system also includes 256GB internal storage, thank god.
The new Dock enables 4k resolution (!) when playing in Docked mode. The Dock also features a fan, so its a bit more substantial than the old plastic brick we’ve all been used to.
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This Switch 2-exclusive game lets you virtually explore the Switch 2 and its various features (not too dissimilar to Astro’s Playroom on PS5 from the looks of things).
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a paid launch title for Switch 2.
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The Switch 2 Game Card is the same size as the original Switch cartridge, though now its a fancy red color to help distinguish them.
The Switch 2 will also support upgraded Switch-exclusive SD cards, but not the OG yellow ones.
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The Switch 2 Pro Controller not only features the Switch 2’s new C-button, but it also has rear, assignable buttons.
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You’ll be playing the Switch 2 this summer, June 5, 2025! Hopefully you can score one at launch. The system is priced at $450, with a bundle that includes Mario Kart World priced at $500.
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Nintendo revealed today that only select Nintendo Switch games will be backwards compatible. So it seems you shouldn’t expect your entire Switch library to be supported on the new console (bummer).
Meanwhile, various Switch games will receive upgrades with improved visuals and added support for Switch 2 features such as mouse controls and even Switch 2 Camera support. In the case of Mario Party Jamboree, at least, you’ll need to purchase the upgrades Switch 2 version.
And speaking of purchasing upgrades, it seems that Switch 2-enhanced games will require you to purchase an upgrade pack…which ain’t the greatest, but at least these upgrades look pretty!
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It’s time to replay these phenomenal games. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have never looked better on a Nintendo console with upgraded visuals and frame rate. There’s even a new app that lets you access GPS-style directions across Hyrule and a feature that lets you share your TotK creations.
These upgrades must be purchased separately.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Kirby’s escapade offers an exclusive adventure for our pink pal.
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Launching with both an OG Switch and Switch 2 edition, Metroid Prime 4 looks incredible. Switch 2 offers both mouse control (hell yes) and an industry-standard performance and quality mode.
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The upcoming Pokemon game will also get a Switch 2 Edition release.
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Showing off its JoyCon mouse support, Drag x Drive is a wheelchair-based basketball game that looks to take full advantage of the improved precision of the new mouse mode as well as the JoyCon’s gyro support.
Drag x Drive launches this summer.
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Elden Ring, the incredible FromSoftware experience that will test your mettle, will arrive on Nintendo’s new platform. This port is expected this year.
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Supergiant Games joined the Direct today to announce Hades II will emerge on Nintendo’s new console.
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The latest entry in the long-running fighting series from Capcom was confirmed for Switch 2 today with a standard edition and a “Years 1-2 Fighters Edition” offering 26 characters.
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Epic mech battles ought to look incredible on the Switch 2’s bigger and better screen.
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Hazelight Studio’s latest co-op adventure, which has been an absolute hit with those who’ve played it, will also arrive on Switch 2 as a launch title.
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The Tony Hawk Pro Skater rennaissance continues on Switch 2.
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Take your murderwork on the go! The epic assassination sim is a launch title for Switch 2.
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We didn’t get much info on this, but IO Interactive’s James Bond game is coming to the Switch 2.
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Bravely Default is getting a remastered verison on Nintendo’s new console as a launch title.
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A launch title for Nintendo Switch 2, Like a Dragon’s origins with Yakuza 0 are yet another awesome edition to the new console’s lineup.
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A collaboration with Koei Tecmo, a Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom interquel promises some epic battles, letting you play as Zelda herself. This looks like an essential entry for Zelda lore fans.
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Switch 2 offers up an exclusive subscription service for Nintendo Switch Online that includes Nintendo GameCube games, with Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX available from the go.
There’s also a fancy-looking GameCube controller coming to Switch 2 as well, with both wired and wireless support on launch.
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Deltarune arrives on Switch 2 as a launch title.
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The upcoming loot shooter from Gearbox was yet another upcoming game shown off during today’s event.
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Civ 7 is expected to arrive on Switch 2 with mouse support! The future is bright for mouse games on Nintendo’s new console.
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Preem! Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition was announced for Switch 2 today.
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The first installment in the ambitious Final Fantasy VII remake project will arrive on Switch 2 along with its Yufi-focused Intermission DLC.
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We shouted out a few notable examples here, but if you’re curious, here are many more third-party games coming to Switch 2.
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Yes, even more third-party games are expected on Nintendo’s new console.
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Featuring a delightlfully grim environment, FromSoftware showed off this brutal-looking vampiric adventure today and it certainly has me ensnared in its embrace.
The Duskbloods is expected to launch in 2026 as a Switch 2 exclusive.
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Hope you’re hungry, because Kirby certainly is. The dude who just can’t stop eating everything is gettting a new game with Kirby AirRiders. It’s a follow up to Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube.
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Everyone’s favorite Nintendo monkey looks stronger than ever with today’s look at the 3D action platformer Donkey Kong Bananza. Donkey Kong can seemingly beat the crap out of just about anything, animal, vegetable, or mineral. Today’s trailer also showed off a wide variety of environments, from natural landscapes to urban spaces.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches on July 17, 2025.
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On launch, you can grab either the Switch 2 console itself, or as a “bundle” with a digital version of the new Mario Kart World.
And that was everything we saw at today’s huge Switch 2 deep dive!
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