With this morning’s Nintendo Direct, we have finally received solid details on Nintendo’s next hybrid console. So here are the highlights that we found most notable.

First off, the most important detail: The Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5, 2025. Regarding price, the system is probably more expensive than you were expecting, coming in at about $500 US. This was stated on Nintendo’s website—and was not mentioned anywhere in the Direct video, by the way—where the two purchase options at launch are as follows:

Nintendo Switch 2 system - $449.99
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World (digital game) Bundle - $499.99

The sticker shock doesn’t end there necessarily, as the standalone of price of Mario Kart World appears to be $80. That’s a pretty significant price hike for individual games from one generation to the next, so we’ll have to see if it’s only the case for big 1st party Nintendo titles like Mario Kart, or you know, for everything. It appears that the new Donkey Kong will cost $70, which—while still a step up in price—is not as shocking. Perhaps Mario Kart World is a special case?

Interestingly, the Switch 2 in Japan will cost less than in other regions. Presumably because the Yen is so devalued right now, the high price tag of the this new console might be out of reach for most Japanese consumers. To ensure that only Japanese citizens can really use the Japanese Switch 2, the system will be Japanese language only, and will only connect with Nintendo Switch Online accounts set with Japan as their region. It’s kind of like the region-locking of old, but actually less restrictive. Besides, we all understand Japanese these days anyway, right?

Ok, let’s cover the other important details:

The new Mario Kart is called Mario Kart World and features huge race tracks that are all interconnected into one expansive world. A Free Roam mode even allows you to drive around the whole thing, kind of like a BOTW version of Mario Kart. Races can have up to 24 competitors, and my boy Koopa Troopa is playable.

Switch 2 has a C Button that launches GameChat, a new feature for chatting with friends while playing online. There's even a camera peripheral that allows for video chat while playing online. Honestly, it's amazing that it’s taken Nintendo this long to finally add a chat feature. And I wonder if it will even be any good, lol. Oh yeah, GameChat also requires Nintendo Switch Online, of course.
Mouse Controls are definitely a thing, and seem to feature prominently in some S2 games. For instance, the Switch 2 Edition of Metroid Prime 4, but I’m getting ahead of myself…

Switch 2 will have 256 GB of internal storage. For adding more storage, you need to use a microSD Express Card. Regular microSD cards—like the one you likely have in your Switch right now—will not work.
S2 game cards are the same shape and dimensions as S1 game cards, however Switch 2 game cards are Red! (They also suppose high-speed data transfer, apparently.)
There's some weird Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game which explains many aspects of the system while also containing mini-games. Basically it's a tech demo, but Nintendo is selling it as paid DLC.
Certain Switch 1 games are getting enhanced S2 versions, called "Nintendo Switch 2 Editions". Metroid Prime 4, as expected, will have an enhanced Switch 2 version. To upgrade a Switch game you already own to the Switch 2 Edition, you have to buy an "upgrade pack".

With the new power of the Switch 2, Nintendo will finally get some BIG 3rd party titles. We’re most excited to see:
- Street Fighter 6
- Hitman: World of Assassin (plus IOI's upcoming “Project 007” game)
- Yakuza Zero
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Elden Ring (plus a new exclusive From Software title, "The Duskbloods")
- EA Sports' FC and Madden franchises
There's a new Hyrule Warriors game, this time a prequel to Tears Of The Kingdom.

NSO's Expansion Pak on Switch 2 will be getting GameCube games. For some reason they are starting with only three games, Zelda: Windwaker, Soul Calibur 2, and F-Zero GX. Super Mario Strikers is confirmed to be coming in the future as well—which is probably the Kelleher Bros. #1 most-requested game to play on modern consoles.
A sequel to Kirby's Air Ride is on the way, directed by Masahiro Sakarai.

Donkey Kong is starring in a new 3D platformer called Donkey Kong Banaza. The game appears to be giving DK the Mario Odyssey treatment, with a big underground world and tons of destructible environments. Honestly, it looks pretty awesome.

And that’s the Switch 2 news you really need to know. With its $500 price tag—and potentially $70 to $80 games on top of that—Nintendo’s next console might be a bit too pricey for a lot of people. Even amongst the Kelleher Brothers, it’s only me (Lucas) who’s likely to buy a Switch 2 at launch. That said, we’re still excited for the console and looking forward to seeing what incredible games it will introduce.

And I must admit, I’m pleased that Nintendo iterated on their revolutionary Switch design for their next console. This really wasn’t the time to give us a characteristically weird swerve, way out of left field, centering their design on some quirky—and potentially disastrous—gimmick. No, no, no. Another Switch, just more powerful and capable this time, is basically exactly what was needed.