Today’s the day! Finally, this morning’s long-awaited Nintendo Direct presentation gave gamers an in-depth look at the upcoming console. From hardware close-ups and surprising specs to classic and brand-new game announcements, the hour-long presentation was a crowd-pleaser.

Nintendo Direct presentations are fast-paced and loaded with details, so we’ve broken down all things Nintendo Switch 2. The upcoming console will retail for $449.99, the company confirmed.

We’ve got a little while until the console hits shelves on June 5, but until then, tide yourself over with these new goodies from Nintendo.

Mario Kart World

The program started strong with one of the brand’s most well-known IPs. Looks like Mario Kart is getting down and dirty in Mario Kart World. Notable additions include the implementation of dirt roads, an in-game photo mode, rail-grind capabilities, and amplified multiplayer capabilities, wild courses, creative karts — boats, snowmobiles, trucks — and up to two dozen (!!!) racers.

GameChat

Nintendo is coming for platforms like Discord with its new in-game chat capabilities. The feature allows gamers to communicate efficiently within games, even if they’re working on two different titles. The OG Switch app allows players to communicate, but it’s underwhelming compared to the new console’s abilities. Use chat when in handheld mode, open in-game sharing to broadcast your game screen, and easily pull up your chat with the console’s new C button.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera

The Game Boy Camera walked so the Switch 2’s new camera could run. The camera is a supplemental device that looks a little like a desk light. The tool makes online multiplayer even more fun, letting players see one another’s in-game reactions. The presentation included a quick peek of the device in action, showing four players’ animated expressions as they chop steaks in Mario Party. While it’s cool, it’s not a necessary buy; if you’ve already got a camera, it should work, too!

Nintendo Switch 2 Console Hardware Specs

The new console boasts a bigger screen (7.9″ compared to the first Switch’s 6.2″ display) but measures the same thickness (13.9″). The Nintendo Switch 2’s display utilizes double the pixels on its 1080p display. The console will support HDR and reach up to 120 fps.

Joycons are now magnetized, making them so much easier to attach and remove. Take your JoyCons off your console using the improved release button. Other additions include larger SL and SR buttons for more comfort and control when horizontal, larger control sticks, mouse capabilities on both JoyCons.

The console will have improved audio, a built-in noise-canceling mic for GameChat use “so your voice will come through clearly,” the presentation clarified.

Additionally, gamers will enjoy immersive 3D sound, an improved stand for improved flexibility, and an additional USB-C port on top in addition to one on the bottom, which will surely come in handy for charging when in tabletop mode or using your camera. The console also boasts 256GB internal 8x of OG, and the new 4K-supporting device dock has a built-in fan for stable performance.

Nintendo also introduced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, which will take existing titles and improve playability and resolution. If you already own the game for your current Switch console, don’t worry — Nintendo says these games will still be playable on the Switch 2, with some able to be upgraded using the brand’s new Upgrade Pack.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards for high-speed data transfer; regular SD cards you might already have for the first console are NOT compatible. When it comes time to transfer data on June 5, gamers can use the “System Transer” on their first console to move their account seamlessly.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

“Honey, I shrunk the gamers!” Nintendo is launching a quirky and fun tutorial for the new system. The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will let users navigate their console and study its features up close.

Nintendo Switch 2 App

The current console offers an app, but its limited capabilities pale in comparison to the second console’s features. In some titles, players can use their in-app GPS to locate hard-to-get missing items, share in-game creations using QR codes, and even take and store notes pertinent to each game. As a notetaker, this is a big deal for me! My Notes app can finally take a breath.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Mario Party, Zelda, Kirby, Metroid, and Pokemon are among the franchises heading to the Nintendo Switch 2. If your entertainment center already contains these games, your copies can be upgraded using the “Upgrade Pack.” This will improve the resolution and playability on your new console, taking your already cherished faves and fine-tuning them for a new console generation.

Drag x Drive

Sometime in the summer of 2025, we’ll be getting Nintendo’s answer to Rocket League. In Drag x Drive, steer and dunk using your JoyCons’ new mouse capabilities. Gamers will — quite literally — drag their JoyCon mice to drive that ball to the hoop. Swish!

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

FINALLY! Nintendo fans will be relieved to know they can finally indulge in a Soulsborne that isn’t Dark Souls Remastered. Per Bandai Namco, more content is coming to Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, including new armor, Torrent appearance customization, and more. The release will include Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, as well.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 +4

We got another glimpse of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 gameplay, including the reveal of Nora Vasconcellos as a skater.

That’s not all, though, as the game teased the inclusion of Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants as a playable stage.

Hitman & Project 007

The Hitman franchise returns to Nintendo with Hitman World of Assassination: Signature Edition. The game includes all the content from Hitman, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3, including post-launch support.

That’s not all, though, as developer IO Interactive teased the return of James Bond with Project 007, now in development for Nintendo Switch 2. That’s all they had for details, though, so we’re not sure if this is a spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007 or something entirely new.

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Sega’s Yakuza 0, originally released for PlayStation in the mid-2010s, is getting a facelift with an exclusive “Director’s Cut” edition just for the Nintendo Switch 2. In addition to the killer Yakuza entry, gamers will also get never-before-seen cutscenes, an online four-player mode featuring dozens of unlockable characters, and new voiceover and subtitle capabilities. Can’t wait to get back to Kamurocho!

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

The newest entry in the Hyrule Warriors franchise serves as a prequel to the events of Tears of the Kingdom. It features the untold story of the Imprisoning War and its implications for Hyrule.

Fans of the franchise can grab this game when it releases this winter.

GameCube for Nintendo Switch Online

At long last, the Nintendo GameCube is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. At launch, we’ll see the release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, and F-Zero GX. The latter will include machine customization, its full story mode, and online multiplayer.

All classic games will be available with improved graphics and higher resolution. You’ll also be able to customize controls for each individual game. More titles, such as Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, will be coming at a later date.

Deltarune

Many have been wondering when we’ll get more Deltarune content. Well, wait no more!

Chapters 3 and 4 are coming alongside the first two as a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2. Deltarune was developed by Toby Fox, best known for Undertale, and has been in development for over a decade. The first two chapters were initially released in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

The Duskbloods

Since Sony refuses to greenlight a sequel, or even a simple remaster, of Bloodborne, Nintendo decided to step in and work with FromSoftware on a spiritual successor.

The Duskbloods has the same look and feel we know and love from the Soulslike classic and hints at some twists from their most recent games, including the upcoming Elden Ring: Nightreign.

Kirby Air Riders

One of the biggest surprises from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is the announcement of Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the cult classic GameCube game Kirby Air Ride. It’s directed by Mashiro Sakurai, best known for his work on the Super Smash Bros. franchise, and is set to be released later this year.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza is the first 3D Donkey Kong platformer since the Nintendo 64’s Donkey Kong 64, so you can say this has been a long time coming. Sporting DK’s new look inspired by the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Donkey Kong Bananza looks to feature destructible environments in an open world.

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