Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Officially Confirmed – Pre-Orders Now Open!
(Image credit: Nintendo)
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Nintendo has officially confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released on June 5, 2025. Yes, actually confirmed. This time it’s real.
The confirmation dropped during the April 2 Nintendo Direct, a livestream that finally peeled back the curtain and gave us a glimpse of what’s next: not just a release date, but also fresh specs, a few accessories, and a confirmed launch title (Mario Kart World, no less). More on those later.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders: What You Need to Know (So You Don’t Miss Out!)
Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have quietly gone live in several regions around the world—including the UK—and as of April 24, they’ve also launched at major U.S. and Canadian retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop.
Nintendo initially paused North American pre-orders, delaying the original April 9 opening date, but after assessing potential impacts from new tariff policies under President Donald Trump, they’ve resumed sales. Invitations for early pre-orders via the My Nintendo Store will start rolling out on May 8, 2025.
Why the initial delay? Well, in a bit of unexpected geopolitical crossover, Nintendo hit pause to evaluate the ripple effects of newly announced U.S. tariffs—tariffs that could have significantly impacted tech imports and consumer pricing. According to a statement Nintendo gave to Polygon at the time:
“Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.”
Since then, a 90-day tariff reprieve was announced by the White House, giving companies like Nintendo time to ship initial inventory without new duties kicking in immediately.
That breathing room is likely what made Nintendo greenlight pre-orders now rather than waiting longer.
And Nintendo? They’re not the kind of company to just eat higher costs if tariffs hit later. It’s clear from small price hikes—like the new $94.99 MSRP for Joy-Con 2 sets—that they’re preparing cautiously.
So what does this tell us?
They’re being careful—but not careless. They didn’t open pre-orders lightly.
They’re holding firm on the launch date: June 5 is still locked in. That’s huge.
In my experience, when companies delay pre-orders like this, it’s usually because they want to avoid committing to a price and then needing to hike it after orders are placed. That would create a bad customer experience—and Nintendo knows it. So while this news cycle created a little turbulence, it’s probably the smarter move long-term.
If I were you, I’d act quickly if you want to snag a Switch 2. Retailer allocations are reportedly tight, and My Nintendo Store invitations are rolling out in waves starting May 8.
Just don’t panic if you don’t get one right away—Nintendo says more invite rounds will follow.
And yes, all of this raises the stakes even more for Nintendo to absolutely nail the June launch.
My Nintendo Store Registration
Now that pre-orders are available again, Nintendo also offers the My Nintendo Store registration.
Here’s how it works:
Head over to My Nintendo Store and register your interest for either:
Nintendo Switch 2 (standard console)
Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle (console + game)
Invitations to actually buy the console will start landing in your email inbox on May 8, 2025.
Not everyone who registers will snag an invite, though. Nintendo’s playing favorites (just a bit). Invitations will be sent out on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority going to those who have:
At least 12 months of paid Nintendo Switch Online membership under their belt.
Logged a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2, 2025.
In other words, Nintendo wants to reward loyal players—those who’ve actually spent time and money supporting their ecosystem. Smart move, Nintendo.
Now, speaking personally, I’ve got approximately three billion hours logged in Breath of the Wild alone, so I’m feeling pretty confident about my odds. But if you haven’t met those conditions, don’t panic—regular pre-orders through Amazon or other retailers are still an option now.
As someone who’s spent more hours on the original Switch than I care to admit (let’s just say my Animal Crossing island is still going strong), I’m really excited about this release. And now that we have actual confirmation, it’s time to break down what the Switch 2 has to offer—and why you should probably start saving up.
Nintendo Switch 2 Design & Display
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Bigger Display
Nintendo went with a 7.9-inch LCD (1080p) display. Yes, OLED would have been nice, but LCD cuts costs—and Nintendo rarely leaves profit margins on the table. Either way, it’ll be bigger and sharper than the Switch OLED’s 7-inch panel, and it’ll support HDR with 4K output when docked. Finally, Mario’s mustache in stunning high dynamic range.
Magnetic Joy-Cons (Finally!)
Arguably the most exciting hardware change. The new Joy-Cons ditch the infamous sliding rails and attach magnetically. They do not use Hall-effect sensors. In English? That means no more drift. If you’ve ever helplessly watched Link walk straight off a cliff for no reason (I have), this is fantastic news.
Dual USB-C Ports
Yes, it’s confirmed. You now get two USB-C ports, one on the top and one on the bottom, making charging while gaming easier whether you’re docked or in handheld mode.
New “C” Button and GameChat
A dedicated new “C” button on the right Joy-Con lets you quickly access the GameChat feature, enabling voice chat and screen sharing. Nintendo finally giving us streamlined communication? Color me cautiously optimistic.
Optional Switch 2 Camera
Nintendo revealed an optional camera attachment, primarily for the GameChat feature.
Upgraded Kickstand
Nintendo didn’t forget the simple things. There’s now an improved, sturdier kickstand—no more propping your $449 console up with a stack of textbooks.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backward Compatibility
Nintendo has confirmed that most existing Switch games will work on the Switch 2.
Some older titles might need patches to take advantage of better hardware.
Now, about launch titles. We officially know that Mario Kart World—not just another deluxe rehash but a genuinely new installment—is confirmed as a day-one launch title. So at least we’ll have something fresh to sink our teeth into alongside the new hardware. Personally, I’m relieved we’re not getting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Ultimate Turbo Remix. We deserve better.
For more details about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2’s backward compatibility, check out my detailed guide.
Nintendo Switch 2 Performance
Nintendo has confirmed it's using a custom NVIDIA processor (probably Nvidia Tegra T239 chip), continuing their partnership from the original Switch, and allowing DLSS upscaling to reach 4K resolution in docked mode.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to feature an impressive 256 GB of internal storage (finally!). However, we do not know yet how big Nintendo Switch 2 games are going to be.
In order to make sure you can keep your game library growing without any slowdown, I recommend checking out my prefered high-speed MicroSD Express card.
The battery life of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to range from around 2 to 6.5 hours on a full charge, according to Nintendo’s official spec sheet. Of course, how long you get out of it will depend on what games you’re playing and how you're using the console. To be honest, I’m a bit bummed about this, but I guess I’ll have to rely on a trusty powerbank for my adventures on the go again.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price
(Image credit: Nintendo)
The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 USD. That’s a cool $50 bump from the launch price of the original Switch—and $150 more than the current OLED model. Inflation? New tech? A Nintendo tax? Probably a little of everything.
If you want to go full Mario mode right out of the box, Nintendo is also offering a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99 USD. That gets you the console and a copy of the brand-new kart racer that’s launching alongside it. Whether the bundle includes any exclusive digital bonuses or physical extras (steelbook, special Joy-Con colors, that sort of thing) hasn’t been confirmed yet—but even if it doesn’t, the bundle still shaves a few bucks off buying the game separately.
By the way, accessory MSRPs (U.S.) ticked up after Nintendo’s tariff analysis:
Joy-Con 2 pair: $94.99 (was $89.99)
Pro Controller 2: $84.99 (was $79.99)
Dock set: $119.99 (unchanged)
From Switch to Switch 2: Why Now?
Let’s rewind to 2017. The original Nintendo Switch felt to me like a paradigm shift. The idea that you could start playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild on your TV and then instantly take it with you on the go? Absolute genius. It blurred the line between home and handheld gaming in a way that felt futuristic at the time.
And the numbers speak for themselves:
146 million+ units sold—making it one of the best-selling consoles of all time.
Exclusive, must-play titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Metroid Dread, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
A form factor that inspired devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go.
Nintendo hit a home run, but let’s be honest—the hardware is starting to show its age. The current Switch is struggling to keep up with modern game demands, and third-party developers are increasingly having to compromise performance just to make their games run on the system (looking at you, Hogwarts Legacy).
Fast-forward to 2025, and the competition has stepped up.
The Steam Deck and other PC handhelds have proven that portable gaming can be powerful.
PlayStation and Xbox are rumored to be working on their own handhelds.
Even mobile gaming has reached levels of performance that put the Switch’s dated hardware to shame.
Nintendo knows it’s been time to upgrade.
Bonus: What Did the Rumors Say, and Which One Turned Out to Be True?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how creative the rumor mill got—and where it actually got things right.
Before Nintendo gave us the facts, the community had theories. Lots of them. Some were surprisingly well-thought-out. Others were basically digital tarot readings. Here’s a brief rundown of what people were betting on pre-Direct:
May 15, 2025 – The “Doom Theory”
ThunderStash Gaming’s theory pointed to May 15, coinciding with the launch of Doom: The Dark Ages. The thinking was: Nintendo likes pairing hardware drops with heavy-hitting games. The OG Switch shipped with Breath of the Wild, after all. So why not repeat the formula?
Bonus clue: LEGO is also releasing a Mario Kart set that same day. Pretty random if you asked me, but big Nintendo collaborations (especially LEGO) tend to sync up with major releases (even though this time it didn’t).
Retail “Leaks” from Finland
Another theory surfaced thanks to Konsolinet, a Finnish retailer that listed Switch 2 preorders with a May 9 release placeholder (Switch 2 Stock reported on it first). While it’s common for stores to use speculative dates to prep listings, this added more fuel to the speculative fire.
Numerology
This one’s my favorite. Spanish streamer KOPU noticed that Nintendo’s teaser video was obsessed with the number 2:
Aired at 22:02 in Japan
Lasted 2 minutes and 22 seconds
The Direct took place 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days after the teaser
By that logic, some fans were betting on a May 22 launch. Was it coincidence or marketing black magic? We may never know—but hey, it made for a great Reddit thread.
The June Release (That Turned Out to Be Right)
Multiple industry insiders, including former Nintendo employees, had hinted that the Switch 2 will drop in early summer—likely in June. It fits Nintendo’s typical hardware launch pattern—pre-holiday ramp-up, with enough time to stockpile units.
FoxConn, Nintendo’s manufacturing partner, was also reportedly already ramping up production as early as Q1. That’s not something you do just for fun. It’s what you do when you really don’t want your next console to become a collector’s item the moment it drops.
Remember the PS5 launch disaster? Scalpers grabbed up every available unit, and normal humans had to fight bots just to get one. Nintendo probably didn’t want that to happen again.
In the end, the June crowd won. But let’s not be too hard on the rumor-hunters. They were wrong… but also kinda right. They saw patterns, and to Nintendo’s credit, those patterns existed. They just didn’t lock into place until April 2.
Final Thoughts: Should You Wait for the Nintendo Switch 2?
If you already have a Switch, but thought about upgrading to the Switch OLED in the past, wait for the Switch 2—it’s so close, you’d regret buying hardware that’s about to be outdated.
If you don’t have a Switch at all and just want to play existing games? The Switch OLED is still a great choice, especially if you find it at a discount (it will be quite a bit cheaper compared to the brand-new Switch 2 at $449).
Overall, Nintendo is playing it safe with the Switch 2—keeping what works and refining the experience, rather than doing something totally different. In my opinion, that’s a good thing. The Switch is already a wild success, and this new version is fixing some of its biggest flaws.
Mark your calendar for June 5, 2025. That’s when we’ll get the final product.
Until then, what do you think? Will the Switch 2 actually be a success? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
And if you want to stay ahead of all the latest Switch 2 updates, subscribe to my tech newsletter!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go prepare my bank account for what Nintendo’s about to charge me. See ya.
FAQ
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Nintendo has officially confirmed a June 5, 2025 release.
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The base model will retail for $449.99 USD, while the Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle comes in at $499.99 USD. Pricey? A bit. But considering the upgraded hardware and bundled game, it’s in line with expectations—if not exactly cheap.
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Yes—though don’t expect PS5-level visuals. The Switch 2 runs on a custom Nvidia Tegra chip, with DLSS upscaling for 4K support in docked mode and HDR. It’s a big leap from the original Switch, especially when connected to a TV, but handheld mode will stay at 1080p.
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Yes! Nintendo has confirmed that most Switch games will work on the Switch 2. However, there’s a small chance that some older games might need patches for full compatibility.
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Yes, wirelessly (but not physically) and only if a game doesn’t require Joy-Con 2-only functions.
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Yes—sort of. Docked mode supports 4K output with DLSS, while handheld remains at a lower resolution (likely 1080p).
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Confirmed so far:
• Mario Kart World – launching day one with the console
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Pre-orders opened April 9, 2025 (U.S. pre-orders opened on April 24, 2025), at major retailers. If you want to go through the My Nintendo Store, you’ll need to register your interest first. Invitations to buy will go out on May 8, prioritized for long-time Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with:
12+ months of paid membership
At least 50 hours of gameplay (as of April 2, 2025)
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Probably not impossible, but don’t expect it to be easy either. Nintendo has reportedly ramped up production to avoid the PS5-style supply crisis, but with high demand and inevitable scalpers, it’s best to pre-order early if you can.
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If you’re a fan of Nintendo’s ecosystem and portable gaming, it’s shaping up to be a strong upgrade. More power, modernized features, a better display, and a redesigned controller experience—it’s a thoughtful evolution. If you were hoping for a Switch-meets-Gaming-PC hybrid, you might be left wanting more. But for what it is, the Switch 2 looks like it’ll hit the sweet spot for a lot of players.
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