Nintendo has confirmed during a livestream on Wednesday that the highly anticipated Switch 2 console will be released in June.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be released on June 5 in the U.S. and most regions around the world, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the U.K, and Europe. The console will cost $449.99.

The Context

A recent survey from CNET found that more than half of U.S. adults who are active gamers are interested in purchasing the new console, with younger games like Gen Z and millennials being most interested, as 70 percent and 71 percent said they were interested in buying the Switch 2.

The first Nintendo Switch was released back in 2017.

What Games Will Be Available on the Nintendo Switch 2?

New versions of some of the most popular Nintendo games will be available on the Switch 2.

The Nintendo launch show opened with a look at Mario Kart World, a brand-new racing game from Nintendo, and a sequel to Mario Kart 8. This is a launch title and exclusive to the Switch 2.

Two upgraded Zelda games will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These will require the purchasing of an upgrade pack if you own the original.

Another addition is Split Fiction. A follow-up to the 2021 winner of the Game of the Year Award It Takes Two, Split Fiction is an co-op action-adventure game that was released earlier this year and is so far, one of the best-reviewed games of this year.

Additionally, Donkey Kong Bananza a 3D platforming action game will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17. Another much anticipated game, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, is due to be released in 2025.

Here’s a list of the Switch 2 Games that will be launching on the console’s release day.

• Mario Kart World
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• Split Fiction
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Street Fighter 6
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
• Fortnite
• Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
• Deltarune
• Survival Kids
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Fast Fusion
• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

What New Features Will the Nintendo Switch 2 Have?

The new console has a larger and higher-quality screen than the Switch, along with magnetic detachable controls. Nintendo has said that the console will come with a range of social features, including a tool called GameChat, which will enable players to chat with friends as they play.

The gaming giant also confirmed that the new console will have the function for players to share a game and play together with up to three friends, even if those friends don’t own the game.

Here’s a closer look at some of the key features and hardware upgrades:

Display: 7.9-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution and HDR support.

Performance: Enhanced processing power for improved graphics and faster load times.​

Storage: 256 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD Express cards. ​

New Features

GameChat: Integrated voice communication system with advanced noise control and parental settings. ​

GameShare: Allows local play with shared games among nearby consoles.

What’s Next

Preorders for the console will be available soon and are expected to be available through multiple retailers including Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart, but will also be available on the My Nintendo Store.