Nintendo Switch 2 Is Here: Release Date, Pre-Order, and Other Direct Event Details

On April 2, a Nintendo Direct event took place on their YouTube channel. The live stream announced the Nintendo Switch 2 release date and many other key details about the new portable console.

Switch 2 Release Date

The official Nintendo announcement announces the release date. Also, the price and characteristics are known. The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025.

The package includes the console, upgraded Joy-Con 2 controllers with grips and straps, a new dock, an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable, an AC adapter, and a USB-C charging cable.

Switch 2 Pre-Order Link

Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are coming soon! You can register now on the My Nintendo Store to get a chance to pre-order the console and accessories. Nintendo will send purchase invitations via email, giving priority to players with a 12-month Switch Online membership and at least 50 hours of gameplay as of April 2, 2025.

If you qualify but don’t get an invite right away, don’t worry—other eligible users will be considered once priority invites go out. Each invite is valid for 72 hours and can’t be transferred. You can buy one console and one of each accessory per account.

Major retailers will also open preorders on April 9, 2025, so stay tuned!

Switch 2 Additional Devices: Nintendo Camera and Others

The Pro Controller looks like the old one but now has an audio jack, a C button for GameChat, and extra back buttons. There’s also a Switch 2 Camera for video chat and games like Super Mario Party Jamboree. Other add-ons include new Joy-Cons, a charging grip, straps, a wheel set, a dock, carrying cases, and an AC adapter.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat

Nintendo GameChat is a built-in voice and video chat feature for the Switch 2, letting players talk to friends while gaming. It works with the new Pro Controller (which has a C button for quick access) and the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for video calls. Some games, like Super Mario Party Jamboree, will use GameChat for in-game interactions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera

The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is an accessory that adds video chat and interactive features to the Switch 2. It works with GameChat, letting players video call friends, and is also used in games like Super Mario Party Jamboree for fun gameplay interactions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is an upgraded gamepad for the Nintendo Switch 2, offering improved ergonomics, better battery life, and enhanced features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for a more immersive gaming experience.

Nintendo Switch 2 Memory: 256 GB

The Switch 2 gets a great storage upgrade, jumping from 32 GB to 256 GB of internal space. Plus, it ditches standard MicroSD cards in favor of MicroSD Express, allowing for much faster data transfer speeds.

Nintendo Switch 2 Games

The main question is: Will GTA 6 be on Switch 2? We have already described the probable list of Switch 2 games previously, but what is known for sure from this Nintendo Direct Live is which games will be playable! Let’s see.

Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch 2

Get ready for some serious ape action because Donkey Kong Bananza is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this July, and it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride. This 3D platformer follows Donkey Kong as he smashes, bashes, and explores his way through a totally new world. What’s even cooler? DK can break off chunks of the environment and use that debris to beat up enemies. Plus, there are going to be some epic boss battles, a ton of humor, and even some classic 2D levels to keep things fresh.

Mark your calendars – Donkey Kong Bananza drops on July 17, 2025!

Kirby AirRide on Nintendo Switch 2

Hold on to your Warp Stars because Kirby Air Riders is zooming onto Nintendo Switch 2 later this year! Developed by Super Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai, this game will bring the iconic pink puffball to the skies for some high-speed racing action. While we didn’t get a look at gameplay just yet, we did see Kirby riding his classic Warp Star, along with other air riders on their unique machines.

This marks the return of the Kirby Air Ride series, the first new installment since the 2003 GameCube classic. If you’re into fast-paced racing and colorful, whimsical action, this is one to keep an eye on!

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Wild Are Getting Nintendo Switch 2 Editions

Great news for Zelda fans! Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Wild are getting special Nintendo Switch 2 Edition versions, launching with the console this year. These enhanced editions will bring smoother frame rates, faster load times, and upgraded graphics, making Link’s epic journeys even more breathtaking.

But that’s not all. The new editions will also feature a Zelda Notes app on the Nintendo Switch Online app, which is exclusive to these versions. This app will help you track down shrines, Koroks, and other locations, with bonus commentary from Princess Zelda that wasn't in the original games. It’s the perfect excuse to dive back into Hyrule (or the skies above) for an even more immersive experience.

Pokémon Legends Z-A Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with Improved Resolution & Framerates

Pokémon Legends Z-A may be a little while off, but fans of the series have something to look forward to. When it does drop later this year, it'll be making its way to Nintendo Switch 2 with an upgraded resolution and smoother frame rates. This means you can expect an even sharper and more fluid experience as you explore new regions and catch ‘em all in this next chapter of the Legends series. It’s gonna be a big upgrade for trainers ready to dive back into the action!

Elden Ring Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as the Tarnished Edition

Before you get excited about Elden Ring on Switch 2, check out something else. FromSoftware will release an exclusive for Switch 2 - The Duskbloods - a Bloodborne-like game. That's right, the new game from FromSoftware will be available only for Switch 2.

Elden Ring fans, get ready! The critically acclaimed action RPG is making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 this year as the Tarnished Edition. As announced in today’s Direct, this version will not only include the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, but it’ll also introduce new features like fresh armor sets and a customization option for your trusty steed, Torrent. While this extra content will be available on other platforms, the Switch 2 version will bring the full experience to the handheld hybrid.

It’s been three years since Elden Ring first launched across PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, and the game has already sold over 28.6 million copies globally. Expect that number to rise with this new release, as Switch 2 owners get to experience the game’s epic world on the go.

No word yet on Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's upcoming co-op roguelike, but fans can certainly look forward to this massive RPG hitting the Switch 2!

Will GTA 6 be released on the Switch 2?

This question is actively discussed within the gaming community, as there’s a high likelihood of GTA 6 coming to Switch 2. However, there are no confirmations or strong arguments to consider it a fact just yet. So, where does the possibility of GTA 6 appearing on Switch 2 come from? According to Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick, the company responsible for publishing the new GTA, "There was a time when Nintendo platforms were really geared at younger audiences, and that was reflected in our release schedule. And now, today with Switch and potentially with Switch 2, the Switch device can support any audience. So while we have nothing specific to report, we actually would fully expect to support Switch 2.”

From these words, it can be inferred that work on attempting to port the game for Switch 2 is certainly happening. However, the results of these efforts will likely become clear shortly, possibly after GTA 6’s release this fall.