Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Highlights: Nintendo Switch 2 to be available from June 5 for $450

The Switch 2 will be available from June 5, 2025, onwards with pre-orders set to open from April 9.

Nintendo Direct Switch 2 live updates. (Screenshot: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Launch Highlights: Nintendo launched the Switch 2 today, marking one of the biggest announcements in gaming history. The next-generation gaming console features a new C-button for voice chat and calls. Tapping it will up a menu so that users can start chatting with their friends while playing games.

Players can adjust the audio for a better gaming experience, and the built-in mic allows users to voice chat with friends while playing. The device also offers three-dimensional sound for a more immersive experience.

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In terms of the hardware specs, the Switch 2 boasts of a larger 7.2-inch screen compared to its predecessor, yet it’s thinner and more compact. It comes with two USB-C ports, 256GB of internal storage and a dock that allows connection to a TV for 4K-compatible games. HDR is also supported in TV mode.

Some of the big-name, third-party gaming titles coming to the Switch 2 include Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman World of Assassination, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, a new Goldeneye-inspired game called Project 007, Donkey Kong Bonanza, and more.

The Switch 2 will be available from June 5, 2025, onwards with pre-orders set to open from April 9. While Nintendo did not initially reveal the price of the Switch 2 on the Direct livestream, a press release issued after the launch event stated that the Switch 2 will cost $449.99 in the United States.

Live Updates

20:21 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Thank you for joining us

Tune into the indianexpress.com for more coverage of the Nintendo Switch 2.

19:40 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 to cost $450 in the US

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available from June 5, 2025, at a retail price of $449.99 in the United States. Pre-orders will kick off from April 9, as per this press release.

19:36 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

That's a wrap on the livestream!

19:35 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Price reveal?

It appears that we're going to have to wait a bit longer for that....

19:34 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 will be released with a bundle including Mario Kart World

19:31 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

New Donkey Kong Game called Donkey Kong Bonanza coming to Switch 2

19:30 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Kirby Airriders coming to Switch 2

Kirby Airride gets a re-release after being released 20 years ago on the Nintendo Gamecube system.

19:26 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

A brand new game from From Software called DuskBloods, available 2026

19:25 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

We're 83 minutes into the Nintendo Direct livestream

There's more than a milliion watching the YouTube livestream of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Launch right now.

19:17 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

WWE2K and NBA2K are coming to the Switch 2 as well

19:16 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Borderlands 4 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2

19:12 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch Online can continue to be used on Switch 2

Nintendo Switch Online is bringing a library of new games, including a handful of old Gamecube games like Wind Waker.

19:06 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Third-party games on Switch 2

- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

- Hades 2 by Supergiant Games

- Street Fighter 6

- Split Fiction

- Hogwarts Legacy

- Daemon x Machina

- EA Sports FC

- Hitman World of Assassination

- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

- Project 007

- Bravely Default Flying Fairy

- Yakuza Zero

"We'll have more games to show from our publishing partners..."

19:04 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 edition titles

- Super Mario Party Jamboree

- Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

- Kirby and the Forgotten Land

- Metroid Prime Beyond

18:59 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

In addition to standard controls, you can use mouse controls for intuitive gameplay on the Switch 2

18:58 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Games coming to Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo is introducing Switch 2 editions of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with higher frame rates and better graphics.

18:57 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Switch 2 game cards

The game cards for Switch 2 are the same size as its predecessor except that they are now red. However, the Switch 2 will only support newer microSD Express cards.

18:55 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

18:53 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Switch 2 to launch on June 5, 2025

18:52 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Nintendo will be introducing a new tutorial demo/game to introduce people to the Switch 2 hardware.

18:49 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Switch 2 is larger, thinner

The Switch 2 features a larger 7.2-inch screen compared to its predecessor, yet it's thinner and more compact. The vivid LCD display supports HDR for enhanced visuals. The controls detach easily, making them compact and more comfortable to hold.

The left and right sticks are now larger and can even be used as a mouse for certain games. Players can adjust the audio for a better gaming experience, and the built-in mic allows users to voice chat with friends while playing. The device also offers three-dimensional sound for a more immersive experience.

It features two USB-C ports, useful for connecting a camera or charging in tabletop mode. The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage and a dock that allows connection to a TV for 4K-compatible games. HDR is also supported in TV mode. The dock includes a built-in fan to help keep the device cool.

18:49 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

The mystery C button is for chat

The new C-button on the Nintendo Switch 2 is for voice chat and calls. Tapping it will up a menu so that users can start chatting with their friends while playing games. The audio will be captured by the mic at the top of the Switch 2.

18:46 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 console is 7.9 inches, same thickness as the first Switch.

18:44 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a range of customisations

The new Nintendo Switch 2 allows you to chat to your heart's content even while playing your favourite game. You can adjust the size of your game screen or expand a friend’s game. It essentially lets everyone watch each other play.

On the right Joy-Con, an additional button lets you connect to a call, instantly mute yourself, and even link the camera to the console. Appear on screen while simultaneously playing the game.

18:38 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

New C button confirmed

18:36 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Nintendo introduces Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World launches on the same day as Switch 2. It will be available exclusively on Switch 2. More details will be shared on Mario Kart World in a Nintendo Direct on April 17.

18:34 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

And we have kick off!

The livestream of the Nintendo Direct has started. It is reportedly the first Direct event being livestreamed in 4K on YouTube.

17:56 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Coming up in 30 minutes

There's just half an hour or so left for Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct to kick off. Stay tuned for any weird surprises.

17:50 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

What new games can we expect with the Switch 2?

A big part of the Switch 2 reveal will be the new games that are coming to the next-generation gaming console. A new Mario Kart was featured in the January teaser for Switch 2.

It is likely that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and other upcoming games for the Switch revealed in the Nintendo Direct livestream last week, will also be playable on the Switch 2.

There have been rumours that big gaming titles such as Legend of Zelda or 3D Mario can be expected to be launched with the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 versions of Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, or Baldur's Gate 3 are also speculated, depending on whether the device will have third-party support.

17:34 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Everything announced at the Nintendo Direct March 2025 event

Less than a week before Nintendo's unveiling of the Switch 2, the Japanese video game company livestreamed the Nintendo Direct event, which focuses on the Switch 1. Highlights from the stream included new footage of games like Pokemon Legends Z-A, Metroid Prime 4L Beyond and Tomodachi Life, but the company also unveiled some new Switch features and shared updates about next week’s Switch 2 Direct event.

Read more about what the company announced at the Nintendo Direct event on March 27 here.

17:26 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

What we know (and don't know) about the Switch 2

What we know:

- The fundamental design of the Switch 2 shows it is still a hybrid console.

- Nintendo is adding a new button to the Switch 2. It is a square button with a 'C' marking, located just below the Home button on the right Joy-Con.

- The Switch 2 will be backwards compatible.

What we still don't know:

- Nobody knows the purpose of the new 'C' button yet.

- It is hard to predict whether the Switch 2 will support 4K gaming.

- The Switch 2 is unlikely to be priced under $350, so the question is whether it will cost $399 or $499.

17:14 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

The Switch 2 was first teased back in January

The Mario-maker is launching the Switch 2 after eight years. Earlier this year, Nintendo partially unveiled the Switch 2 in a short first look video which quickly garnered millions of views within a few hours. Besides the name of the next-gen game console, the two-and-a-half-minute video made it clear that Nintendo is sticking with the Switch’s iconic hybrid form factor. Read the full breakdown of the trailer here.

16:42 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

The Switch 2 launch presentation will last 60 minutes

Nintendo’s presentation will kick off the hour-long presentation for the Switch 2 at 6:30 pm IST on Wednesday, with the company’s CEO expected to launch the console’s price and release date.

16:31 (IST) 2 Apr 2025

Welcome to The Indian Express' Nintendo Switch 2 launch live blog

Welcome to our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog! My name is Anuj Bhatia, and alongside my colleague Karan Mahadik, I will be live blogging the Nintendo Direct event, where the Switch 2 will be officially launched. Join us for live updates on Nintendo’s next big thing—the Switch 2 hardware, games, and services.

Technology on smartphone reviews, in-depth reports on privacy and security, AI, and more. We aim to simplify the most complex developments and make them succinct and accessible for tech enthusiasts and all readers. Stay updated with our daily news stories, monthly gadget roundups, and special reports and features that explore the vast possibilities of AI, consumer tech, quantum computing, etc.on smartphone reviews, in-depth reports on privacy and security, AI, and more. We aim to simplify the most complex developments and make them succinct and accessible for tech enthusiasts and all readers. Stay updated with our daily news stories, monthly gadget roundups, and special reports and features that explore the vast possibilities of AI, consumer tech, quantum computing, etc.