The system features new GameChat voice and video tools, Joy-Con 2 controllers with mouse support, faster loading, 4K graphics and more.
Eight years after the 2017 release of the original Switch -- and following months of anticipation and excitement -- Nintendo's latest console finally hit the shelves on Thursday, June 5, promising to deliver an even richer gaming experience for fans around the globe.
With powerful upgrades that bring sharper graphics, faster processing, and new ways to connect with friends, the Switch 2 not only builds on everything players loved about the original but also introduces a handful of surprising new features designed to entertain both longtime gamers and those just jumping into the Nintendo universe.
But it all comes at a cost. The standard console retails at $449.99. There's also a bundle that comes with system's biggest new game -- Mario Kart World -- which goes for $499.99.
So, is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth the upgrade? Here's everything you need to know:
The original Nintendo Switch console still holds its own among its competitors. So its not surprise that Nintendo didn't reinventing the wheel with Switch 2. Instead, it builds upon the original design, leveling up the way its games look, sound and feel thanks to upgrades to the system's screen, processing power, audio and even accessibility tools.
The quick summary:
Nintendo didn't just focus on what's inside the system; it also introduced some clever new design features that make playing more intuitive and fun.
With 256 GB of internal storage, the Nintendo Switch 2 offers eight times more space than the original system so players have more room to store more games, save data and updates right out of the box. And if you need even more space, the system supports microSD Express cards, which allow for faster data reading speeds than standard microSD cards. That means less waiting and more playing.
Nintendo has added new safeguards to help parents feel more confident about how their kids play online. Using the updated Nintendo Switch Parental Control app, grown-ups can easily monitor gameplay, set time limits and manage access to features. For added safety, any child under 16 will need a parent or guardian's approval through the app before they can use the system's new voice or video chat feature (more on that below).
Nintendo is making it simpler than ever to connect with friends, no matter where they are, thanks to a brand-new feature called GameChat.
Built right into the system, GameChat lets players start a voice or video conversation mid-game -- all by pressing the new C Button on the right Joy-Con 2 controller.
Up to 12 friends can join a session, with support for voice chat and even video. Up to four players can share their screens during gameplay, and others can still hop in and listen via audio.
The feature will be free to use until March 2026, after which a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.
Nintendo also built in safety tools, including reporting options and parental controls. And as mentioned above, kids under 16 will need permission through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to join a GameChat session, giving parents full oversight on who their children are chatting with.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera is a new accessory that brings a whole new level of interaction to your gaming experience. Priced at $54.99, this compact camera plugs directly into the USB-C port on top of your Switch 2 console, whether you're playing in handheld, tabletop, or TV mode.
Designed specifically for the Switch 2, the camera features a wide-angle lens with an adjustable stand, allowing players to capture a broad view of their surroundings. Its high-sensitivity image sensor automatically adjusts brightness to ensure clear visibility, even in varying lighting conditions. Additionally, a built-in privacy shutter provides peace of mind when the camera isn't in use.
This accessory enhances the GameChat feature, enabling video chats with friends during gameplay. It also supports CameraPlay, which allows a player's image to appear in compatible games. It's a fun and immersive element to gaming sessions Nintendo's never offered before.
Third-party USB-C cameras may also be compatible, too. However, compatibility isn't guaranteed, so the company advises to check the "Test USB Camera" feature in the system settings to ensure proper functionality.
Nintendo is introducing even more ways for players to connect and share their favorite games with friends -- whether they own the title or not.
For longtime Switch fans, the Nintendo Switch 2 plays many of your favorite Nintendo Switch games -- both physical cartridges and digital downloads -- so you won't have to start your game library from scratch.
That said, some older Switch games might not work perfectly or at all on the new system, so it's worth checking compatibility before diving in. For full details on which games and accessories are compatible, Nintendo has all the info on their website.
And for those who want to take advantage of the new capabilities of Nintendo Switch 2, compatible physical and digital games released on Nintendo Switch can be taken to the next level with Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Packs featuring enhanced graphics, exclusive content offerings and new gameplay experiences.
Existing Joy-Con controllers and accessories like the Pro Controller can still connect wirelessly and work just fine with the Switch 2. (though there are new controllers if you do want to get them).
Let's gooooooo! Mario Kart World is the biggest and most ambitious Mario Kart yet, introducing a vast interconnected world where you can race, explore and compete in exciting new ways. It's a thrilling evolution of the franchise, blending classic racing with new freedom and social fun for players of all ages.
Among the new offerings?
Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a diverse lineup of games, from exciting new exclusives to upgraded versions of fan favorites and thrilling third-party titles.
At launch, those games include:
Nintendo Switch 2 brings classic GameCube titles to a new generation with the launch of Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics. Essentially, players with a Nintendo Switch 2 and a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership can revisit fan favorites with enhanced resolution and improved image clarity. Those games include Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and SOULCALIBUR II.
To complete the nostalgic experience, Nintendo will also release a wireless controller modeled after the original GameCube design, available exclusively to paid Nintendo Switch Online members.
If you're still playing the original Switch -- now more than 8 years old -- the Switch 2 is a major leap forward in almost every category. The system isn't just a modest upgrade; it's a generational leap that brings Nintendo closer to the fidelity and flexibility of competing consoles while still offering its unmistakable charm. Plus, it plays your existing game library (with enhancements for many top titles), adds features fans have been requesting for years and boasts a launch window lineup that easily rivals any Nintendo system before it.
For more casual players or families who only recently bought a Switch OLED, the decision is trickier. With plenty of games for the O.G. system available to go through -- and those games likely available at major discount now -- it might be worth sticking with what you go.
But Mario Kart World is hard to resist. The courses are a delight; the new competition modes endlessly fun. And when mixed with GameChat, hours of gameplay go by in minutes.
Ultimately, Nintendo Switch 2 feels like more than just a sequel; it's a new era in Nintendo gaming. And for die-hard gamers, being a part of that experience feels worth every penny.