Nintendo’s long-awaited successor to the successful Switch gaming console is arriving on June 5. If you are travelling to the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan or Singapore in the next few weeks, try to book a Switch 2 in advance. In India, a few websites have listed the machine, but it’s far more expensive than the retail price abroad.
The original Switch appeared in 2017. It was an instant success after the disappointing performance of Wii U. The new machine will begin at $450 in the US, an increase from the $300 the company charged for the original Switch.
The Japanese company, which started its journey by manufacturing playing cards in 1880s Kyoto, has changed the way gaming is seen. No wonder, as of the end of 2024, the original Switch sold more than 150 million units.
Bigger, better
The device looks quite similar to the original at first glance, but there are plenty of improvements. It has a more powerful custom processor from Nvidia. There is faster memory and 256GB of internal storage, besides microSD Express support to ensure you never run out of space.
A new custom processor translates into an enormous jump in compute speed and performance over the first version of Switch. The new chip also ensures you get the latest games.
The machine is slightly bigger than the original Switch. At around 10.6 inches wide, 4.6 inches tall and over half an inch thick, the device comes with a roughly eight-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate. For the moment, it will be a capable LCD panel, but we won’t be surprised if an OLED version arrives next year.
The audio department is getting a gentle boost — improved speakers and support for 3D audio (via headphones), and a microphone on top of the console.
There are two USB-C ports — one on the top and one on the bottom. The latter will connect to the new dock while the one on top can be used to either charge the console when used in handheld mode or to connect peripherals.
Sure, the graphic spec sheet of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X has a slight edge, but the new gaming rig is powerful enough to compete.
Where the new machine wins over its rivals is in the controllers. Now dubbed Joy-Con 2, the controllers connect using “strong magnets”, and there is a release button to disconnect them. These can also be used as mouse controllers, while the SL/SR shoulder buttons are now larger. Thumbsticks are also larger than before.
The right-hand Joy-Con 2 comes with a new C button, which can be used to bring up audio controls. It will help access GameChat features using the mic. Screen sharing is possible, and it can be accessed from the C button menu.
The dock for the machine may not look big, but it can boost Switch 2’s output when connecting to a television. The company said it will allow for up to 4K output, and it retains HDR support. The dock now includes a fan for built-in cooling to improve system performance.
Get set to play new games
There are several games coming at launch. Mario Kart World will feature up to 24 players and allow drivers to explore off-track in an open world. Donkey Kong Bananza will be the direct successor to the 1999 platformer Donkey Kong 64. Kirby Air Riders (arriving later this year) is a sequel to a hit from the GameCube era by Masahiro Sakurai. First-party titles will cost more, with the flagship game Mario Kart World priced at $80.
There will be a few games that will be exclusive to the console, like The Duskbloods (from the developers of Elden Ring and Dark Souls) will release next year.
Nintendo is also depending on a large lineup of third-party games that were not playable on the previous Switch, including old entries in franchises such as Street Fighter and Final Fantasy. The company recently said that its adaptation of the Legend of Zelda series would premiere in March 2027.
Switch 2 allows you to play select supported games locally or online with people using other Switch 2 systems, even if they don’t own the game.