The Nintendo Switch 2 is Out: Here’s What You Need to Know

By Dean Blake - News

Published: 5 Jun 2025

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Readtime: 8 min

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The day we’ve been waiting for is finally here: The Nintendo Switch 2 is out.

After literal years of leaks, months of waiting since the reveal event hosted in April, and a deluge of information being released by the Japanese company what feels like every day, people are finally able to get their hands on the next-gen handheld-hybrid console. I got the chance to test the console out a few months ago, which you can read about here, but if you haven’t been able to try out the device at any of the local showings, it honestly looks and feels great.

That’s not a review, though: those are likely to start dropping in the next few days and weeks. Nintendo has made the very-Nintendo decision to send out review consoles this week, rather than ahead of time, due to the fact the console will need a firmware update to operate. Does this mean the console won’t work at all without being able to connect to the internet at least once? We honestly don’t know yet.

We’ll be getting a console and a few games care of Nintendo this week, and getting you some honest thoughts and feedback on the console will be my personal highest priority. For now though, let’s review (ha) what the console is delivering in terms of upgrades over the original system, the games you can grab on day one, as well as where you can even buy this thing.

How Powerful is the Nintendo Switch 2?

While the Switch 2’s reveal event was pretty light on technical details, we’ve since gotten quite a bit more clarity on exactly what is powering Nintendo’s next-gen efforts. Here’s what we know, care of the wonderful people over at Digital Foundry for the meaty tech specs.

What does any of that mean? Well, it means many of the rumours, some of which go back to 2021, were spot on, and also that the Switch 2 is going to outclass the original Switch by a country mile. In terms of power, the Switch 2 is already showing off some big power gains on even comparable and competitive hardware, such as Valve’s Steam Deck, though I doubt it’ll outclass some of the higher-end (and far more expensive) PC handhelds, such as the Lenovo Legion Go or the AyaNeo Kun, in terms of raw power.

It is a much smaller, more portable device than any of those, though, and has the benefit of the Nintendo brand to pull it to success. Yes, the Steam Deck is a very popular console that has sold an estimated 4 million units since its launch in 2022, but compare that to the Switch 1’s meteoric 150 million units sold since 2017 and you’ll start to see how wide the sales gulf is. We’re already seeing lines around the block for the Switch 2’s launch, so it’s fair to expect the Switch 2 to do well.

What’s particularly impressive about the new system is the screen: it’s a pretty sizeable bump up in multiple ways. Obviously, it’s bigger, but it’s also denser: the Switch 2 features 279 pixels-per-inch, which will go a long way in making that larger 7.9” screen pop, especially with the increase in resolution from 720p on the OG Switch to 1080p.

Plus, it’s capable of hitting 120Hz, which is nothing to sneeze at. The Switch OLED plays host to a 60Hz screen, the Steam Deck OLED 90Hz, while the ROG Ally X also sits at 120Hz. Only the Lenovo Legion Go beats the pack with a 144Hz screen, but that console is about twice as thick, heavy, and expensive as the Nintendo Switch 2.

Well all know Nintendo consoles tend to sell off the back of solid software, though, so let’s take a look at what’s coming to the Switch 2.

Confirmed Switch 2 Games

When it comes to exciting launch line-ups, Nintendo really hit it out of the park with the original Switch, which launched with an upgraded version of the now legendary Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This time around, for the Switch 2, Nintendo is giving us a brand new Mario Kart game in Mario Kart World.

While the game may not tickle the fancy of the most hardcore gamers, it’s worth remembering that Mario Kart 8, which launched across the WiiU and the Switch with a Deluxe port, are considered the fourth best selling game of all time. If that’s not to your taste, though, there’s plenty of other options there for you.

Beyond being able to play compatible Switch 1 games and the addition of a few Gamecube games to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, here’s a full list of everything confirmed to be coming to the Switch 2 this year.

That is quite a bit, and there’s already more in the works for 2026—such as From Software’s The Duskbloods, a PvPvE souls-style game somehow echoing Bloodborne, Sekiro, Nioh, and The Surge all at once.

There’ll definitely be more games announced as the weeks and months roll on, so if your favourite Nintendo series isn’t represented just yet, there’s still hope. New Fire Emblem or Legend of Zelda game, please?

Where can you buy the Nintendo Switch 2

In all honesty, it’s not clear yet which retailers will have stock left over after pre-orders have been filled. There have been reports across social media of people’s pre-orders being cancelled by retailers, which tends to mean they took more pre-orders than Nintendo sent consoles, and could mean we’re looking at a lower stock volume at retailers than anticipated and a ‘sold out’ situation.

However, if you want to try your luck, you can try purchase the Switch 2 from any major electronics or games store and hope they restock quickly. God speed.