Nintendo Switch 2 Will Release in June With ‘Mario Kart World’

Nintendo shared its launch plans for the Change 2 console in a long-awaited livestream Wednesday, asserting that the successor to the massively well-liked convertible sport machine will launch in June.

The Change 2 will hit North American retailers on June 5, however the firm didn’t disclose the value through the stream.

Nintendo additionally shared some particulars about what new {hardware} options imply for the Change 2 expertise. The Change 2 will function a 7.9-inch LCD show at a crisper 1080p decision, with HDR help and the choice for 120 frames per second on supported video games—however the {hardware} itself will not be any thicker than the unique Change mannequin.

The system will include 256GB of inside storage—that is eight occasions greater than the unique Change mannequin. It would additionally help microSD Specific playing cards for expandable storage, however not conventional microSD playing cards.

And the dock will allow 4K decision once you play in your TV. As beforehand introduced, the Change 2 can even play authentic Change video games, each bodily and digital, with a Change switch function obtainable to maneuver information over to the brand new console.

The brand new Pleasure-Con controllers function a magnetic attachment, as beforehand hinted, with bigger management sticks that hopefully shall be much less prone to breaking down (or “drifting”) over time. And sure, the Pleasure-Cons can be utilized individually like a mouse on a desk for supported video games.

For instance, the beforehand noticed “C” button on the precise Pleasure-Con controller will pull up a GameChat function that permits you to join with associates in a Discord-like audio dialog when you sport.

There’s additionally a screen-sharing function obtainable, although even Nintendo’s personal stream steered that the video high quality shall be fairly uneven for exterior observers. You possibly can add your individual picture to streams through a USB digital camera, together with one which Nintendo itself will launch on day one, in addition to put your face in sure supported video games.

GameChat shall be free to make use of for any Change 2 proprietor via March 31, 2026, although it is going to require a Change On-line paid subscription after that.

The {hardware} shall be flanked by notable video games reminiscent of Mario Kart World—a extra expansive-looking sequel to the hit driving sequence, with bigger tracks, 24 drivers on the programs (double the earlier norm), and contemporary components like climate circumstances and swappable costumes.

You will even drive between the interconnected programs alongside your rivals, with a separate Free Roam mode letting you discover all the related terrain. Nintendo will host one other livestream devoted to Mario Kart World on April 17 to showcase extra particulars from the sport.

Nintendo additionally teased one other racing sport, Kirby’s Air Riders, and a brand new 3D Donkey Kong sport referred to as Donkey Kong Bananza—sure, like “bananas.” The latter will launch on July 17.

Nintendo can even launch upgraded editions of some authentic Change video games—reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, each of which can function crisper graphics and smoother body charges.

In the meantime, an upgraded model of final fall’s Mario Occasion Jamboree brings in varied new options, together with gameplay that makes use of cameras, whereas Kirby and the Forgotten Land provides a brand new world alongside visible upgrades. These enhanced variations shall be offered on their very own for Change 2, and house owners of the Change originals can buy an improve pack to get the enhancements on Change 2.

Upcoming Nintendo video games Metroid Prime 4: Past and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will each be launched throughout the Change and Change 2 alike, with efficiency enhancements added for the Change 2 variations.

The stream additionally featured varied third-party video games coming to Change 2, reminiscent of Elden Ring: Tarnished Version, Hades 2, Cut up Fiction, EA Sports activities FC, Madden NFL, Road Fighter 6, Closing Fantasy VII Remake, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 + 4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Borderlands 4, and enhanced variations of Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 and Hogwarts Legacy.

Nintendo can be engaged on a brand new Hyrule Warriors motion sport with Koei Tecmo, Age of Imprisonment, that includes a storyline set earlier than the beginning of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It is due out subsequent winter.

The Change 2 can even function GameCube video games obtainable completely to Change On-line + Growth Pack subscribers, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX provided digitally—with each native and on-line multiplayer obtainable.

Extra titles like Tremendous Mario Sunshine and Luigi’s Mansion are additionally deliberate for the library, with Nintendo set to promote a GameCube-like wi-fi controller for Change 2 as properly.