Switch 2 Is Coming: Get Your Joy-Cons Ready!
- Jane Dillinger
- Apr 5
- 8 min read
It's happening, folks! The long-rumored, meme-fueled legend known as Nintendo Switch 2 is officially real, and we finally have the juicy details! Over the past two weeks, Nintendo unleashed not one, but two Nintendo Directs upon our unsuspecting faces.
The first one was all about games for the OG Switch (let’s call it Switch 1 like it’s a classic RPG sequel). Then, on April 2nd, the big guns rolled out: three of Nintendo’s top creators pulled back the curtain on Switch 2, dropping news bombs about the console itself and some shiny new Switch 2-exclusive games.
So, what do we know (and don't know)?
Let’s kick off with a classic Nintendo move: what we don't know. The exact hardware specs? Still MIA. All we know is that the screen is switching (ha) back to LCD instead of the luscious OLED we fell in love with on the bigger Switch 1 models. Sounds like a downgrade? Fear not — size, resolution, and refresh rate are all getting a nice level-up.
The screen diagonal grows to a mighty 20 cm (versus the underwhelming 16 cm on Switch 1),
Resolution gets bumped up to 1080p for handheld mode (finally!),
And docked mode? You'll get either 1080p at 120 FPS or 4K at 60 FPS.
Oh, and HDR support is coming along for the ride!
Internally, the Switch 2 cranks up the memory to a dizzying (read: sarcastic gasp) 256 GB. Need more space? You’ll have to snag a fast micro SD Express card, because those adorable, overpriced Nintendo-themed SD cards? Yeah… they’ll be about as useful as a Magikarp in a boss fight.
Physically, the Switch 2 keeps the same thickness, but the dock has been beefed up with extra cooling and a fan — because 4K needs its own personal air conditioning, apparently. Nintendo also threw in some hardware upgrades: a second USB-C port on top and… drumroll... a microphone!
What’s the mic for? Is karaoke night mandatory now?
Sort of! Switch 2 is finally introducing direct communication between players — no more fiddling with third-party mobile apps like it's 2016. Think Discord, but in Nintendo-flavored packaging. Plus, there’s an optional camera accessory (sold separately, of course) that lets you stream your beautiful gamer face straight into your games. Even better, if you already have a compatible USB-C webcam, you might not have to buy anything new.
Nintendo claims you'll be able to voice chat even if you're across the room — or if your rommate’s blender kicks into turbo mode. Honestly, I’ll believe it when my kitchen appliances stop heckling me during matches.
Face cam integration will let your online buddies see your expressions in real-time, perfect for those "oops I blue-shelled myself" moments. Best of all, this feature will be free until March 31, 2026 — after that, well, insert wallet crying noises here.
The Mighty Joy-Cons: Now With Magnets!
Now, onto the stuff that made me physically throw confetti: Joy-Cons 2.0 are here and they're magnetic, baby! They click onto the side of the Switch with satisfying sci-fi smoothness, and Nintendo even made a special video jingle for it.
Some upgrades:
A brand-new C button opens the in-game communication menu.
The SL and SR buttons — you know, the tiny guys on the inside edge — are now larger and stay put with the power of electromagnets. (It's science, folks!)
Unlocking your Joy-Con? Same as before: tiny button on the back.
Bonus: new sensors turn your Joy-Cons into a kinda-sorta computer mouse. No, you won’t be writing essays with it, but aiming, tagging, and marking stuff in games should feel way more PC-like. You’ll move with one analog stick and mouse-around with the other. It’s nerdy, it’s weird, and I love it.
The Price Tag (Brace Yourself)
Stateside, Switch 2 will launch at $450.
There’s also a bundle with Mario Kart World revving up for $500.
For us in smaller European countries? No confirmed prices yet, but if your wallet is already trembling, same here.
Pre-orders start April 9th, but don’t expect it to be a free-for-all. Nintendo is reportedly prioritizing long-time fans and Switch Online members who jump through some very Nintendo™ hoops. Start practicing your loyalty dance now.
And the Games? Oh, the Games.
Both Directs were absolutely bursting with new titles, but here’s a quick drive-by of the spicy highlights.
Switch 2-exclusive cartridges will be red (because of course they will), but they’ll keep the same shape and size. So yes, you’ll still be able to play your old games. Mostly. 100% backward compatibility is not guaranteed.
You’ll find three types of games on Switch 2:
Native Switch 2 games (built to slay),
Old Switch games (bless),
And Switch 2 Editions — paid upgrades of existing games with sparkly improvements like better graphics, voice chat, face streaming, mouse-like controls, and other goodies.
An example is Super Mario Party Jamboree. If you already own the game, you’ll be able to transfer it to your new Switch, copy your saves, and continue playing without any issues. Alternatively, you can pay extra for an upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition, which will add several new minigames and the ability to display your friends' faces directly in the game. However, pricing details for these upgrades have yet to be announced.
Let’s kick things off with some exciting Switch 2 exclusive titles
The previously mentioned Mario Kart World will offer an open-world experience, a new racing mode with a battle royale twist, and, for the first time, support for up to 24 players. Nintendo is planning a special Direct dedicated to the game on April 17.
Drag X Drive is a brand-new title that uses both Joy-Cons as a pair of virtual wheels to control a basketball player in a wheelchair. Think Rocket League—but instead of cars, you’ll spin, steer, and shoot hoops with the Joy-Cons. You’ll even be able to wave at your teammates! It’s scheduled to launch in summer 2025.
Several major third-party titles are also making their way to Switch 2, finally taking full advantage of the new hardware. We're talking about giants like Elden Ring, Hades 2, Split Fiction, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, Hitman, Yakuza 0, and—brace yourselves—Borderlands 4 and Cyberpunk 2077.
Another cool surprise: Street Fighter 6 is coming to Switch 2, complete with three new Amiibo figures, proving that Nintendo hasn't abandoned this beloved merch format.
And then there’s the visually stunning Final Fantasy VII Remake, the first part of the remake trilogy of the 1997 classic. Originally released for PlayStation 5 and PC in 2021, it’s now also heading to Switch 2 at an unspecified future date.
Fans of Donkey Kong have something to look forward to as well: Donkey Kong Bananza will be a 3D platformer set in an open world—the first major Donkey Kong game in over a decade! It’s set to release on July 17.
Finally, there's a real mystery on the horizon: The Duskbloods, an exclusive Switch 2 project from FromSoftware, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki. Based on the first trailer, the game will feature vampires in Victorian London and combine PvPvE elements. While there's no release date yet, The Duskbloods is expected to launch sometime in 2026.
Switch 2 Edition Titles
Next, let’s talk about Switch 2 Edition titles. Some games will offer upgrades to existing Switch 1 titles, while others will launch simultaneously with Switch 2 Editions.
We might not see a brand-new Legend of Zelda just yet, but both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Old Kingdom are getting HD upgrades. Plus, Nintendo announced the Zelda Notes mobile app, which will let you track your travels across Hyrule in real time, receive voice-guided navigation, and even transfer your creative inventions via QR codes.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond made its debut during the first Direct with Switch 1 news—and it already looked impressive. Upon release (date still unknown), players will have the option to upgrade to a Switch 2 Edition featuring higher resolution and motion control using the Joy-Con as a mouse.
Similarly, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be fully playable on the original Switch but will offer an enhanced Switch 2 Edition upgrade as well.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII launched this February for Switch, and when Switch 2 goes on sale, players will be able to upgrade to a Switch 2 Edition, offering higher resolution and PC-style Joy-Con mouse controls.
Another title worth mentioning is Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. Although initially planned for an earlier release, the game was ultimately postponed to become a launch title for the Switch 2. It will be available for both the original Switch and the new console, with a Switch 2 Edition upgrade offered from day one.
New Games for good old Switch
The good news? The arrival of Switch 2 doesn’t mean developers are abandoning the original Switch.
During the March 27 Direct, a large number of anticipated titles were announced for Switch. Some will also offer Switch 2 upgrades, but many will remain dedicated to the original console.
Since there are too many to list here, I'll just highlight a few that caught my attention:
Witchbrook – Become a student at a magic academy, crafting and casting spells alongside up to three friends online. Despite the pixel-art style (not usually my favorite), this one has really piqued my interest.
Tomodachi Life: Living a Dream – I spent countless hours on the original 3DS version back in the day. Now, after more than a decade, this new entry is set to launch in 2026.
High on Life – The port of this colorful shooter is arriving on May 6. It's the kind of game that would really shine with a Switch 2 Edition upgrade, especially for the mouse-style controls.
Okay, that’s a wrap! On to the grand finale...
GameCube Emulator
If you’re paying for a Nintendo Online or Online Plus membership, chances are you’ve already dabbled with some of those sweet, sweet emulators of older Nintendo consoles. Well, good news (and a little bad news): the Switch 2 is about to expand that collection — but only for those rocking the higher-tier membership. Yup, welcome to the VIP section of retro gaming.
The new menu will proudly feature selected titles from the legendary GameCube era. Launch lineup? The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX — with more games set to drop over time.
Now, speaking purely from the depths of my gamer soul, this is a bit of a bummer. Wind Waker is hands down my favorite Zelda adventure, and instead of getting a glorious full HD remake sailing onto the horizon, we’re just getting an emulator port.
But wait, there's more! For all the die-hard fans out there (you know who you are), Nintendo has cooked up another super overpriced accessory: a wireless controller modeled after the original 2001 GameCube controller. It even throws in a fancy new C button for communication and all the modern magic of the Switch 2 baked inside.
Still, let’s be honest: ergonomics have leveled up a lot in almost 25 years. So, who's already planning to skip Nintendo’s tax and grab a third-party compatible controller instead? (Asking for a friend.)
And that's a wrap for today! Let me know which game you're hyped for and whether you're jumping into the Switch 2 launch wave right away or holding back like a cautious RPG strategist.
And as the good folks over at Nintendo Japan would say — arigatou gozaimashita!
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