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Nintendo unveiled the details behind the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 during a live watch event on Wednesday, April 3. The portable console will be available in stores on Thursday, June 5.
Starting at $449.99, the Switch 2 will introduce GameChat and magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers that double as mice. The device's 7.9-inch full-HD screen will support 4K gameplay through its new dock.
On GameChat, players will be able to voice or video chat with up to 12 friends. Gamers can also share screens and join couch-style gaming sessions from across the country with the new Joy-Cons.
No separate app or headset will be needed for GameChat.
"Nintendo Switch 2 is the next step in at-home gaming that can be taken on the go based on eight years of play and discovery that began with Nintendo Switch," said president Shuntaro Furukawa. "With its new features that expand the possibilities of gaming experiences, I truly believe that Nintendo Switch 2 is a leap forward in our journey of putting smiles on the faces of everyone that Nintendo touches."
GameChat will be free until March 2026, after which it will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Players under 16 will need parental approval through the updated parental controls app.
The Switch 2 also includes 256 gigabytes of storage, spatial audio, and support for microSD Express cards. The console is compatible with most existing Switch games and accessories.
A Mario Kart World bundle will also launch on June 5 for $499.99. The package will feature the newest version of the iconic game where up to 24 racers can compete in elimination-style tournaments or freely explore tracks.
There will be other exclusive games released for the Switch 2. They include Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Star-Crossed World, and the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
According to Nintendo, the video game giant sold about 150,860,000 Nintendo Switch consoles through the end of 2024. The first version of the Switch is the No. 3 best-selling console of all time, closely behind the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS, according to gaming news website IGN.
North American pre-orders for the Switch 2 will begin on Wednesday, April 9.
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