After months of anticipation and years of hypothesis, Nintendo is lastly spilling all of the beans concerning the Swap 2. In a Nintendo Direct presentation, the corporate is filling in questions we have had concerning the console because it was first formally revealed in a brief teaser this previous January.
Swap 2 launch date and pricing
We lastly know when the console shall be accessible: June 5, 2025. It’s going to value $450 at launch, and pre-orders begin on April 9.
Swap 2 {hardware}
The Swap 2 console has the identical thickness however has a a lot bigger show — 7.9 inches at a 1080p decision, versus the 6.2-inch 720p display on the previous console. And it runs at as much as 120fps. It’s an LCD show, quite than OLED, however it helps HDR a minimum of.
As anticipated, the brand new Pleasure-Con controllers connect magnetically and have a lot larger SL and SR buttons for while you’re enjoying on a single Pleasure-Con controller. The sticks are additionally larger, and every Pleasure-Con can be utilized as a mouse on appropriate video games.
The built-in stand seems to be significantly better than those on older Swap programs, and there are two USB-C ports on the console as nicely. Nintendo additionally highlighted 3D audio when utilizing appropriate headphones, and the audio system on the console itself needs to be rather a lot higher as nicely. The console has 256GB of storage, far surpassing the 32GB on the unique mannequin. The Swap 2 dock outputs at as much as 4K with appropriate video games and the dock has a built-in fan to maintain issues cool when working at increased resolutions.
Swap 2 is utilizing comparable sport playing cards to the unique Swap, however Nintendo notes that they are quicker; you will have to make use of microSD Categorical playing cards for additional storage this time although. Customary microSD ones will not be appropriate with the brand new {hardware}.
A brand new Nintendo Swap 2 Professional controller may also be accessible with the C button to activate GameChat, and it additionally has GL and GR buttons on the again that you could assign to any particular actions. There’s additionally a headphone jack, too.
Voice and video chat
The primary new function Nintendo highlighted on its up to date Pleasure-Con controllers was the C button. The C button permits you to enter the brand new GameChat options. You’ll be able to voice chat whereas enjoying utilizing a built-in microphone, even when the console is docked. It is the primary time {that a} Nintendo system has had voice chat, and you may as well share your sport display with pals as you play as nicely. For instance, in Mario Kart this provides you extra of a really feel such as you’re all enjoying related to a TV despite the fact that you are distant, as a result of you may see all the pieces that your folks are doing as nicely.
And the chat and screen-share options work even for those who’re all enjoying totally different video games, so you may simply get a gaggle collectively to hang around whereas enjoying totally different titles. There’s additionally a Swap 2 digicam that allows video chat that’ll present you on display whilst you’re enjoying. These options would require a Nintendo Swap On-line subscription, however Nintendo will provide it without spending a dime to everybody till March 31, 2026.
Mario Kart World
As anticipated, we’re lastly getting a brand new entry within the venerable Mario Kart sequence, Mario Kart World. It seems to be seems to be acquainted whereas additionally exhibiting off some wild new methods, like skateboard-style grinds on rails and wall jumps. The programs additionally look a lot bigger and wider than any we have ever seen earlier than. For the primary time, it seems to be like there’s an open world connecting all the assorted programs, and climate and time of day will change.
Nintendo additionally says that you could go off-course and drive “just about all over the place.” And becoming these big tracks, the Grand Prix may have 24 rivals in a single race. General, it is a large replace which feels acceptable — the final Mario Kart sport arrived manner again in 2014 for the Wii U and was up to date for the unique Swap. It’s going to be out the identical day because the Swap 2, June 5.
Different video games coming to Swap 2
Nintendo ran down a handful of different video games coming to the Swap 2, together with Eldin Ring: Tarnished Version, a brand new title known as Drag x Drive that makes use of the Swap 2 mouse controls in what seems to be like an excessive wheelchair sporting occasion, Hades II, Avenue Fighter 6, Break up Fiction, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 +4, Hitman: World of Assassination and Daemon x Machina.
Nintendo can be engaged on Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which shall be out this winter; it is being developed in with Koei Techmo video games and may have the identical combat-focused vibes as different Dynasty Warrior-style titles.
From Software program can be releasing a brand new sport for Swap 2 known as The Duskbloods in 2026. It feels a lot like Bloodbourne at first look.
Maybe the most important first-party sport to be revealed as we speak in addition to Mario Kart World is a brand new 3D platformer starring Donkey Kong: Donkey Kong Bonanza
Nintendo Swap 2 version video games
Along with video games expressly designed for the Swap 2, Nintendo may also be releasing “Swap 2 version” for chosen titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These titles may have improved resolutions and body charges in addition to new options that’ll present up in a companion smartphone app. Nintendo did not say how a lot these upgrades would value but.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land can be getting a Swap 2 version that provides an extra world to discover, whereas Metroid Prime 4: Past may have each a Swap and Swap 2 version; the Swap 2 version can run in 4K at 60fps or as much as 120fps at a decrease decision.
This story is growing and being up to date as Nintendo releases extra info; please refresh for extra updates.