2 weeks Ago
Nintendo has announced that US pre-orders for the Switch 2 gaming console will begin on April 24. This comes after a brief delay caused by tariff concerns. The much-anticipated device will officially launch on 5 June 2025.
The gaming giant confirmed that the base price for the Switch 2 will stay at US$449.99. This is higher than the original Switch console that launched in 2017.
For fans of racing games, a special bundle including Mario Kart World will cost US$499.99. Pricing and Accessory Changes While the main console price remains unchanged, accessories will cost more.
The Pro Controller will now sell for US$84.99 instead of US$80. The Joy-Con 2 Pair price increases to US$94.
99 from US$90. Nintendo blamed "changes in market conditions" for these adjustments. Other accessory price changes include: Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: US$39.
99 Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set: US$24.99 Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: US$119.99 Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector: US$39.
99 Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: US$84.99 Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: US$34.99 Gamers can place pre-orders through major stores.
These include GameStop , Target , Walmart and the Nintendo eShop . The company had originally planned to start pre-orders earlier. They delayed the date due to new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
Key Features and Hardware Improvements The Switch 2 comes with several improvements over the original model. It features a larger 7.9-inch screen with better resolution.
When connected to a TV, it can display games in 4K quality. The device includes 256GB of storage space. Battery life ranges from 2 to 6.
5 hours depending on usage. Technical specifications reveal a major power upgrade. The console uses an Nvidia Tegra T239 chip with an octa-core processor.
This new chip delivers nearly five times the processing power of the original Switch. In practical terms, this means games will load faster and run more smoothly. Players will experience less lag during gameplay.
The Switch 2 also supports advanced graphical features such as ray tracing. Ray tracing is a technique that is used to create more lifelike lighting effects in video games. This technology was previously limited to high-end gaming PCs and the latest PlayStation and Xbox video game consoles.
The game environment now will resemble the real world with enhanced lighting, shadow effects and reflections. The Switch 2 hardware in terms of raw specs is between PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 5. Much to the relief of fans, Third-party developers who previously bypassed Nintendo's platform due to technical limitations now have fewer excuses Gamers can expect more graphically demanding titles to appear without sacrificing the Switch's portable convenience.
New Accessories and Functionality One notable new accessory is the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera . Priced at US$54.99, it enables video chat between players.
This marks the first time Nintendo has offered this feature. The camera works with the console's GameChat function. While backward compatibility ensures the existing Switch library won't gather dust.
However, storage works differently now. The Switch 2 requires the latest microSD Express cards for game storage. Older microSD cards can only store media files.
Samsung's officially licensed 256GB microSD Express Card will likely retail for US$59.99. The Samsung card is slated to release on 5 June 2025 .
However, third-party options should eventually emerge at competitive price points. Game Pricing and Distribution Game pricing has raised some eyebrows among fans. Mario Kart World will cost US$79.
99. This is higher than the standard US$70 price for new games on other platforms. Donkey Kong Bananza, launching July 17, will be priced at US$69.
99. Nintendo has introduced a new system called "Game-key cards" that changes how physical games work. Unlike traditional game cartridges that contain the entire game, these new cards hold only a small portion of data and an activation key.
When players insert the card, Switch 2 downloads the bulk of the game data from Nintendo's servers. This approach helps publishers reduce manufacturing costs for the larger, more expensive Switch 2 game cartridges. For gamers, this means, besides the initial purchase, they require adequate internet bandwidth and storage space even with physical copies.
This resembles how PlayStation and Xbox games work today, where physical discs often require additional downloads. The change could impact collectors and players with limited internet access. This means that when Nintendo eventually shuts down its servers, games will become unplayable as physical media lacks self-contained permanence, a concern already looming over other digital-first platforms.
Upgrading from Switch games to Switch 2 versions will vary in cost. Some upgrades cost US$10, others US$20. A few will be free.
This approach contrasts sharply with PlayStation's standardised US$10 upgrade path, leaving many gamers frustrated by the unpredictability. Market Analysis and Expectations Industry analysts predict a strong demand for the new console, estimating around six to eight million units will be available upon its release. Compared to its rivals such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox, the Switch 2 boasts some unique advantages .
Its portable design and feature allows gaming at home or on the go. Nintendo's spokesperson apologised for the preorder delay. They expressed hope that the announcement "reduces some of the uncertainty" customers might feel.
The company conveyed thanks for the patience shown by fans and expressed excitement for the June 5 launch..
