The Switch 2 looks similar to the original, but has some significant changes on the outside and internally.
The console is bigger, with a 7.9-inch screen (up from 6.2-inches). The new Joy-Con 2 is also larger and the controllers attach magnetically instead of using a rail. Plus, you can use the controllers like a mouse in certain games. There is also a new C button, which activates Game Chat features that let you chat with friends and family online using the new built-in microphone.
Nintendo also extended the entire length of the kickstand so it fits across the bottom of the console, making it much more stable this time around.
The bigger changes are internal. In handheld mode, the screen supports a more detailed 1080p resolution, a faster 120Hz refresh rate and high dynamic range (HDR), meaning more clarity in bright and dark images. When docked, the console can display resolutions up to 4K. The console also comes with 256GB of internal storage, significantly more than the original’s 32GB.
You can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 console for $449 or you can purchase a bundle, which includes the all-new Mario Kart World, for $499. While stores may receive additional inventory on launch day, expect limited supply and difficulties ordering online.
The Switch 2 launches with dozens of games and more are coming out soon. Below, are a few notable titles we think you should know about.
I got a chance to play Mario Kart World during a preview event last month, and it is by far my most anticipated new game for Switch 2. The biggest change from the previous version is that outside of race tracks (which there are plenty of), you can freely drive around a giant open world, exploring different locales, climates and vistas. There are also new modes, new characters, new tracks, new items and too much to list here.
It’s been over 10 years since the last big Donkey Kong game (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze), and this new title is wildly different from its predecessors. You play Donkey Kong and explore large 3D levels that you can explore, shape and destroy using your powerful punches. You can also climb walls and burrow down to traverse the level.
Street Fighter 6 is the latest version in the long-running fighting game series, and the first one to launch on a Nintendo console in decades. Pick from 26 different characters or create your own and battle it out in tense, nuanced fights. You can play with friends on the couch or go online and fight other players from around the world to polish your skills.
This compilation brings together Hitman, Hitman 2 and Hitman 3 into one sprawling title. You play as Agent 47 and complete missions across over a dozen locations to find and eliminate your target. You have tons of tools and opportunities at your disposal, meaning there are many different ways to overcome each challenging scenario.
Split Fiction is an action-adventure “buddy movie”, as described by its director Josef Fares. The game is only playable with two players, each controlling one of the two protagonists — authors trapped in a fantastical world made up of their own stories.
The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is the most comfortable way to play single-player games for hours at a time, in my experience. The new version adds a headphone jack, the new C button, customizable back buttons and a two-tone color style.
A pair of Joy-Con 2s can be used by one or two people, depending on the game. Having two pairs of them means you can play with four people with certain titles.
The Switch 2 camera is useful for adding video to the new GameChat feature. It has a wide-angle lens that is well-suited to capturing a large space or group of people.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers have accelerometers and gyroscope built-in for responsive motion controls. You can use these Joy-Con 2 wheels to control your character in racing games like Mario Kart World.
Whenever I took my original Switch on the go, it was always in a carrying case. This new carrying case includes a zippered case, a screen protector and a cleaning cloth, plus space for the console, dock, controllers, cables and up to six game cards.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers fitness and technology including recent stories on smartwatches, streaming devices and headphones. For this piece, I leveraged my experience covering new launches and gaming products to deliver news about the Nintendo Switch 2 launch.
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