Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date & Price Officially Revealed
Big news for anyone who’s been waiting to hear more about Nintendo’s next console. The company just dropped some major details about the Switch 2, and it’s shaping up to be a solid upgrade from the original. I’ve been keeping an eye on this for a while, and now we finally know when it’s coming and how much it’ll cost.
The Switch 2 lands on June 5, 2025. That’s the official release date, straight from Nintendo’s recent Direct stream. It’s a bit of an odd time for a console launch—most companies aim for the holiday rush—but Nintendo’s playing it smart here. They’re giving early buyers a chance to grab it in the summer, then likely stocking up for a bigger wave later in the year. If you’re eager to get your hands on one, mark your calendar for April 9. That’s when preorders kick off in North America at places like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and the Nintendo store. These things tend to sell out fast, so don’t sleep on it.
Price-wise, the base model starts at $449.99. Not cheap, but not shocking either, considering what’s packed in. There’s also a bundle with the new ‘Mario Kart World’ game for $499.99, which feels like a decent deal if you’re already planning to pick up that title. The original Switch launched at $299 back in 2017, so this jump makes sense with the tech upgrades and inflation over the years.
Speaking of upgrades, the Switch 2 brings some serious improvements. It’s got a bigger 7.9-inch screen that hits 1080p and can push 120Hz for smoother visuals. When you dock it, the new 4K dock upscales games to look sharp on your TV. Storage is a huge leap too—256GB built-in, compared to the measly 32GB on the first Switch. You can still expand it with microSD cards, but this time it supports faster Express versions.
The redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers are magnetic, snap on tight, and even double as a mouse for certain games. Plus, there’s a new C button tied to a GameChat feature, letting you talk to friends while playing, thanks to a built-in mic.
Nintendo’s also keeping things friendly for current Switch owners. The new console plays all your old Switch games, and some classics like ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ and ‘Tears of the Kingdom’ are getting polished-up Switch 2 Editions with better graphics and frame rates. On top of that, launch day brings ‘Mario Kart World’, an exclusive with an open-world twist, wild weather effects, and races for up to 24 players. We’re also seeing big third-party titles like ‘Elden Ring’, ‘Cyberpunk 2077’, and ‘Civilization 7’, plus GameCube gems like ‘The Wind Waker’ through the online membership.
The original Switch sold over 150 million units since 2017, making it one of Nintendo’s biggest hits ever. It’s wild to think it’s already been eight years, but the company’s not slowing down. Beyond gaming, they’ve been busy with theme parks, movies like ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’, and even a news app lately. The Switch 2 feels like it’s building on all that momentum.
So, there you have it. June 5 is the day, $449.99 is the starting price, and preorders begin April 9. I’m already picturing that new screen in action—time to start saving up.