Nintendo Switch 2 Is Officially Here: What You Need To Know

Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2. After months of rumors and buzz online, the Japanese gaming company dropped a short promo video showing off the new console, and it looks like a bigger, more powerful version of the original Switch.

When is The Nintendo Switch 2 Coming Out?

Nintendo hasn’t given us an exact release date or price yet, but they did confirm the Nintendo Switch 2 is launching sometime in 2025. During the reveal, they only showed one game running on the new system—a brand-new Mario Kart game.

What’s New with the Switch 2?

If you loved the original Switch, you’ll feel right at home with the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s still a hybrid console, so you can play it on the go or dock it to your TV. But Nintendo has made some cool upgrades:

Magnetic Joy-Cons: The new Joy-Cons attach magnetically, which should make them easier to snap on and off.
U-Shaped Kickstand: The kickstand has been redesigned into a U-shape, so it’s sturdier when you’re playing in tabletop mode.
Second USB-C Port: There’s now an extra USB-C port, which could be handy for charging or accessories.
New Button on the Right Joy-Con: There’s a mysterious new button on the right Joy-Con. Nintendo hasn’t said what it does yet, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Backward Compatibility is a Big Deal

Here’s some great news: the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible with both physical and digital games from the original Switch. That said, Nintendo did warn that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” So, while most games should work, there might be a few exceptions.

More Info Coming in April

Nintendo isn’t spilling all the details just yet. They’ve announced a special Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, where they’ll share more about the Switch 2. This is probably when we’ll get more info on the games, features, and maybe even the release date.

For now, Nintendo is hosting Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events in cities around the world. These events will give fans a chance to try out the console before it officially launches. Here’s the schedule: