The Nintendo Switch 2's release is imminent, and while it will almost certainly sell well, it also hasn't garnered exclusively positive attention so far. For instance, detractors have argued that the new console is too expensive, that its launch lineup isn't as strong as those of previous Nintendo consoles, and that Nintendo's recent anti-piracy and anti-emulation endeavors are also anti-consumer.
But after the landslide sales of the first Switch, which few saw coming in the wake of the Wii U's disappointing performance, the successor console has the benefit of prestige on its side. Plus, the original Switch is a great console, so a significantly more powerful version of it, with additional features, will come across as a worthwhile investment for many owners, regardless of its lineup of exclusives at launch. That said, the Switch 2's launch lineup does have at least one major advantage over that of the first Switch's, which should make it more enticing for both newcomers and anyone upgrading.
The Switch 2's Future Zelda Game Has a Perfect Way to Inherit BotW, TotK's Innovation
The Switch 2 is already shaping up to have a strong lineup of games, but one big question still lingers—when will we see the next mainline Legend of Zelda? After the massive success of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, another entry feels inevitable, especially with updated versions of those two games already confirmed for Nintendo’s next console. Although Nintendo hasn’t shared any details yet, it's a safe bet that the Switch 2’s new Joy-Con controllers—especially their unique “mouse mode”—will influence whatever comes next.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Has More True Exclusives at Launch than Its Predecessor
Breath of the Wild Was a Cross-Platform Release—Mario Kart World Isn't
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is widely accepted as one of the best games ever made, and certainly one of the best launch titles that Nintendo has ever had. But despite being released on the same day as the Switch, Breath of the Wild is actually not a launch title in the traditional sense, as it was also released on the Wii U, and originally developed with that console in mind.
This is important because of what it means for the Switch's image compared to the Wii U. Naturally, the Switch wound up selling far better than its predecessor, and BOTW helped with that, but it's reasonable to assume that most of this immediate success can be attributed to the hybrid nature of the device. Without it, one might assume that those invested in the Zelda series would have simply held on to their Wii Us, as this platform could have run the game with little to no real compromises. BOTW is a system-seller if there ever was one, but it could have sold the Wii U just as well as the Switch.
The same can't be said for Mario Kart World, Nintendo's first big exclusive for the Switch 2. This upcoming title, which injects the Mario Kart formula with ambitious open-world sensibilities, will only be available on the Switch 2, with Nintendo stating that the older device won't have the power to run it. Whether this claim is true or not is irrelevant: anyone wanting to play the next Mario Kart will need to buy the Switch 2, which isn't something that could have been said about the first Switch's big launch title.
The Switch 2's Third-Party Launch Titles Are Some Heavy Hitters
Aside from Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 will see the release of several other big AAA games that simply wouldn't have been available on the first Switch—not in a decent state, at least. Chief among these technically impressive games is Cyberpunk 2077, a title that very few could have predicted would have been on any sort of Nintendo Switch device, making the hardware upgrade even more tantalizing, especially for those whose primary device is the Switch.
Making the comparison to the Wii U again, it's clear how the Switch 2 stands apart in this respect. While the Switch was a technical step-up from the Wii U, this upgrade wasn't as significant as the leap between the Switch 1 and Switch 2. Moreover, the original Switch's launch titles didn't illuminate this power disparity as much as something like Cyberpunk 2077 or Street Fighter 6 likely will.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes
The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 5, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 2x USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio
- HDR Support
- Yes
- Original Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $449.99