Everything announced during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct

It’s not every day you see two Nintendo Directs in one week. While the March 27 Direct dove into the release dates of games like Shadow Labyrinth, two Patapon remakes, and the latest Story of Seasons game, this Direct is all about the Switch 2.

Let’s face it: the hype surrounding the Switch 2 is comparable to GTA 6. Everyone knows it exists but wants to find as much information as possible to decide whether to buy it on day one or wait a while. Let’s dive into the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct and everything it has in store.

Everything revealed during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct

Nintendo Switch 2 release date

We have a release date for the Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 will officially launch on June 5, 2025, alongside several new titles and Switch 1 games getting enhanced remakes for the new console.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World takes center stage as the first major reveal. While we caught glimpses of it during the Switch 2’s first announcement trailer, this is the first time we have witnessed its gameplay and all 24 of its racers as focal points.

Mario Kart World’s gameplay has multiple changes from previous games in the franchise, from weather changes on each map to costume changes and wall riding. It’ll be released as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title on June 5.

GameChat

The first key feature update for the Switch 2 is a Discord-like voice chat and screen-sharing system that can be used directly from your console. Using a “C” button on your joycons, you’ll be able to join a voice chat with friends as long as you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Alongside GameChat, a Switch 2 Camera is launching the same day as the Switch 2, letting you show your face as you talk in GameChat. There’s be a GameChat open access period until March 31, 2026, letting you trial the feature before deciding on a membership.

Nintendo Switch 2 hardware comparison

A major part of this Direct is comparing the Switch 2 to the original Nintendo Switch. Here are some of the key comparisons made during the presentation:

• The Switch 2 is overall bigger and features an HD display.
• The systems are backwards-compatible, so you can play Switch 1 games on the Switch 2. Both physical and digital games are supported.
• The Switch 2 features GameShare, allowing you to play with multiple consoles as long as one person owns the game.
• Each Switch 2 Joycon controller can be used as a mouse.
• The Switch 2 has a built-in microphone with noise-cancelling technology.
• The Switch 2 has 3D surround sound to emulate sounds appearing around you.
• The Switch 2 has a USB top port for charging.
• 256 GB of internal storage compared to the 32 GB storage in the original Switch
• The new Switch 2 dock has upscaling to 4K and an internal fan to keep things extra cool.
• You can transfer data between the Switch 1 and Switch 2, letting you exchange game saves and data.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Alongside the Switch 2 is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a paid app that acts as a catch-all tutorial for the system. You’ll learn more about its basic information and some secrets not revealed during this Direct. It also lets you test its controls to get a feel for how its joycons and controls work.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Nintendo Switch 2 edition will launch on July 24. While it score gameplay is the same, it’ll feature mouse control support, audio recognition, and support for the Switch Camera. It’ll also feature three new and updated modes: classic Mario Party, Bowser Live, and Carnival Coaster.

Anyone who already owns Super Mario Party Jamboree can purchase an upgrade pack to feature the Switch 2’s upgraded edition.

Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions

Next on the list is Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Both games will feature enhanced resolution and framerate, HDR support to make everything look prettier and smoother, and a Zelda Notes feature to guide you through the game.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition

Much like TOTK and BOTW, Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Switch 2 Edition will have overall enhanced graphics and framerate alongside a new storyline, Star-Crossed World, available exclusively for the new console.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Editions

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond will feature both Switch 1 and Switch 2 editions, letting you play traditionally using the Switch 1’s controls or try out the latest console’s mouse controls. It’ll also feature a Quality and Performance Mode for smoother frames or higher-quality graphics.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Like Metroid Prime 4, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will also feature Switch 1 and Switch 2 editions later this year. The Direct didn’t reveal a specific release date but confirmed it’ll launch later this year.

Drag x Drive

Drag x Drive is an upcoming game featuring wheelchair basketball. Using the Switch 2’s two joycons as mice, you’ll simultaneously control both sides of the chair as you traverse the arena, shoot the ball into the net, and compete against three other players to win. Drag x Drive will launch in Summer 2025.

Games coming to the Switch 2

There are multiple games getting Switch 2 ports later this year, as highlighted below:

• Elden Ring
• Hades 2
• Street Fighter 6, including amiibo characters
• Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion
• Split Fiction
• EA Sports FC
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
• Hitman World of Assassionation
• Project 007
• Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
• Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
• Deltarune Chapters 1-4
• Borderlands 4
• Civilization 7
• WWE 2K and NBA 2K
• Survival Kids
• Enter the Gungeon 2
• StarSeeker Astroneer Expeditions
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
• Goodnight Universe
• Two Point Museum
• Wild Hearts
• Witchbrook
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion
• Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Fast Fusion
• Shadow Labyrinth
• Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless
• No Sleep for Kaname Date
• REANIMAL
• Fortnite
• Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
• Tamagotchi Plaza
• Human Fall Flat 2

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

It’s official: a new Legend of Zelda game is coming out. Well, sort of. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment acts as a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom, with Zelda herself taking center stage as its main character. It’ll launch this Winter on the Switch 2.

Nintendo GameCube library

Yup, you heard that right. The Switch 2 is getting a GameCube game library as part of Nintendo Switch Online. It’ll feature the following games:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• SoulCalibur II
• F-Zero GX

Although these are the only three explicitly revealed, the Direct also displayed games like Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, Super Mario Sunshine and Pokémon XD Gate of Darkness as potential future additions to the library.

The Duskbloods

FromSoftware is back again with a new IP, The Duskbloods. This vampire-themed game will launch exclusively on the Switch 2 sometime in 2026, with no further dates revealed.

Kirby Air Riders

It’s time for another Kirby game. Alongside Kirby and the Forgotten Lands’ enhanced edition arriving on the Switch 2, we’re also getting Kirby Air Riders as a continuation of Kirby Air Ride. No release date was given, aside from it being a 2025 launch title.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Last but not least is Donkey Kong Bananza. This 3D platforming game in the Donkey Kong franchise will arrive on the Switch 2 on July 17.

That’s it for everything shown during April 2’s Nintendo Direct, including a ton of new info about the Switch 2 and its launch games. With all that said and done, you can now rewatch the March 27 Nintendo Direct to remember some of its biggest reveals that weren’t captured here.