Nintendo Switch 2

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Nintendo Switch 2
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Hybrid video game console
Generation	Ninth generation era
First available	Worldwide: June 5, 2025
CPU	Octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C @ 998 MHz (undocked); 1,101 MHz (docked)
GPU	12 SM Ampere GPU (with 1,536 Ampere-based CUDA cores)
Media	ROM Cartridge Digital distribution (Nintendo eShop)
System storage	Internal flash memory: 256 GB microSD Express up to 2 TB
Controller input	Joy-Con Joy-Con 2 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Capacitive touchscreen GameCube controller (via an adapter)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 4.1 Headphone jack 2 × USB 2.0 (on dock) 1 × Ethernet (on dock) 1 × HDMI (on dock) 2 × USB-C (on unit)
Online service	Nintendo Switch Online (Payment required)
Predecessor	Nintendo Switch
Article on Nintendo Wiki	Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 (ニンテンドースイッチ2) is the eighth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo Switch and it competes with Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S console in the 9th generation of video game systems.

The existence of a new console was confirmed on May 7, 2024 via a tweet written by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa. Known in development by its codename Ounce, information afterwards was scarce, though many leaks came out that later turned out to be true. The console was formally revealed on January 16, 2025 with a planned release date for that year. A Nintendo Direct then released on April 2, 2025, revealing its full specifications, release date, and pricing. Hands-on events were also held ahead of the console's release across the world throughout the months of April and May. While preorders started on April 9, 2025 worldwide, these were delayed in the United States until April 24th due to negative reception of hardware and software prices, as well as potential tariff implementations affecting prices further.

The Nintendo Switch 2 released worldwide on June 5, 2025. Nintendo reported that 3.5 million units were sold within 4 days, making it not only the fastest selling piece of hardware by Nintendo, but also the fastest selling video game console of all time within that window. As of September 30, 2025, that number has increased to 10.36 million units.

Features

Hardware

The Nintendo Switch 2, as its name suggests, is an upgraded take on the Nintendo Switch formula. While its basic layout is mostly the same, which is how backwards compatibility is possible, there are some notable improvements. The console is larger overall, approximately 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) tall × 10.7 inches (27.2 cm) wide × .55 inches (1.4 cm) thick (with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached), with a different dock to account for the size difference. The console's built-in screen (which is larger than that of the original Nintendo Switch) has a resolution of up to 1080p, and the system when docked can reach up to 4K, with both options supporting 120 FPS (the latter when running in 1080p or 1440p mode only) in addition to HDR. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports VRR, but not in docked mode. Design elements from the Nintendo Switch OLED return, such as a larger stand and an ethernet port built into the dock; Nintendo Switch 2 also has new additions, like an additional USB-C port at the top of the console for more convenience. The dock itself has a cooling fan to avoid overheating.

Instead of a sliding rail system, the Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically, the right Joy-Con 2 has a new C button that accesses the console's new built-in GameChat feature, and both Joy-Con 2 controllers have an optical sensor on the inner edge which allows them to respond to being against surfaces like a computer mouse. The SL and SR buttons are also noticeably larger. These controllers notably lack the IR sensor camera, which causes compatibility issues with certain games. These issues can be circumvented by original Nintendo Switch controllers being forward compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 via Bluetooth. A Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller (which can only be used on Nintendo Switch 2) also exists, featuring a similar shape and button layout, but with various refinements in addition to some key differences. This controller also has a C button, as well as a GL button and GR button positioned behind the thighs that can be freely mapped, and a CTIA audio jack at the bottom. The Joy-Con 2 controllers and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller utilize HD Rumble 2, an upgraded version of the HD Rumble technology found on previous hardware.

Unlike the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges can be physically inserted in a Nintendo Switch console although they will give an error message.

Online

The Nintendo Switch 2 utilizes the Nintendo Account Service and Nintendo Switch Online first introduced with the Nintendo Switch, allowing it to connect and interact with all compatible devices at launch as a paid subscription service. This means that all services available for the previous generation are also available for this console. Alongside the console at launch, an exclusive Nintendo GameCube library launched as part of the Nintendo Classics (formerly Nintendo Switch Online classic game libraries) Expansion Pass, as well as new features for other classic game libraries being exclusive to the console. Select Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades are also available as part of the Expansion Pass without purchasing individually.

Nintendo Switch app

The Nintendo Switch app (formerly Nintendo Switch Online app) is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 at launch due to backwards compatibility. Alongside all previously available services being compatible, it was updated to include support for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, including the following:

• Zelda Notes: A companion service for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is playable on Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards compatibility.

When running Ultimate on Nintendo Switch 2, load times are considerably reduced (especially in the digital version), and frame rate issues on certain stages are less common. One notable example of these improvements is the renders for alternate costumes on the character selection screen, which previously took a considerable amount of time to load, but now load almost instantly. Other examples include a more consistent frame rate on Fountain of Dreams when multiple pairs of Ice Climbers are present, in Squad Strike where characters are loading faster onto the field after the previous one is defeated, and male Byleth's "no hesitation" victory pose no longer causing any frame rate drops.

At launch, there were some compatibility issues involving the Mii Fighters, but Nintendo stated that they planned to address these issues in the near future. These issues have been fixed as of version 13.0.4, and hardware update 20.1.5. Other smaller issues persist in the game, such as Tips and character artwork for upcoming fights (particularly for Classic Mode routes) not appearing in the loading screens due to the faster loading time from the hardware, and Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controllers being registered as both an original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and a Nintendo GameCube controller simultaneously.

Gallery

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  Handheld mode

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  Console while docked

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  The left and right Joy-Con 2

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  Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

Trivia

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is the third console to support a game in the Smash series created for a previous console, the first being the Wii supporting Super Smash Bros. Melee and the Wii U supporting Super Smash Bros. Brawl.