Earlier today we got our first real look at the Nintendo Switch 2, along with many launch and soon-to-be-released games. Back in January, Nintendo teased us with a first-look trailer of the Nintendo Switch 2, and we’ve all been patiently waiting for this Nintendo Direct ever since. We also now know that the Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5th, 2025.

This Nintendo Direct was hosted by three Nintendo Switch 2 development team members — Konichi Kawamoto (Producer), Takuhiro Dohta (Director), and Tetsuya Sasaki (Hardware Design Lead). Will they be the Nintendo Direct leads for the next generation or were they just here to show off their new project? Only time will tell.

I usually go over my TOP FIVE announcements after a big video game showcase. This was a special Nintendo Direct featuring upcoming games, current games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, and hardware and technology updates. I’ve decided to instead break this post up into a few short subgroups. I will, as always, include the entire Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct video in this post as well.

Let’s go over some of the big announcements from this morning’s Nintendo Direct.

Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

I’m pleased to see that the Nintendo Switch 2 is a true next-generation upgrade to the hybrid handheld-to-docked console we have loved since 2017.

The screen is not only larger, but features 1080p capabilities (formerly 720p) with up to 120 frames per second, and 4K while docked. The Nintendo Switch 2 also has eight times the amount of native storage  (256 GB from 32 GB) — I’m guessing many of these games are going to take up more space.

A friend of mine recently purchased an original Nintendo Switch and asked me if it was supposed to feel “flimsy.” Something that I never really noticed until he asked — now it’s all I think about. Attaching the Joy-Con 2 magnetically instead of sliding them on makes the Nintendo Switch 2 look more sturdy than its predecessor.

The dock is no longer just a functional plastic casing. The new dock will feature a cooling fan and some other tech within helping to upgrade your docked gameplay experience.

Nintendo has always been behind the competition when it comes to their online services. Nintendo Switch Online has slowly improved over the years with new features, but the Nintendo Switch 2 will finally introduce one feature we’ve all wanted since the very beginning — GameChat. We currently have voice chat on the Nintendo Switch using the Nintendo smartphone app, but that only works with a few games.

GameChat is not just a quick add-on voice chat feature. It has been heavily integrated into the Nintendo Switch 2 console. The console features an outside noise-cancelling mic that even works in docked mode — while you are most likely on the couch. The optional camera (for purchase at launch) allows friends to share live video feeds, a feature which will even be implemented into certain games (like Super Mario Party Jamboree).

Games Galore

There were plenty of games announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, many are launch titles. Some current Nintendo Switch games are being enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2. Others will play as they are on the Nintendo Switch 2. I would think that owning a Nintendo Switch game would give you access to the enhanced version. Let’s hope the upgrade fee is not too hefty.

A large portion of the games announced were current PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S games that didn’t make it to the Nintendo Switch, due to hardware capabilities. Many of them were announced as launch titles. The Nintendo Switch 2 is looking to have the largest catalog of launch titles of any console to date.

Some current games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 include Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Split Fiction. I own these for PlayStation 5, but this gives me hope that we’ll be seeing more big AAA and AA games on the Nintendo Switch 2. We now know that Borderlands 4 will come to the Nintendo Switch 2, what about GTA 6?

Another exciting game announcement is that Switch owners will now be able to play the big sports titles Nintendo fans have been missing from EA and 2K. We’ve seen lesser versions of EA FC (formerly EA FIFA) and NBA 2K on the Nintendo Switch in the past. Now we’ll get to play the full versions of Madden NFL, EA FC, NBA 2K, and WWE 2K on a Nintendo console.

There were plenty of upcoming indie titles and Nintendo partner games announced for the Switch 2. Hollow Knight: Silksong was seen quickly during the “sizzle reel” portion with a 2025 release? Hades 2 is also coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. I guess it’s time to finish Hades.

There were a few big first-party Nintendo releases announced as well. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a launch title where you get to shrink down and walk around the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware as if it were a giant mall, featuring mini games and tech demos showing off how everything works.

We’ve been playing the same Mario Kart game for over ten years on two different consoles — Mario Kart 8 [Deluxe]. We are finally getting a brand new Mario Kart game with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 — Mario Kart World. To be honest, I thought “Mario Kart 9” would just be a small update to our current Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. For Mario Kart World they have added many new features and ways to enjoy the game.

I was secretly hoping for a new 3D Mario game. We didn’t get that yet, but I’m still hoping we will learn about a new 3D Mario game coming out by Holiday 2025 (that’s just a baseless prediction, or more of a hopeful wish).

Instead, we got our first look at Donkey Kong Bananza. This is good enough for me. It blends the 3D platforming of Super Mario Odyssey, with the underground exploration of the Steamworld Dig series.

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There were plenty of game announcements all throughout this presentation. I’m happy with the way they blended together games and hardware. You can view the entire hour-long Nintendo Direct right here:

Who’s pre-ordering the Nintendo Switch 2? What games and features are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.