April 2, 2025 — Nintendo officially unveiled the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 during its latest Direct, giving fans a clearer look at what’s coming next.
The Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 live stream kicked off at 2 PM UK time. If you missed it, don’t worry – in this article, we will break down the key takeaways from the event.
Console Upgrades
The new console keeps the hybrid design but introduces a sleeker, all-black look, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, dual USB-C ports, and a wider kickstand. Crucially, it will be backward-compatible with most existing Switch games, though some may have limited support.
The Switch 2 will feature a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with HDR support and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, offering smoother visuals and enhanced graphics, leading to a more immersive gaming experience.
The internal storage has also been upgraded to 256 GB to accommodate more games and media – with the new Switch 2 games that have been announced, this is great news.
The new “C Button”, used to initiate Nintendo’s new GameChat feature, was a key development on the new Joy-Con controllers. When pressed it triggered a Mii-style sound effect, sparking rumours of returning Miis or a modern take on Miiverse.
GameChat and Screen Sharing Take Center Stage
A major focus of the presentation was GameChat, Nintendo’s brand-new integrated communication feature. By pressing the new C Button, players can initiate voice or video chat directly from the console – no app or workaround required. Nintendo also introduced screen sharing, allowing players to stream their gameplay to friends for easier collaboration or simply showing off their session in real time.
There’s even a Switch 2 camera accessory in the works, which will let users overlay their video feed during chats or pop it up picture-in-picture while gaming. These additions mark a huge leap forward for Nintendo’s social and online features -something the community has been requesting for years.
Big Games Confirmed
- Mario Kart World – Open circuits, dynamic weather, survival mode, and up to 24 racers at once.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – A fresh trailer showcased updated visuals and intense exploration gameplay.
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Set in Lumiose City with new tournament-style gameplay, launching late 2025.
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition – An optimised version of FromSoftware’s open-world action RPG, with upgraded performance and visuals tailored for Switch 2 hardware.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake – Square Enix’s modern reimagining of the RPG classic, confirmed for Switch 2 with enhanced visuals and performance parity with other consoles.
- Street Fighter 6 – Capcom’s latest in the legendary fighting series, with full character roster, online play, and 60 FPS performance on Switch 2. Launches June 5, 2025.
Launch Date and Pricing
The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, with pre-orders beginning on April 8, 2025.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at £395.99 in the UK, with pre-orders set to begin on 8th April, 2025.
Watch The Full Livestream
