On April 2, 2025, we had a big Nintendo Direct. We’ve known about this event for a few months now; the hype was big, and the day has finally come and gone. This Nintendo Direct was Switch 2-focused and also revealed new information about the system itself and the launch date of the Switch 2 on June 5. The dust is starting to settle, and many of the big Switch 2 games have impressed fans worldwide. However, the price of the system wasn’t formally announced at the event and it was only later that we were informed that the system will retail for $449.99/£394.99. We’ve created an overview of the most important announcements from the Direct with some opinions on the announcements. Read on to discover the future of Nintendo and some of the biggest upcoming releases.
Mario Kart World – New Mario Kart – Nintendo Switch 2 – Nintendo started off the Direct with a huge reveal. A new Mario Kart was shown off. The title will include races across regions across the globe. It will implement different weather conditions and types of terrain. It will be possible to go ‘off track’ and will even offer a free-roam mode. It will release the same day as Switch 2. The huge news of a new Mario Kart has almost been overshadowed with the reveal that the Nintendo Switch games will have some of the highest prices for a video game that we’ve seen in two decades. Mario Kart World will release for just under $ 80/ £75. Needless to say, this news hasn’t gone down well with some fans.
Soon after the Mario Kart reveal, the function of the mystery ‘C’ button was shown. The C-Button is a “GameChat” button that will allow players to chat with friends and family in different locations. With this feature, you can communicate while playing games. A Nintendo Switch 2 camera is also being released. The camera is releasing the same day as Switch 2. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for GameChat.
The Direct then continued to discuss many of the features of Switch 2. The GameShare feature was revealed. This feature allows for the ability to play locally with just one game card. This is known as GameShare. GameShare can only be used with compatible games.
It was then announced that as expected, Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with some Nintendo Switch games. How much of the library will be compatible we don’t know for certain. From the Direct, we know that some games will have upgraded versions specific to the Switch 2. The original Switch versions can also be upgraded for an as of yet unknown price. The Switch 2 game cards are the same size and shape as Switch 1 cards but are red and contain much more data. The system transfer feature will allow you to transfer your Switch content to Switch 2. Soon after the discussion of specifications had ended, the Switch 2 release date was announced as June 5 2025.
What follows in this article is a run-down of the announced games with announced release dates and other information that were revealed at this Direct.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This is a game-like experience that will help new users understand the Switch 2. It is paid software that explains the hardware.
Nintendo Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are some of the updated games available. They will have upgraded graphics and textures. Zelda Notes will be a new feature.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land will have a Switch 2 version.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will have a Switch and Switch 2 version. The Switch 2 version will have better graphics.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will have a Switch and Switch 2 version. All of these games will be available physically and digitally.
Drag x Drive – A new wheelchair basketball-like game. It releases summer 2025. Players can use two Joy-con as mice.
Elden Ring – Tarnished Edition Coming to Switch 2 – 2025.
Hades 2 – Coming to Switch 2.
Street Fighter 6 – Available Switch 2 launch day.
Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion – Releasing on Switch 2.
Split Fiction – Releases Switch 2 launch day.
EA Sports FC + Madden NFL – Coming to Switch 2.
Hogwarts Legacy – Releases Switch 2 launch day.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 – Releases Summer 2025.
Hitman World of Assassination – Releases launch day on Switch 2.
Project 007 – Releasing on Switch 2 in 2026.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy Remastered – Releasing on Switch 2 in late 2025.
Yakuza Zero – Director’s Cut – Coming to Switch 2.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Coming to Switch 2. Coming this Winter.
GameCube games are coming to Switch Online. – Zelda: Wind Waker – Soul Caliber 2. F-Zero GX.
Borderlands 4 – Coming to Switch 2.
7/07/2025
Civilization 7 – Switch 2. Launch day release.
WWE 2K and NBA 2K – Coming to the Switch 2.
Enter the Gungeon 2 – Coming later in 2025.
Star Seeker Astroneer Expeditions – Releasing 2026 on the Switch 2.
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition – Switch 2 launch day release.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade – Still in development.
Survival Kids – Releasing Switch 2 launch day.
Hollow Knight – Silksong – Releasing 2025 on Switch 2.
Two Point Museum – Releasing in 2025.
Goodnight Universe – Releasing in 2025.
Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar- Releasing August 27, 2025.
Kanitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess – Switch 2 launch day release.
Wild Hearts S – Releasing July 25, 2025 on Switch 2.
Witchbrook – Releasing 2025 on Switch 2.
Puyo Puyo – Tetris 2S – Releasing launch day on Switch 2.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Releasing Switch 2 on launch day.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion – Releasing holiday 2025 on Switch 2.
Star Wars: Outlaws – Releasing 2025.
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition – Releasing Switch 2 launch day.
Fast Fusion – Releasing on Switch 2 on launch day.
Shadow Labyrinth – Releasing July 18, 2025 on Switch 2.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Arm – Releases June 19, 2025 on Switch 2.
No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files – Releases July 25, 2025 on Switch 2.
Reanimal – Releases 2025 on Switch 2.
Fortnite – Same day release as Switch 2 launch.
Arcade Archives 2 – Ridge Racer – Releases same day as Switch 2 launch.
Professor Leyton and the New World of Steam – Releases 2025 on Switch 2.
Tomagatchi Plaza – Releases June 27, 2025 on Switch 2.
Human Fall Flat 2 – Releases 2025 on Switch 2.
The Duskbloods – New FromSoftware game coming 2026 to Switch 2.
Kirby Air Riders – Coming 2025 to Switch 2.
Donkey Kong – Bonanza – Coming July 7, 2025 to Switch 2.
The Switch 2 has a great lineup of games in development. Of the games announced, some are almost ready, while others will be ready in 2026. The big game reveals include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond coming enhanced on Switch 2, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to have enhanced versions on Switch 2, and Elden Ring coming to Switch in 2025. GameCube games coming to Switch 2 Online, the Donkey Kong Bananza announcement, the Super Mario Kart World announcement, and much more. Since the Direct, there have been Treehouse Live presentations on April 4, where some of the games announced have been played, and more things about these games were revealed.
The high price tag of both the Switch 2, and much of its software has caused a stir. This could harm sales, and if that does happen expect a price drop within 18 months of the Switch 2’s release. However, considering how well the Switch has done and how the general adult is now much more familiar with Nintendo than the general adult was twenty years ago, the Switch might be too prominent in our minds for its successor to become a failure. I think it also matters what constitutes a failure. Regardless, if Switch 2 sells less than 50 million units over its lifetime, I would be shocked.
Well, that’s it for the Nintendo Direct. There were some great games announced, and we now know more about the Switch 2, including that June 5 launch date. I’m excited about the new Hyrule Warriors, and the new Donkey Kong might be a gaming revelation.
Will you be picking up a Switch 2 on June 5? Let us know below!
