Nintendo Switch 2 is official with 7.9" 120fps VRR display, 4K at 60fps when docked

[Cal Jeffrey]

Finally: This morning's Switch 2 exclusive Nintendo Direct finally answered all the burning questions about the device, including key specs, price, and release date. As expected, many of the rumors regarding the handheld were validated, but let's make it official.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is significantly bigger than the original console, featuring a 7.9-inch capacitive touch display, adding to its heft compared to its 6.2-inch predecessor. The 1080p IPS LCD has 120Hz variable refresh rate technology and HDR support.

Nintendo was tight-lipped about the Switch 2's processor. The only detail it has divulged is that it is a custom-built CPU/GPU from Nvidia. Obviously, it's a step or two up from the first-gen Switch, as evidenced by its shortened battery life. Users can expect between 2 and 6.5 hours of playtime, depending on the game. By comparison, the Switch could go about 4.5 to 9 hours on a charge.

Nintendo has bumped the Switch 2 to 256GB of internal memory which is eight times the storage, which should delight game hoarders like myself. It still has a slot for expandable storage moving from microSD to microSD Express.

Mario Kart World was announced alongside the new Nintendo Switch 2, slated for release on June 5. This new installment introduces open-world exploration, allowing players to drive off the track and navigate freely anywhere.

Even though the console now has more base storage, Nintendo has not abandoned physical game cards. The new mini-cartridges are virtually identical to the first-gen's but are red instead of gray. Additionally, last week's Nintendo Direct unveiled "Virtual Game Cards" to share your digital purchases just like physical media.

The Switch 2's Joy-Cons are significantly different as well. The controllers are a bit bigger, as necessitated by the system's larger screen. However, the Switch 2 and its Joy-Cons (now branded "Joy-Con 2") maintain the same 13.9mm thickness of the original unit. I'm on the fence about whether this is good or bad.

On the one hand, keeping it slim minimizes weight, which is essential for a handheld device. On the other, the thin profile is one of my nitpicks about the first-gen Switch. I always found it uncomfortable to use the controllers while attached. I was constantly having to adjust my grip because of its slim design. So, I mainly used the Joy-Con grip attachment for a better feel.

Nintendo also confirmed the rumors that Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically to the screen. There were initial concerns that this was a flimsy way to connect them, but that doesn't look like much of a problem with the Joy-Con 2's deep inset sockets and powerful internal magnets. The controllers should remain securely in place until the release lever is activated, no matter how much a user fidgets while playing.

Other nifty features include mouse mode and the "C" button.

Mouse mode is just as it sounds. Users can position a single JoyCon sideways on a flat surface like a mouse. It's ideal for puzzle games, golf, or other compatible titles.

The C button, which also appears on the new Pro Controller, launches a self-explanatory new feature called GameChat and pulls up its related options. Switch's lack of a proper chat function was a big complaint, so it's nice to see Nintendo listen to user feedback.

The last notable change to the Switch 2 is its docking system. The first thing you will notice is that the dock is much thicker which accommodates a cooling fan. Docking blocks airflow, and users typically play games longer while docked. Additionally, the Switch 2 supports 4K HDR at 60fps when connected to a TV, which is likely to increase heat generation. So, a fan to vent excessive heat makes sense.

Pre-orders for the Switch 2 open next Wednesday, April 9, for $450. Customers can also buy the console bundled with Mario Kart World for $500. Units ship to pre-order holders and retailers on June 5.

Check out the Nintendo Direct event livestream for more details, including the new Switch 2 Camera. Plus, other games coming to the Switch 2 were also announced today...

Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17, 2025

Super Mario Party Jamboree – July 24, 2025

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 Edition) - June 5, 2025

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Dec/25 - Feb/26)

Permalink to story:

Nintendo Switch 2 is official with 7.9" 120fps VRR display, 4K at 60fps when docked

 

[Kirby1]

Earlier rumors that the upscaling hardware could be in the dock seemed pretty far fetched, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[NumberNine]

Customers can also buy the console bundled with Mario Cart World for $500.

Mortal Combat

Also, they say this thing's gonna do Breath of the Wild at up to 120FPS.
"Up to 120FPS" includes every other FPS lower than it as well so we'll see which of the numbers between 1 and 120 it is.

 

[Billybobjoey]

Everything here looks great, even went above my expectations with a 120hz handheld screen and HDR support. Mario Kart and possibly other future titles being $80 is a ginormous slap in the face though, this just opens the door for GTA 6 to actually be $100.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

Everything here looks great, even went above my expectations with a 120hz handheld screen and HDR support. Mario Kart and possibly other future titles being $80 is a ginormous slap in the face though, this just opens the door for GTA 6 to actually be $100.

Time to start working on your backlog. That's what I've been doing. I haven't paid more than $30 for a title in the last year, and that was an exception. Usually, I wait until the game is around the $15 mark. It's not a hard and fast rule. In fact, I'm sorely tempted to pick up AC: Shadows for full price. I almost did last night, in fact, but I downloaded Syndicate from my backlog instead. I've been dying to play Spider-Man 2 also, and it's on sale right now for $40, but I'm still resisting.

 

[Billybobjoey]

Time to start working on your backlog. That's what I've been doing. I haven't paid more than $30 for a title in the last year, and that was an exception. Usually, I wait until the game is around the $15 mark. It's not a hard and fast rule. In fact, I'm sorely tempted to pick up AC: Shadows for full price. I almost did last night, in fact, but I downloaded Syndicate from my backlog instead. I've been dying to play Spider-Man 2 also, and it's on sale right now for $40, but I'm still resisting.

I've been really enjoying AC Shadows and Xenoblade X, but after those it's definitely time to work on the backlog. I've been meaning to finish The Talos Principle 2 especially with the remake of 1 coming out next week, plus I have plenty of indies from the last year+ I still haven't booted.

 

[Wylfen]

Many of us with the oled version probably won't jump at this. I have become highly resistant, finally, to jumping at every new version of tech that comes along.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Sticking with my Wii…

 

[m4a4]

And for many gamers, that hype died the second they also (less loudly) announced $80 digital and $90 "physical" games (it's just a glorified game code to download it). Which explains why they added "digital sharing"; not because they were being pro-consumer, but because they were rug pulling...

I wonder how long this one will take to emulate.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

$80-90 games takes out all the wind from the sales. Build a gaming PC, you'll be able to access the switch library anyway and youll make up the price difference pretty quick.

 

[GettCouped]

Is this console backwards compatible?

 

[dangh]

I was thinking about getting switch 2 hoping N will learn on post mistakes. Instead, they doubled down. Steam deck it is, then. Better and larger library, much cheaper games, better choice of games, better control over those games, selection of stores, no limits on any applications, netflix, spotify or anything.
90 usd as standard price for a mobile like game and 2 hours battery life? With an lcd screen? Lol.

 

[CBTex]

Is this console backwards compatible?

Yes.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Still feeling good about my Ally X purchase after this announcement.

…though an upgraded APU and 8” screen would get me to buy another PC handheld.

 

[toooooot]

No battery improvement. Not enough to be excited about at least

 

[michalcz]

No OLED display, 2 hours of battery life, $80 for a new game, $550 for the hardware (retail price in Europe). I wanted to buy so I can play a couple of games I'm interested in but now it's a clear skip.

 

[SirDigby]

Is this console backwards compatible?

Not fully, I imagine a lot of games will run with absolutely no issue, but there are likely to be some exceptions. I saw another article this morning saying there's no crossover in hardware with the Switch 1 and 2, it's not going quite as far as needing full emulation but I think there's a compatibility layer in there somewhere which some games might not like.
As a general rule I'd expect most games to work.

 

[Puiu]

This looks very bad. I was expecting at least the price to not be indecent at around 400$, but I guess that's too much to ask for in 2025...

 

[The Talking Tech]

Don't know what's worse if the $450.00 price tag for a Switch 2 that doesn't offer any better hardware than the already 4 year old PS5 or the fact that its games will cost far more with Nintendo hardly ever reducing their game prices...Both instances are quite bad.

 

[Trapped Nowhere]

NSP2 and XCI2 file formats would be nice

 

[rmcrys]

I jumped the x86 wagon long time ago with my Legion Go (bought it for les than 700€ with 512 GB but I soon upgraded it to 1 TB for 90€. It was (for me) the best thing I did:
- all my steam library works
- I have desktop games and there are many discounts
- I have now a eGPU with a RTX4070 Ti Super attached to my big OLED 4K TV and when I'm at home, I play with an Xbox gamepad in full glory.

Now I'm looking forward to see the future Legion Go 2. I had enough with mobile like games, always very limited and very low graphics. With the Legion Go, not only graphics are much better than any ARM devices, but I can use upscaling and frame generation for smoother results. And yes, most games I buy were very cheap.

 

[Puiu]

Don't know what's worse if the $450.00 price tag for a Switch 2 that doesn't offer any better hardware than the already 4 year old PS5 or the fact that its games will cost far more with Nintendo hardly ever reducing their game prices...Both instances are quite bad.

You really think it's even close to the PS5 in terms of power? It will probably have the raw raster power of the PS4 with more modern tech on top, maybe a bit more when docked (kinda like how the Switch was compared to the PS3).

 

[The Talking Tech]

You really think it's even close to the PS5 in terms of power? It will probably have the raw raster power of the PS4 with more modern tech on top, maybe a bit more when docked (kinda like how the Switch was compared to the PS3).

Which makes the $450.00 price tag and its $80.00 dollar games even worse.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Which makes the $450.00 price tag and its $80.00 dollar games even worse.

The Nintendo systems have never been about power but about how fun the games were to play… alas, nowadays the games aren’t really any more fun to play… hence me sticking to my Wii…

 

[Puiu]

The Nintendo systems have never been about power but about how fun the games were to play… alas, nowadays the games aren’t really any more fun to play… hence me sticking to my Wii…

Nobody is denying that games should be fun, but when you see a dynamic resolution going down to 648p and still can't maintain 30fps... you know something went wrong.

People want good hardware because it objectively can make the gaming experience better for good games.