This minigame / explainer for the Switch 2’s features costs $9.99, but Nintendo’s video shows off a lot of the experience without costing anything extra, which could be good after the $449.99-plus charge hits buyers’ accounts.
Confirmed during Nintendo’s Direct event in April, and now live on the actual Switch 2. CD Projekt Red has confirmed which voiceover packs and subtitles are included with the game vs. available for free download if needed, but seeing it running in docked mode gives us an idea of the actual performance and quality throughout the game’s intro mission, which is miles ahead of where it was at launch a few years ago.
This YouTube video from Game Riot also confirms the game is really running from the cartridge, with only 2.4GB of storage allocated on the Switch 2’s storage.
On Nintendo’s Australia site, the company says the 20.1.1 update will add features like GameChat, GameShare, virtual game cards, the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Switch Online, and more. Nintendo says you’ll be prompted to download the update upon setting up the Switch 2.
The original Switch capped the number of screenshots you could save to a meager 10,000, but for the Switch 2 Nintendo has increased the limit to 30,000, according to NintendoSoup. That’s split between the console’s system memory and a microSD card, with each having a capacity of 15,000 images.
The Switch 2 can also store up to 6,500 30 second videos — 1,500 in its system memory, and an additional 5,000 on a microSD card.
[nintendosoup.com]
While parts of the world are still watching for deliveries and setting up shop in front of GameStops and BestBuys waiting for a Switch 2, some folks have already gotten a head start on the Great Nintendo Content Rush of 2025.
Already there are multiple streams on YouTube and Twitch showing off Mario Kart World to the envy of the rest of us plebs. If you’re a Deltarune fan, get them social media filters set up now or you might get the latest chapter (also launching with the Switch 2) spoiled.
We’ve already seen inside the Nintendo Switch 2, and here’s a video capture showing off the menus and eShop on the new console, as they’ve started to arrive across various continents.
No, it’s not a game, but it is something we’ll be spending a lot of time doing over the next few days and weeks, and at least so far, it looks a lot faster on this generation’s hardware. According to VGC’s Andy Robinson, logging in after a system transfer (and day one update download) is a lot like an Xbox, with all of your Switch 2 games ready to install.
Nintendo let us try out a bunch of modes in Mario Kart World last week — and playing in a race of 24 characters I got my butt whooped.
I’m looking forward to just driving streets in Free Roam mode, though.
With the game getting an update this week for the launch of the Switch 2, the Nintendo Music app has added 344 tracks from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom including the game’s main theme and opening. Listen to the entire playlist and you’ll be 11 hours and 43 minutes closer to the Switch 2’s release.
Producer Kosuke Yabuki talks about what went into building the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title.
In a video posted by Nintendo, Huang highlights some of the capabilities brought to the Switch 2 through its custom Nvidia chip:
It brings together three breakthroughs: the most advanced graphics ever in a mobile device, full hardware ray-tracing, high dynamic range for brighter highlights and deeper shadows, and an architecture that supports backward compatibility.
Huang adds that the chip also offers “dedicated AI processors to sharpen and enhance gameplay in real time.”
Tariffs, cheaper alternatives, and a relative lack of innovation are all factors that could slow the console down.
Mechanism has teased its first Switch 2 accessory coming this summer. The company, which made its name with the Deckmate accessory ecosystem for Steam Deck and other handhelds, has unveiled the Basegrip Plus case.
It works with its vast ecosystem of platform-agnostic attachments, but contains swappable parts that only work on the Basegrip Plus, from rear plates to bigger Joy-Con 2 grips. Some of them will be available as free 3D files, if you want to print them out yourself.
It won’t move to production until it verifies that the Switch 2 actually fits in it, a cautious mindset that I respect (one that many accessory companies aren’t bothering with). One thing to note is that the case won’t fit in the dock at launch, but Mechanism plans to create an adapter.
Following updates to the Nintendo Switch App and the Nintendo Today app, the Nintendo Music app has also been updated and now features a new sleep timer for those wanting to drift off to their favorite soundtrack.
A small crescent moon icon appearing in the lower right corner of the app’s interface while playing a track or playlist can be tapped to open a menu with timer options ranging from 5 minutes to 60 minutes.
While the next big Pokémon game won’t be releasing until later this year, Nintendo’s Japanese site says that we can expect to see Scarlet and Violet getting their long-awaited patches that will improve the games’ frame rates, visuals, and draw distances on June 5 just in time for the Switch 2’s big debut.
For now, the console is still stuck with basic light and basic dark modes, according to a setup and menu walkthrough that was posted on YouTube but has since been removed. The walkthrough otherwise didn’t show much that Nintendo hasn’t shared itself, but it was an interesting preview of what to expect when the Switch 2 launches on June 5th.
Update: the video was pulled.
Staples is a place you might go if you need office supplies without waiting for a (likely cheaper) online delivery. Unexpectedly, it’s also where you might just be able to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, June 5th. The company has shared a list of participating stores across the US offering the console on a first come, first served basis, and it’ll limit customers to one per day.
What other brick-and-mortar retailer selling the Switch 2 can let you scoop up both a console and a roll of bubble wrap at once?
Will things change for the Switch 2?
With photos of retailers getting Switch 2 inventory in ahead of the console’s launch next week, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Somebody got a Switch 2, and posted a brief unboxing video of it on YouTube.
In the comment section, the poster, Ali Almarzooqi, mentioned that the console does not work yet as it needs an update and he will be waiting until June 5th to play it with the rest of us. Update May 27th: Aaaaand the video’s been pulled.
