Nintendo Reveals Switch 2 Launch Date Alongside a Fresh Mario Kart Game

Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2, set to launch on June 5, a date that marks the arrival of the eagerly anticipated successor to a console that redefined gaming for millions. The original Switch, a global phenomenon with over 150 million units sold since 2017, now passes the torch to a device poised to elevate the experience.

The reveal came during a Nintendo Direct presentation that drew over a million viewers, a testament to the fervour surrounding this launch. Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo’s president, described the Switch 2 as "a leap forward," a claim for a company that has thrived on ingenuity for decades. Eight years after the original, this new hardware promises sharper graphics, richer audio, and a chat feature that lets players connect mid-game.

The spotlight shines brightest on Mario Kart World, a reimagined take on Nintendo’s iconic racing franchise. Sprawling tracks that stretch across dynamic landscapes, water effects that ripple with precision, and characters fine-tuned to perfection, details that signal a console built for more than nostalgia. Launching alongside the Switch 2, it’s priced at £429 bundled with the system or £395 for the console alone in the UK. Digital downloads ring in at £66.99, with physical copies commanding an £8 premium.

Nintendo didn’t stop there. Donkey Kong Bananza brings platforming chaos later this year, while Kirby Air Riders revives a 2005 classic with a sequel fans have long craved. Both, priced at £58.99 digitally, showcase the company’s knack for blending heritage with fresh appeal. Compatibility also gets a nod, existing Switch games will run on the new system, and select games will receive enhanced Switch 2 editions boasting upgraded visuals and gameplay.

Third-party developers join the fray with heavy hitters like Elden Ring and Street Fighter 6, that broadens the console’s reach. Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Hitman World of Assassination, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong round out a line-up that challenges Nintendo’s reputation for lighter fare. FromSoftware ups the ante with The Duskbloods, a Switch 2 exclusive multiplayer game slated for 2026, hinting at untapped potential in this ecosystem.

The hardware itself flexes notable upgrades. A 7.9-inch screen delivers 1080p resolution with HDR and 120fps support, an upgrade from the original’s 720p display. Larger buttons and control sticks refine the feel, while a twist lets controllers double as a PC-style mouse in compatible games. Storage jumps to 256GB, addressing a long-standing gripe, and 3D audio aims to immerse players in soundscapes, though it’s the chat button, dubbed the “C button,” that might spark the most chatter. Players appear on-screen in a Zoom-like interface, their voices isolated from ambient noise, a feature as practical as it is ambitious.

Yet, the Switch 2 inherits a towering legacy. The original’s hybrid design, playable on the go or docked to a TV, propelled it past all but Sony’s PS2 and Nintendo’s DS in lifetime sales. Can this sequel capture that same magic? Supply chain ghosts loom large; console launches often stumble under shortages, a lesson etched into the PS5 and Xbox Series X rollouts of 2020. Furukawa has assured investors that production delays were tackled head-on, but new tariffs under President Donald Trump could ripple through global trade, testing Nintendo’s foresight.

What drives a console to greatness, hardware, games, or something less tangible? Mario Kart World’s sprawling tracks and Elden Ring’s dark allure suggest Nintendo bets on both.