Nintendo Switch 2: Nintendo’s Next-Gen Hybrid Console

Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid is finally official – the Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5, 2025. The surprise reveal has fans buzzing about specs, games, and how it compares to other portables. In this post, we’ll dive into everything from confirmed specs and reveal trailers to rumors (DLSS, Joy-Con features, launch titles) and how the Switch 2 stacks up in the wider gaming world (think Steam Deck and “PS5 handheld” chatter). Whether you’re a die-hard Nintendo fan or just love portable gaming, read on for the ultimate Switch 2 breakdown.

Confirmed Specs – A Big Boost on Paper

Nintendo has shared full tech specs for the Switch 2, and they’re a significant step up from the original. Here are the headline numbers:

Ultimate PC setup!

• Display: 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen, 1080p in handheld (up from 720p) and up to 120Hz refresh (with HDR10 and VRR support). The new built-in LCD is roughly the same thickness as before but wider, giving a sharper, more vibrant picture on the go.
• CPU/GPU: A custom NVIDIA Tegra (rumored codename T239) with Ampere-based GPU. It uses eight ARM Cortex-A78C cores (6 available to games, 2 for the OS). The GPU has about 1536 CUDA cores (roughly between a mobile RTX 3050 and 2050), and Nintendo runs it at conservative clocks (about 561 MHz handheld, 1,007 MHz docked). Crucially, Ampere architecture means real-time ray tracing and NVIDIA DLSS upscaling are supported, though Nintendo hasn’t announced any official ray-traced games yet.
• Memory: 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM (two 6 GB chips, 128-bit bus)tomshardware.com – up from just 4 GB in the original Switch. This should help with smoother performance and faster loading.
• Storage: 256 GB internal UFS storage. That’s eight times the Switch’s original capacity. (Fans who wanted a 512GB model will note only 256GB was confirmed, though the microSD Express slot supports cards up to 2 TB.) Games and saves go on this internal drive, but you can pop in a microSD Express card for extra (these new cards have much faster read speeds than old microSDXC cards).
• Audio: Stereo speakers with spatial 3D sound enhancements in handheld/tabletop mode. (There’s also a headphone jack if you prefer wired.)
• Controllers: The new Joy-Con 2 snap on magnetically at the sides. Each Joy-Con 2 can also be slid on a table or other surface to act like a wireless mouse for compatible gamesnintendo.com – a novel twist that Nintendo is calling “mouse mode.” All the old Joy-Con features are still there, plus a new C-button on the right Joy-Con for quick GameChat voice calls.
• Other: Two USB-C ports (one on top, one on bottom) for charging/accessoriesnintendo.compolygon.com, a bigger adjustable kickstand for tabletop play, and built-in Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth. The dock outputs up to 4K 60 to a TV (or 1080p/1440p up to 120fps).

Specs Table: Here’s a quick side-by-side look at Switch vs. Switch 2 (and a Steam Deck for context):

Overall, the Switch 2 is shaping up to be a solid generational upgrade: bigger, crisp screen, far more RAM, double the power for graphics (with ray tracing/DLSS), and a massive bump in storage. Nintendo’s focus seems to be on visuals and smoothness (note the emphasis on 120 Hz and HDR10). Loading times should improve too, with the beefier chip and faster memory.

Reveal Trailer & Direct Highlights

Nintendo officially unveiled the console at a Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, plus various news posts. The footage and images emphasized the new hardware and some game tech. In the first-look trailer and presentations we saw:

• Bigger, Colorful Screen. Gameplay clips in handheld mode already looked sharper and more vivid. Nintendo’s reveal footage mentioned the 7.9″ 1080p display with HDR, showing characters with clearer details. (The trailer itself teased it, but the press kit stats confirm Full HD handheld play.)
• Joy-Con 2 Mouse Mode. The reveal confirmed that each Joy-Con 2 can literally slide around on a surface to act like a motion mouse/aiming device. In the trailer, you even see the right Joy-Con “sliding” by itself like a mouse on a desk (see the new images with the C-button facing down). Nintendo hasn’t announced specific titles using it, but it’s coming.
• GameChat Feature. A snippet showed players chatting over the new GameChat online service, hinting that the Switch 2 can do voice/video chat with its camera (sold separately). The trailer briefly flashes the Joy-Con C-button use, implying live chat in games. (This is why the C-button icon was revealed – it launches GameChat.)
• Performance Hints in Gameplay. During the Switch 2 Direct, we saw snippets of gameplay like Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda running smoother than ever. Nintendo explicitly noted that the Switch 2 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will have smoother frame rates, faster load times, and better graphics.
• First-Party Games Teased. The game trailer for Switch 2’s unveiling focused on first-party franchises. The new Mario Kart World game (the successor to Mario Kart 8, apparently) was showcased with an all-new free-roam, interconnected courses design. Nintendo’s press release says, “Mario Kart World, a brand-new experience set in a vast interconnected environment.”
• More Games Shown. We also got official looks at Donkey Kong Bananza (a brand-new 3D DK adventure exclusive to Switch 2, arriving July 17) and a tease of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (showing Samus on planet Viewros, listed for 2025 release). Nintendo confirmed upgraded “Switch 2 Edition” versions of BotW, TOTK, Mario Party Jamboree, and even a new Kirby & The Forgotten Land sequel, all launching early 2025.

Rumors and Speculation

Of course, before the official info, there was a flood of leaks and wild guesses. Even now, fans love to speculate on what the Switch 2 might do. Let’s clear up some of the hot topics:

• DLSS & Ray-Tracing: Many outlets had reported that the Switch 2’s GPU is based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture (similar to an RTX 3050/2050 mobile chip). This turns out to be true. Tom’s Hardware confirms that means real-time ray tracing and DLSS upscaling are technically supported on Switch 2. Nintendo hasn’t announced any exclusive games with ray tracing yet, but the fact that it’s there means new titles (or Switch 2 versions of big games) could use it to improve effects or performance.
• Backward Compatibility: A big question was always, “Can I play old Switch cartridges on the new console?” Nintendo’s answer is yes – most Switch games are playable on Switch 2. The official site clarifies it can run “compatible physical and digital games released on Nintendo Switch”, though they note some older games might need patches or may not be fully supported. In other words, the rumors were true: Switch 2 is backward-compatible with the vast majority of the library, so your existing games and save data carry over.
• Joy-Con 2 Design: Rumors had suggested the Joy-Con would be revised, and indeed they are. We see in the reveal that Joy-Con 2 snap on magnetically (no more pesky rail locks)nintendo.com. The layout looks similar at first glance, but aside from the new C-button, there are redesigned triggers and grips.
• Launch Titles: Speculation was rampant about what games would launch with Switch 2. We can now confirm: Mario Kart World (the new Mario Kart) is day-one on June 5nintendo.com, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arrives sometime in 2025. The Direct also revealed Kirby & the Forgotten Land 2 Edition, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17), and Super Mario Party Jamboree (July 24).
• Pricing Rumors: Before the April Direct, analysts and leaks suggested a ~$399 launch price (higher than Switch’s $299, but competitive with other handhelds). In reality, Nintendo set the price at $449.99 in the US, or $499.99 with a Mario Kart World bundle. That’s a bit steeper than expected (some had hoped around $399), though still lower than a high-end Steam Deck. Tom’s Guide notes that the original Switch was $299 at launch, so this is a 50% bump.

Switch 2 Compared: Steam Deck, PS5 Handheld, and More

How does the Switch 2 fit into the broader handheld landscape of 2025? Let’s compare it to the major alternative – Valve’s Steam Deck – and even touch on Sony’s rumors:

• Switch 2 vs. Steam Deck: The Steam Deck (especially the new LCD version) shares some similarities: both are PC-ish handhelds that can dock to a TV. But each has different strengths. The Switch 2’s screen is bigger (7.9″ vs the Deck’s 7″/7.4″), and its LCD can hit 120Hz, while the Steam Deck’s max is 60Hz (or 90Hz on the OLED model). The Switch 2 screen is also brighter and HDR-capable, though the Deck OLED (if you choose that model) will have better contrast and blacks.
• Battery & Storage: The Deck usually lasts longer on a charge than the Switch 2 (Steam Deck LCD ~6–12 h, OLED ~2–8 h depending on usage vs. Switch 2’s ~2–6.5 h). Storage-wise, Switch 2 has a single 256 GB model, whereas Deck offers 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB (though Deck’s NVMe SSD is not as fast as Switch 2’s microSD Express speedspolygon.com). That means out of the box Deck can store more, but Switch 2 will load faster from SD cards.
• Features: The Switch 2 wins on hybrid convenience. You get Nintendo’s exclusive games (Mario, Zelda, etc.), a slick kickstand, and quick Joy-Con swapping. It also has unique social features (GameChat screen share, etc.) Nintendo showed off.
• PS5 Handheld Rumors: Lately, there have been whispers that Sony is planning a stand-alone handheld to tie in with PlayStation 5 titles. Think of it as a PS Portal with a built-in screen and weaker hardware. At this point, it’s pure speculation – no official word. For now, Switch 2 is the only portable that can natively play the latest console games. If a PS5-like portable does appear in 2026 or beyond, it will likely compete on different terms (maybe focus on streaming and PS exclusives). But as of 2025, Switch 2 stands alone as the new must-have hybrid.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch 2 generation is now officially on the way, and from what we’ve seen, it’s worth getting excited about. We’ve run through the release date (June 5, 2025) and price ($449.99 US), confirmed the new specs (7.9″ 1080p 120Hz screen, Ampere GPU with ray tracing, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, etc.), and discussed the first trailer and game announcements (Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and much more). We also covered all the juicy rumors – DLSS upscaling, backwards compatibility, Joy-Con redesign, launch titles and pricing, and how Switch 2 stacks up to devices like the Steam Deck.

What are you most hyped to see? Will the ray-tracing light up your gameplay? Are you satisfied with the pricing, or should Nintendo have gone cheaper? Sound off in the comments below – I’d love to hear what you think and what rumors you’re most curious about! And don’t forget to follow us for more Switch 2 news, rumors, and analysis as the launch draws near. Happy gaming!