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Nintendo just wrapped up its gigantic Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, which gave us our first good look at Nintendo’s next console. The 60-minute long event went into great detail about the console, its games, and when we can expect to see it on store shelves.
We sat through the entire event as it happened and have noted everything you could possibly want to know about the announcements in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, including the games announced, Switch 2 details, and more.
A Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode playing Donkey Kong Bananza. A Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode playing Donkey Kong Bananza. Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Every Game Announced
Mario Kart World
This was teased in the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement video, but Nintendo has finally lifted the lid off the next game in the Mario Kart series: Mario Kart World. Bigger and better than any Mario Kart game before it, Mario Kart World features online multiplayer with up to 24 players – a first for the series – a big, open world, and a bunch of new karts and characters.
Mario Kart World will be released alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
In a shock announcement, Nintendo and Bandai Namco revealed that FromSoftware’s latest and greatest soulslike game, Elden Ring, is headed to the Switch 2. The Switch 2 version of Elden Ring will include both the base game and the game’s expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, and it doesn’t look like it will include any other additional content beyond that. That’s more or less to be expected, but not a given — especially since games like Skyrim and Diablo 3 had exclusive content in their Nintendo Switch releases.
Elden Ring will be released in 2025.
The Duskbloods
A brand-new, and exclusive, game from the developers behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, FromSoftware. This is a multiplayer game that you’ll only be able to play on Switch 2, and it’s definitely giving big Bloodborne vibes.
The Duskbloods is coming in 2026.
Donkey Kong Bananza
A new Donkey Kong game was announced during the presentation, and it’s a 3D platformer with a huge focus on destructible environments.
Kirby Air Riders
A brand-new sequel to the original Kirby’s Air Ride, directed by Super Smash Bros Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai. It’s coming sometime in 2025.
Nintendo Switch Online – GameCube
The Nintendo Switch Online retro subscription platform has been a huge boon for fans of retro games, and the Switch 2’s additional power has enabled GameCube games to join the fray. The Nintendo Switch Online – GameCube app will let players play games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur 2, and more, with online multiplayer enabled for games that support it.
The new app will only be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, not subscribers on the base NSO tier, and subscribers will be able to buy a wireless GameCube controller to use with it. This will presumably be usable in other Switch and Switch 2 games – like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – but we’ll have to wait and see.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games
Nintendo also announced that some games would be getting “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” versions, with upgrades to resolution, frame rate, and new features all on the table. These games will be purchasable standalone on the eShop and presumably at retail, or upgraded to for a nominal fee for existing owners of the game, much like how the PS5 handles its cross-gen upgrades.
The following games have been confirmed to be getting Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Mario Party Jamboree
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- Pokémon Legends Z-A
- Civilization 7
More announced games are as follows:
- Drag x Drive
- Hades 2
- Street Fighter 6
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
- Split Fiction
- EA Sports FC
- Madden NFL
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
- Hitman: World of Assassination
- James Bond’s Project 007
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
- Deltarune
- Borderlands 4
- Civilization 7
- WWE 2K
- NBA 2K
- Survival Kids
- Enter the Gungeon 2
- Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
- Kunitsu-Gami
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar
- Goodnight Universe
- Two Point Museum
- Wild Hearts
- Witchbrook
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
- Fast Fusion
- Shadow Labyrinth
- Raidou Remastered
- No Sleep for Kaname Date
- Reanimal
- Fortnite
- Arcade Archives: Ridge Racer
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
- Tamagotchi Plaza
- Human Fall Flat 2
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Switch 2 Details
Being a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, we got a good look at the hardware of the Switch 2 and all of its features. As previously seen in the announcement, the console essentially looks like a larger Nintendo Switch, with an 8-inch 1080p display. Nintendo has confirmed that it’s an LCD screen, and it has a refresh rate of up to 120hz, with VRR on board. It’s also capable of HDR in both handheld and docked, which is a nice addition.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is much more powerful than its predecessor, and is capable of 4K gaming, some of which comes through the more powerful hardware and some of which presumably comes through something like DLSS.
The long-speculated “mouse-con” is also official, and players will be able to use either Joy-Con as a mouse, with the inside of the controller housing an optical sensor that can be used on just about any surface. This lets you control games like first-person shooters as you would on PC, with the right Joy-Con acting as a mouse and the left housing your standard controller movement controls, or interact with games using a pointer.
Speaking of controllers, Nintendo also revealed a new Pro Controller, which looks mostly similar to the existing controller, just with a bit of a facelift and the new C button. You’ll also be able to use your existing Joy-Con and Pro Controllers on Switch 2.
The right Joy-Con also has a new button on it, which is labeled “C”. The C button will open up a hub that allows you to connect with others via voice and video chat – with a UI that looks a lot like Discord – via a built-in microphone and a new USB-C camera, respectively. Players will also be able to share their screens to friends.
