Everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2: Price, specs, games, and more

By Jesse Lennox Updated September 8, 2025

After years of rumors, speculation, and leaks that date back to when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the was initially teased in 2019, we finally have our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2. Now that the honeymoon period is over, I can safely give a complete breakdown of this console for anyone out there who is considering picking one up. If you’re directly comparing the Switch vs Switch 2, Switch 2 vs. Steam Deck, or Switch 2 vs. PS5, those individual guides will be the best place to go after reading this overview on what this console does best, what it lacks, and, most importantly, what games you can play.

This article was originally published in June 2025, right after the launch of the Switch 2. It has received its most recent update in September 2025 to reflect the current lineup of games, features, and future outlook for the system.

Now that the system is out in the wild, this console has been completely broken down to get a close look at everything inside.

For anyone who isn’t tech-savvy and unsure what all those numbers and letters mean, especially looking at the CPU, GPU, and memory, don’t worry. The main takeaways are that the CPU has more cores available for developers and the system has a far higher maximum clock speed. However, the current specs don’t show it fully utilizing it, which might mean more power could be made available in future updates. A higher clock speed typically allows games to load and run faster.

The Ampere GPU is the same one used in the RTX 30 series but is the most difficult aspect to really talk about since it is very dependent on how each developer utilizes this power. If you want some more numbers, this GPU is rated for 3.072 TFLOP in docked mode or 1.71 in handheld.

On the memory front, 12 GB of LPDDR5X split between two modules, with 3 dedicated to the system itself, will leave 9GB of memory for developers to work with. By comparison, the Switch 1 only had 3.2GB leftover for developers, making this almost a 3X improvement.

One aspect that doesn’t fit neatly into that table is DLSS. Nintendo has confirmed that the new system takes advantage of this AI upscaler, as well as ray tracing technology, but it wasn’t willing to share how. This makes sense, given we know that the system uses an Nvidia GPU, but we were told by Tetsuya Sasaki, GM of Nintendo’s Technology Department Division, that “Nintendo doesn’t share too much on the hardware spec. What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information.”

The company was similarly cryptic about ray tracing beyond the fact that the GPU does support that technology as an option for developers.

On the surface, the Switch 2 looks almost identical to the original Switch. It retains the same basic form factor and design but with a larger screen and Joy-Con controllers. Otherwise, the only major design change is a more sturdy-looking kickstand for the screen when playing with the Joy-cons detached. Nintendo went with an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality with the console.

The Joy-cons have the most new features hidden inside. First, they are now magnetically connected to the main screen so you no longer have to slide them in and out of position. What is most unique this time, though, is the ability to use a Joy-con similar to a mouse by placing it on its edge on a surface. This could open up a new world of possibilities for how we interact with games on a console. The only game we have seen this in action for thus far is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond but expect it to be an option in more games as they release.

While not specifically tied to design, one interesting thing missing from the Switch 2 is any form of achievements. Speaking to Polygon, Nintendo Vice President Bill Trinen was asked if players could look forward to earning any kind of system-wide achievements on the Switch 2, to which he simply replied, “Nope.”

It’s time to start saving up because the Switch 2 costs $450 or $500 for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle, if you can still find one. There were concerns that the price would go up after multiple tariffs were introduced in the US, which caused the preorder date to be delayed, but Nintendo confirmed that those prices will stay the same for the time being, although the prices on some accessories were impacted. We have seen consoles increase in price after launch, however, so we can never be sure this price will stay at this amount indefinitely.

In August of 2025, Nintendo opted to increase the price of the original Switch models, but so far, the Switch 2 has remained at $450.

Sadly, the Switch 2 does not have an OLED option at launch and will stick to an LCD display. However, it is going to be able to produce far better visuals than the original Switch. While docked, the Switch 2 can output at up to 4K visuals with full HDR, depending on the game and whether you pick the performance or quality mode, but it is limited to 1080p in handheld mode regardless.

The Switch 2 uses new magnetic Joy-Cons that are slightly larger than the originals but have a few other notable upgrades. For one, they now connect magnetically instead of sliding into place, but the big new feature is the ability to use them similar to a mouse. Certain games will allow you to place one Joy-Con on a flat surface and essentially use it as a pointer, like a traditional mouse for aiming in FPS games or playing strategy games.

The Switch 2 will also come with a new and improved Pro Controller that is a big step up from the original. This new version includes the new C button for the new GameChat feature, an audio jack, and customizable back buttons. This brings it in line with the best PS5 controllers and best Xbox controllers in terms of functionality.

One bit of sad news that Nintendo Life uncovered is in regard to the rampant Joy-con drift issues that were present on the original Switch. Many hoped that the Switch 2 would use hall effect sticks, which are much more durable and less prone to issues, but Nintendo of America’s Nate Bihldorff directly states this is not the case. “Well, the Joy-Con 2’s controllers have been designed from the ground up. They’re not Hall Effect sticks, but they feel really good.”

It is too soon to be alarmed about the return of Joy-con drift, but this isn’t a positive sign.

Being so early in the Switch 2’s life, there aren’t a lot of exclusive games at the moment. There’s a handful of Switch 2 Edition games that feel new, but Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are the two big titles the system has right now. There’s good third-party support with ports as well, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, and Split-Fiction. By the end of 2025, though, the system will already have those titles, plus Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Kirby Air Riders, so you will hardly be starved for choice in terms of big Nintendo franchises.

While that sounds a little slim for now, there are tons of upcoming video games hitting the Switch 2 in the near and far future.

As part of the Switch 2 announcement, Nintendo confirmed that both physical and digital Switch games will be compatible with the Switch 2. However, there is one asterisk here in that not every game will be compatible. Even games that haven’t gotten an official patch for Switch 2 are still getting frame rate and small performance boosts simply by being on the hardware, but games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that do have patches almost feel like new games.

While it isn’t directly related to backward compatibility, we also learned that the Switch 2 will use the new Virtual Game Card system to make sharing digital games between consoles easier. Additionally, several Switch games can be upgraded to Nintendo Switch 2 Editions for a fee, though how much that is hasn’t been disclosed as of yet.

PlayStation has its tiers of PS Plus, Xbox offers different Game Pass subscriptions, and Nintendo has Nintendo Switch Online.

Thankfully, Nintendo only has two different levels for the subscription so it is easy to keep straight.

The basic Nintendo Switch Online service costs a mere $20 per year and gives you the following benefits:

Online play and access to all those classic games are where the value in NSO lies. If you have no interest in playing Switch 2 online or have no love for retro gaming, then it probably isn’t worth investing in. However, there’s no easier way to access tons of amazing games from previous Nintendo consoles. And at only $20 a year, it is a steal compared to other services.

NSO + Expansion Pass more than doubles the cost to $50 a year, yet is still cheaper than any PS Plus or Game Pass subscription. What do you get for that extra cash? Here’s a full breakdown:

Again, your personal preference for older games will be the major determining factor in whether or not this tier is right for you. However, one important thing to note is that N64 games now have online play as well as local. That means you can play games like Mario Kart 64 or GoldenEye 007 online for the first time ever (officially, anyway).

Now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about the Switch 2, why take a deep dive on the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S next? A lot has changed since those consoles launched in 2020 so it is well worth a look.