The Nintendo Switch 2's launch date has finally been confirmed, along with further details of a new Mario Kart title.
During a Switch 2 Direct presentation, Nintendo announced the Switch 2's launch date is Thursday, June 5.
Pre-orders in the UK open on Saturday, April 8 and will "initially be offered on an invite-only basis to selected Nintendo Switch Online members" through My Nintendo Store.
The standalone Switch 2 console is priced at £395.99, and a launch day bundle featuring a digital edition of Mario Kart World is priced at £429.99.
The presentation opened with another look at the new Mario Kart game that was teased earlier this year.
It's now been officially announced that the game will be called Mario Kart World, and it will be available as a Switch 2 exclusive on launch day. It's priced at £66.99 for a digital edition, and £74.99 for a physical edition.
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Mario Kart World can feature up to 24 drivers per race – double the maximum number of drivers for Mario Kart 8 on the original Switch.
In addition to traditional circuits and tournaments, there's a Free Roam mode where players can explore the game's vast world along with "new areas and routes".
Players will also race each other as they travel from circuit to circuit.
A Knockout Tour mode also allows for an ongoing race around the game's world – and it's timed, with players who don't make the deadline getting knocked out of the tournament.
Further details will follow in a dedicated Mario Kart World Direct on Thursday, April 17.
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The Direct presentation also had a teaser for Kirby Air Riders, arriving later this year, and a look at a new Donkey Kong game called Donkey Kong Bananza, releasing on July 17.
Donkey Kong Banaza will cost £58.99 for a digital copy in the UK, or £66.99 for a physical copy.
Several games have now been confirmed for Switch 2 as launch titles – including Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6, Deltarune, a remastered version of Bravely Default and an Ultimate Edition of Cyberpunk 2077.
Elden Ring, EA Sports FC, Hitman World of Assassination, Hades 2, Hollow Knight Silksong, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade are among the other major titles coming to Switch 2, with further release date details to be confirmed.
Several Nintendo titles are also getting upgraded versions for Switch 2 – among them are Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree (which will have three new modes, including one which takes advantage of the Switch 2's new GameChat functionality).
Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will also get Switch 2 editions. Along with improved framerates and visuals, a Zelda Notes function will be available in the Nintendo Switch Online app, with features including a map to navigate to locations within the games.
Players who already own the Switch version of the games will be able to buy Switch 2 upgrade packs, although pricing for these has not yet been confirmed.
A new James Bond title from IO has also been confirmed for Switch 2, along with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and FromSoftware's new vampire-inspired title launching as a Switch 2 exclusive in 2026 called The Duskbloods.
The Direct presentation also went into more detail about the 'C' button seen on the new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. This opens up the GameChat menu, which uses a built-in microphone with noise-cancelling tech.
GameChat functionality includes screensharing, plus real-time voice and video chat, and it supports Nintendo's existing parental controls experience.
You'll need Nintendo Switch Online membership to access GameChat longer-term, but it will be made available without membership from launch until March 31, 2026.
The Direct presentation also refreshed some of the new console's features, including detail on its 7.9", 1080p display, which has around double the number of pixels contained in the original Switch's display.
The magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers seen in the teaser trailer have a release button on the back, and larger control sticks, SL and SR buttons than their predecessors. Each Joy-Con 2 can also be used like a mouse, to play with compatible games.
The Switch 2 is confirmed to have 256GB of internal storage, expandable using microSD Express cards. It will play "compatible Nintendo Switch games" – both physical and digital titles will be supported.
It will also be possible to play together locally on multiple systems using one game – GameShare allows players to share compatible games with up to three other systems at a time. Some titles will receive a free update to make them compatible with GameShare.
Nintendo has also announced a Switch 2 camera accessory. Priced at £49.99 in the UK, it's sold separately and can be plugged into one of the new console's two USB-C ports.
New Pro Controllers (£74.99) and GameCube controllers (£58.99) for Switch 2 are also on the way – the latter coincides with the GameCube classic library coming to Switch 2 (via Nintendo Switch Online) on launch day.
