Everything we know so far about the Nintendo Switch 2 – The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2025-12-19T22:49:55+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/638604https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Jay Peters<![CDATA[Did a publisher’s slip-up reveal smaller Switch 2 cartridges?]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=8484622025-12-19T17:49:55-05:002025-12-19T17:49:55-05:00
On Friday, retro and arcade game publisher ININ Games surprisingly announced it's been able to "recalculate production" on offering a physical version of R-Type Dimensions III for the Switch 2 because "Two days ago Nintendo announced two new smaller cartridge sizes for Nintendo Switch 2." Physical games on the Switch 2 have been something of a contentious topic; full physical games are reportedly expensive for developers, while game-key cards don't actually have the game on the cart.
But later in the day, ININ removed that line from its post and published a significant correction: "There has been no official announcement or confirmation fro …
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Andrew Webster<![CDATA[No Man’s Sky is getting a Switch 2 update in time for launch]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6789572025-06-04T09:17:41-04:002025-06-04T09:00:00-04:00
No Man's Sky is about to take flight on yet another new platform: developer Hello Games announced today that the sci-fi exploration game will be getting a free update that will enhance it for the Nintendo Switch 2, which launches on June 5th.
The game came to the original Switch in 2022, and Hello Games says getting it crammed onto Nintendo's previous console was "a bit of a technical miracle," while calling the Switch 2 version "a huge leap forward." On the Switch 2, the game will improve both the amount and quality of stuff on screen at any given moment. "We're rendering significantly more than before, at a higher resolution and improved …
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Kallie Plagge<![CDATA[Pokémon Violet and Scarlet’s Switch 2 update is as good as it looks]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6790312025-06-04T15:36:46-04:002025-06-04T00:00:00-04:00
I recently did something sort of unusual: I went to a preview event for a game that's been out for almost three years.
I've played around 400 hours of Pokémon Scarlet, according to my Nintendo Switch, since it was released in late 2022. It's safe to say I know the game pretty well. And yet, when I was invited to preview Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of the new console's launch, I gladly took the opportunity to see three-year-old games I already own. I wanted to find out just how much they'd improved.
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Dominic Preston<![CDATA[Don’t take off the Switch 2’s screen protector]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6779442025-06-02T08:48:07-04:002025-06-02T08:48:07-04:00
If you're picking up a Switch 2 this week, resist the urge to remove the screen protector you'll find applied to the console out of the box. This is actually a "film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage," and the Switch 2's European safety manual, spotted by fan site NintendoSoup, specifically warns not to peel it off.
This advice might sound familiar, because the Switch OLED had a similar anti-scattering layer with the same warning. In both cases, the goal is to minimize the spread of glass splinters if the screen gets smashed. Foldable phones also commonly ship with protective anti-scratch films that mustn …
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Brandon WidderCameron Faulkner<![CDATA[Here’s how you can get a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch — or at least try to]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6530102025-05-29T13:25:13-04:002025-05-29T13:25:13-04:00
Following a brief delay stemming from the Trump administration’s on-again, off-again tariff policy, Nintendo officially opened up preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2. As expected, the initial rollout process at Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers on April 24th was an absolute mess — and GameStop didn’t fare much better later.
As of right now, none of the aforementioned retailers are accepting reservations for the $449 gaming console ahead of its release on June 5th. Nintendo is still accepting sign-ups for those looking to secure a Switch 2, though, if you do go that route, be aware that there are strict requirements. Nintendo also can’t guarantee an invite ahead of launch due to “the very high demand” for the console. Surprising, I know.
We don’t know when the next Switch 2 preorders will open up, but since we’re close to the official launch date, it might just be time to make preparations to try for a console on June 5th. If you’re trying to secure a Switch 2 on launch day, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop have confirmed that they will have limited inventory for purchase.
In the meantime, we suggest keeping an eye on the retailers below and taking a few steps to ensure you’re set up for success in the event that surprise preorders re-open ahead of the console’s release.
At launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available in two distinct configurations: a $449.99 standard version and a $499.99 bundle that includes the latest Mario Kart title, Mario Kart World. Nintendo is on record saying the bundle will only be available through fall 2025 (or while supplies last), which is a shame, considering picking up the console / game combo saves you $30 on what is easily the Switch 2’s biggest launch title. If you don’t manage to secure the bundle, you’ll have to pick up Mario Kart World separately for a whopping $79.
It’s also worth noting that prices could change down the line. Nintendo recently raised the price of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons and the Switch 2 Pro Controller in response to tariffs, and has said that “other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions.” The starting price of the Nintendo Switch 2 remains unchanged, but at this point, it feels like the only way to guarantee a console at $449.99 is to purchase one at launch.
A few essentials tips to keep in mind
If the initial preorder launch of the Switch 2 is any indication, retailers are woefully under-equipped to handle the massive influx of interest in preorders. Inventory for the Switch 2 seems to be limited despite the fact Nintendo supposedly had time to build up an inventory of the next-gen system “on a global basis.” That being the case, we suggest taking a few steps to set yourself up for success in the event preorders do drop again between now and launch day.
We’ll continue to do our best to let you know which retailers have inventory as we approach June 5th, but for now, we’ve rounded up a few helpful tips that should help you improve your chances.
Create accounts for every retailer
First things first: create accounts at Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and other retailers if you haven’t done so already. Both Best Buy and Walmart implemented a queue system when taking Switch 2 preorders in an effort to deter scalpers — a tactic also employed during the rollout of the PlayStation 5. That’s why it’s in your best interest to ensure your account is set up with the appropriate credentials. Confirm your location and delivery info, get your payment details in order, and log in to your account prior to making your purchase.
… most retailers won’t hold your console while you’re in the checkout line
Setting up and verifying this information in advance will help streamline the checkout process, thus allowing you to save precious seconds. This is crucial, given most retailers won’t hold your console while checking out.
Download the mobile apps
If you own a smartphone, we recommend downloading — and logging into — the respective retailer apps for Walmart, Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target. In the past, we’ve found that the dedicated mobile apps for various retailers are faster than using a traditional browser; they also provide an additional means of procuring a console, thus increasing your chances of securing a Switch 2 at launch.
Sign up for retailer notifications
A couple of retailers, specifically Best Buy and GameStop, allow you to sign up for updates regarding Nintendo Switch 2 availability, including for the console’s games and accessories. So far, neither retailer has divulged much beyond what is available on their retail sites; however, they serve as yet another opportunity to stay informed regarding how each retailer plans to handle the Switch 2 rollout going forward.
Buying online? Skip the accessories
Nintendo will have a raft of new accessories available for the Switch 2 at launch, including a Switch 2 Pro Controller, carrying cases, and even a camera accessory for video chats. And while it might be tempting to stack your cart with add-ons, preordering Nintendo’s first-party peripherals takes time that’s better spent on securing a console. Plus, accessory preorders don’t typically sell out nearly as fast as consoles, meaning you can always circle back for extras at Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers once you’ve managed to reserve your Switch 2.
Try your local brick-and-mortar store
This might come as a surprise, but preorders aren’t only available online. A handful of retailers, including Best Buy and GameStop, opened in-store preorders for the Switch 2 following their online release. Each store has only been allocated a handful of launch units — the GameStop location our own Ash Parrish visited had been allotted 44 bundles and 19 regular Switch 2 consoles — so it can’t hurt to ask the folks at the store nearest you if they’re still accepting preorders. The chances are slim, sure, but who knows? You might get lucky.
Follow us (and others)
As you might expect, we’ll be closely monitoring Switch 2 inventory in the coming week or two — or longer if it remains unavailable following its release on June 5th. Bookmark our main deals hub, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to our Verge Dealsnewsletter! We’ll be sending special alerts as the console become available; it’s also a great way to stay in the know regarding the latest deals and discounts, all of which come from one of our very own Verge staffers.
Where can I get a Switch 2?
Right now, the only confirmed retailers for the Nintendo Switch 2 are Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Staples, Newegg, Sam’s Club, and Antonline. We anticipate that Amazon will sell the console at some point, but based on previous console launches, the rollout at Amazon is likely to be sporadic and unpredictable. Either way, we’ll update this post accordingly if Amazon — or any other retailer — begins offering preorders or announces in-store availability on launch day.
My Nintendo Store
Unsurprisingly, one of the few confirmed retailers accepting reservations is the My Nintendo Store, which comes with a string of eligibility requirements — one of which requires you to register your interest in advance. To do so, you’ll need to sign in with your Nintendo account and select the console configuration you prefer, along with any desired accessories. Then, you’ll receive an invitation email when it’s time to buy it, assuming you’ve satisfied several other conditions.
Currently, the reservation process is limited to Nintendo account holders in the US and Canada who are at least 18 years of age. Invitations are valid for 72 hours and “prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis,” according to Nintendo; you’ll also need to have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months and have logged 50 hours of gameplay on the original Switch as of April 2nd, 2025, to be eligible. What’s more, you must have opted in to share gameplay data with Nintendo (you can see if you’ve done so in the privacy section when logged into your account).
Console and accessory purchases will be limited to one per eligible account …
Once invitations have been sent to account holders who have met these criteria — a process Nintendo says is currently ongoing — invitations will be sent to “remaining eligible registrants” on a first-come, first-served basis. The invitations are nontransferable and sent to the email address you provided while registering your interest with Nintendo. Console and accessory purchases are also limited to one per eligible account, at least during the initial invitation period, which began with the first batch of invitations on May 8th.
Additional invitations are to follow periodically, though Nintendo hasn’t specified details beyond that. However, in a recent update to its site, Nintendo specified that, due to “the very high demand” for the console, “delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed” and that “your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch.”
Walmart isn’t currently accepting preorders for the standalone Switch 2 ($449) or the Mario Kart World bundle ($499), though you can still preorder games like Donkey Kong Bananza ($69) and accessories like the Joy-Con Wheel Set ($24.88). That being said, Walmart’s website still indicates that, if you do manage to preorder a console before 8AM ET on June 4th, you should receive it before 9AM ET on June 5th.
GameStop is no longer accepting preorders for the standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle. If you’re looking to bring the cost down in the future, though, it offers up to $175 off a Switch 2 when you trade in a Switch OLED, or up to $125 off when you trade in a regular Switch. In both instances, you’ll need everything that came with your console — specifically the Switch, its dock, two working Joy-Con controllers (with wrist straps), an HDMI cable, and a power cord. GameStop also confirmed to Gizmodo that the exact valuation will depend on the condition of your console, including whether your Joy-Cons are experiencing the dreaded stick drift.
If you’re still looking to pick up a Switch 2 at launch, GameStop will have additional units available both in-store and online. The retailer’s in-store launch event kicks off at 3PM local time on June 4th, with pickups starting on June 5th at 12AM EST / June 4th at 9PM PST. Online orders will also begin on June 5th at 12AM EST/ June 4th at 9PM PST, though, in both instances, inventory will be limited.
Best Buy isn’t accepting online preorders for the standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle right now, but if you do manage to reserve a console through Best Buy, the retailer has announced that most stores in the US will open at 12AM ET, 11PM CT, 10PM MT, and 9PM PT on June 5th for preorder pickup. Furthermore, if you missed the initial preorder window, “most stores will have limited inventory of systems, games, and accessories for in-store purchase” when they open at 12:01AM ET on June 5th, at least according to the retailer’s website.
Additionally, if you’re a My Best Buy Plus or Total member, you can currently score $20 in credit for every $150 you spend (up to $100) on Nintendo games and gear (excluding all Switch and Switch 2 hardware). That privilege will run you at least $49.99 a year, though both membership tiers also grant you access to a number of exclusive perks, including limited-time discounts and free two-day shipping.
The company shared that it will have both configurations of the console in-store on launch day, June 5th, and that it’ll open online orders the following day. Consoles will be limited to one per guest. If you’re heading to a store, you can begin lining up at a “designated queuing location” at your local Target store’s entrance. Tickets will be handed out, and if you get one, you’re guaranteed a product to purchase.
As far as we know, Newegg, Sam’s Club, and Antonline never opened preorders on April 24th. However, Newegg has published a landing page for both the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle, indicating it will have Switch 2 stock at some point. The same applies to Antonline and Sam’s Club, though you will need a Club membership ($50 a year) to take advantage of the latter retailer. That said, the mere fact the wholesaler requires you to sign up for a premium subscription to shop might also increase your odds of securing at launch.
Update, May 29th: Updated to add Staples as a retailer that will have Switch 2 stock. Also, we added information on Target’s launch day plans.
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Andrew Liszewski<![CDATA[The Switch 2 will finally back up screenshots to the cloud]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6762872025-05-29T10:05:39-04:002025-05-29T09:49:33-04:00
Nintendo has updated its Switch mobile app with new features and functionality for the Switch 2. | Screenshots: Nintendo Switch App
Nintendo released an update to its Switch Online mobile app yesterday renaming it to simply the Nintendo Switch App and adding support for the Switch 2, which releases on June 5th. Alongside Switch 2 support comes new features, first announced in early April, making it easier to access screenshots on other devices and adding mobile notifications for GameChat invitations.
The most useful update to the app is that the Switch 2 will be able to upload screenshots and videos to it through the cloud. The Switch 2's album will have a new Upload to Smart Device option for manually sending screenshots, as well as an automatic uploads feature where t …
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Ash Parrish<![CDATA[Nintendo partners with third-party websites to stop Switch 2 scalpers]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6748232025-05-27T14:36:23-04:002025-05-27T12:17:27-04:00
It is as inevitable as a sunrise that in the hours after the Switch 2 launch next week, third-party sites like eBay will be filled with listings for the new console. But in Japan, Nintendo has announced a new partnership with Japanese third-party retail sites to combat fraudulent Switch 2 listings.
Mercari, Yahoo Auctions and Yahoo Flea Market, and Rakuten Rakuma are the participating websites that will, according to a machine translation of Nintendo's announcement, "proactively remove listings" and establish "a collaborative system for sharing information." Nintendo says only "fraudulent listings" that violated the sites' terms of service …
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Wes Davis<![CDATA[The Nintendo Switch 2 sure seems to work just fine with a USB mouse]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6741762025-05-24T17:52:18-04:002025-05-24T17:51:55-04:00
You'll be able to use a USB mouse with the Nintendo Switch 2 in at least one game, as a Koei Tecmo developer commentary video for the upcoming Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition revealed this week. That's great news if your wrists, like mine, started preemptively cramping the first time you saw video of someone tipping a Joy-Con 2 controller on its edge for mouse mode.
While demonstrating the game's use of the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse, producer Michi Ryu stops and plugs in a USB mouse. The Switch 2 displays a message that says a mouse has been connected, and he continues to play with both a mouse and his left Joy-Con 2, switching b …
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Cameron Faulkner<![CDATA[The wireless GameCube controller for Switch 2 is available to preorder once again]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6663022025-05-22T14:29:01-04:002025-05-22T14:29:01-04:00
The wireless GameCube controller that’s for use exclusively with the Nintendo Switch 2 can now be pre-ordered by those who have a Switch Online account. The controller costs $64.99, and is currently limited to one per account. For those who’ve bought one, you’ll get it on Switch 2’s launch date, which is June 5th. There’s no waiting room this time, unlike Nintendo’s previous rollout of preorders on May 13.
Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2
Nintendo’s new Switch 2 gamepad updates the classic GameCube Controller with a wireless design, a GameChat button, and USB-C. However, it only works with GameCube titles available through the Switch Online Expansion Pack.
While GameCube controller support on the original Switch is nothing new (made possible thanks to the GameCube controller plug-to-USB adapter, or with newer third-party USB versions based on the original controller’s design), game support for the new wireless version is quite a bit more limited. It won’t be compatible with Switch backwards compatible titles that work on the Switch 2, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or at least support hasn’t been confirmed yet. Instead, its use is limited to the GameCube games that are coming to Switch Online’s Expansion Pack tier, which at launch will include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and more.
This GameCube controller has USB-C charging, and comes with the C button that’s used to summon GameChat features. Just a reminder: GameChat will be free to use for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners through March 31st, 2026.
Update, May 22nd: Preorders have opened again for the wireless GameCube controller, so we’ve updated this post with relevant information.
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Jay Peters<![CDATA[GameStop will have more Switch 2 stock at launch]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=6689182025-05-16T19:07:56-04:002025-05-16T18:23:37-04:00
GameStop will have additional Switch 2 stock available in-store and online when the console launches next month, according to a post on X.
In-store launch events will begin at 3PM local time on June 4th, according to the company. Pickups start on June 5th at 12AM EST / June 4th at 9PM PST.
Online orders will also begin on June 5th at 12AM EST/ June 4th at 9PM PST, spokesperson Nicolle Robles tells The Verge.
