Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Guide

To prepare for the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, we'll be putting together a detailed Launch Guide for everything you need to know to prepare for Nintendo's next big console release.

Switch 2 Release Date and Pricing

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

The Nintendo Switch 2 officially releases on June 5th, 2025 in all territories, and will be available to purchase as a standalone product, or a game bundle package. Each Nintendo Switch 2 comes with:

  • One dock for charging and playing in TV Mode.
  • Two Joy-Con 2 Controllers (L and R) that can connect to the Switch 2 console to play in handheld mode, or detached to be played in TV or Tabletop mode.
  • Two Joy-Con 2 Controller Grips to enhance the size of the controllers when playing in TV or Tabletop mode, as well as straps for your wrists.
  • One AC Adapter with a USB-C charging cable that can connect to either the Switch 2 console in handheld mode, or to the dock while playing in TV mode.
  • One Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable to plug from the dock into the TV.

The Standalone Nintendo Switch 2 Console is being sold at a suggested retail price of $449 in the US, though its pricing is varied in other regions. The Switch 2 Mario Kart Bundle is being sold at $499, saving roughly $30 dollars off the Mario Kart World price.

Where to Order the Nintendo Switch 2

Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 officially began on April 23rd, at many major retailers, while Nintendo has also begun emailing users with Nintendo Switch Online Accounts that submitted interest in purchasing directly from the Nintendo website. Other places you can try to pre-order the console include:

Some stores have also confirmed they will host midnight launches on June 5th, and may have a small supply available on a first come, first serve basis.

List of Switch 2 Launch Titles

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5th with Mario Kart World as its major first party launch title. Alongside Mario Kart World will be several other games, which include smaller first party games, third party ports, and Nintendo Switch 1 Enhanced Edition Games:

See the full list of Games Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 Here.

In addition to paid upgrades to Nintendo Switch 2 versions of games on the Nintendo Switch 1, there will also be several Nintendo Switch 1 games that will be enhanced when played on the Nintendo Switch 2 for free. While these may not include some of the major features like Zelda Companion Apps or increased save files, you’ll be able to play these games with enhanced graphics and framerates:

See the full list of Free and Paid Enhanced Features for Switch 1 Games

Switch 2 Most Important New Features

Aside from increased resolution and framerates, the Nintendo Switch 2 will also offer several new features that were not available on the previous console.

One of the biggest changes comes from the Joy-Con 2’s ability to use optical cameras along the edge like a computer mouse, allowing you to slide the controller along a flat surface (or even your lap) to play certain games with a new control format. In games like Metroid Prime 4, you’ll even be able to swap between standard Joy-Con mode and Mouse Control Mode almost instantly.

Another new feature that can be found on each new Nintendo Switch 2 Controller is a Chat Button, denoted by a [C] on the controller. If you are subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online, you will be able to open up a chat room with friends called GameChat, allowing you to talk to friends via a built-in mic, and also use a new GameShare feature to stream the game you are playing to friends in the chat group.

This GameShare feature will also allow you to not only stream games you're playing, but invite friends to play select multiplayer games with you even if they don't own the game themselves! While Nintendo Switch 1 users can still join in by invitation to certain applicable games, only Nintendo Switch 2 users can invite other players, and sharing or receiving invitations to play online and not just locally can only be used on the Nintendo Switch 2.

If an applicable USB Camera is plugged in, you can also stream your camera to friends in the group chat, and certain games like Mario Kart World and Mario Party Jamboree will also make use of the camera to show your faces in specific locations.

Please note that GameShare will be a feature normally restricted to Nintendo Switch Online Members, but the feature will be available to everyone on the Nintendo Switch 2 until March 31st, 2026.

The Best Accessories to Get First

Available alongside the Nintendo Switch 2’s release on June 5th are various types of accessories that can be purchased and added to your collection. Unfortunately, the pricing has been fluctuating on several of these accessories due to economic uncertainty, and the prices may change without warning.

Below are the top accessories we recommend looking into purchasing alongside your Nintendo Switch 2:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84.99) - a perfect compliment to the Nintendo Switch 2 and its Joy-Con Controllers is the more uniform controller model - the Pro Controller. Not only can it be used alongside the Joy-Con Controllers when playing multiplayer games, but it also features additions not found in the original Pro Controller: a dedicated GameChat/GameShare button, as well as mappable GL/GR buttons on the underside of the grip, and an audio jack for headphones.
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Camera($54.99) - For those interested in making full use of the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameChat and GameShare features, Nintendo is offering its own dedicated camera capable of 1080p resolution, a wide angle lens to cover the entire room, and face-tracking sensors that allow your faces to appear in certain areas when playing games like Mario Kart World and Mario Party Jamboree.
  • 256GB MicroSD Express Card ($59.99) - Bigger games with better graphics means bigger sizes, and you’ll want your Switch 2 to be able to hold as many big titles as possible. It’s also important to note that the standard MicroSD cards used for the Switch 1 will not work in the Switch 2: You’ll need MicroSD Express Cards for compatibility.

Switch 1 Compatible Accessories

If you don’t want to purchase too many Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories but still want to play with friends, the good news is that many Nintendo Switch 1 Accessories are compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2… to an extent.

Most controllers like the Joy-Cons, Pro Controller, and even the NES, SNES, N64, and SEGA Genesis-themed controllers are all compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2: They can be paired wirelessly, and can be charged via the Nintendo Switch 2 dock’s USB cable.

However, Joy-Cons from the Nintendo Switch 2 cannot interface with the console to be played in handheld mode, and Switch 1 controllers cannot be used to wake the Switch 2 from its sleep mode even when paired.

Nintendo Switch 2 Setup Guide - 9 Things to Do First

Once you’re on your way to getting a Switch 2, there’s a couple of things you should check out first when getting your new console - which include some housekeeping items to keep in mind, and a few hidden settings worth knowing about!

Transferring Your System Data Early

The first thing you should consider even before your Switch 2 arrives is how you want to transfer your data from an existing Switch console to the Nintendo Switch 2. There are a few ways to do this, each with their own pros and cons:

  • Transfer Your System Data Between Consoles - If you don't plan to use your old Switch 1 anymore but want to move all of your users and games across, you'll likely want to transfer your system data across. This can be done both when you have the Switch 2 in hand, or you can get things rolling early by transferring the data off your Switch 1 ahead of time. However, doing so will wipe the data from your Switch 1 and reset it, so this choice is best picked if you have no plans to use your original Switch!
  • Transfer Virtual Game Cards and Save Data - If you’d like to keep using your original Nintendo Switch or have user account on it that would like to keep playing, you may want to consider doing a normal first time set-up for your Nintendo Switch 2 and logging into your Nintendo Account, and then link the systems together so that you can eject Virtual Game Cards to load onto your Nintendo Switch 2, and send over Save Data for the game you want to continue playing (or download them from Cloud Saves if you have a Nintendo Online subscription). The downside is that you’ll have to manually set any system settings, reconnect to your Nintendo Account on the new console, and manually transfer over screenshots and videos.

To set up your System Transfer early, head to the System Settings Menu, scroll all the way down to System, and then scroll down the right side to find System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2. Follow the prompts and select “I Don’t Have a Nintendo Switch 2 Yet”, and you’ll be allowed to upload all of your system data to online servers. You can even check the status of your system transfers on Nintendo’s website under your account, in the Game Systems Menu.

Once you have obtained your Nintendo Switch 2, you can begin the setup process to download the system data from their servers and complete moving all of your info to the new console!

Note that unlike the Nintendo Switch 1, it is not currently possible to simply transfer a single User’s data from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2.

Transferring Your System Data Between Consoles

Once you have both consoles in hand, it's time to perform the data transfer.

Begin the First-Time Setup Guide by booting up your Switch 2, and select your language preference, connect to the internet, and choose your date, time, and region.

After this, you'll be asked If you have both consoles on hand and wish to transfer everything over from your old console. Select this option, unless you wish to keep using your Switch 1 as a secondary console or want a family member to keep using it with all users still accounted for.

If you select the option to start the transfer, you can also prep the Nintendo Switch 1 as mentioned in the early system transfer by going to System Settings Menu > System > System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2, and after following the prompts you can select continue when the Nintendo Switch 2 is close by. Like the aforementioned transfer, this will completely move all users, save data, media, and system settings to your new Nintendo Switch 2, resetting the home console to its factory default setting.

Creating Your Switch 2 User Account

If you didn't perform a full system transfer, you'll need to create a User to finish your first-time Setup on the Nintendo Switch 2. All save data for the games you play will be linked to the selected user when booting up a game.

Users can also be linked to accounts at Nintendo.com, allowing you to purchase games from the eShop, an Online Membership to play certain games, manage your user profile, preferences, and even remotely configure Virtual Game Cards from Nintendo's website. If you have previously created a linked user on the Nintendo Switch 1, you can use the sign-in option to reconnect.

However, if you're creating secondary users who will not be purchasing their own games or playing online (you can have up to 8 users total on the Switch 2), you do not need to link them to Nintendo Accounts -- or you can link them later.


Users who have not performed a full system transfer will still have their original Switch listed as their primary console. Be sure to Deregister your old console while you still have it by following these steps!

Linking Systems to Transfer Virtual Game Cards

If you still plan to user a Switch 1 but want to be able to play games on either console, you can link the consoles together to use Nintendo's new Virtual Card System.

Once a user with the same Nintendo Account has been created on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can select the Virtual Game Cards tab in the Home Menu on the system you wish to load a game onto from the other system. When the list of Virtual Game Cards appears, select a game that you wish to load, and select Load on This System.

You’ll be instructed to keep the two systems close to complete proximity, and then select Systems Are Close Enough on the target console once you have brought them together. Remember - only two consoles can be linked at a time, and you'll need to repeat this process if you want to link with a different switch or switch 2 console late on.

On the Home console that has the Virtual Game Card you want to transfer over, select the Virtual Game Cards tab using the same account, and you’ll automatically be shown a confirmation screen to link the two systems together.

Once you are given confirmation that the screens are linked, they will remain paired, and will not require this step again. You can now continue to eject the Virtual Game Card from the other system, and load it into your target system.

Set Up a Family Group

If you have family members (or close friends) with their own Nintendo Switch consoles (whether they also get a Nintendo Switch 2 or not), you can now lend out Virtual Game Cards to accounts that are part of your Family Group.To set up a Family Group, you can log in to your Nintendo Account here.

Make sure your Nintendo Account is linked to your Switch account, and that YOU will be the admin responsible for paying the Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan subscription (should you wish to purchase one). Note that you do not technically have to have a Family Plan subscription, as a Family Group can still consist of members who have their own individual online subscriptions.

Click the "Family Group" tab on the left hand side of your account page. There, you can invite someone to your family group via email address, or create an account for a child.

With the Family Group active, you’ll now be able to choose the option to Lend to a Family Group Member when browsing your Virtual Game Cards. A user can lend out 3 different games to 3 different accounts at a time, for a period of 14 days before it must be returned (though it can be lent out again immediately). The borrower will be able to keep the save data of the game, should they wish to borrow it again, or purchase it for themselves and pick up where they left off!

Skip User Selection Screen

A new feature hidden away in the Switch 2 menus is the ability to launch a game without having to select a user each time, and is only available if you only have one user created on the Switch 2.

To enable it, head to System Settings, scroll down to Users, and enable Skip Selection Screen. This will default to selecting the only user when loading up a game instead of giving you the option between your primary account and adding a new user profile, but note that certain software titles may still ask you regardless and not skip.

Set Up a System Lock

To ensure people don’t try and access your Switch and try to link up and load your Virtual Game Cards on their systems without your authorization, there’s a few ways to keep your console protected.

The first is by setting up a full System Lock. This can be done on the Nintendo Switch 2 by going into System Settings > System and choosing the System Lock. You will then provide a PIN number that will be presented after the console is activated from sleep mode.Alternatively, you can also choose to enable a Virtual Game Card Lock, which is a better option for when you have multiple accounts on your switch, but don’t want those users messing with the Virtual Game Cards you’ve purchased. By going into your User Settings at the top of the Switch Home screen, you can select User Settings > User-Verification Settings, which will prompt you to log into your Nintendo Account on a mobile device (or simply enter your password on the console) to proceed.Once the next screen has loaded, you can choose between having to sign-in to your Nintendo Account or just using a PIN for things like the eShop, as well as enabling this feature to trigger when attempting to view your account’s Virtual Game Cards!

Enable Internet Connection in Sleep Mode

With the Virtual Game Card system, you’ll be able to eject and load digital games between different linked systems, which can even be done without having to interact with the target console.

This can be done either through the home console that has the Virtual Game Card you wish to load on a different Nintendo Switch, or even on Nintendo’s website through your account portal.

However, in order to enable this feature, you’ll need to go into your console’s System Settings and into Sleep Mode, and then make sure that Keep Wired Connection Active in Sleep Mode is set to On.

With this option, as long as the console is connected to the internet while in sleep mode, you can load a Virtual Game Card remotely, and the game will automatically begin to download without you having to be present or wake the console up from sleep mode.

Playing the Same Game on Two Systems at Once

This next tip isn't for everyone, and only really should be considered if you've kept your old Nintendo Switch and still have a friend or family member who wants to play your Switch 1 single-player games on the same account - and at the same time.

Though the Virtual Game Card system allows you to swap your digital games between linked systems, or lent to family members for several days, it also means by default you won’t be able to play the game once it’s been loaded up on a separate system, as was previously possible on the Nintendo Switch.

Luckily, there is a (slight) workaround to this, and it involves re-enabling an Online License. This method will allow the primary switch console to keep using Virtual Game Cards even while offline, while a secondary switch console will verify online without needing the virtual game card loaded.

To so this, in the secondary switch console where the account that owns the game is not the primary account, select the User Profile, and then navigating to User Settings > Online License Settings. The primary Switch 2 console where the same account is the primary user should keep this setting off.

This allows the the user account to play downloaded games even if the Virtual Game Card has been ejected and loaded on main Switch, which would normally be impossible if the virtual card wasn't loaded on your system. However, both consoles can’t launch the game at the same time while they are connected to the internet. If there are no online components, you can get around this by switching the wifi off (or turning on airplane mode) on the primary switch that has the Virtual Game Card loaded, as it can still access the downloaded title even without the internet.

Since it this console will be in offline mode, the secondary console can use the Online License to run a check that the game can be played, and allow the game to be played at the same time. The bad news is that there is no way for both consoles to play the same game online at the same time sharing the software.

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