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The initial reveal in January seemed to suggest the Switch 2 would have an 8-inch LED screen, and Nintendo confirmed that the built-in display clocks in at 7.9 inches in its latest Direct. As many fans expected, this screen offers an improved resolution over the original's 720p visuals, offering 1080p resolution and frame rates of up to 120fps. It also supports HDR in compatible titles and variable refresh rates to make games look even clearer and run more smoothly. When docked, the Switch 2 supports 4K visuals, although frame rates will drop to 60fps at most when running at this resolution.
In addition to the larger handheld screen and improved resolutions, the Switch 2 provides a significant storage upgrade over its predecessor. It boasts 256GB of internal storage with faster read and write speeds.
The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool while maintaining higher frame rates and resolutions. Other confirmed features include the rumored mouse functionality for the Joy-Cons, larger SL and SR buttons, bigger joysticks, and the previously hinted magnetic attachments for the Joy-Cons. Most importantly, for those eager to get their hands on the upgraded console, Nintendo announced the Switch 2 will launch on June 5 at a suggested retail price of $449.99 with pre-orders opening soon on April 9th.
Please note due to USA issues, Switch 2 could cost more in the States.
The purpose of the enigmatic Nintendo Switch 2 C Button has finally been revealed during a Nintendo Direct livestream centered around the upcoming console. The C Button will launch the Game Chat features for the Nintendo Switch 2, providing players with a new way to communicate with friends while enjoying Nintendo games.
Relatively early on in the presentation, an explanation of some of the new hardware features confirmed the purpose of the Nintendo Switch 2 C Button and its connection to Game Chat. Paired with a microphone, which comes attached to both the console itself and the Pro Controller, the new communication feature will allow players to share their screens with one another in smaller onscreen windows, allowing for simultaneous gaming and chatting with friends. Game Chat will work regardless of whether players have the Switch 2 resting in its dock or are using it in handheld mode, and players do not have to be playing the same game in order for it to work.
Players will eventually need a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to use the Game Chat feature. However, from the time of the console's launch on June 5, 2025, through the end of March 2026, players will be able to use Game Chat without a membership, giving them an early taste of the new chat feature absolutely free of charge.
The C Button isn't the only new addition to the Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2, which was also confirmed during the showcase. The new GL and GR buttons added to the controller will allow additional customization, allowing players to assign existing button controls to the new buttons on the back on the controller and letting players assign different actions to more than just their thumbs. The controller also supports an audio jack at the bottom. These are in addition to the many new features of the Joy Cons, which include innovative mouse-like controls.
A webcam can also be paired up to the Switch 2, to give a video feed of yourself playing games or put yourself into video game mini games.
