The Nintendo Swap 2 Mega Information – All the things it is advisable to know

After years of ready for information concerning the system, the Nintendo Swap 2 is now slightly below two months away — and which means it’s time for one more huge mega information for you all.

Whereas it’d simply appear to be an even bigger, extra highly effective Nintendo Swap, there’s lots happening beneath the hood with this console. A lot is carrying over from the unique Swap, however there are additionally main modifications coming — from pricing to how Nintendo distributes and sells video games. There’s only a lot taking place.

We’ll be retaining this information updated for so long as is required, we’ll additionally produce other guides together with an equipment information, discount and pre-order guides for video games and {hardware} and extra.

The Fundamentals

What’s the Nintendo Swap 2

The Nintendo Swap 2 is the successor to the unique Nintendo Swap console. Not like the leap from the Wii U to the Swap, this isn’t a completely new idea. As a substitute, Nintendo has spent the previous eight years studying from the strengths and weaknesses of operating this type of platform, and so they’ve used these insights to form a brand new console.

We’re nonetheless taking a look at a hybrid system that may be performed docked, in handheld mode, and in tabletop mode with the brand new Pleasure-Con 2 indifferent. Irrespective of the way you play, the Swap 2 comes with new options and upgraded specs to ship a greater expertise.

When’s it out and the way a lot does it price

The Nintendo Swap 2 will launch worldwide on June fifth, 2025 — and that’s not far off now, is it? Right here in Australia, preorders have already opened, with some shops promoting out. Try our preorder information for all of the up-to-date data on {hardware} preorders. In different nations, issues are a bit extra sophisticated — some are opening preorders on April ninth, whereas others stay somewhat unsure.

In Australia the Nintendo Swap 2 will are available in two SKUs, one with Mario Kart World, the opposite simply with the system. Except for the inclusion of a obtain code of Mario Kart World there are not any different variations between the 2 containers.

Nintendo Swap 2 – $699.95

Nintendo Swap 2 with Mario Kart World – $769.95

With Mario Kart World having a suggest retail value of $119.95 if you happen to purchase the bundle you’re getting the sport for the equal of $70. The Nintendo Swap 2 comes with 256GB of onboard storage out of the field as properly however may be expanded.

What’s within the field

Very like the unique Nintendo Swap, you have got a good quantity of drugs within the field. Right here’s what’s included.

Nintendo Swap 2 console

Pleasure-Con 2 (L) / (R)

2 x Pleasure-Con 2 straps

Nintendo Swap 2 dock

Pleasure-Con 2 grip

Nintendo Swap 2 AC adapter (together with cable)

Extremely Excessive Pace HDMI™ Cable

Nintendo Swap 2 Vital Info leaflet

The Pleasure-Con 2 grip included within the field, like the unique Swap, is the non-charging model, there’s a charging model bought individually. The Charging Grip consists of GL and GR rear buttons on the grips, which this model lacks, in addition to an audio jack. You’ll be able to’t use an authentic Nintendo Swap charger with the Swap 2 in dock, however it could actually energy the system by itself. You’ll additionally want all new HDMI cables, which the system comes with.

What’s new with the Swap 2?

It’s greater, however not thicker

The very first thing you’ll discover concerning the Swap 2 — particularly while you choose it up — is that it’s noticeably bigger than the unique Nintendo Swap {hardware}. It’s greater in nearly each dimension besides thickness, which stays the identical at 13.9mm. With a bigger unit comes a bigger display screen (extra on that quickly), greater Pleasure-Con 2, and more room for an upgraded battery (additionally extra on that shortly). Regardless of the scale improve, it’s nonetheless smaller than most handheld PCs.

New bigger, extra dynamic display screen

The display screen on the Nintendo Swap 2 isn’t simply greater and brighter than earlier fashions — it’s additionally sooner. The brand new show measures 7.9 inches, in comparison with 6.2 inches on the unique Swap and seven inches on the OLED mannequin.

It now runs at the next decision of 1080p and encompasses a 120Hz panel, that means video games can run at as much as 120fps. That mentioned, they gained’t all the time hit that mark — however due to the 120Hz panel and VRR (Variable Refresh Price) assist, the display screen can dynamically modify its refresh price, enhancing battery effectivity at decrease speeds. The unique Swap and Swap OLED screens had been locked to 60Hz always.

With VRR too, when you have a sport operating decrease than 60fps, it’ll seem much less jittery as properly. A sport operating on a 60hz display screen is mounted at that price inflicting the sport to seem much less clean. This gained’t occur on the Swap 2, undocked or docked (in case your TV or monitor assist it).

The Swap 2 display screen additionally helps HDR (excessive dynamic vary) for punchier colors and higher distinction.

Now, sure — the display screen is not OLED, and we’re again to LCD. However after seeing it in particular person, and as compared movies from hands-on occasions, it’s exhausting to say which is healthier. With a extra trendy LCD, greater brightness, 120Hz refresh price, and HDR assist, it’s truthfully neck and neck.

Fashionable graphics capabilities

It’s been eight years because the authentic Nintendo Swap launched — and the graphics chip in that system was even older — so in fact issues had been going to look higher.

NVIDIA is again as soon as once more, powering the tech contained in the Swap 2. In line with them, the {hardware} provides “as much as 10 occasions the graphical efficiency of the first-gen console.” That doesn’t imply video games will look ten occasions higher, nevertheless it does imply there’s much more grunt beneath the hood. We’ve already seen that in motion, with Cyberpunk 2077 operating on the system, and titles like Metroid Prime 4: Past hitting 1080p at 120Hz.

On prime of that, the Swap 2’s GPU helps NVIDIA’s DLSS AI upscaling know-how, in addition to hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved lighting and reflections in supported video games.

All new Pleasure-Con 2

Like the remainder of the system, Nintendo has taken the teachings of the final eight years and put them into the all-new Pleasure-Con 2 — and there’s loads of new stuff right here.

The 2 largest modifications are, first, the scale. They’re bigger to match the scale of the brand new console, which ought to make them extra comfy to make use of — not simply when enjoying horizontally, but in addition for longer classes, thanks to greater buttons, greater triggers and higher ergonomics. It feels much less like holding a tiny bar of cleaning soap.

The opposite main change is how they connect to the console: they now snap on magnetically. Simply push the Pleasure-Con 2 onto the system and so they’ll click on into place. And this isn’t some flimsy memento magnet — this can be a heavy-duty magnet that holds on tight, solely releasing while you press the button on the again to detach them. Once we went hands-on with the console, we even held the Swap 2 vertically by Pleasure-Con 2 and dangled the system — it’s not coming off. It feels much more strong and supportive than the unique Pleasure-Con rail system with lots much less flex.

The Pleasure-Con 2 additionally options new HD Rumble 2 for higher haptic suggestions and improved rumble results. In our playtime with the console it actually felt extra delicate than the unique Swap HD Rumble. Lacking from the Pleasure-Con is the IR sensor on the underside of the appropriate Pleasure-Con, seeing as solely a handful of video games used it – we’re not lacking it a lot.

Mouse Controls

The all-new Pleasure-Con 2 additionally helps mouse controls. Every Pleasure-Con 2 has a mouse sensor on the facet of the unit which, when positioned on a floor, can be utilized as a mouse in supported video games. Some video games, like Drag X Drive, use the sensors to simulate pushing ahead in a wheelchair, whereas others, like Civilization, now assist pointer controls. There’s even a cursor within the Dwelling menu.

Nintendo has designed these mouse sensors to work not simply on desks or tables, however even on clothes — they particularly inspired us to attempt them on our pants. You’ll be able to change between conventional controls and mouse pointer controls on the fly in video games like Metroid Prime 4: Past. There’s no want to alter a setting in a menu; simply modify the way you maintain the controller to play otherwise. The Pleasure-Con 2 straps not solely safe the controllers to your wrists but in addition embrace pads on the underside, permitting for smoother gliding on surfaces.

All new dock

The Nintendo Swap 2 ships with an all new dock, it’s chunkier than the unique but in addition shorter with a portion of the display screen of the console poking out the highest. Just like the dock with the OLED mannequin it comes with an Ethernet port inbuilt. The opposite large addition to the dock is that it comes with a fan to help with cooling the system.

All new kickstand

There’s a brand new design for the kickstand that props the Swap 2 up in tabletop mode. This U-shaped stand folds out from the again of the system and makes use of a full-friction hinge that may maintain the system at any angle. In our hands-on with the console, it felt strong — although not fairly as sturdy because the OLED mannequin’s kickstand. Nonetheless, something is healthier than the one on the unique Nintendo Swap.

New inbuilt microphone

On prime of the Swap 2 is a tiny microphone, and Nintendo has put loads of effort into ensuring it picks up solely human voices — not all of the background noise that may get in the way in which of you yelling at your mates. Meaning it ought to catch your voice clearly from the dock whilst you’re sitting on the sofa, and never, say, your mum doing no matter mums do and making all that racket.

A USB-C on prime

Additionally on the highest of the Nintendo Swap 2 is a brand new addition to the system’s enter and output choices — a second USB-C port. No, it’s not for some quirky Nintendo dual-screen adapter — it’s merely there for charging the console whereas in tabletop mode or for plugging within the new Nintendo Swap 2 digital camera. Nintendo has particularly confirmed that this port doesn’t assist video output.

Extra inner storage, new expandable storage

There’ll be much less time spent cleansing out the fridge whereas ready for video games to load — the Nintendo Swap 2 now comes with 256GB of built-in storage, and it’s sooner reminiscence too, which implies improved loading occasions. Even authentic Swap video games will profit from the sooner learn and write speeds.

Exterior storage has additionally acquired a lift, with the Nintendo Swap 2 supporting MicroSD Categorical playing cards. Common MicroSD playing cards are not supported. These new MicroSD Categorical playing cards are considerably sooner than normal ones though they give the impression of being the identical – which gained’t be complicated in any respect.

Video games and Software program Options

Video games

Sure, the Nintendo Swap has video games and there’s so a lot of them introduced already we’ve put all of them in their very own article – this one is large enough.

Nintendo didn’t simply up the efficiency of Swap 2 over Swap, they adjusted nearly each side of the system. With all of the work achieved to it, which means there are new additions designed to reap the benefits of the brand new {hardware}, in addition to new options launching alongside the system.

Sport Key Playing cards

Sport-Secret is one thing you’ll see quite a bit, extra in order two launch titles are utilizing it, these titles are

Road Fighter VI: Yr 1-2 Fighters Version

Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster

Sport-Secret is a approach for gamers to acquire a sport, with out it being on the sport card. On Swap, quite a lot of titles can be launched at retail on a bodily card, however after their manufacturing run was full, the video games would return to shops as a ‘Code-in-a-box’. As soon as you acquire the sport at your most well-liked retailer, you’ll then go to Nintendo eShop and redeem the included code.

The limitation with that system is that after the code has been used, you might not share the sport with a member of your loved ones. The brand new Digital Sport card does eradicate that, study extra about that right here, however the brand new Key-Card makes it even simpler.

Very like how you’ll share a duplicate of Mario Kart World, by giving somebody your bodily card, Key-Card operates the identical approach, besides the sport shouldn’t be on the cardboard and have to be downloaded. As soon as the sport is downloaded to your console, you MUST preserve the cardboard in your Swap 2 to be able to play the sport, if you happen to should not have it in or take away it throughout play, the sport won’t work.

GameChat

GameChat is a brand new approach for Nintendo Swap 2 avid gamers to speak with their pals, who’re additionally on Nintendo Swap 2. For Nintendo Swap, gamers wanted to make use of the Nintendo Swap On-line app on cell units, that is being eliminated and chats at the moment are dealt with straight on the console.

Entry to this characteristic is finished in two methods, the primary is through the devoted ‘C’ Button on the Proper Pleasure-Con 2, the Nintendo Swap 2 Professional Controller or the brand new Nintendo GameCube wi-fi controller, accessible at launch through the My Nintendo Retailer. If you’re utilizing an older Pleasure-Con, or another Nintendo Swap controller, then you definitely would wish to press and maintain the Dwelling button, and entry the GameChat menu that seems.

GameChat enables you to voice chat with pals, video chat with pals utilizing a suitable USB-C digital camera and share your gameplay. There are some limits on the variety of contributors:

Voice Chat – 12 folks

Video Chat – 4 folks

Gameplay Share – 4 folks

As a way to use any of the features above, a Nintendo Swap On-line membership is required, both a Single Person or Household Plan. For many who are on a Household Plan, Nintendo Parental Controls will work with GameChat, so you possibly can make sure that solely folks allowed can start conversations together with your youngsters. A cell phone quantity can be required to arrange GameChat, for verification functions and it have to be the identical one linked to your Nintendo Account.

Please be aware that the GameChat characteristic will probably be free for all Nintendo Swap 2 customers till March thirty first, 2026. After that point, the membership will probably be required.

GameShare

GameShare is easy, choose video games will allow you to share your sport to pals, letting you all play collectively. That final half is essential as this isn’t a video share, however somewhat sharing the sport, very a lot akin to Nintendo DS Obtain Play (but in addition not).

The GameShare characteristic will fluctuate from sport to sport, as not all video games will supply it and never all video games that do, will supply the identical degree of entry. An essential side to notice is that the service will work between Nintendo Swap 2 and Nintendo Swap. Simply keep in mind solely Nintendo Swap 2 can share the sport.

GameShare regionally makes use of the identical know-how that the Wii U initially employed to share the video sign from the Wii U console to the Sport Pad, now they’re utilizing it between a number of programs.

There are additionally two strategies of GameShare:

Share Regionally – Consoles have to be on the identical Wi-Fi community and inside vary of one another

Share On-line through GameChat – Consoles may be wherever on the earth

Help for video games will probably be added in updates, dates for these are unknown. The road up nevertheless is understood, that is what we predict to obtain updates:

Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree – Nintendo Swap 2 Version + Jamboree TV

Huge Mind Academy: Mind vs. Mind

Tremendous Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

51 Worldwide Video games

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Tremendous Mario Odyssey

Out of that checklist solely Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree – Nintendo Swap 2 Version + Jamboree TV will supply solely Share Regionally, all of the others will supply each.

Nintendo Classics

Nintendo Swap On-line members have been having fun with a number of traditional video games from previous Nintendo consoles and handhelds for just a few years now. Quickly the service will get a reputation change from Nintendo Swap On-line to Nintendo Classics, there’s presently no date for that change, nevertheless June fifth is kind of probably.

All current apps will probably be up to date to replicate the brand new identify change, however their content material won’t change on Swap, for Nintendo Swap 2, there are some updates.

First is that Nintendo GameCube will probably be added to the service, through the Enlargement Pack tier. When you presently get pleasure from Nintendo 64, Sport Boy Advance and Sega Mega Drive (Genesis), then you’ll have the brand new platform. The video games coming at launch are:

F-Zero GX

Soul Calibur

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Video games coming sooner or later embrace Tremendous Mario Sunshine, Fireplace Emblem: Path of Radiance, Tremendous Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo, Luigi’s Mansion, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

The app will present remappable controls and do some slight decision bumps in choose video games, which ought to make them look higher. The complete line up of video games which can be set to come back over the subsequent nevertheless lengthy, may be discovered right here.

Second, Nintendo 64 on Nintendo Swap 2 is getting an replace. With the brand new replace gamers will discover a CRT filter, button remapping for each sport and a rewind characteristic.

Swap 2 Backwards Compatibility

The Swap 2 is backwards suitable with the unique Swap, and helps lots of the authentic Swap controllers and equipment. There’s loads of issues to undergo, together with new issues like Nintendo Swap 2 Version video games so we’ve damaged this up into three sections. {Hardware} again compatibility, Nintendo Swap 2 Version video games, and different software program updates.

The wanting it although? Most authentic Nintendo Swap video games and equipment work on the Nintendo Swap .

What authentic Swap equipment and controllers work on the Swap 2?

Virtually all of them, clearly authentic Pleasure-Con can’t connect to the Nintendo Swap 2, however you possibly can nonetheless join them to the system through Bluetooth. Identical with the unique Nintendo Swap Professional Controller. There does some appear to be some caveats like the unique controllers gained’t be capable of wake the system from sleep. At this stage we’re unsure why this limitation is there.

A full desk of authentic Nintendo Swap equipment and their assist is on the market from Nintendo.

In line with Nintendo the unique Swap USB-C Charger can cost a Swap 2, however you possibly can’t use it in a dock, or use it for docked play.

What authentic Swap video games work on the Swap 2?

For essentially the most half, most authentic Nintendo Swap video games work on the Swap 2, regardless on whether or not they’re bodily or digital video games. The unique Nintendo Swap sport playing cards simply slot proper in – no worries.

Nevertheless, Nintendo have additionally confirmed points with some video games beginning up or presenting points as soon as the sport has loaded. For the whole checklist of video games which have points beginning on Swap 2, click on right here and for the checklist of video games that load, however have points as soon as within the sport, click on right here.

On the time of publication, there is just one single sport from Nintendo that’s marked as not suitable with Swap 2 and that’s Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Equipment. It Swap 2 easy doesn’t match within the VR-Equipment.

The next video games require a Pleasure-Con from Swap to be able to play the sport, or reap the benefits of a characteristic/mode within the sport.

Legend:

FP = Required to play the sport

PP = Required to play a part of the sport

Ring Match Journey – FP

1-2-Swap – PP

All people 1-2-Swap! – PP

Sport Builder Storage – PP

Nintendo Swap Sports activities – PP

WarioWare: Transfer It! – PP

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Selection Equipment – PP

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robotic Equipment – FP

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Car Equipment – PP

The complete causes for every sport may be discovered right here.

Swap Video games Enhanced for Swap 2

Nintendo have introduced two sorts of video games which can be being enhanced to reap the benefits of Swap 2. There are the extra strong choices often called Nintendo Swap 2 Editions and there are normal free updates.

Nintendo Swap 2 Editions

Nintendo Swap 2 Version video games would require a paid improve to entry the brand new content material or options, whereas Swap sport updates are free. These are the present video games for each

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Swap 2 Version*

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Swap 2 Version*

Tremendous Mario Celebration Jamboree – Nintendo Swap 2 Version + Jamboree TV

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Swap 2 Version + Star-Crossed World

Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Swap 2 Version

Metroid Prime 4: Past – Nintendo Swap 2 Version

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Nintendo Swap 2 Version

Rune Manufacturing unit: Guardians of Azuma Nintendo Swap 2 Version

*For Nintendo Swap On-line + Enlargement Pack members, these Nintendo Swap 2 Version Upgrades are included together with your membership. It’s essential to already personal the sport to reap the benefits of the improve

Nintendo Swap 2 Editions can be found at retail, or you should buy an Improve Pack (pricing modifications per sport). Nintendo says sport upgrades price $10US, however in Japan some are extra. As soon as we’ve native pricing for these we’ll be including them to this information.

Free Swap Updates

Nintendo says these video games have “free updates which will enhance efficiency or add assist for options comparable to GameShare in choose video games. The contents of those free updates will differ relying on the sport”.

Transferring to Swap 2

In fact, the Nintendo Swap 2 encompasses a system switch choice — you’ll be capable of switch digital video games, save information, and extra to your new console. Settings like Parental Controls, captured screenshots, and different system information will also be moved over. No phrase but on whether or not the Pikmin will probably be doing the shifting.

Swap 2 Dwelling Menu and eShop

For higher or worse, the Nintendo Swap Dwelling Menu and the Nintendo Swap eShop on the Swap 2 seem like largely the identical as on the unique console.

In tutorials and articles from Nintendo, we’ve seen sufficient of the house menu to inform that it’s largely unchanged — maybe just a bit extra detailed in some areas. Thus far, solely the sunshine theme has been proven, however we’re assuming the darkish theme will return as properly.

As for the Nintendo Swap eShop — which we’re all followers of right here at Vooks — there do seem like some modifications. There’s a refreshed format, a brand new part for advisable video games up to date weekly, and a clearer strategy to distinguish Swap 2 titles from older ones. Right here’s hoping the improved {hardware} makes the eShop a lot snappier to navigate. That mentioned, our long-standing considerations concerning the flood of low-quality video games (or eWaste) nonetheless being seen on the storefront don’t appear to be addressed simply but.

Specs

Swap 2 Unit Specs

Unit Dimensions:

11.43cm (4.5in) tall x 27.2cm (10.7in) vast x 1.39cm (.55in) thick.

With Pleasure-Con 2 connected thickness expands to 3cm (1.2in)

Weight:

System Solely – 400g (.88 lb)

With Pleasure-Con 2 – 535g (1.18 lb)

Show Measurement: 20cm (7.9in)1080p

Show Options: LCD Panel, 120 Hz, Excessive Dynamic Vary (HDR), Variable Refresh Price (VRR)

Inside Storage: 256gb (Some storage is taken by the system)

Battery: 1.2 occasions bigger than Swap – supplies 2-6 hours of life in handheld mode, relying on the sport

Ports:

2 x USB-C (One on the underside, one on the highest)

3.5mm headphone port

1 x Micro SD Categorical slot

Stand: Adjustable stand for nearly any viewing angle. Viewable vary is 150 levels.

Pleasure-Con 2 Connections: Magnetic factors positioned within the recess on either side of the unit. Connecting level is positioned within the center.

Please be aware, Pleasure-Con 2 may be related the wrong way up with out harm to the system, however they won’t work with the system

Pleasure-Con 2 Specs

Measurement: 11.6cm (4.57in) tall x 1.42cm (.56in) vast x 3cm (1.2in) thick

Weight:

Pleasure-Con 2 Left 65.2g (2.3oz)

Pleasure-Con 2 Proper 68g (2.4oz) – further weight is as a result of NFC connectivity

Battery Life: ~20hrs – Cost time is 3.5hrs

Pleasure-Con 2 Connections: SR and SL buttons on every Pleasure-Con 2 are produced from steel, which connects to the magnets within the Swap 2 console. A rear launch button must be pressed to be able to break the connection and take away them.

Pleasure-Con 2 Strap: Strap connects through magnets as properly, requires the identical launch button to take away. Strap accommodates rubber glide pads to be used in Mouse mode.

HD Rumble 2: Redesigned motors present a wider vary of vibration results

Mouse: Pleasure-Con 2 encompasses a mouse sensor on the facet, which can be utilized in quite a lot of video games and even the system menu. Pleasure-Con 2 Strap is required to be able to guarantee a clean use

Buttons: The L and R buttons on the highest of the Pleasure-Con 2 are longer, offering more room for gamers to attach with.

Management Sticks: The management sticks at the moment are bigger and sit greater of the Pleasure-Con 2. There’s additionally a colored cap across the base of the stick, to stop extra mud entering into the house.

Nintendo Swap 2 Dock Specs

Measurement: 11.45cm (4.5in) tall x 20cm (7.9in) vast x 5cm (2in) thick

Weight: 381g (.84lb)

Ports:

2 USB Ports (USB 2.0 suitable) on the facet

System connector

AC adapter port

HDMI port

LAN port

Final up to date April eighth, if we’ve obtained something unsuitable or lacking something – please tell us within the feedback.