The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the most anticipated video game console releases of all time, as industry analysts and Nintendo themselves anticipate the biggest gaming system launch ever. It’s an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan, or a promising time to join in the hype and become one for the first time. Whichever you are, we’re going to break down your options to join in the fun, and make the most of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5.
From the outside it may seem overwhelming, but our launch guide will break down the console price along with release date and bundle options, as well as accessories you can get, games you can expect to play on release or soon after, and more. Keep scrolling and enjoy our easy-to-read Nintendo Switch 2 launch guide!
Getting started: consoles, controllers and other accessories
We’ll start with the main event – the Nintendo Switch 2 console and accessory options. At launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch with two primary console options. One of these options is the default Nintendo Switch 2 package, with comes with the handheld console, a dock to connect it to a TV, a cable for charging, a HDMI wire to connect the dock to your TV, and two Joy-Con 2 controllers that can be used either attached to the console or separated and attached to the included grip. This is the default Nintendo Switch 2 experience. Some elements can be purchased again separately as either replacements or just to use a second set, such as the Dock and the Joy-Con 2 controllers.
The second option to join in the fun is a bundle that contains this same default Nintendo Switch 2 console package, along with a digital copy of Mario Kart World, a very popular racing game suitable for all ages. As we’ll explore later, it’s a lot cheaper to buy Mario Kart World bundled with the console than buying it separately by itself. If you can afford it, we’d absolutely recommend buying the bundled package for best value for money. To recap, here’s your console options with global pricing:
- Nintendo Switch 2 – $449.99 | £395.99 | €469.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World – $499.99 | £429.99 | €509.99
As for accessories, there will be a lot of options on the June 5 release date to customize your experience. Let’s start by breaking down the controller options. You can purchase a Pro Controller, a larger controller that’s similar to an Xbox controller, which is one we’d recommend for more hardcore gamers or perhaps those with larger hands. There’s also the Joy-Con 2 charging grip, a replacement for the standard Joy-Con 2 grip that also allows the Joy-Con 2 controllers to charge whilst attached. There’s the Joy-Con 2 Wheel set, which is a plastic grip that players can hold and tilt when using compatible games like Mario Kart World, or for more retro gamers there’s the Nintendo GameCube Controller, a wireless remake of the classic 2001 GameCube console controller.
Finally, there’s some assorted yet still important accessories. The Nintendo Switch 2 has camera support, and when using a supported USB camera device such as Nintendo’s own official camera, you can video chat with family and friends online, as well as use camera functionality in some games to elevate your experience such as with Mario Party Jamboree’s Switch 2 Edition. There’s also a carrying case and screen protector set for those who will be using a Switch 2 whilst travelling, or an even more enhanced all-in-one carrying case for if you need to bring your whole Switch 2 system and dock set up with you. Finally, a range of both official Nintendo licensed and unlicensed third-party microSD Express cards are available to expand the system’s internal storage capacity to hold games. You’ll need one of these eventually if you’ll be buying a lot of games. Let’s recap the available accessories at launch in the United States, these prices are post-tariffs:
- Nintendo Switch 2 additional dock – $119.99
- Joy-Con 2 additional set – $94.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – $84.99
- Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip – $39.99
- Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set – $24.99
- Nintendo GameCube Controller – $64.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera – $54.99
- Carrying Case and Screen Protector – $39.99
- All-in-One Carrying Case – $84.99
- 256GB microSD Express Card – $59.99
The Switch 2 launch games guide
The whole point of buying a new games console is to play some new games! There will be a range of new games available both on launch day and in the surrounding launch period, and we’ll be pointing out some highlights as well as listing all your possible options a little further on. As for launch day games, you need to check out the star of the show with Mario Kart World. Despite having a controversial price point, the game is cheaper when purchased bundled with the Switch 2 as we recommended earlier. There’s also two The Legend of Zelda games that will have Switch 2 Edition launches on release. This means that despite being launched on the previous Switch, they’re enhanced with new features for the new console, and would be a great way to try either of them for the first time. Breath of the Wild is the first game that revolutionized the open-world genre, whilst Tears of the Kingdom is its sequel, carrying on the story and expanding on the gameplay.
There’s also some non-Nintendo games releasing on the launch day, such as the very good but extremely adult Cyberpunk 2077, which transports you to a dystopian future city in which surviving each day is a challenge. If you prefer some hands-on fist fighting, you could also check out Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, an action game in which you play as a member of the Japanese mafia. We’d also like to highlight Sonic X Shadow Generations as another, somewhat cheaper game option for families and children, especially after the success of the Sonic movie. Here’s a full list of launch day games coming to the Switch 2 on June 5:
- Mario Kart World
- Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 7
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Deltarune
- Fast Fashion
- Fortnite
- Survival Kids
- Street Fighter 6
- Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Split Fiction
- Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Sonic X Shadow Generations
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening
- Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer
- Hitman: World of Assassination
Not everything costs money though, as the launch of Switch 2 will also feature the free-to-play Fortnite getting an enhanced version exclusive to the system. Available on day one after the console releases, Fortnite on the Switch 2 will bring the iconic battle royale, popular amongst both children and adults, to a new level on Nintendo platforms. Hero shooter game Overwatch 2 will also be available – but this is not an enhanced edition just yet.
Looking ahead a little further to the launch period after the Switch 2 drops on June 5, there’s also Donkey Kong Bananza releasing on July 17. This is the first full 3D adventure for Donkey Kong in decades, as players need to go on a quest underground to stop an evil corporation stealing crystalized bananas, with a lot to collect, secrets to discover and more. This summer will also see the release of Drag X Drive, a wheelchair basketball-inspired game for those who enjoy sports or using motion controls in games. Into the later half of the year we’ll also have new Kirby and Pokémon games, but as these have no confirmed release dates we won’t spotlight them just yet. Here’s the list of Switch 2 launch period games and their release dates:
- Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – June 19
- Tamagotchi Plaza – June 27
- Donkey Kong Bananza – July 17
- Shadow Labyrinth – July 18
- No Sleep for Kaname Date, From AI: The Somnium Files – July 20
- Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition – July 25
- Wild Hearts S – July 25
- Madden NFL 26 – August 14
- Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar – August 27
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World – August 28
- Drag X Drive – Summer 2025
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 – Summer 2025
- Star Wars Outlaws – September 4
- Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion – September 5
Switch 2 Editions: paid upgrades and free game updates
As we touched on a little earlier, some games on the Nintendo Switch 2 will receive game upgrades. Some of these will cost money, with the amount being varied based on how much they add to the experience. Others however will be free, and instead are just updates that allow older Switch games to use the new Switch 2 technology to run better, without much work being done to alter or add to them in any week. Here’s a list of confirmed Switch 2 Editions and free game updates.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (paid upgrade pack)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (paid upgrade pack)
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azume (paid upgrade pack)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 (paid upgrade pack)
- Tamagotchi Plaza (paid upgrade pack)
- Shadow Labyrinth (paid upgrade pack)
- Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV (paid upgrade pack)
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World (paid upgrade pack)
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (free update)
- Super Mario Odyssey (free update)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (free update)
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (free update)
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (free update)
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (free update)
- Game Builder Garage (free update)
- 51 Worldwide Games (free update)
- ARMS (free update)
- Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain (free update)
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (free update)
We hope our Switch 2 launch guide helped you sort out your plans for the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Let us know your plans, thoughts or any lingering questions down below, and we’ll try to respond. Keep your eyes on GameLuster for more gaming news and coverage of the Switch 2 as we get closer to launch.
