Everything Announced During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

If there’s one thing that today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation definitively proved, it’s that almost no one does a console reveal quite like Nintendo. Following the official announcement of the new hardware’s existence back in February, players already knew that a Switch 2-focused presentation would be happening on April 2, 2025. But what they didn’t know was that Nintendo would pull out all the stops to deliver a Switch 2-focused showcase that included a cavalcade of major reveals, exclusive launch titles, ports of high-profile AAA titles, and plenty of exciting news regarding the Switch 2’s features, price point, launch date, and more. The Nintendo Direct presentation from last week focused on software for the original Switch had some exciting reveals, but today’s Switch 2 Direct positively blew it out of the water.

Nintendo Switch 2 Software

Mario Kart World

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Nintendo
• Publisher — Nintendo

As part of Nintendo’s announcement of the Switch 2 back in February, keen-eyed viewers noticed that the presentation included footage of what was absolutely a new Mario Kart game, and today’s Switch 2 Direct finally confirmed what players can expect from the next entry in the long-running kart racing series. Dubbed Mario Kart World, this newest entry takes a page from Forza Horizon‘s book by including a fully traversable open world that contains plenty of side activities to engage in between races. Not only is Mario Kart World the flagship first-party launch title for the Switch 2, but it’s also the system’s pack-in.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Nintendo
• Publisher — Nintendo

The next reveal as part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was a curious one. Arriving with the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch as a digital-exclusive title, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an interesting game that focuses on highlighting the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, including some interesting deep dives into the system’s hardware and functionality. To facilitate this, Welcome Tour features some very clever, very Nintendo mini-games. But rather than include the title as a pre-downloaded system pack-in a la Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a full retail release that players will need to purchase separately. Bold move, Nintendo.

DragxDrive

• Release Date — Summer 2025
• Developer — Nintendo
• Publisher — Nintendo

One of the more exciting aspects of the new and improved Joy-Cons on the Switch 2 is their doubling as computer mice, which several of the Switch 2’s launch titles are already making great use of. One such title is the new first-party 3v3 basketball game from Nintendo, Drag x Drive, which sees players exclusively using the Joy-Con’s mouse mode to control the title. Also, the game notably features disabled athletes who are wheelchair-bound, making Drag x Drive a nice move toward inclusivity on Nintendo’s part. Given the title’s focus on competitive play, it could very well become the system’s de facto Rocket League replacement.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — FromSoftware
• Publisher — Bandai Namco

After being rumored as a Switch 2 title for weeks, today’s Nintendo Direct finally confirmed that 2023’s Game of the Year winner, Elden Ring, would be coming to the console. Notably, the Switch 2 will be getting a new version of the game titled Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, which is already confirmed to contain new items and cosmetics (which will be available in the other versions of Elden Ring as free DLC). What we don’t know yet is whether the Tarnished Edition will contain the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC to make it more of a complete Elden Ring experience.

Hades II

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — Supergiant Games
• Publisher — Supergiant Games

In a completely unsurprising turn of events, Supergiant Games was present during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to announce that Hades II will be coming to the console once it leaves Early Access. The original Hades was a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch, which saw it quickly become one of the console’s best-selling titles, and the sequel coming to the Switch 2 makes perfect sense. While we don’t have a concrete release date for Hades II yet, Supergiant has already confirmed that the title will be leaving Early Access at some point later this year, which means it will likely launch on Switch 2 as soon as it hits 1.0.

Street Fighter 6

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Capcom
• Publisher — Capcom

The first of many announcements from Capcom in the Switch 2’s third-party launch library was Street Fighter 6, which will be joining the console at launch as, presumably, its only fighting game. Street Fighter 6 is largely seen as a major return to form and a high point for the series following the somewhat disappointing Street Fighter V, and the Switch 2 is actually getting two different versions of the title. Along with the standard edition of Street Fighter 6 is the Switch 2’s Fighters Edition, which includes all DLC characters released up to this point. Further, Street Fighter 6 is getting some exclusive Amiibo figures that will somehow factor into gameplay.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion

• Release Date — September 5, 2025
• Developer — First Studio
• Publisher — XSeed Games

One of the more surprising announcements during the Switch 2 Direct was the reveal of the rumored sequel to Daemon X Machina, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion. The original Daemon X Machina was an amazing throwback to the heyday of the early Armored Core games (which makes sense, considering how many of the original Armored Core team helped develop it), and Titanic Scion looks to be bigger and bolder in just about every way. While it’s not a launch title, players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on more mech customization and battling, with Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion launching September 5.

Split Fiction

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Hazelight Studios
• Publisher — Electronic Arts

It was at this point during the showcase that Nintendo switched gears to focus on a slew of high-profile third-party games making their way to the Switch 2, starting with a bang. One of 2025’s early Game of the Year contenders, Split Fiction, is coming to the Switch 2, and it’s a perfect fit for the console considering the new game-sharing functionality offered by the hardware. Split Fiction is a phenomenal experience from start to finish that requires you to play with a friend, and the ability to do so with just a single copy of the game makes it an essential co-op title for any console, especially the Switch 2.

EA Sports FC & Madden

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — Electronic Arts
• Publisher — Electronic Arts

Aside from Split Fiction, Electronic Arts also announced that it will be bringing two of its most popular sports titles to the Switch 2, promising that the console would be receiving the latest iterations of both EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) and Madden NFL. EA largely supported the original Switch with its EA Sports label, and it’s nice to see that it will be continuing to do so with the Switch 2.

Hogwarts Legacy

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Avalanche Software
• Publisher — Warner Bros. Games

The long-delayed release of Hogwarts Legacy on the original Switch saw those players wait longer than everyone else to essentially get the worst version of a great game, which developer Avalanche Software is rectifying with the Switch 2 version. Arriving alongside the console as a launch title, the Switch 2 release of Hogwarts Legacy looks to be on par with the other console and PC versions of the game, boasting some impressive visuals and vastly improved performance.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4

• Release Date — Summer 2025
• Developer — Iron Galaxy
• Publisher — Activision

While I’m more of a fan of the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and its sequel, there’s no denying that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 are some of the most beloved skateboarding games in the medium, and for good reason. After remaking the first two games as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, Iron Galaxy is at it again with a ground-up remake of the third and fourth titles, aptly named Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. We already knew this title was on the way, but to see it coming to the Switch 2 within the console’s launch window is a great sign.

Hitman: World of Assassination Trilogy Signature Edition

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — IO Interactive
• Publisher — IO Interactive

IO Interactive’s Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy offers some of the absolute best stealth sandbox gameplay in the genre, and the entire collection is arriving as a launch title for the Switch 2, giving the console one of the absolute best dollar-for-dollar gaming experiences right out of the gate. You could easily spend hundreds of hours in Hitman tackling all the objectives and exploring each of the wonderfully crafted levels, and it’s the perfect series to fill the console’s stealth library at launch.

Project 007

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — IO Interactive
• Publisher — IO Interactive

In addition to announcing that its Hitman: World of Assassination games would be coming to the Switch 2, IO Interactive revealed during the direct that its highly-anticipated 007 game in development (codenamed Project 007 for the moment) will also be coming to the Switch 2 at launch. Notably, we don’t know much about the actual hardware specifics of the Switch 2, but that it’s getting IO’s latest game speaks volumes about the unit’s potential power.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Square Enix
• Publisher — Square Enix

Next up was the surprise reveal from Square Enix of an HD remaster of the excellent first entry in the Bravely Default series, appropriately titled Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster. Interestingly, it’s not just a straight-up port of the original 3DS classic, instead adding in new content that positions the title as being the definitive version of one of Square Enix’s more beloved RPGs. With any luck, this could be a sign that Bravely Default 3 is also on the way.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
• Publisher — Sega

One of the more exciting third-party launch titles for the Switch 2 is the upcoming Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, which takes one of the all-time greatest entries in the Yakuza series and adds new content exclusive to the Switch 2 release. Yakuza 0 was built using the same engine as the excellent Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, so there’s every chance both of those excellent titles might be heading to the Switch 2 at some point too.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

• Release Date — Winter 2025
• Developer — Koei Tecmo
• Publisher — Nintendo

Following a string of third-party announcements for the Switch 2, Nintendo followed up with a game being developed in conjunction between the Big N and Koei Tecmo: a surprise Tears of the Kingdom-themed follow-up to the excellent Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Dubbed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, this newest entry in the Hyrule Warriors subseries allows players to control Princess Zelda and the Zonai as they participate in the sweeping battles of the Imprisonment War that plays a critical role in the story of Tears of the Kingdom.

Deltarune Chapters 1-4

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Toby Fox
• Publisher — Toby Fox, 8-4

Not only is Deltarune coming to the Switch 2 at launch, but its release also marks the arrival of the long-awaited Chapter 4, which is sure to send the game’s fans into a frenzy. For those who are unaware, Deltarune is the spiritual successor to Toby Fox’s Undertale, which found a strong audience on the original Switch as one of the system’s early indie game highlights. There’s every indication that Deltarune will fulfill a similar niche for the Switch 2.

Borderlands 4

• Release Date — September 23, 2025
• Developer — Gearbox Software
• Publisher — 2K

The next part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase featured a trio of announcements from publisher 2K, the first of which was the reveal that Borderlands 4 will be launching simultaneously on the Switch 2. With the looter shooter’s launch date currently set as September 23 of this year, that means that Switch 2 owners won’t have to wait too long after getting their new consoles to experience what’s sure to be an addictive and satisfying FPS experience. Let’s just hope the game’s writing is much better than Borderlands 3‘s.

Civilization VII

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Firaxis Games
• Publisher — 2K

The second major announcement from 2K during the showcase was the reveal that Civilization VII will be coming to the Switch 2 at launch. Better yet, this version of the game was designed specifically to take advantage of the Switch 2 Joy-Con’s mouse functionality, making it a much more intuitive experience in line with the PC version. Firaxis Games also made sure to point out that owners of the original Switch version could upgrade at a reduced cost (like many other Switch games with Switch 2 versions), but they were light on the specifics of said cost.

WWE 2K & NBA 2K

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — Visual Concepts
• Publisher — 2K

Just like EA with EA Sports FC and Madden, 2K wrapped up its trio of announcements for the Switch 2 by announcing that the latest iterations of both WWE 2K and NBA 2K would be coming to the console. Whether that means ports of the 2K25 editions of each game or new entries remains to be seen.

Survival Kids

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Konami
• Publisher — Konami Digital Entertainment

Despite some technical difficulties that saw the presentation freeze at this point in the showcase, viewers were still treated to a promising upcoming survival game from Konami slated to arrive at launch for the Switch 2. Surprisingly, that game was Survival Kids, a 3D remake of a Konami classic for the Game Boy Color that leans much harder into the open-world survival and crafting that has become incredibly popular over the last decade, but still retaining the sense of charm and adventure that made the original game such a cult classic.

Enter the Gungeon 2

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — Dodge Roll
• Publisher — Devolver Digital

Like Hades, the original Enter the Gungeon held a special place as one of the best action roguelikes on the Switch, so it makes perfect sense to see that the surprise sequel, Enter the Gungeon 2, will be coming to the Switch 2. While we don’t have a concrete release date other than “coming soon”, Enter the Gungeon 2 is looking like a major step up from its predecessor, complete with a brand-new 3D art style.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — CD Projekt RED
• Publisher — CD Projekt RED

Another game that gives us at least a hint about the potential power of the Switch 2 is Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, which is set to launch alongside the new console on June 5, 2025. Cyberpunk 2077 was practically unplayable on the PS4 at launch and only fared mildly better on the PS4 Pro and PS5 before a slew of bug fixes and patches, so to see that CD Projekt RED has managed to fit both the base game and the Phantom Liberty DLC onto the Switch 2 is impressive.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Square Enix
• Publisher — Square Enix

Another major AAA title to get a release on the Switch 2 is Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade, which includes both the first chapter in the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy and the DLC that introduces Yuffie and delves deeper into her backstory. While we don’t have any word yet on whether Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will come to the Switch 2, getting the excellent first chapter in the FF7 remake trilogy seems to indicate that it might be in the cards, and Remake‘s place as a launch title for the Switch 2 sees it joining Cyberpunk 2077 as one of the console’s flagship RPGs.

Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Capcom
• Publisher — Capcom

The criminally overlooked Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is another Capcom title getting a Switch 2 version at launch after skipping release on the original Switch. This blend of hack-and-slash action and tower defense features an absolutely gorgeous art style, some rock-solid mechanics, and one of the more original and compelling gameplay loops that seems tailor-made for Nintendo’s new handheld.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Team Cherry
• Publisher — Team Cherry

It’s no secret that Hollow Knight: Silksong fans have been eagerly awaiting any shred of news regarding when the title will release, and the Switch 2 showcase at least provided what seems to be confirmation of a 2025 release date. Beyond that, though, the snippet of footage shown off seemed to be pulled from previous trailers, and there was no other information available.

Goodnight Universe

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Nice Dream
• Publisher — Skybound Games

Nice Dream’s upcoming physics-based puzzle game where you play as an infant developing telekinetic powers, Goodnight Universe, is also headed to the Switch 2. The title still has no concrete release date, but it seems like it will launch simultaneously across all platforms including the Switch 2.

Two Point Museum

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Two Point Games
• Publisher — Sega

The Two Point games were a blast on the original Switch (both Hospital and University), so it’s no surprise to see that Two Point Museum is coming to the Switch 2. While we didn’t get much info other than a few seconds of footage, it’s probably a safe bet to assume the Switch 2 version will make good use of the Joy-Con’s mouse functionality, like the console’s version of Civilization VII is planning to.

Wild Hearts S

• Release Date — July 25, 2025
• Developer — Omega Force
• Publisher — Koei Tecmo

Another overlooked hidden gem getting a second lease on life on the Switch 2 is Koei Tecmo’s Wild Hearts. This Monster Hunter-like features enough unique ideas to set it apart from Capcom’s flagship franchise (including an awesome structure-building mechanic that shakes up the flow of battles) and some really compelling monster designs. Hopefully, the Switch 2 version will be better optimized than the one for PC and other consoles.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Sega, Sonic Team
• Publisher — Sega

Would it even be a Nintendo console without a Puyo Puyo Tetris game? The answer is no. Accordingly, Sega is bringing a special Switch 2 edition of the excellent puzzle compilation to the console at launch, titled Puyo Puto Tetris 2S. Whether it has anything additional or new to separate it from the standard Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is still unknown, though.

Star Wars Outlaws

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Massive Entertainment
• Publisher — Ubisoft

Despite what some reviews and sales figures might have you think, Star Wars Outlaws is a fun game set in the Star Wars universe that moves away from the “playing as a Jedi” template for something decidedly more scoundrel-like. Notably, Ubisoft and Massive have made several improvements to the title since launch, which could see the Switch 2 version of the game arrive as the definitive release, provided it runs well from a technical perspective.

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Koei Tecmo
• Publisher — Koei Tecmo

The previously released Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is getting a Switch 2-exclusive Complete Edition that arrives alongside the system at launch. These grand strategy games are incredibly popular among genre fans, and even with Civilzation VII arriving alongside it at launch, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is a vastly different experience that ties directly into the real-world history of Japan.

Fast Fusion

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Shin’en
• Publisher — Shin’en

Shin’en has a long legacy of producing excellent cult classic racers for Nintendo hardware, and it’s following up the fan-favorite Fast Racing Neo with Fast Fusion on the Switch 2. The game already looks great from the debut trailer, and it will serve as a nice racing game alternative to the likes of Mario Kart World.

Reanimal

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Tarsier Studios
• Publisher — THQ Nordic

Horror-themed puzzle platformer Reanimal has been floating around for a while now as one of the more promising releases of 2025, following in the footsteps of similar games like Limbo or Inside, and it will be launching simultaneously on the Switch 2 along with PC and other platforms.

Arcade Archives 2: Ridge Racer

• Release Date — June 5, 2025
• Developer — Hamster, Namco
• Publisher — Hamster

Hamster’s Arcade Archives series produced a ton of great ports of classic games on the original Switch, and the Arcade Archives 2 line arrives on the Switch 2 with none other than Namco’s arcade racing classic, Ridge Racer. Anyone with nostalgia for playing the original Ridge Racer as part of the PS1’s North American launch should consider this an essential pick-up.

Professor Layton and The New World of Steam

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Level-5
• Publisher — Nintendo

While we already had reports that a new Professor Layton game was in development over at Level-5, what we did not know was that the next entry in the beloved puzzle/adventure series would be coming to the Switch 2. There’s no concrete release date for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam yet, but it’s a safe bet that the title should arrive sometime this fall after Level-5’s Fantasy Life i has had some time on the market.

Human Fall Flat 2

• Release Date — TBA
• Developer — No Brakes Games
• Publisher — Devolver Digital

The final quick announcement in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation before the big finale was the reveal that the hilarious physics-based puzzler Human Fall Flat 2 will be arriving on the Switch 2. Like many of the other big third-party reveals for the Switch 2, Human Fall Flat 2 doesn’t have an official release date yet, but it seems like the title will launch simultaneously across PC and all modern consoles.

The Duskbloods

• Release Date — 2026
• Developer — FromSoftware
• Publisher — FromSoftware

Nintendo truly saved the best for last when it came to announcing the third-party games coming to the Switch 2, with FromSoftware’s new title The Duskbloods serving as the showcase’s grand finale ahead of a pair of first-party announcements. A Switch 2-exclusive, The Duskbloods is a sort of Victorian Steampunk Soulsborne game where the player takes on the role of a vampire (a first forFromSoftware) and features more than just a passing resemblance to Bloodborne. Even though we’ll have to wait until 2026 to get our hands on The Duskbloods, Nintendo probably secured itself a legion of Switch 2 preorders just for this game alone.

Kirby Air Riders

• Release Date — 2025
• Developer — Nintendo
• Publisher — Nintendo

The penultimate announcement of the Switch 2 Direct was the reveal that a sequel to the beloved Kirby’s Air Ride is in development. Kirby’s Air Riders also marks the return of Masahiro Sakurai to the director’s chair, which is fitting considering he is both the creator of Kirby and his last game in the Kirby franchise was the original Kirby Air Ride.

Donkey Kong Bananza

• Release Date — July 17, 2025
• Developer — Nintendo
• Publisher — Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct concluded with a new first-party 3D platformer. But rather than have Mario take center stage, we’re getting a new 3D Donkey Kong game for the first time in over 25 years, with the last attempt being 1999’s excellent Donkey Kong 64. Donkey Kong Bananza is a phenomenal-looking 3D platformer with some interesting destruction mechanics and a captivating art style, and it arrives roughly a month after the launch of the Switch 2 to fill a very important niche for the console.

Nintendo Switch 2 Features

In addition to all the software announcements for the Switch 2, there were also several other important reveals at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, including some pretty exciting details regarding the console’s functionality as it relates to online play, game sharing, and the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Voice and Video Chat are Finally Coming to Nintendo Hardware

After years of being the only modern platform without it, the Switch 2 marks the debut of voice chat during online games, facilitated with a press of the new C-Button on the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons. Additionally, the Switch 2 will be compatible with a new camera that allows players to view one another when playing multiplayer games. Both the camera and voice chat are protected by parental controls and completely optional, but it’s hard not to see them becoming very popular for games like Mario Party.

Game Sharing for Switch 2

Another long-awaited feature that will arrive alongside the Switch 2 is game sharing. We’re still waiting for more information, but today’s showcase seemed to suggest that certain games could be shared with up to three other players, even across hardware generations, for seamless co-op on the same network.

Switch 2 Versions of Nintendo Switch Classics

One of the big reveals during the Switch 2 Direct was that several original Switch titles would be receiving major upgrades on the Switch 2 that will result in them looking and performing better, with the two open-world Zelda titles (Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom), Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokemon Legends Z-A leading the pack. If you already own the Switch versions of these titles, you can upgrade to their Switch 2 enhanced editions for a reduced price, and many of these titles will receive standalone retail releases specifically for the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch Online Finally Gets GameCube Titles, Exclusive to Switch 2

Another oft-rumored addition to the Switch Online service was confirmed today, with GameCube titles finally coming to the Nintendo Switch Online’s Classic Game Collection exclusively on the Switch 2. It’s kind of disappointing to see these be Switch 2-exclusive (you’re telling me the original Switch couldn’t run them?), but it’s still great to see the GameCube’s legacy being honored. We also got confirmation of the first wave of titles:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• SoulCalibur II
• F-Zero GX

Additionally, Nintendo will be releasing a Switch 2-compatible wireless GameCube controller to accompany the launch of these games on Nintendo Switch Online.

Release Date, Pricing, and More

Finally, and most importantly, we got the official launch date and pricing for the Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, with an MSRP of $449.99 for the standard edition of the console. A bundle that includes the Switch 2 and a digital copy of Mario Kart World will retail for $499.99. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 will start on April 9, 2025, and Nintendo is also implementing measures to ensure that we all have a fair shot at securing one, stopping scalpers in their tracks.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Nintendo Switch 2 Direct header image.