The Nintendo Switch 2 is here: all of the launch news

While you could play Fortnite on the original Nintendo Switch, it was a less than ideal situation that made the game feel more like a rough around the edges tech demo than a polished piece of software. Because of the Switch’s hardware limitations, Fortnite could only run at 30 frames per second max, which could make it tricky to pull off well-timed shots. Character models were often so simplified that they barely looked like their counterparts on other consoles. And a combination of dropped frames, simpler textures, and overall lower resolution gave the island a choppy, muddy aesthetic quality that was tolerable, but far from beautiful.

Though it was constantly being patched, Fortnite felt dated on the original Switch in a way that made it hard to justify Battle Passes or get excited about new design changes to the island. But, similar to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Fortnite’s Switch 2 update revitalizes the game by addressing almost every one of its core issues and highlighting all of the new bells and whistles Epic has been developing for it.

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After retroactively lowering the original Nintendo Switch’s repairability score from an 8 out of 10 to just 4 out of 10 to reflect 2025 standards, iFixit has found the Switch 2 to be even harder to fix. Following its full teardown of the new console, iFixit is giving the Switch 2 a 3 out of 10 repairability score thanks, in part, to a battery that’s once again “glued in with powerful adhesive” and flash storage modules and USB-C ports that are soldered to the main board.

Nintendo continues to rely on the tri-point screws the company has been using to assemble its consoles and handhelds for decades, and on the Switch 2, many are hidden behind stickers that get damaged in the process of removing them to access the screws. The company has never released repair parts or manuals for the original Switch, and there are currently none available for the Switch 2, so you’ll need third-party alternatives to reassemble the console.

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Last night, I stayed up way too late playing through the Great Plateau section of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and I’m falling in love with the game all over again.

The opening moments of Breath of the Wild are iconic. The wide shot of Hyrule you see after leaving that first cave is breathtaking, showing you the world of possibilities ahead. Solving the puzzles on the Great Plateau requires some real creativity and experimentation, especially to survive the colder parts of the area. All of that magic is still there with the Switch 2 version of the game, which you can get as a $9.99 upgrade if you already own the Switch version or as a standalone $69.99 purchase, but it all plays better.

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8BitDo announced that eight of its flagship controllers are now compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 following a firmware update.

Although some companies had early access to the Switch 2’s specs to build accessories like cases and screen protectors, many had to wait until launch day to ensure their devices were compatible with the new console.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5th, and with it, so did a bunch of games. Some are first-party Nintendo titles, though most are third-party offerings, including some notable ports of games we’ve been enjoying for a while on other gaming platforms. We bundled together all of the Switch 2 accessories in one, easy to browse article, so we’re doing the same for the launch games. In addition to prices, we’ll include install size, and whether the game is on the cartridge in full, or if it’s one of Nintendo’s Game-Key Cards (they’re cartridges that entitle you to a digital download, and that can be resold without issue).

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Some people reported an unwelcome surprise after picking up their Nintendo Switch 2 preorders at GameStop: staples used to attach receipts to Switch 2 boxes ended up damaging the screens on the console, as reported by IGN. However, GameStop says this was an issue that was “isolated” to a single store and that it has already offered replacements.

When you open the box for the Switch 2, the tablet / screen part of the device is just under the top flap of the packaging. The tablet’s proximity to the top of the box possibly explains how staples could get through and poke holes in the screen — especially if the person using the stapler gave it a solid push.

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Ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo said that the eShop would be improved and run more smoothly on the new console. Based on our initial testing at The Verge, it’s immediately apparent that the Switch 2’s eShop is much better.

On the original Switch, the eShop can be extremely sluggish. Even just moving from one section to another can have a lag, and clicking into a game sometimes takes a bit to load before you can even go through the process of buying it. The delays and slow navigation make using the shop a huge pain; I personally often defaulted to buying digital games on Nintendo’s website because it was a better experience.

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The Switch 2 has finally landed, but it isn’t the only hardware Nintendo is launching this week. The company also introduced a range of new accessories for its new gaming console, the bulk of which are now available online at Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target. From a redesigned Pro Controller to a camera that lets you video chat with your friends, each is designed to level up your gaming experience.

Sadly, President Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff policy has resulted in slight price bumps on several Switch 2 accessories — including the aforementioned Pro 2 Controller. There’s no telling whether we can expect more price hikes down the line, either, meaning if you have secured a Switch 2 and want to pick up a second controller or another accessory to go with it, now might be the time to act.

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So, you got (or are soon getting) a Nintendo Switch 2. You’re probably ready to throw your original Switch into storage, but before that, you should transfer all of your data to the new console.

Good news: it’s easy for those who have a Switch 2. Not only that, it’s easy even if you don’t yet have the new console. Nintendo developed a clever solution for those who haven’t upgrade yet, letting original Switch owners back up their entire account to a remote server, where it will be stored for one year.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and so you might be in the market for a microSD card to store more games. While all microSD cards look pretty much the same, only microSD Express cards will work on the Switch 2 for storing and playing games. The microSD card you used in your original Switch or Switch Lite will only offer limited functionality with Nintendo’s new handheld, as it will only let you view screenshots or video clips you captured previously — that’s it.

That’s because Nintendo opted for a significantly faster spec in its new handheld console, which boasts an advertised 4.4x improvement in terms of transfer speeds over the microSD cards you might already have lying around. That improvement is signified by a small, easy-to-miss “EX” emblem etched onto the front of the card.

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Depending on where you are in the US, it hasn’t been easy to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 (though, our own David Pierce would disagree). In-store and online stock has sold out at most participating retailers, but Target is offering another opportunity, specifically for online shoppers, starting in the “early morning” hours of June 6th. I realize the ambiguity isn’t helpful to those trying to plan their day, but it’s all that Target has shared so far. We’ve reached out to a Target representative to ask for a specific time, and we’ll update this post if we receive any helpful information.

According to Target’s product pages, the retailer will have stock of the standalone Switch 2 console for $449.99 and the Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99, along with various games and accessories.

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If you missed your chance the first time around, you now have another opportunity to pick up Nintendo’s GameCube Controller for the Switch 2. It’s available once again from the My Nintendo Store for $64.99, giving fans another shot at securing the wireless gamepad.

To place an order, you’ll need to be logged into your Nintendo Switch Online account, as the controller is currently only available to those with a premium membership (which starts at $19.99 a year). Once you have access to the product landing page, you can complete your purchase, which is limited to one controller per account.

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Belkin has announced a new collection of accessories for the recently launched Switch 2, including a case that does more than protect the console and keep cartridges organized. There’s also a 10,000mAh battery inside the case that Belkin says has enough capacity to fully charge the console 1.5 times. We haven’t reviewed the Switch 2 yet and can’t confirm Nintendo’s claims, but Belkin’s case could more than double the Switch 2’s battery life which is estimated to be between 2 and 6.5 hours.

Available now for $69.99 in three color options that include charcoal, sand, and pistachio green, Belkin’s Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 also features extra compartments and a zippered pouch for storing charging cables and other accessories. There’s even a small hidden pocket designed to hold an AirTag and increase the chances of finding the case should it go missing.

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I’m standing outside the GameStop at Union Square in New York City on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, with plenty of cars rolling by and people basking in the late spring sun. On the corner of E 14th Street and University Place, a line has formed around the block.

Tonight is the official launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, a console people have been waiting for years to arrive. Some publications and influencers received theirs one day early, but for the rest of the world, tonight is the first opportunity to play it. And for a lot of the people in this line, that means they’re willing to wait a little longer.

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