The Nintendo Switch 2 (任天堂スイッチ2), commonly referred to as the Switch 2, is a home console created by Nintendo. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the eighth home console system released by Nintendo and is the successor to the Nintendo Switch.
The console was announced on January 16, 2025 on official Nintendo channels. The console was fully revealed on April 2, 2025 in a Nintendo Direct with a worldwide release date of June 5, 2025.
Hardware[]
The Nintendo Switch 2 maintains its predecessor's hybrid style design, able to be played both as a handheld device as well as a docked TV console. It also carries over many of the Switch's design features in enhanced forms, such as motion control functionality in the Joy-Con controllers and enhanced HD Rumble (called HD Rumble 2 in marketing).
The Nintendo Switch 2 is notably larger than its predecessor's original design and features higher power graphics. Notably, the system's initial internal memory is 32 GB compared to its predecessor's 8 GB.
New to the Switch 2 include a new game chat function, which allows users to voice chat and screenshare their gameplay with friends. The Switch 2 features a built-in microphone, and a camera accessory can also be bought separately.
Controllers[]
The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy Cons retain the hybrid features of the Nintendo Switch's Joy Cons including:
- Standalone Controller - Each individual Joy-Con can be used as a singular controller.
- Motion Mode - The Joy-Con features motion controls when held similarly to the classic Wiimote with enhanced motion sensory and rumble sensation features.
- Controller Mode - The individual Joy-Cons can also be used like standard game controllers, similar to the Super Nintendo. This mode features the classic 4-Button set up, a Joy Stick, and two Bumpers.
- Mouse Control - The Switch 2 Joy-Cons are able to function like computer mice. The wrist strap attachments double as glide surfaces, and the player can use the Joy-Cons as they would mice for games that support the feature.
- Combined External Controller - Two Joy-Con Controllers become a singular controller with two 4-Button set ups, two Joy Sticks, two bumpers, and two trigger buttons. Can either be attached to a special external controller peripheral to create a classic controller or as two separate controllers in each hand.
- Docked Switch Controller - A pair of Joy-Con Controllers can dock onto the Switch itself, creating a portable gamepad similar to the gamepad of the Wii U. While playing in this mode, the Switch system charges the controllers.
Unlike the Switch Joy-Cons which dock to the Switch hardware or to controller peripherals via a rail system, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons dock via magnets.
The Switch 2 Pro Controller now features two additional buttons on the back of the controller grips labeled GL and GR, the function of which is customizable by the user. The Pro Controller also includes a headphone jack.
Both the right Joy-Con and the Pro Controller feature a new C Button, which is used to turn on game chat.
Backward Compatibility[]
The Switch 2 is backward compatible with both physical and digital games released for the original Nintendo Switch. The vast majority of games released for the Switch, including Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Fire Emblem Engage, Fire Emblem Warriors, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, are playable on the newer console with full functionality. Select games released for the original Nintendo Switch will receive paid Switch 2 upgrades with enhanced graphics and gameplay features that do not require buying the full game a second time.
Fire Emblem Related Software[]
- Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave - Announced on September 12, 2025 for release in 2026, it is the first new entry in the Fire Emblem series developed specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch Online[]
The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service grants access to a collection of apps dedicated to games on specific retro platforms. Each app has its own library of games. Apps for the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NIntendo 64, and Sega Genesis were originally developed and released on the Nintendo Switch, and are fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. NSO also includes a Switch 2-exclusive app for Nintendo GameCube titles.
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - Announced on April 2, 2025 as a title that will eventually be added to the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube app.