Nintendo Switch 2 launch day build-up live: all the latest news, updates, and our thoughts ahead of the console’s release

Hello there from NYC as TechRadar continues our road to Switch 2 launch day coverage. We’re nearly there, and according to some social media posts, it seems that some pre-orders are starting to move – always a good sign.

I wasn’t able to secure a preorder in advance, but I’m keeping an eye out and crossing my fingers for ample launch-day availability. However, I’m not expecting a ton on the latter. Coming from a Switch OLED myself, I’m curious to see how the difference in displays will make a difference, especially alongside the other upgrades that come with the Switch 2 itself.

Signing off for today!

That’s tools down for me today, but our launch day build-up coverage isn’t going anywhere. I’ll now hand you over to Jacob on our US team, who’s looking forward to Switch 2 launch day as much as I am. I’ll be back tomorrow for even more launch day coverage, and I’ll (hopefully) have my own Switch 2 unit by then as well!

Will you be buying Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour?

It’s fair to say Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour hasn’t had, well, the best welcome to the general Nintendo fan base. It was announced at the initial Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and certainly looked interesting, filled with minigames and technical tidbits about the system itself.

However, when it was revealed to not be included with the Switch 2 console – instead costing $9.99 / £7.99 – fans weren’t exactly happy. While it’s not the priciest point of entry, it certainly would’ve sat better as a freebie in the same vein as Wii Sports.

I’m remaining cautiously optimistic for this bite-sized experience, though, especially as someone who covers gaming hardware for a living. Mainly because I’m wondering if Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will reveal anything about the system – be that quality-of-life features or nifty secret settings – that we don’t already know.

Naturally, you can also expect a Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour review from the TechRadar Gaming team in the near future, so be sure to keep an eye out for that as we’ll judge whether it’s worth your time or not.

What Switch 2 games are coming throughout 2025?

While there’s plenty to dive into on launch day, Nintendo still has plenty of first and third-party titles scheduled to launch on Switch 2 throughout the rest of the year. And that’s before we’ve had any more Nintendo Direct presentations outside of the one that happened on April 2.

Here’s a quick rundown of the games you should be keeping your eye on this year.

• Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17)
• Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV (July 24)
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World (August 28)
• Star Wars Outlaws (September 4)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A (October 16)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)
• Drag x Drive (2025)
• Hades 2 (2025)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025)
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 (2025)
• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition (2025)
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (2025)
• Kirby Air Riders (2025)
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade (2025)
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (2025)

PSA: Don’t remove your Switch 2’s protective screen layer

Sure, it may seem obvious to those of us who like to keep our new consoles in tip top condition, but the Nintendo Switch 2’s safety manual is adamant that you leave the handheld screen’s protective film layer firmly stuck to the display.

“The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage. Do not peel it off,” the safety manual reads. Now, it isn’t a traditional screen protector (those can be bought separately). Rather, it’s to make sure any unpredictable bits of wear and tear – such as rogue debris or pet scratches – don’t damage the screen directly.

When is Hollow Knight: Silksong coming to Nintendo Switch 2?

I wish I knew! Truthfully, we’re as much in the dark as you are on the eventual release of Hollow Knight: Silksong. Though in case you’ve forgotten, there was a bit of a Silksong jumpscare at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation, where the game appeared for all of five seconds, with a vague ‘2025’ release date attached.

So what’s my best guess? Well, given it’s Summer Game Fest week, with the gaming event as well as PlayStation and Xbox hosting their own showcases, there is once again a chance that a Silksong trailer sheds more light on the hotly anticipated upcoming title. I won’t hold my breath of course, but is there a better time all year than now? Probably not.

Our Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived!

I still have to wait a day for my own, of course, but a Nintendo Switch 2 unit as well as several Switch 2 accessories have just landed over at TechRadar Gaming HQ! We’ll be thoroughly testing and reviewing the console and accessories including the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, Switch 2 Camera, microSD Express cards, plenty of Switch 2 games and more throughout this month and beyond. So be sure to stay tuned!

Be sure to download the Nintendo Today app!

We all had a good chuckle about the Nintendo Today app when it was revealed at the last Nintendo Direct presentation. But it turns out to have been a pretty valuable resource when it comes to Switch 2 news, as well as catching glimpses of upcoming releases that may not get posted to Nintendo’s official social channels.

The Nintendo Today app has already given us sneak peeks at Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and plenty of other upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games. We’ve also seen further looks at systems like GameShare and GameChat. It’s a great way to tide you over a little until tomorrow’s big launch day, so be sure to check it out! You can download the app for free for iOS and Android devices. Simply plug in your Nintendo account details once the app is downloaded and you’re good to go.

Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility

How does backwards compatibility work on Nintendo Switch 2? It’s actually really quite simple, especially as the vast majority of original Nintendo Switch cartridges (and digital downloads) are immediately compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.

That said, there may be some caveats here or there. Nintendo has published a Switch 2 game compatibility guide on its website. The breakdown shows that over 100 titles are expected to have “start up issues” on Switch 2, but in most cases, fixes are being applied for on or around the launch window.

Lastly, there is just one game that Nintendo states outright won’t work on Switch 2, and that’s Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. That’s owing to the fact that the game requires a very distinct peripheral in order to play, which seemingly isn’t compatible with the new console.

Which Nintendo Switch 2 game am I most excited about?

The weekend really can’t come soon enough, as I’m planning to really get stuck in with Mario Kart World with a few friends. And while I’m very excited about the kart racer (and had glowing impressions of it during my Mario Kart World hands-on preview session), there is one game that I simply cannot wait to get my hands on.

That would be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which will be getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition capable of running at 4K 60fps, or 1080p up to 120fps. I’ve been a huge Metroid fan for most of my life, and I consider the Prime series, especially, to be among my all-time favorite games.

Prime 4 will be the first new entry in the subseries in well over a decade, the last one being the rather underwhelming Metroid Prime Federation Force for Nintendo 3DS. This latest game will also tie back to the excellent DS title Metroid Prime Hunters, as one of the antagonists from that game, Sylux, will be a major focus in this Switch 2 release.

With Retro Studios back at the helm of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, I’m expecting a highly polished game that will hopefully live up to the standards set by the original Prime trilogy as well as 2021’s superb Metroid Dread.

TRG’s Switch 2 launch day stock hub is live!

Our managing editor Rob Dwiar is now live with TechRadar Gaming’s Nintendo Switch 2 launch day stock live hub. Throughout today and the actual launch period itself, Rob (alongside some of our brilliant TechRadar colleagues) will be keeping an eye on stock drops in the US and the UK.

If you wanted to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, but weren’t able to do so, our stock hub could be the thing you need to help locate launch day stock at your preferred retailer – whether that be online or in-store. So, for expert tips on how to bag yourself a Nintendo Switch 2 on or around launch day, be sure to pay Rob a visit! Rob’s been covering console launch events for years, so I’m confident in his ability to point you in the right direction here.

No Man’s Sky Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is official!

Hello Games founder Sean Murray has just announced that No Man’s Sky is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. This will be a free update for those who already own the game on Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of No Man’s Sky will boast improved framerates, support for 4K textures, touch controls and gyro support, as well as the myriad changes and updates that have come to the game over the past decade. Oh, and this version will also support Nvidia DLSS for smoother performance.

The update is coming on Switch 2 launch day, and will also have the game’s latest major update; Beacon.

Want more F-Zero? Check out Fast Fusion

This is just a friendly reminder that if you’re a fan of Nintendo’s anti-gravity racing series, you may also want to check out Fast Fusion which arrives on launch day. The game costs an impressively low $14.99 / £13.49, and could absolutely be one to check out if you’re not opting for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play F-Zero GX.

Fast Fusion is being developed by Shin’en Multimedia. This impressive team has developed incredible titles like Fast RMX and The Touryst, so I’m always excited to see it bring a new game out – especially at the launch of one of the most anticipated consoles in recent years.

Hoover up these Kirby games, too!

It seems like even more Nintendo Switch games are getting Switch 2 compatibility patches. In addition to Xenoblade Chronicles 3, it looks like Kirby Star Allies and Kirby’s Dream Buffet are also getting Switch 2 updates.

Like with Xenoblade, these updates simply say that “several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.” Again, that could mean anything, like simply minimizing compatibility issues. Still, the more performance upgrades we get for original Switch games, the better.

Xenobros, we’re so back

Nintendo certainly kept quiet about this one, but it appears that beloved RPG Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has received an update prior to Switch 2 launch day. Users on X / Twitter have spotted some patch notes for the game.

In fairness, the patch notes aren’t substantial, simply saying that “several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.” Now, to temper expectations, there’s every chance this is just a very simple patch to stop the game from crashing or registering visual oddities on Switch 2.

But if this game does get the 4K 60fps treatment similar to Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, then I’ll certainly be planning a replay of this incredible game. Now if we could also get an update patch for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, I’ll be one very happy gamer.

Hit the streets

As a lover of the best fighting games, I’m really excited to check out Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition on Switch 2 launch day. This version of the game includes all DLC characters from Season 1 (Rashid, AKI, Ed, and Akuma) and Season 2 (M. Bison, Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Elena), as well as all DLC stages.

I got to check out the game at my Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on preview session a couple of months ago, and it plays fantastically on the console with a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. I did note image quality was a touch fuzzier than on other systems, but performance wise, the game doesn’t miss a beat. At least outside of the demanding World Tour mode, which I haven’t been able to see on Switch 2 yet.

Don’t forget about those GameCube games!

While I’m sure most of you will be diving into Mario Kart World or a hotly anticipated third-party release like Street Fighter 6 or Cyberpunk 2077 on day one, it’s worth noting that Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube classics library will also be available from launch day.

Three games will be playable off the bat: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, fighting game royalty Soul Calibur 2, and the legendary anti-gravity racer F-Zero GX. You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription in order to enjoy these titles.

I’ve also pre-ordered the Switch Online exclusive wireless GameCube controller from Nintendo’s website, because what better way is there to experience these games than with the iconic purple gamepad? It’s available for pre-order now at Nintendo’s store for $64.99 / £58.99. Admittedly, that is fairly steep given Nintendo has confirmed that while it will work with standard Switch 2 games, there may be compatibility issues so certainly consider that before you make a purchase.

Has Pokémon Scarlet & Violet been fixed?

One game I’m really excited to check out on day one is Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, which will be receiving a free performance update on Switch 2 launch day. A brief snippet of gameplay was revealed via the Nintendo Today mobile app a couple of days ago, but it seems like more has been fixed than just the improved resolution and framerates.

Serebii’s Joe Merrick points out on X / Twitter that animations for background objects appear to have been improved. Case in point, the infamous Artazon Windmill, which now animates smoothly in the distance. If there’s one thing I remember not so fondly about these games, it’s the incredibly choppy animations of objects and characters even close to the player. Hopefully, then, these have been smoothed out with this Nintendo Switch 2 update.

Nvidia’s CEO is as excited for Switch 2 as you are

Creator’s Voice Special Edition – Nintendo Switch 2’s Custom Processor – YouTube

Watch On

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is the subject of Nintendo’s latest Creator’s Voice video. The tech company developed the original Switch’s custom Tegra X1 system-on-a-chip, and it also created the Switch 2’s custom processor, too.

In the video, Huang claims that the Nintendo Switch 2 has the “most advanced graphics ever in a mobile device.” And that could well be true; the Switch 2 handheld supports 1080p resolution at framerates up to 120fps. The device also has support for HDR for brighter, more accurate colors.

Welcome to our Nintendo Switch 2 live coverage!

Good morning, US friends, and good afternoon to those of you in the UK! The Nintendo Switch 2 launch is almost upon us, happening tomorrow, June 5. It’s felt like a pretty long wait from its official announcement at the start of the year, but given how fast the year’s gone by, also not too much!

If you’ve managed to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, you’ll probably be receiving a tracking email from your retailer of choice soon, if you haven’t already. So to start things off, a friendly reminder to keep an eye on your email inbox!

I’ll be receiving my pre-ordered Switch 2 console tomorrow, and I’m excited to get stuck in with Mario Kart World, and experiencing Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom at what I hope is a buttery smooth 4K 60fps.

Starting with this live blog, there’s going to be plenty of Nintendo Switch 2 coverage in the coming weeks at TechRadar Gaming. And if you’ve struggled to secure a unit for yourself, you can also check out our launch day stock live hub, manned by our managing editor Rob Dwiar, who will be doing his best to spot stock at retailers across the US and UK.