Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
The April 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Direct announced dozens of games for the console, loads of features and specs, and it could feel almost overwhelming at times. Despite that, it wasn’t even everything Nintendo had to announce.
More Nintendo Switch 2 details have been revealed since the Direct via press releases and Nintendo’s website, and we’re breaking down the info that you’ve missed if you only watched the Direct.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Price
The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch at a suggested retail price of $449.99 for the base console, and $499.99 for a bundle with a Mario Kart World download code.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Date
Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 begin in the US on April 9.
Everything in the Box
The Nintendo Switch 2’s contents are very similar to the original Switch bundle, and it includes:
- Nintendo Switch 2 console
- Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
- Joy-Con 2 Grip
- Joy-Con 2 Straps
- Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
- Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
- Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
- USB-C Charging Cable
More Hardware Specs
Thanks to a page on Nintendo’s website with official tech specs, we now know that the 7.9″ touch screen we saw in the Direct presentation supports the HDR10 standard, and VRR up to 120 Hz. VRR is a fantastic feature for the handheld to have, ensuring that games with performance instability look and play smoothly to the eye.
We also now know that the console has between 2 to 6.5 hours of battery life when played, and a full charge of the console takes 3 hours while it’s in sleep mode.
Nintendo Switch Games Getting Free Switch 2 Upgrades
In addition to the “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” games that were announced during the Direct, we now have a full list of original Nintendo Switch games that will get free updates to support Nintendo Switch 2 features. These features can include increased resolution, frame rates, or GameShare features. The full list of confirmed free upgrades is below.
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- Super Mario Odyssey
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Game Builder Garage
- Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
- ARMS
- Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
- Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet
Nintendo Switch Games With Issues on Switch 2
Not all Nintendo Switch games are currently supported on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo is investigating the issue, and by launch most of the problems may be entirely solved. Regardless, Nintendo has provided us with full lists of games that currently do not start up on the Switch 2, and games that are confirmed to have compatibility issues on Switch 2.
In addition to those games, the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit is confirmed as not being supported whatsoever, simply because the Switch 2 does not fit inside the VR headset.
Nintendo Switch Games That Require Original Joy-Con on Switch 2
Some games will require the original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con to play thanks to accessory compatibility and the IR camera. Some of these games are fully playable aside from a recommended accessory – like the new Joy-Con not fitting into the leg strap for Nintendo Switch Sports’ soccer shootout – or can be played in their entirety, save for one minigame in the case of WarioWare: Move It.
The full list of games you need to keep your Switch Joy-Con around for is as follows:
- Ring Fit Adventure
- 1-2-Switch
- Everybody 1-2-Switch
- Game Builder Garage
- Nintendo Switch Sports
- WarioWare: Move It!
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
Internal Memory Speed Estimates
The Nintendo Switch 2 will only support new MicroSD Express memory cards, and this is important because these are significantly faster (and more expensive) than the MicroSD cards you might use on Nintendo Switch.
While a MicroSD Extreme has read and write speeds of up to 190MB/s, MicroSD Express cards have read speeds of up to 880MB/s. This is dramatically faster than the cards you might already use, and gives us a good benchmark estimate of how fast the Nintendo Switch’s internal memory is. MicroSD Express cards are faster than the best SATA SSDs for PC, though are easily bested by PCIe SSDs. Regardless of what the specific internal read and write speeds are, we’re guaranteed a huge upgrade over the original console, and possibly even your PC, depending on when your last upgrade was.
The post Every Confirmed Nintendo Switch 2 Detail that Wasn’t in the Direct appeared first on Newsweek.
