Last verified: April 2026. Pricing and availability may change.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, as the successor to Nintendo‘s best-selling console. Priced at $449.99 for the standalone unit and $499.99 for a bundle with Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 brings a larger screen, 4K docked output, and significantly more storage than the original. By the end of December 2025, Nintendo reported selling 17.37 million Switch 2 units worldwide. Here is everything you need to know about the console, its specs, its games, and how it compares to the original Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2 at a glance
Nintendo first teased the Switch 2 on January 16, 2025, with a full reveal following on April 2, 2025. The console went on sale on June 5, 2025, at a starting price of $449.99. A $499.99 bundle includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World, which became the system’s best-selling launch title.
The Switch 2 retains the hybrid design of the original Switch. It functions as a home console when docked and as a portable handheld when undocked. The new model adds several hardware upgrades, including a larger screen, higher resolution output, and substantially more built-in storage.
Nintendo Switch 2 specs
The table below compares the Switch 2 to the original Switch, based on specifications listed on Nintendo’s official page.
| Specification | Nintendo Switch 2 | Original Switch (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7.9-inch 1080p LCD, HDR, up to 120 fps with VRR | 6.2-inch 720p LCD |
| Docked output | Up to 4K with HDR | 1080p |
| Processor | Custom Nvidia chip | Custom Nvidia Tegra X1 |
| Storage | 256 GB (partial system reserve) | 32 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
The screen upgrade is one of the most noticeable changes. The Switch 2’s 7.9-inch 1080p LCD panel is significantly larger and sharper than the original’s 6.2-inch 720p display. HDR support and variable refresh rate (VRR) at up to 120 frames per second are new additions for handheld mode, though actual frame rates depend on the game.
When docked, the Switch 2 outputs at up to 4K resolution with HDR, a major step up from the original’s 1080p cap. The custom Nvidia chip inside the console is a generational leap over the Tegra X1, delivering substantially more processing and graphical power. Nintendo has not published detailed chip specifications (clock speeds, TFLOPS), but the results are visible in the games.
Storage has increased from 32 GB to 256 GB. A portion of that is reserved for the operating system, but the usable space is still a massive improvement. The Switch 2 continues to support microSD cards for additional storage.
Switch 2 games and software sales
Mario Kart World has been the standout title for the Switch 2. According to Nintendo’s Q3 FY2026 earnings report (published February 2026), Mario Kart World sold 14.03 million copies by December 31, 2025. That means roughly 80% of Switch 2 owners purchased the game, either in the bundle or separately.
Total Switch 2 software sales reached 37.93 million units by the end of 2025. With the console selling 17.37 million units in the same period, that translates to an attach rate of approximately 2.2 games per console, a strong number for a platform’s first seven months on the market.
Nintendo has not announced a complete list of upcoming Switch 2 titles for 2026 and beyond, but the company’s first-party studios are expected to bring entries from its major franchises, including Zelda, Pokemon, and Metroid, to the new hardware.
The original Switch: sales and legacy
The original Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, has become Nintendo’s best-selling console of all time. By December 31, 2025, lifetime sales reached 155.37 million units, according to Gematsu. That figure surpasses both the PlayStation 4 (approximately 117 million) and the Nintendo DS (154 million), making it the most commercially successful Nintendo hardware ever produced.
The original Switch is still available for purchase and continues to receive select game releases, though the pipeline is winding down as developers shift focus to the Switch 2. The Switch Lite, a handheld-only variant of the original, also remains on sale.
Nintendo Switch 2 pricing and bundle options
The Switch 2 launched at $449.99 for the standalone console and $499.99 for the bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World. These prices, confirmed by Engadget, make the Switch 2 the most expensive Nintendo console at launch.
The $50 price difference between the standalone and bundle versions represents a discount on Mario Kart World, which retails for $69.99 individually. For buyers who plan to pick up the game anyway, the bundle saves $20.
Availability was constrained during the first few months after launch, but by late 2025 stock levels had normalized in most markets. As of April 2026, both configurations are widely available through major retailers.
Nintendo’s financial performance
The Switch 2 launch drove a sharp increase in Nintendo’s revenue. In the company’s Q3 FY2026 earnings (covering October through December 2025), Nintendo reported net sales of approximately ¥1,905.8 billion ($12.2 billion), according to CNBC. That represents a 99.3% year-over-year increase, nearly doubling the same quarter from the prior year.
Nintendo raised its full-year forecast to ¥2.25 trillion (approximately $15 billion). The company’s market capitalization stood at roughly $52 billion on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 7974) at the time of the earnings report.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Switch 2 backward compatible with Switch games?
Nintendo has confirmed backward compatibility with a selection of original Switch games. The full scope of compatibility (whether all Switch titles or a curated list) varies by game, and some titles may require updates or patches. Physical Switch game cards work in the Switch 2’s card slot, and digital purchases carry over through the Nintendo eShop account.
What does the $500 Switch 2 bundle include?
The $499.99 bundle includes the Switch 2 console, Joy-Con controllers, a dock, and a digital download code for Mario Kart World. The standalone $449.99 version includes the same hardware without the game. Both configurations come with 256 GB of internal storage.
How big is the Switch 2 screen?
The Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen with HDR support and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR). The original Switch had a 6.2-inch 720p LCD. The larger, sharper screen makes handheld play a noticeably improved experience, particularly for text-heavy games and detailed environments.
How many Switch 2 units have been sold?
Nintendo reported 17.37 million Switch 2 units sold worldwide by December 31, 2025, seven months after launch. This figure comes from Nintendo’s official Q3 FY2026 financial results, published in February 2026.