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Nintendo Co., Ltd. announced a new release date for its new game system. The Nintendo Switch 2 release date was set to June 5, 2025. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is 49,980 yen. The Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Set includes the system and a digital version of the Mario Kart World game. It will also be released on the same date at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of 53,980 yen.
After what’s felt like years of rumors, Nintendo has finally lifted the lid on the Nintendo Switch 2. The company’s latest Nintendo Direct concluded yesterday, marking its largest hardware launch in nearly a decade.
The new console features a 7.9in LCD display, magnetically attached Joy-Con 2 controllers, support for mouse-like controls and built-in voice chat. That’s just the new features – there’s also a suite of upgraded internals, including 256GB of storage and 4K support when docked.
On top of that, Nintendo also unveiled a packed lineup of new games, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and The Duskbloods, as well as third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6 and Hades 2.
With the new GameChat feature, players can start a chat with friends at any time by pressing the C Button on the right Joy-Con controller while playing a game. Use voice chat while playing games with up to 12 people in different locations. If players and their friends connect a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately), they can experience a new way of communicating. This will be done through games by video chatting and see everyone’s faces as they cheer, shout, or laugh. Furthermore, during GameChat, players and their friends can share their game screen.
GameChat can only be used with those on the player’s friend list who are approved to join the chat. Safety features are in place to ensure players have a safe and secure chat experience, such as the ability to report a person if they exhibit inappropriate behavior while in a chat session. In addition, children under the age of sixteen will need their parents or guardians to approve their use of GameChat with an updated version of the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. This feature prevents children from unexpectedly getting into trouble, and parents and guardians can rest assured to provide a safe and fun environment for a child’s gaming experience on GameChat.
A paid Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat. However, until March 31, 2026, there will be a GameChat Open-Access period, during which GameChat will be available for free to everyone, including those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership. This is a win for the gaming industry.
