History of Nintendo Switch 2 in Timeline
The Nintendo Switch 2, launching June 5, 2025, is a versatile video game console by Nintendo, functioning as a handheld, tablet, or docked system. It features detachable Joy-Con 2 controllers and boasts upgrades over the original Switch, including a larger LCD, increased storage, enhanced graphics, updated controllers, and new social functionalities. The device supports 1080p resolution at 120Hz in handheld/tabletop mode and 4K resolution at 60Hz when docked, also featuring HDR support on both the tablet and external displays.
March 2017: Original Nintendo Switch Release
In March 2017, Nintendo released the original Switch console, which was created following the commercial failure of the Wii U.
2017: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Release
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released in 2017.
2019: Formal Development of Switch 2
In 2019, formal development of the Nintendo Switch 2, codenamed "Ounce," commenced. The focus was on improving computational performance.
2019: Industry Rumors of High-End Switch Model
Starting in 2019, industry rumors circulated about a high-end model of the Switch, often referred to as the "Nintendo Switch Pro."
October 2020: Nintendo Confirms Next Gaming System
In October 2020, Nintendo confirmed to investors that they were working on their next gaming system.
2020: GameChat Feature Development
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, the GameChat feature was developed by Nintendo to address the limitations of existing game development tools.
2021: OLED Switch Model Release
In 2021, the OLED Switch model was released, incorporating many of the features that had been speculated for the "Nintendo Switch Pro".
2021: The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 Demo Release
The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 demo was released in 2021.
December 2022: Development Transition to Switch Successor
By December 2022, Nintendo had appeared to fully transition all development towards the Nintendo Switch successor.
February 2023: Call of Duty Agreement Becomes Legally Binding
The agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo to bring future Call of Duty franchise entries to Nintendo platforms became legally binding in February 2023 as part of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
July 2023: SDKs Sent to Development Partners
In July 2023, Video Games Chronicle reported that Nintendo had sent out SDKs for its next console to development partners.
January 2024: Developer Survey at GDC 2024
In January 2024, a survey conducted at the Game Developers Conference inquired about game creation, finding that 250 developers were already producing games slated for the Nintendo Switch 2, with 32% expressing interest.
February 2024: Delay of Switch 2 Release
In February 2024, it was reported that Nintendo had informed publishers that the release of the Switch 2 was being delayed into early 2025 to prevent console shortages and scalping.
May 2024: Nintendo to Acquire Shiver Entertainment
In May 2024, Nintendo announced intentions to acquire Miami-based developer Shiver Entertainment from Embracer Group, to procure specialized in-house resources for software development and porting for the Switch 2.
May 2024: Nintendo Acknowledges Switch Successor
In May 2024, while Nintendo officially acknowledged the development of the Switch's successor, rumors and leaked photos of a new console persisted through 2024.
September 2024: Pathea Games Announces My Time at Evershine
In September 2024, Pathea Games announced their upcoming game My Time at Evershine, which is the spiritual successor to My Time at Portia.
October 2024: Playtonic Games Announces Yooka-Replaylee Remaster
In October 2024, Playtonic Games announced their upcoming remaster Yooka-Replaylee would be released on Nintendo platforms.
January 2025: Switch 2 Announcement
At the time of the Switch 2's announcement in January 2025, over 146 million original Switch units had been sold worldwide.
January 2025: Alleged Motherboard Images and Digital Foundry Analysis
In January 2025, alleged images of the Nintendo Switch 2's motherboard surfaced. Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter speculated that Nintendo is likely using the Samsung 8nm process node for the processor.
January 2025: Switch 2 Console Reveal Trailer
In January 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 console reveal trailer was released, accompanied by early footage of Mario Kart World, which was later announced to launch alongside the console on June 5.
January 16, 2025: Nintendo Reveals Switch 2
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, showcasing its new design and magnetic Joy-Con controllers, along with a brief glimpse of a new Mario Kart game, later announced as Mario Kart World.
January 16, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2.
February 2025: Tariffs Take Effect in the US
In February 2025, analysts at Bloomberg L.P. had predicted that in the US, the Switch 2 would launch at a starting price of $400 or higher, pending the impact of tariffs on foreign goods imported into the US.
March 2025: Nintendo Today! App Launch
During the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo simultaneously announced and launched the Nintendo Today! application for iOS and Android devices, serving as the primary news and calendar hub for Nintendo platforms, including updates on the Switch 2.
April 2, 2025: Bowser Comments on US Price
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser stated that the US price of the Switch 2 was not based on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, but rather due to it being a premium console.
April 5, 2025: Start of Switch 2 Pre-orders
On April 5, 2025, pre-orders for the Switch 2 began in most regions, but were shortly delayed in the US and Canada due to tariffs.
April 2025: Nintendo Direct Reveals Third-Party Support
During the Nintendo Direct in April 2025, multiple publishers pledged support for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, including Square Enix, Capcom and Electronic Arts. An initial lineup of 46 games was confirmed, with 17 coinciding with the console's launch in June.
April 2025: Nintendo Confirms No Hall Effect Sensors in Joy-Con 2
In April 2025, Nintendo confirmed that the Joy-Con 2 controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 do not use Hall effect sensors, despite early reports suggesting they would address drift issues.
April 2025: Introduction of Virtual Game Cards
In April 2025, Nintendo introduced Virtual Game Cards for the original Nintendo Switch system software to aid users in transferring their digitally purchased Switch games to the Nintendo Switch 2.
April 2025: Nintendo Commercial Featuring Paul Rudd
In April 2025, Nintendo of America released a commercial for the Switch 2 starring actor Paul Rudd, referencing a commercial promoting the SNES that he also starred in 34 years prior.
April 24, 2025: US and Canadian Pre-orders Start
Nintendo affirmed that pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States and Canada would start on April 24, 2025, with the console and console bundle with Mario Kart World remaining at the same price for launch, while some accessories saw an increase in price ranging from US$5 to $10.
May 2025: Backward Compatibility Testing Results
As of May 2025, 75% of third-party Switch games, over 15,000 titles, had been tested for backward compatibility on the Switch 2, with approximately 170 titles having issues.
May 2025: Nintendo Account Policy Update and Resulting Bans
In May 2025, Nintendo announced an update to the Nintendo Account user agreement and privacy policy which, if broken by users of the Switch 2, could render the Nintendo Account Services and the Nintendo device permanently unusable, in an attempt to stop piracy and emulation of games. This policy led to bans for users of third-party flashcarts and second-hand game cards, sparking consumer rights concerns.
May 2025: Nintendo Lawsuit Against Genki
In May 2025, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against video game accessory company Genki for using detailed renders and a 3D printed model of the Switch 2 in their CES presentation.
May 2025: Shipments Received and Pre-Release Footage Leaks
In late May 2025, retailers began receiving shipments of the Switch 2. Some who had pre-ordered consoles posted footage two weeks prior to the release, though they were unusable without a day-one patch.
June 5, 2025: Global Release of Nintendo Switch 2
On June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 was released globally, including in Japan, North America, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America and Asia. The release in China was delayed indefinitely.
June 5, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Release
On June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 was released in most regions. The console features improvements such as a larger LCD, increased storage, updated graphics and controllers, and enhanced social functionalities.
June 10, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Surpasses 3.5 Million Units Sold
On June 10, 2025, Nintendo reported that the Switch 2 had sold over 3.5 million units worldwide within four days of its release, making it their fastest-selling console to date. Market research firm Niko Partners claimed this made it the fastest-selling console of all time.
June 2025: Nintendo Classics Launch on Switch 2
In June 2025, Nintendo launched 'Nintendo Classics', a selection of GameCube games distributed on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, exclusively for Switch 2, including titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soulcalibur II.
June 2025: Nvidia CEO Claims Processor Optimizations
In June 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claimed the processor for the Nintendo Switch 2 employs optimizations for "ultra low power".
June 30, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Exceed 5.8 Million Units
By June 30, 2025, Nintendo reported that the Switch 2 had sold over 5.8 million units worldwide. Over 8.6 million games had been sold, with Mario Kart World selling more than 5.6 million copies.
August 1, 2025: Worldwide Tariffs by Trump Administration
Following the onset of worldwide tariffs by the Trump administration on August 1, 2025, Nintendo announced a price increase for the original Switch consoles and some Switch 2 accessories that will take effect on August 3, 2025, in the United States.
August 3, 2025: Price Increase for Switch Consoles
On August 3, 2025, Nintendo increased the price for original Switch consoles and some Switch 2 accessories in the United States, following worldwide tariffs.
August 2025: Report on Limited Hardware Development Kits
Around August 2025, Digital Foundry reported that smaller and indie studios indicated Nintendo was not providing Switch 2 hardware development kits, directing them to focus on releases for the original Switch, which would be playable on the Switch 2 with backwards compatibility.
September 2025: Genki Settles with Nintendo
In September 2025, Genki settled with Nintendo, paying an undisclosed sum and agreeing to avoid similar marketing approaches in the future, following a lawsuit over the use of Switch 2 renders.
November 2025: System Software Patch Impacts Third-Party Docks
In November 2025, a system software patch for the Nintendo Switch 2 appeared to eliminate the video output signal from the console to some third-party docks, rendering them unusable. Nintendo asserted that it had no intention of hindering legal third-party dock compatibility with the patch.
November 2025: Largest Third-Party Software Lineup at Launch
Nintendo stated in their November 2025 financial results briefing that the Nintendo Switch 2 had the largest first-year software lineup from third-party developers of any Nintendo system.
December 2025: Switch Achieves Top Sales
By December 2025, the original Nintendo Switch became Nintendo's best-selling console and the second best-selling gaming console overall.
2025: Reason for Switch 2 Delay Revealed
Following the console's launch in 2025, it was reported that the delay of the Switch 2 was partly due to console designers needing more time to perfect the games that were to be released alongside the console at launch.
2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Wins Japan Game Awards
In 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Japan Game Awards. The console and the Pro Controller were also nominated for Best Gaming Hardware at the Golden Joystick Awards.
December 31, 2025: Switch 2 Sales Milestone
By December 31, 2025, the Switch 2 had achieved sales of over 17 million units globally. Mario Kart World, included as a bundled game, became the best-selling game, with over 14 million copies sold.
March 6, 2026: Nintendo Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Over Tariffs
On March 6, 2026, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over tariffs imposed on the Switch 2 console, leading to delayed pre-orders and increased prices on hardware and accessories.
March 25, 2026: Price Differentiation for Switch 2 Games
On March 25, 2026, Nintendo announced that first-party digital and physical Switch 2 games will be priced differently, starting with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in May.
March 31, 2026: GameChat Free Period Ends
As of March 31, 2026, the free-to-use period for the GameChat voice chat service on the Switch 2 will end, requiring a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to continue using the feature.
2026: Strong Console Sales
In early 2026, sales exceeded 6 million through the end of July. Console sales remained strong into the fall of 2025, with 2.4 million units sold in the US in the 3 months after launch according to industry analyst Mat Piscatella, exceeding the record pace set by the PlayStation 4 by 5%, and exceeding the pace of the original Switch by 77%.
2077: Launch Game Lineup Criticisms
In 2077, the Nintendo Switch 2's launch game lineup was criticized for being weak, with many launch titles being ports from other systems. Concerns arose over the console's price, data transfer integrity, and the use of game-key cards as a form of digital rights management.
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