History of Nintendo Switch 2 in Timeline
The Nintendo Switch 2, launching June 5, 2025, is a hybrid console offering handheld, tabletop, and docked modes. It retains detachable Joy-Con 2 controllers with magnetic attachment. Upgrades include a larger LCD, increased storage, enhanced graphics, and improved social features. The Switch 2 supports 1080p resolution at 120Hz in portable modes and 4K at 60Hz when docked, featuring HDR support on both the tablet and external displays.
March 2017: Original Nintendo Switch Release
In March 2017, Nintendo released the original Switch, designed as a hybrid console with handheld, tabletop, and docked configurations, along with detachable Joy-Con controllers, following the Wii U's commercial failure.
2017: Running Breath of the Wild on Switch 2 Demos
Nintendo showcased The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) running at a higher frame rate and resolution on Switch 2 at Gamescom in August.
2019: Ring Fit Adventure Release
In 2019, compatibility was maintained between older controllers and the Switch 2, but the older Ring Fit Adventure game required the controllers to be compatible with the new console.
2019: Formal Development of Switch 2 Begins
In 2019, formal development of the Switch 2, codenamed "Ounce", began. The team focused on improving computation performance to provide developers with better tools and balancing performance, battery life, and memory for new games.
2019: Industry Rumors of a High-End Switch Model
In 2019, industry rumors began circulating about a high-end model of the Switch, often nicknamed the "Nintendo Switch Pro" in the media.
October 2020: Nintendo Confirms Next Gaming System Development
In October 2020, Nintendo confirmed during a call with investors that it was working on its next gaming system.
2020: Development of the GameChat Feature
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, Nintendo developers created the GameChat feature, which allows players to chat and share screens and webcams. The feature minimizes system resource usage and uses some functionality from the Wii U Chat service.
2021: Release of the OLED Switch Model
In 2021, the OLED Switch model was released, incorporating many of the speculated features of the rumored "Nintendo Switch Pro".
2021: Running the Matrix Awakens on Switch 2 Demos
Nintendo showcased the Unreal Engine 5 demo The Matrix Awakens (2021) on the Switch 2 at Gamescom in August.
December 2022: Transition to Nintendo Switch Successor Development
By December 2022, Nintendo appeared to have fully transitioned all development towards the Nintendo Switch successor. Court reports from the 2023 FTC v. Microsoft case referenced Activision being briefed on the "Switch NG" in December 2022.
July 2023: Nintendo Sends Out SDKs for Next Console
In July 2023, Video Games Chronicle reported that Nintendo had sent out SDKs for its next console to development partners, aiming to avoid the shortages experienced by ninth-generation consoles.
2023: Reference to Switch NG in FTC v. Microsoft Case
Court reports from the 2023 FTC v. Microsoft case, which challenged Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, included reference to Activision being briefed on the "Switch NG" in December 2022.
2023: WarioWare: Move It! Release
In 2023, compatibility was maintained between older controllers and the Switch 2, but the older WarioWare: Move It! game required the controllers to be compatible with the new console.
January 2024: Developer Survey
In January 2024, a survey at the Game Developers Conference revealed that 250 developers were already producing games for the Switch 2, and 32% of those surveyed expressed interest in developing for the console.
February 2024: Delay of Switch 2 Release
In February 2024, Bloomberg News and The Nikkei reported that Nintendo had delayed the release of the Switch 2 into early 2025 to prevent console shortages and scalping.
May 2024: Nintendo Acknowledges Switch Successor Development
By May 2024, Nintendo officially acknowledged the development of the Switch's successor.
May 2024: Nintendo to Acquire Shiver Entertainment
In May 2024, Nintendo announced their intentions to acquire Miami-based developer Shiver Entertainment from its prior parent company Embracer Group.
September 2024: My Time at Evershine Announced
In September 2024, developer Pathea Games announced My Time at Evershine, the spiritual successor to My Time at Portia (2019) and My Time at Sandrock (2023).
October 2024: Yooka-Replaylee Remaster Announced
In October 2024, Playtonic Games announced their upcoming remaster Yooka-Replaylee would be released on "Nintendo platforms."
January 2025: Motherboard Images Appear
In January 2025, alleged images of the Nintendo Switch 2's motherboard appeared online. Richard Leadbetter of Digital Foundry speculated that Nintendo was likely using the low-cost Samsung 8nm process node.
January 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement
In January 2025, at the time of the Switch 2's announcement, over 146 million Switch units had been sold worldwide.
January 2025: Switch 2 Reveal Trailer
In January 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal trailer was released, accompanied by early footage of Mario Kart World.
January 16, 2025: Nintendo Reveals Switch 2 Design and Features
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, showcasing its new design and magnetic Joy-Con controllers, along with footage of the new Mario Kart World game.
January 16, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, announcing its full specifications and release details on April 2. The new system received praise for improvements, though the price was criticized.
February 2025: Predictions of Switch 2 Launch Price
Prior to launch, in February 2025, analysts predicted the Switch 2 would launch at $400 or higher in the US, pending tariffs. Despite criticisms of the high price point, it was projected to have a strong launch due to exclusive software and backward compatibility with the Switch library.
March 2025: Launch of Nintendo Today! Application
During the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo simultaneously announced and launched the Nintendo Today! application for iOS and Android devices, to act as the primary news and calendar hub for Nintendo platforms, including daily updates related to the Switch 2.
April 2, 2025: Doug Bowser on Switch 2 Pricing
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser stated that the US price of the Switch 2 was not based on tariffs but due to the console being a premium product alongside the existing Switch consoles. Bowser stated that Switch 2 shipments had already been stockpiling globally for release by this point.
April 5, 2025: Nintendo delays pre-orders
On April 5, 2025, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 were supposed to begin in most regions. Shortly after tariffs were announced on April 2, Nintendo delayed pre-orders in the US "to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions." A similar delay was also made for Canadian pre-orders
April 2025: Nintendo Direct Publishers Pledge Support
During the Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct in April 2025, multiple publishers pledged support for the console and an initial lineup of 46 games from publishing partners was confirmed, with 17 slated to coincide with the console's launch in June.
April 2025: Hall Effect Sensors not used
In April 2025, Nintendo confirmed that the Joy-Con 2 analog sticks would not use Hall effect sensors to address drift issues, despite early reports suggesting otherwise.
April 2025: Virtual Game Cards Introduced
In April 2025, Nintendo introduced Virtual Game Cards for the original Switch system software to aid users in bringing their Switch games to the Switch 2.
April 2025: Nintendo of America Partners with MLB and Releases Commercial
In April 2025, Nintendo of America partnered with Major League Baseball and the Seattle Mariners, featuring Nintendo and Switch 2 logos on team jerseys. They also released a commercial starring actor Paul Rudd, referencing a previous SNES commercial he was in.
April 24, 2025: Start of US and Canadian pre-orders
On April 24, 2025, Nintendo started pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States and Canada, keeping the console and the console bundle with Mario Kart World at the same price for launch, while some accessories saw an increase in price ranging from US$5 to $10.
May 2025: Updated User Agreement and Privacy Policy
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/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part.
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: Backward Compatibility Details Revealed
In May 2025, it was revealed that the Switch 2 is backward compatible with most Switch games, both physically and digitally, through a "translation layer". 122 Nintendo-developed games were tested, all were found to be compatible except the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
May 2025: Retailers Begin Receiving Shipments of Switch 2
In late May 2025, retailers began receiving shipments of the Switch 2 consoles. Prior to the release date, some who had pre-ordered the consoles posted footage, but the systems were unusable without a day-one patch.
June 5, 2025: Global Release of Nintendo Switch 2
On June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 had a global release in Japan, North America, most European territories, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, South Africa, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. The China release was delayed indefinitely.
June 5, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Release
On June 5, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 was released in most regions. The Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid video game console that can be used as a handheld, tablet, or connected to an external display. It features improvements over the original Switch, including a larger LCD, more storage, updated graphics, controllers, and social features.
June 10, 2025: Switch 2 Fastest Selling Console
On June 10, 2025, Nintendo reported that the Switch 2 had sold more than 3.5 million units worldwide, making it the company's fastest selling console to date.
June 2025: Nintendo Classics Launch on Switch 2
In June 2025, Nintendo launched the "Nintendo Classics" moniker on the Switch 2's Expansion Pack, including The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soulcalibur II (both 2002), and F-Zero GX (2003).
June 2025: Nvidia CEO Claims Processor Optimizations
In June 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claimed that the Nintendo Switch 2's processor's semiconductor process technology employs optimizations for "ultra low power."
June 30, 2025: Switch 2 Sales Exceed Expectations
By June 30, 2025, the end of Nintendo's first fiscal quarter for 2026, the console had sold over 5.8 million units worldwide, with sales exceeding 6 million through the end of July. Over 8.6 million games had been sold, with Mario Kart World selling more than 5.6 million.
August 1, 2025: Nintendo Announces Price Increase
On August 1, 2025, Nintendo announced a price increase for the original Switch consoles and some Switch 2 accessories due to worldwide tariffs by the Trump administration.
August 3, 2025: Price Increase Takes Effect
On August 3, 2025, the price increase for the original Nintendo Switch consoles and select Switch 2 accessories, previously announced by Nintendo, came into effect in the United States.
August 2025: Limited Development Kits
Around August 2025, Digital Foundry reported that smaller and indie studios said Nintendo was not providing Switch 2 hardware development kits, directing them to focus on original Switch releases.
September 2025: Genki Settles Lawsuit with Nintendo
In September 2025, Genki settled with Nintendo, paying an undisclosed sum and agreeing to avoid similar marketing approaches in the future.
November 2025: Software Patch Affects Third-Party Docks
In November 2025, a system software patch for the Switch 2 appeared to eliminate the video output signal from the console to some third-party docks, rendering them unusable.
November 2025: Largest First-Year Software Lineup
Nintendo stated in their November 2025 financial results briefing that the Switch 2 had the largest first-year software lineup from third-party developers of any Nintendo system.
December 2025: Nintendo Switch Sales Success
By December 2025, the original Nintendo Switch became Nintendo's best-selling console and the second best-selling gaming console overall, following the PlayStation 2.
2025: Switch 2 Release Delay due to game perfection.
Bloomberg reported after the console's launch that the delay was also due in part to the console designers requesting more time in 2025 to perfect the games that were to be released alongside the console at launch.
2025: Japan Game Awards Recognition
In 2025, the Switch 2 won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Japan Game Awards.
December 31, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Milestone
By December 31, 2025, the Switch 2 had sold over 17 million units worldwide, with Mario Kart World being its best-selling game at over 14 million copies.
March 6, 2026: Nintendo Sues 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, which led to delayed pre-orders and increased prices on its hardware and accessories.
March 25, 2026: Differential Pricing for Digital Titles
On March 25, 2026, Nintendo announced that first-party Switch 2 digital titles would be priced differently compared to physical versions, starting with the release of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in May.
March 31, 2026: GameChat Requires Paid Subscription
On March 31, 2026, the free usage period for the Switch 2's GameChat service ends, requiring a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to continue using the feature.
2026: Switch 2 Sales Milestone
By the end of Nintendo's first fiscal quarter for 2026, on June 30, 2025 the Switch 2 console had sold over 5.8 million units worldwide.
2077: Cyberpunk 2077 Graphics Upgrade
In 2077, Deep Learning Super Sampling graphics technology made games like Cyberpunk 2077 "subjectively better" on the new console.
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