If you've been hunting for Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions booster packs without getting fleeced by scalpers, Amazon’s latest offer is a tough fallback. This six-pack booster bundle is listed at $59.99—more than double the expected MSRP of around $27. That’s a staggering 122% markup, and with demand still outpacing supply, even Amazon has hiked its prices well above retail.

Retailers have been steadily getting their preorder operations for the Nintendo Switch 2 in place, but the UK's Argos has jumped the gun by letting you preorder a Nintendo Switch right now, including either the console on its own or the Mario Kart World bundle with the game included as a download code.

Although payment is instant, we expect these to go fast. If you miss out, you can register your interest at Amazon UK, Currys, and Smyths—the former of which you can request an "invite" to preorder the individual Switch 2 console or the Mario Kart World bundle.

As for the games, you can immediately preorder the physical version of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza right now at Smyths—alongside accessories like the Nintendo Switch 2 camera & Stealth Travel Kit case.

On each product Amazon page, you'll be able to quickly register your interest before quickly getting a confirmation email. From then, you can be invited to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 from Amazon UK anytime within the next three months—covering you for the system's 5th of June, 2025 release date.

The link to purchase that Amazon will send to you will last for 22 hours, so be sure to keep checking your emails so you don't miss out. Amazon hasn't provided an exact day and time as to when the first round of pre-orders will start, but we're assuming the first invites could be sent out as soon as Tuesday, the April 8, as that's when preorders will be open on the UK Nintendo store.

You can also go to Currys and register your interest in a Nintendo Switch 2 just like you can with Smyths, though preorders for games and accessories don't seem to be available just yet. It hasn't provided any further information on when invites will be sent out either, but Currys & Smyths are both solid retailers to have as a back-up if you don't get an Argos pre-order in or an Amazon invite right away.

Compared to the Nintendo Store, however, Amazon's, Currys', and Smyths conditions appear to be a lot more relaxed for sending Switch 2 preorder invites.

For example, the Nintendo store will only send initial invitees to those based on conditions like being a Nintendo Switch Online player for a continuous two years before 31/3/2025, having higher playtimes with purchased/paid Nintendo Switch games (not free-to-play games like Fortnite, it seems), and opting in to share usage information with Nintendo.

On Amazon's side, it merely seems to be a ballot system where invitees are selected at random. With Currys and Smyths, it looks like it will simply be a case of sending out an email when pre-orders are opened, followed by a queued ordering system. This was the method Currys used when taking PS5 pre-orders, and it worked without any site crashes at least.

This means you could be in for a longer wait from these alternative retailers, but it's a lot less frustrating if you're certain you don't meet the strict requirements to order from Nintendo directly.

On the other hand, if you weren't planning to have the funds for your Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order taken until near-dispatch in June—which is usually the case for retailers like Amazon—Argos may not be the best option for you since we have confirmed you'll need to pay right away.

Still, if you've already got the money necessary, Argos is currently the best option to secure your pre-order immediately.

Here's our first look at Nintendo's newly designed Nintendo Switch 2 game boxes.

While the OG Nintendo Switch's game covers simply boasted a small Nintendo Switch logo in the top left-hand corner, the Switch 2's branding is far more prominent, with a red band stretching across the entire width of the case and a larger Nintendo Switch 2 logo.

There's also a change for Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives, too. While Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game covers don't have any further information or branding on them, covers for games playable on both the original and Switch 2 systems all include a clear statement about Switch 2's upgrade information.

For instance, The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild includes the text: "Includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch upgrade pack. Upgrade pack also available separately."

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, some of which cost $79.99, clearly mark the boxes as such to let buyers know what they're getting.

You can see the new designs for yourself in the slideshow below:

There's now also a QR code on the bottom right of all game covers that takes you swiftly to the official Nintendo website.

At last, the Nintendo Switch 2 has a release date. It's coming on June 5, 2025, with prices starting at $449.99. A bundle is also available with Mario Kart World included for $499.99, although if you want to buy Nintendo's signature racer separately, it's $79.99.

Missed the presentation? Worry not — you can catch up on everything shown at yesterday's Nintendo Direct right here, and here's a handy list for every game confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

CD Projekt Red has confirmed the install size for Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is 64GB. That's smaller compared to Xbox or PS5 (100-110GB), but for Switch 2, 64GB is a whopping 25% of the console's confirmed 256GB of internal storage.

Launching on the same day as the Switch 2, June 5, Cyberpunk 2077 will be available as a physical 64GB game card or as a digital download from the Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo also recently confirmed that several new Switch 2 game cards won’t always carry an actual game, but instead contain a key for a game download. This isn't the case for Cyberpunk 2077.

But, this also begs the question: how quickly will a Switch 2's internal storage fill up?

Switch 2's 256GB internal storage is a big step up from the original Switch’s 32GB. However, early signs already suggest Switch 2 games will be much larger.

Cyberpunk 2077, like we've mentioned, is a 64GB download. By comparison, one of the biggest games on the original Switch, Tears of the Kingdom, was just 16GB. The Switch 2 version—and other titles like the $80 Mario Kart World—will likely demand significantly more space.

The obvious solution? Expandable storage. PS5 has it, Xbox has it, and the Switch has always supported it. But unlike the original Switch, which accepted standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, the Switch 2 is locked to microSD Express. That means your old microSD cards won’t work, and more importantly, you’ll need to buy new, notably pricier memory cards.

As you can tell, IGN’s deals team has already tracked down the best prices on Switch 2-compatible microSD Express cards, including 128GB ($44.99), 256GB ($59.99), 512GB ($99.99), and 1TB versions ($199.99) options from SanDisk and Lexar. However, some are already being snapped up in bulk and are now listed as "temporarily out of stock" on Amazon.

Nintendo is also partnering with SanDisk and Samsung to release its own branded cards, though if history is any indication, expect them to be more expensive than identical third-party versions. It’s also possible more manufacturers will jump into the microSD Express market now that the Switch 2 is driving demand, but whether that leads to lower prices remains to be seen.

For more on Switch 2, you can catch up on everything from the Nintendo Direct right here, and read our full guide on how to secure your preorder for the Switch 2 on April 9.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Senior Editor, Commerce, for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

There’s a fine line between “I deserve this” and “this was a financial mistake,” and today’s deals are absolutely walking it. I’m looking at In Stock Pokémon bundles that practically dare you to stop at just one. Humble Choice is finally delivering a lineup that doesn’t feel like leftovers, and the Assassin’s Creed collectibles over in the IGN Store have officially moved from “maybe someday” to “I’ve added it to my cart twice already.”

Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle Is Back In Stock

In my opinion, these are the kinds of deals that are actually worth talking about — not the 7% off a charger you didn’t need to begin with. This is six-pack booster bundles available now, games I’ve had on my wishlist for too long, and statues that will silently judge you from a shelf while looking really, really cool. If you're going to buy stuff, at least let it be stuff that makes you happy and mildly ashamed.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle

Pokemon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025)

Humble Choice April 2025

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet - Paldean Fates Booster Bundle

PureArts Assassin's Creed Preorders

Pokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank

INIU Power Bank, 20000mAh 65W USB C Laptop Portable Charger

Great On The Go Humble Sale

INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh

Metaphor ReFantazio - Gallica - Statue

INIU Power Bank, 25000mAh 100W USB C Laptop Portable Charger

INIU Portable Charger, Smallest 22.5W 10000mAh Power Bank

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Surging Sparks Booster Bundle

Insignia - 55" Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV

Outright Games Game On! Bundle

Insignia - 65" Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV

Death Stranding 2 - DHV Magellan - Model Kit

LG - 65” Class UT70 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2024)

Samsung - Galaxy Watch Ultra Titanium Smartwatch 47mm LTE

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Booster Bundle

Best of Boomer Shooters 4: Badda Bing Badda Boom

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

Street Fighter TCG Alpha Warriors Dreams Preorder

Pokémon TCG: Paradox Clash tin: Iron Leaves ex or Walking Wake ex

Pokémon TCG: 3 Booster Packs & 1 Random Foil

Amid the furore around the $449.99 price of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World's $79.99 price tag, there is shock at Nintendo’s decision to charge for the console’s tutorial game, Welcome Tour.

Nintendo revealed Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its Nintendo Direct. It’s a game set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June, and offers a guided tour of the console itself in video game form.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is described as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware. Per Nintendo, "through tech demos, minigames and other interactions, players will get to know the new system inside and out in ways they may never have known about otherwise."

The Nintendo Direct showed footage of a small player avatar exploring a super-sized Switch 2, reading about the different features and facts about the console. It also includes mini-games such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

While Nintendo has yet to announce a price for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour in the U.S., it has confirmed a price of ¥990 yen in Japan, which currently converts to approximately $6.76.

Still, fans are bemoaning the fact it costs any money at all. “This is a literal tech demo of your console, why would you make people pay for that?” said redditor Trabless.

“Audibly laughed when they called this a paid title,” added KMoosetoe. “Hope nobody buys this bulls**t.”

"When they were showing it I was like, 'Nice. A neat little thing to get you familiar with the system,' " commented Opening_Proof_1365. "As soon as they said paid I literally laughed out loud and said, 'why would someone pay for that?' "

Many are now pointing to Sony’s various PlayStation console pack-ins, saying Nintendo should have followed suit. Astro's Playroom, for example, comes pre-installed on every PlayStation 5 console, serving additionally as a free tech demo for the DualSense controller.

“Yet PS5 came with a free game just to showcase the capabilities of the DualSense,” Radical_X75 said. “I thought this was the same until they said this is paid. It makes no sense.”

“Steam Deck came out with Aperture Desk Job,” added Zanytiger6. “Nintendo is crazy for charging for a tour of a console you just purchased for over $400.”

Pricing is the hot topic following the Nintendo Direct, with some baulking at the Switch 2 price and the $79.99 cost of Mario Kart World, among other Switch 2 games. For more context, be sure to check out IGN’s article revealing what the experts have to say about Nintendo’s Switch 2 and Mario Kart World pricing.

And, in case you missed out, check out all the news announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

BAFTA — the UK's independent arts charity celebrating excellence in film, games, and TV — has just revealed the most influential video game of all time... and it's probably not what you think it is.

BAFTA polled the British public to discover that while games like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 do make the list, the top as ranked by the number of votes received is Shenmue.

Action-adventure game Shenmue released in 1999 on Dreamcast. It follows Ryo Hazuki's quest to avenge his father's death in what BAFTA calls "a detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the ‘80s."

"Pioneering first-person shooter" Doom secured the runner-up prize, whilst 1985's Super Mario Bros. took the bronze.

Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time round out the rest of the top five, respectively.

Interestingly, games like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite are conspicuously absent.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time," said Yu Suzuki, creator of the Shenmue franchise.

"At its inception, we set out to explore the question, 'How real can a game become?,' aiming to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today. It is truly the greatest of encouragement.

“Above all, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the fans around the world who have continued to love and support Shenmue," Suzuki added. "Your passion and encouragement have guided this journey every step of the way. And the story is not over yet, there is more to come! Thank you very much!”

Here's the full list of the top 21 most influential games of all time, as voted by the public:

1. Shenmue (1999)
2. Doom (1993)
3. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
4. Half-Life (1998)
5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
6. Minecraft (2011)
7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
8. Super Mario 64 (1996)
9. Half-Life 2 (2004)
10. The Sims (2000)
11. Tetris (1984)
12. Tomb Raider (1996)
13. Pong (1972)
14. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
15. World of Warcraft (2004)
16. Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)
17. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
18. Dark Souls (2011)
19. Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
20. Skyrim (2011)
21. Grand Theft Auto (1997)

The 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are set to take place on Tuesday April 8, 2025. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep lead the nominations with 11, eight, and eight nominations respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! also received seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is up for five awards.

2024 BAFTA Game Awards winners included Baldur's Gate 3, which secured five wins, including Best Game, with other wins for Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Amid the furore caused by Nintendo’s decision to charge $79.99 for Switch 2 exclusive Mario Kart World, it has emerged that some of the Switch 2 Edition games announced during the Nintendo Direct also cost $79.99.

A Switch 2 Edition of a game goes beyond backwards compatibility. For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Switch 2 Edition comes with a new suite of content called Jamboree TV that takes advantage of the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Switch 2 microphone, and the Switch 2 USB-C camera that will be sold separately. Along with upgraded resolution up to 1440p in TV mode and better frame rate, there are new minigames and online functions as well.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Switch 2 Edition, meanwhile, supports mouse controls with Joy-Con 2, and multiple display modes such as Quality Mode, which runs at 60fps in 4K when docked, or 1080p at 60fps on handheld; and Performance Mode, which runs a 120fps in 1080p when docked, or 120fps in 720p in handheld mode. All modes support HDR.

The Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Star-Crossed World gets new story content, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom gain additional support for the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App that provides game help. Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, only feature performance and resolution bumps as part of the Switch 2 Edition label.

Dang. $80 for Mario Kart World, huh?

Today's Nintendo Direct and subsequent information dump answered many, many burning questions we've been asking about the Nintendo Switch 2, such as launch line-up and release date. Among those was the question of price, not only for the system itself but also for the games and accessories we're going to need alongside it. And it's a good thing that the rest of the Direct was so enjoyable, because Nintendo needed to do some work to justify some of these prices.

• Nintendo Switch 2 by itself: $449.99 USD
• Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundled in: $499.99
• Mario Kart World by itself: $79.99
• Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: $49.99
• Joy-Con 2 Controller pair: $89.99
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip: $34.99
• Joy-Con 2 Strap: $12.99
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel pair: $19.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set: $109.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector: $34.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case: $79.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter: $29.99

Phew! That's a lot to dish out to play Nintendo games, even assuming most people are just going for the console, a game or two, and maybe a spare controller. Most notable in that list of prices is what's going on with the console itself. $450 isn't far off what a bunch of analysts told me the system was likely to cost when I asked them earlier this year. They predicted $400, but a few said it could likely go higher depending on various economic and technological factors.

But even more interesting is Mario Kart Tour. It's $80. That makes it the most expensive we've ever seen a AAA game cost without belonging to some sort of Deluxe Edition, and it's certainly the highest Nintendo's ever gone. You can buy it in a bundle with the system to get $30 taken off the game price, but the $80 price tag has a lot of Nintendo fans concerned at the rapidly rising prices of games and what this may mean for the future. Didn't we just see games start to go from $60 to $70 a few years ago? That hurt bad enough without bumping it up even higher so soon after.

So what's happening here? Why are the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World priced the way they are? Will we see more game price hikes in the future? As usual, I asked expert analysts to explain it to me. Here's what they said.

Why $450?

Even though most of the analysts I spoke to today were the same folks who predicted a $400 price point when we chatted in January, no one seemed surprised at the $50 extra on the end of the announcement today. Collectively, the six I spoke to offered various reasons for the higher-than-expected price, largely agreeing on the fairly simple confluence of multiple factors: tariffs, manufacturing costs, and competition.

Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of SuperJoost Playlist, calls the $449.99 pricing a "strategic balancing act" on Nintendo's part that reflects a mixture of increased manufacturing costs as well as ongoing uncertainty as to whether or not, and if so, what, tariffs the Trump administration in the United States is going to levy on electronics. "Nintendo appears to be building in a buffer against these potential trade barriers while ensuring they maintain their traditional positive margin on hardware."

Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis wasn't surprised by the $450 price, and said it made sense given the Switch OLED's $350 price tag. But he also shared an interesting speculation in his response related to van Dreunen's point about tariffs, relating to why Nintendo didn't announce the price in the Nintendo Direct itself today. "My view is that they probably had a range of pricing for the US market in play up until the last minute due to the uncertainty on import tariffs."

Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, threw in another factor: Sony. "Nintendo probably factored in possible tariffs, the current inflationary climate in the world and the US$700 Sony dared to charge for the PlayStation 5 Pro last year."

James McWhirter, analyst at Omdia, also mentioned the PS5 Pro as well as the Xbox Series X, both of which he pointed out sold better than their cheaper alternatives (the Xbox Series X surpassed the Series S recently in the U.S.). But he also pointed out an interesting discrepancy in how the Switch 2 is being sold in Japan versus the United States. In Japan, it's releasing a Japanese-language system for 49,980 yen ($333.22), while its multi-language system runs 69,980 yen ($466.56). Why? McWhirter has a fascinating explanation as to the existance of this region-locked system, its pricing, and the discrepancy between it and the pricing of the system in the U.S.:

Japan is a key market for Nintendo - our console hardware data reveals that Japan accounts for a quarter (24%) of the Nintendo Switch installed base in 2024, compared with just 2% for Xbox Series X/S and 9% for PlayStation 5.

If Switch 2 pricing in Japanese Yen was aligned with the U.S. Dollar price, it would dramatically weaken Nintendo's position in Japan, representing a doubling in the list price over the classic LCD Nintendo Switch model. Yet if Nintendo continued to rely on region-specific pricing that is significantly cheaper in USD terms, they would face an issue with grey imports to other territories.

Nintendo’s answer is to navigate this situation with two models – they are offering a substantially cheaper but price competitive 50,000 yen Nintendo Switch 2 model that only includes Japanese language support only.

Meanwhile, an international language model at 70,000 yen is being positioned to protect the Japanese market from grey imports from other territories – smart considering there are no other major console markets with a not insignificant number of people proficient in the Japanese language.

Mario Kart World, at a Premium

Okay, that covers the console itself, so why has Nintendo hiked the price of Mario Kart World into the stratosphere at $80? When I asked the analysts I spoke to, I assumed it was related to tariff concerns. Perhaps Nintendo was worried about potential tariffs but also didn't want to raise the price of the console too high, so a more expensive flagship game was their solution to offset costs?

Partially. The experts largely concluded that tariffs may have played a role, with Mat Piscatella, analyst at Circana, suggesting that the higher game pricing was a bit of future-proofing on Nintendo's part. "While pricing for a product can always be lowered over time, it's extremely difficult and painful to raise pricing on a product once it has been announced or released. This is purely my own speculation, but this pricing is most easily explained by trying to be conservative given the current chaotic market conditions."

But the experts also told me there was more to it than that. McWhirter told me that this was Nintendo taking advantage of a critical moment of change in the games industry to test the waters on what the market will tolerate as far as game pricing goes. And it's using its most successful game series ever on that trial run, because Nintendo knows if any game can succeed at that price, it's Mario Kart. If it doesn't work out, it can always drop the price, either directly or indirectly through methods like Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions.

Van Dreunen said something similar, adding, "The timing aligns with the broader industry's gradual price increases for premium content, as we've seen with other publishers moving to $70 base games. Nintendo may be leapfrogging this intermediate step, calculating that the massive built-in audience for Mario Kart will tolerate a higher price point for what appears to be a significantly expanded experience compared to previous entries."

McWhirter also pointed out that not only could this higher cost for Mario Kart World be mitigating things like tariffs or manufacturing costs, it also could be helping balance out other, invisible costs. There's those pesky manfacturing costs, for one, with McWhirter noting that the 3D NAND flash memory from supplier Macronix experts suspect Nintendo is using in Switch 2 game cards is pricey. But there's also the cost of migrating so many first-party titles to Nintendo Switch 2, and the slow build the console will see in its first three years when its blockbuster exclusives are reaching a much smaller audience than was available on the Nintendo Switch.

Other experts brought up other factors. Harding-Rolls made a compelling point about Nintendo otherwise not aggressively pursuing in-game monetization, and needing to account for inflation somehow. And he added: "Nintendo has a bit of a history of pricing games higher than other platforms when coming to the market later than other platforms - in this case PS5 and Xbox Series. I remember back in the day N64 titles being more than PS1 titles for example. Some of that is related to cost of goods, but Nintendo also likes to follow its own approach and price based on its own appreciation of value."

Rhys Elliott, games analyst at Alinea Analytics, said that the discrepancy in physical and digital pricing is a clear move from Nintendo to push consumers toward digital games, especially when paired with the Virtual Game Card announced last week.

"PlayStation and Xbox have already pushed their platforms to become digital-first, driven by strategies like multi-game subscriptions, digital-only consoles, free-to-play’s rise, and platform holders pushing consumers to digital versions via perks (like extra cosmetics and the ability to pre-load a game so it’s instantly ready to play at launch)," he said.

"So PlayStation and especially Xbox are very digital-first. But Nintendo is different, more 50-50. In the last nine months of 2024, 51% of Switch software sales were digital. The number was even lower in the holiday period (43.4% digital for calendar Q4), as always. For consumers, a unique value proposition of physical games is the preowned and rental markets. But Nintendo’s reliance on physical impacts its bottom line, hence the nudging. Nintendo does not gain revenues from physical renting and resales. After all, a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe could be sold on the reseller market 100 times or rented 100 times, but Nintendo would only capture revenues from that first sale. A digital-only market means more revenue and price control for Nintendo."

Finally, I asked this question of Toto, who referred to the jump from $60 games to an $80 Mario Kart World as "quite bold." His explanation was short and sweet:

"Tariffs could play a role, but I think it is much simpler: Nintendo is charging this price because they feel they can and that people will pay."

Who's Buying?

Everyone I spoke to agreed that even though the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World pricing is a bit of a shock, it's not going to affect sales of the console. At least... not at first.

"Based on what we're seeing across the market, sales to higher-income or more affluent households likely won't be impacted by this pricing," Piscatella told me. "And, of course, we have the price insensitive super enthusiasts that will do and pay whatever it takes to acquire the Switch 2 at launch. Therefore, because of the limited quantities that will be available during the launch year, I do not anticipate this pricing to hinder year one sales volumes.

"The true test will come in year two, as supply is likely to become more readily available, and the addressable market will be forced to widen. So, we'll have to see what happens over the next 9-12 months."

McWhirter's response was similar, saying that Omdia's current forecast has the Nintendo Switch 2 being outpaced in sales by the original Switch by 6 million units by the end of 2028.

Devil May Cry does not reach the heights of the best Netflix video game shows like Castlevania or Cyberpunk Edgerunners. But if the entirety of its first season were like its second half – which contains some kinetic action, an episode that’s an early frontrunner for one of the best animated projects of 2025, and an absolutely bonkers finale – it would. Thanks to these episodes, any skepticism toward Devil May Cry based on its lackluster opening chapters morphs, demon-like, into complete enthusiasm for its future.

Taking elements not just from the Capcom video game series of the same name but also the manga and other supplementary material it inspired, the new DMC animated show – developed by Castlevania's Adi Shankar and his Captain Laserhawk collaborator Alex Larsen – makes enough changes to characters and lore to be a fresh experience for newcomers and veterans alike. Johnny Yong Bosch stars as Dante, a demon hunter who finds himself at the center of a country-wide hunt and a plot to destroy the veil that separates the Earth from the demon realm. Bosch gives Dante a boyish charm while still often letting slip the pain he hides beneath it. Though the humor of the first couple of episodes feels out of place – Dante initially acts and talks like a Deadpool knock-off – Bosch's performance grounds the character as the story gets more and more fantastical and the silly humor gives way to Dante having a full-blown identity crisis.

It’s great to hear the late Batman: The Animated Series star Kevin Conroy again, his unmistakable voice giving life to Devil May Cry's Vice President Baines, a religious fanatic with a savior complex working for a literal cowboy president . Baines is both a compelling onscreen presence and a terrifyingly timely character, but the clear standout of this season is the primary villain: the White Rabbit (Hoon Lee). Though the White Rabbit’s motivations are a bit superficial and predictable, Lee's performance sells the character's unbreakable conviction and resolve in a way no other character on Devil May Cry can match.

The games share some similarities with the ideas and themes of the classic demon-fighting manga and anime Devilman, and this show is no different, with its (at times) textbook portrayals of humanity's bigotry and prejudice. But when Shankar and Larsen filter those subjects are filtered through the lens of 2000s nostalgia, what comes out the other end is a hilariously unsubtle yet bold indictment of how the United States conducted itself, at home and abroad, during the decade. This is most evident in the song that soundtracks the season’s climactic montage, a 2004 hit that puts an exclamation point on these eight episodes. Even with all the changes it makes, the show captures the essence of the games where it matters most – like its use of music to accompany the action.

After their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men ’97, it shouldn't be a surprise that the artists at Studio Mir know how to bring bone-crushing action to Devil May Cry. The fights are thrilling and well-staged – the only problem is the use of CG for the demons. It looks bad – even if you could argue it helps in making the demons seem even more otherworldly – and hurts the action.

And yet, little of that matters once you get to episode 6. Studio La Cachette (who handled Genndy Tartakovsky's spectacular Primal and Unicorn: Warriors Eternal) temporarily alters Devil May Cry’s visual palette to tell the story of the White Rabbit in a gorgeously animated and told episode that’s almost devoid of dialogue. This radical departure is a rising tide that lifts the rest of the season’s boats with its slower, more meditative script, and marks a change in tone and pace for the grand finale. It’s not just the best episode of the season – it could be some of the best animation you’ll see all year. Even if the whole season can't look like this, the hope that Devil May Cry can break its own mold (when it suits the story) is enough to stoke anticipation for a second season.

While Universal Pictures (along with Focus Features) showcased several of their upcoming films at CinemaCon on Wednesday, it was more noteworthy which titles on their slate they opted not to promote to theater executives and the press.

In the past, Universal would unveil first look footage of movies in production or break news about their biggest franchises. This year, the studio merely name-checked some of their most eagerly anticipated 2026 titles: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, Shrek 5, Steven Spielberg’s untitled sci-fi film, or Jordan Peele’s next directorial effort.

Notably, Fast and Furious 11 wasn’t even mentioned.

Instead, Universal’s presentation mostly consisted of playing new trailers for their 2025 films, kicking things off with Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and director Gareth Edwards debuting the next trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth.

Johansson joked that she pitched herself to executive producer Steven Spielberg “and said I’d play any role, even if I was eaten in the first five minutes.”

While Johansson clearly doesn’t die in the opening moments of Jurassic World Rebirth, one of the highlights of the new trailer was a high seas chase sequence where the heroes are in a boat pursuing a Mosasaurus and Johansson ends up hanging on for dear life.

New trailers were also shown for The Bad Guys 2, Nobody 2, Him (produced by Jordan Peele), and Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie. Ditto Blumhouse titles M3GAN 2.0, SOULM8TE, Black Phone 2, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Focus Features showed trailers for three upcoming prestige films: The Phoenician Scheme, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and Bugonia.

Gerard Butler, Nico Parker and director Dean DeBlois made an appearance to promote the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, which screened in its entirety earlier in the day at the convention. The biggest news from this section was that there will be a live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 and that it will be released in theaters on June 11, 2027.

Universal closed their CinemaCon 2025 presentation with Wicked: For Good, where stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt took the stage to reveal the new trailer for the sequel, which hits theaters on November 21st.

The trailer leans into the tragic falling out between Elphaba and Glinda. “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had,” Elphaba tells Glinda. “And I’ve had so many friends,” Glinda replies. “But you’re the only one that mattered.”

The footage also revealed performances of the musical’s songs “For Good” and “No Good Deed,” and provided more glimpses of the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) including his meeting with Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.

For more CinemaCon coverage, find out what we learned about Superman, Mortal Kombat II, Resident Evil, Spider-Man: Brave New Day, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, John Wick 5, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, and The Beatles.

The first trailer for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 was screened at Blumhouse and Universal’s CinemaCon presentation on Wednesday before being released online. Producer Jason Blum made it clear to attendees that, unlike the original film, the sequel will open only in theaters on December 5, 2025, and not day-and-date on Peacock.

You can watch the trailer via the player above or the embed below.

“Anyone can survive five nights. This time, there will be no second chances<’ declares the film’s official logline.

Based on Scott Cawthon’s blockbuster game series, the original Five Nights at Freddy’s was Blumhouse’s biggest box office hit when it opened in theaters in 2023 as well as the highest-grossing horror film of that year.

Emma Tammi returns to direct the sequel and Scott Cawthon are producing. Actors Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, and Matthew Lillard all reprise their respective roles.

Are you excited for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2? Sound off in the comments.

Kirby has been a steadfast Nintendo mascot for 33 years, ever since the character debuted in 1992’s Kirby’s Dream Land for Game Boy. In addition to being a Smash Bros. staple, Kirby and his ever-evolving powers of inhalation have starred in over two dozen games, culminating in the series’ best-selling game to date, Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

As we near the end of Nintendo’s current console generation, we’ve compiled a list of every Kirby game on the Switch as well as new Kirby games coming to the Switch 2.

How Many Kirby Games Are on Switch?

Six Kirby games have been released on Nintendo Switch, while 11 more retro Kirby games are playable with Nintendo Switch Online. The franchise debuted on Switch in 2018 with Kirby Star Allies; its latest release, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, arrived in 2023. A new Kirby game, Kirby Air Riders, will be releasing for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

Every Kirby Game on Switch (in Release Order)

Kirby Star Allies (2018)

Kirby’s Switch debut came in 2018 with Kirby Star Allies. The action-platformer is played with a party of four (multiplayer or local AI) and sees Kirby combine abilities with allies to solve puzzles and enhance combat.

Super Kirby Clash (2019)

Series developer HAL Laboratories and Nintendo brought the pink puff back the following year for the free-to-play Super Kirby Clash. Like Star Allies, Clash is played with a team of four that can be controlled by other human players or AI. Unlike Star Allies, this is not a platformer but rather a standalone boss rush mode; it features a hub world for changing equipment and selecting quests, though the heart of the game is the series of boss fights that serve as those quests.

Kirby Fighters 2 (2020)

A sequel to the 3DS game Kirby Fighters Deluxe (an expanded version of the subgame Kirby Fighters found in Kirby: Triple Deluxe), Kirby Fighters 2 is exactly what it sounds like: a fighting game starring Kirby. It supports up to four players and features Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Gooey, and Magolor as playable characters.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022)

The series’ standout game on Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a post-apocalyptic adventure in which Kirby gets sucked into a wormhole that appears above Dream Land. The Forgotten Land is the series’ first fully 3D platformer, complete with puzzles and Kirby’s signature ability-based combat. It’s the series’ best-selling game to date, selling more than 7.5 million copies by the end of March 2024. There's even a Switch 2 version of this game currently listed to be available for preorder.

Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022)

Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a dessert-themed multiplayer game released in 2022. It features three four-player game modes: race, minigame, and battle royale. The modes can be played separately or together as part of Dream Buffet’s Gourmet Grand Prix.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023)

The series’ latest game, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remake of the 2011 Wii game Kirby’s Return to Dream Land. The action-platformer came to Switch with improved visuals, a new easy mode (Helper Magolor), three new abilities (Sand, Mecha, and Festival), and an all-new two-hour adventure called Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler.

Return to Dream Land Deluxe supports local co-op for up to four players, with each player taking control of either Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, or Bandana Waddle Dee.

Kirby Games Available with Nintendo Switch Online

There are 11 Kirby games available with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Those with a regular subscription can play nine Kirby games from NES, SNES, and Game Boy, while those with the more expensive Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription get access to two additional games: Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (GBA) and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64).

Here’s the list of Kirby games playable with Nintendo Switch Online, ordered by initial release date:

• Kirby’s Dream Land (GB)
• Kirby’s Adventure (NES)
• Kirby’s Dream Course (SNES)
• Kirby’s Avalanche (SNES)
• Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (GB)
• Kirby Super Star (SNES)
• Kirby’s Star Stacker (SNES)
• Kirby’s Dream Land 3 (SNES)
• Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (GB)
• Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)
• Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (GBA)

A new GameCube library will also be available in the NSO + Expansion Pack membership on Switch 2, which may include Kirby Air Ride.

What's Next for Kirby on the Switch 2?

The era of Kirby on Switch may be coming to a close, but the character's journey on the Switch 2 has just begun. Kirby Air Riders was officially announced during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct as a follow-up to the 2003 Kirby Air Ride racing game on GameCube. Masahiro Sakurai, creator of both the Kirby series and Super Smash Bros., returns as director of the new game.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is also on the list of games that will be getting Switch 2 upgrades. The upgrade will take advantage of the Switch 2's improved specs and includes a new story expansion. Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World will be released on August 28 with a discounted upgrade option for those who owned the original game on Switch.

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

After the latest Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct, we now have all of the details about the upcoming console. Unfortunately, preorders for the Switch 2 still aren't officially becoming available until April 9. Until that day arrives, Nintendo fans are stuck looking for retailer listings to start showing up across all major retailers so they can bookmark the specific pages.

Alongside Best Buy, Walmart has dropped its specific Switch 2 listings that you can check out now. The Switch 2 console, Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle, and more Switch 2 games listings are now live. Below we've listed out all of the current game pages you can bookmark ahead of the April 9 preorder date. You can also check out the full landing page here for all of the details at once.

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Preorder Listing Live Now

The games that are featured in these listings are a mix of brand-new and Switch 2 upgrades. The most popular new games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World are listed here, but there's also the Switch 2 edition of Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Some of these games will arrive on the Switch 2 launch date of June 5 if you preorder them, but there are more to come at a later date. Donkey Kong Bananza doesn't come out until July 17, about a month after the launch of the new console.

Are any games getting free Switch 2 upgrades?

With Switch 2 versions of games popping up in these listings, you may be wondering if any of your regular Switch games will be eligible for free upgrades. The answer is yes! Nintendo has released a transfer guide that lists out various games that will be eligble for an upgrade. The list includes Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as well as Mario Odyssey.

What Comes With the Switch 2 Console?

Unless you're planning on snagging the Mario Kart Bundle to save some money, the new console doesn't come with any games. You do however get a few of the newer Switch 2 accessories in the box.

• 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

AndaSeat isn't as big of a name in the congested gaming chair market as some other brands like Secretlab, DXRacer, or Razer, but rest assured it makes some high-quality gaming chairs. Right now, there's an AndaSeat April Sale going on with up to $220 off gaming chairs. These instant discounts stack with our 10% off IGN code "AndaIGN".

Andaseat Kaiser 3 Gaming Chair

Use 10% off code: AndaIGN

Not everyone is the DIY type. If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of the best brands we'd recommend. Alienware desktops and laptops feature solid build quality, top-of-the-line gaming performance, excellent cooling (further improved on the newer models), aggressive styling, and pricing that is very competitive with other pre-built options. Best of all, there are plenty of sales that happen throughout the year, so it's not difficult to grab one of these computers at considerably less than their retail price. This page includes all of the best deals that are currently available.

Dell and Alienware Coupons

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You can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. See below for our favorite picks.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here and as previously reported the Switch 2 will be largely backwards compatible with Switch 1 games. However, there appears to be a concerted effort from Nintendo to introduce specially enhanced versions of Switch 1 games to the Switch 2. And these seem to go beyond just a graphical boost and framerate bump.

What Games are Playable on Switch 2?

As Nintendo breaks down, there will be primarily three types of games playable on the Switch 2. Native Switch 2 games that are developed for the system and cannot be played on the original Switch. Compatible Switch 1 games whose cartridges can slot right into the Switch 2 and be played natively on the console. And Switch 2 Edition games which are Switch 1 games that will receive new features and performance enhancements when played on Switch 2.

This doesn’t include classic games that are available through Nintendo Switch Online which includes a library of games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and now GameCube.

So What Comes in a Switch 2 Edition Game?

The main takeaway from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is that Nintendo appears to be trying to throw in a little extra for anyone playing a Switch 2 Edition of a Switch 1 game.

For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree was a Switch game and the Switch 2 Edition will come with a new suite of content called Jamboree TV that will take advantage of the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Switch 2 microphone, and the Switch 2 USB-C camera that will be sold separately.

Along with upgraded resolution up to 1440p in TV mode and better frame rate, there will be new minigames and online functions as well.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which will be a cross-gen game, will support mouse controls with Joy-Con 2, and multiple display modes like Quality Mode which runs at 60fps in 4K when docked, or 1080p at 60fps on handheld; or Performance Mode which runs a 120fps in 1080p when docked, or 120fps in 720p in handheld mode. All modes will support HDR.

Other Switch 2 Edition titles will get new story content like Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Star-Crossed World add-on, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will gain additional support for the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App that will give you guides and game help.

Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A will only feature performance and resolution bumps as part of the Switch 2 Edition label.

When are the Switch 2 Edition Games Coming?

The Switch 2 is set to be released on June 5, 2025 and that’s around when the first batch of Switch 2 Edition games will arrive.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will get Switch 2 Editions on the day of the console’s launch on June 5, 2025.

Switch 2 Editions for Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV will arrive a little later on July 24, 2025. Same for Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s update which will arrive on August 28, 2025.

Neither Metroid Prime 4: Beyond of Pokemon Legends: Z-A have release dates yet so both Switch 2 Editions are scheduled for sometime in 2025.

How Much Will Switch 2 Editions Cost?

That depends. If you don’t own the Switch 1 version of the game, then you can purchase the Switch 2 Edition at retail, which will be distinct thanks to the new red-colored physical game case. The digital versions will also feature a prominent Switch 2 logo so you know you’re buying the right edition for your Switch 2.

If you own the game on Switch 1 and want the upgrades that will be added in the Switch 2 Edition you will need to purchase an upgrade pack from Nintendo. The upgrade packs will be available at select retailers, the official My Nintendo Store, and Nintendo eShop. However, Nintendo has not revealed how much an upgrade pack will cost just yet.

Some upgrade packs, like the upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be included in a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This is the same membership that gives Switch owners access to online features and the classic library.

So there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about the Switch 2 Editions of a game. We’ve detailed previously how Nintendo is making the jump to the Switch 2 fairly seamless thanks to its backward compatibility stance, and it looks like Nintendo is looking to bolster its launch library with improved versions of Switch classics.

For more on Nintendo Switch 2 check out all the news announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct as well as how much it costs, and when pre-orders go up.

Matt Kim is IGN's Senior Features Editor.

Nintendo has confirmed that those sleek new Switch 2 game cards won’t always carry an actual game and will, instead, sometimes simply contain a key for a game download.

The Super Mario Bros. company detailed how it will update its approach to physical game cartridges in a customer support post published shortly after this morning’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. It explains that, when the Switch 2 arrives this June, you’ll be able to carry on purchasing physical Switch games just as you’ve done for the last eight years, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

The post in question focuses on game-key cards: physical cards that only contain a key to download your chosen game. That means there’s no actual game data on the card you insert into your Switch 2, so you’ll need to download it once the card is inserted. Every game-key card case will be appropriately labeled on the lower portion of the front of the box, so if you’re concerned about what exactly you’re purchasing, you should have a heads-up right away.

We just got a Super Smash Bros.-sized info drop on the Nintendo Switch 2 during the latest Nintendo Direct, so let’s-a-go with a lot to cover! From where to lock in your preorder to the power-ups this next-gen console is bringing, here’s everything you need to level up your knowledge before launch.

Where to Preorder the Nintendo Switch 2

Mark your Mushroom Kingdom calendars—Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June 5th, 2025, for A$699. Whether you’re going solo with the base console or grabbing a bundle with Mario Kart World for A$769.99, you’ll want to act fast before your preorder opps vanish quicker than a karter overshooting a Rainbow Road hairpin.

Why the FOMO? There's a decent chance that unscrupulous, Bowser-like scalpers will descend on these. So, please, don't feed them by sticking to reputable retailers and avoid suspicious third-party sellers. We’ve got some green pipe-esque hyperklinks that'll zip you straight to a legit preorder place right here.

Where to preorder:

• Amazon - A$699 Solo / A$769 Bundle
• JB Hi-Fi - A$699 Solo / A$769 Bundle
• EB Games - $A$699 Solo / A$769 Bundle
• Big W - $A$699 Solo / A$769 Bundle

What’s Included in the Box?

• 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

What’s New with the Switch 2? A Power-Up in Every Way

• Magnetic Joy-Cons – No more rail-riding woes! These controllers snap on like a Boo latching onto Mario’s back, making them easier to attach and detach.
• Mouse-Like Functionality – Clickity-click! These Joy-Cons can be used like a computer mouse, hinting at possible PC game ports on the Switch 2.
• New "C-Button" – Nintendo was playing it coy about what this new button does, but we now know it is a chortcut for the new GameChat function (think: built-in mic with noise-cancelling tech).
• Virtual Game Card System Update – Like a Link Between Worlds, Nintendo is making it easier to share games across multiple consoles.

Important Tech Specs Summarised

• 1080p screen
• Up to 120 fps screen on the console
• HDR support for LCD screen
• 360° sound support
• An updated adjustable stand
• 256GB of internal storage
• 4K support via the dock with compatible games
• Built-in fan and cooling in the dock

Switch 2 Games Worth Eyeballing

Nintendo is dropping a Poké Ball full of heavy hitters at launch. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the must-have games: While some of these games will also be playable on the original Switch, the Switch 2 will offer the best performance, visuals, and buttery-smooth stability. If you really want to deep dive on titles, we've got a wiki going on entitled The Switch 2 Games List - Release Date, Price, and Exclusives.

Mario Kart World – A New Twist on a Classic

The biggest feature of World is the ability to drive off-road essentially anywhere you want on the course in what seems to be a large open world. In a new mode called Knockout Tour, racers have to drive across the open world to different checkpoints from course to course, and get knocked out if they're below a certain placement when they reach checkpoints.

Donkey Kong Bananza – It's on like...

Official blurb: Get ready for Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new 3D platforming action adventure – available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Crash, bash, and climb through nearly everything in DK’s path and tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration. The more that is demolished with powerful punches, the more areas open up to discover.

Further Down the Track Titles

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Samus’ Biggest Adventure Yet

After spending years in development hyperspace, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally deploying alongside the Switch 2! The latest trailer showcased Samus sporting a sleek red-and-purple suit while wielding psychic-infused powers.

With a setting on Planet Viewros—a world shrouded in mystery, towering trees, and hints of intelligent life—this adventure is primed (get it?) to be one of Samus’ most intense missions yet. Just be sure to re-preorder if you jumped on the hype train back in 2017—those orders were likely cancelled!

Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Catch ‘Em Where You Least Expect!

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is taking the wild Pokémon concept to the next level—literally! Now, you’ll find them perched on rooftops, lurking in alleyways, and causing a ruckus throughout Lumiose City. Plus, a mysterious Z-A Royale battle mode has been teased, adding a competitive edge never seen before.

Whether you're a seasoned Pokémon trainer or just getting started, this title is shaping up to be a Gym Leader-level challenge.

Power-Up Your Play: Switch 2 Accessories

A great gamer is only as strong as their gear, and the Switch 2 accessories are coming in hot. Here are the must-haves as I currently see them:

GoldenEye hive, it’s time to rise up — because IO Interactive is officially bringing its upcoming James Bond game to the Nintendo Switch 2.

According to IO Interactive’s website, Project 007 will focus on an entirely new story in the Bond universe.

“Players will step into the shoes of the world's favorite Secret Agent to earn their 00 status in the very first James Bond origin story,” the developer said about what to expect for the game’s story.

Head of IO Hakan Abrak opened up to IGN about building a brand new origin story for the beloved spy back in October. “What's exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story. So it's not a gamification of a movie,” he told IGN.

“It's completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it's a new Bond. It's a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers. It's extremely exciting with all the tradition and all the history there is there together to work on this together with the family of creating a young Bond for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with."

As for a release date, though, the jury is still out on that one. You can catch up on everything announced at the Nintendo Direct today right here.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.

Screamboat is, for better and worse, the epitome of "Dumb Fun." It's leagues above the competition in the widening sea of public-domain Steamboat Willie horror parodies – though considering the moldy cheese of The Mouse Trap and I Heart Willie, that’s not really saying much. Director and co-writer Steven LaMorte and David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown himself!) somewhat redeem themselves after their previous collaboration, the abysmal Grinch slasher The Mean One – or perhaps their Mickey Mouse games are just benefiting from a relatively bigger budget. Either way, Screamboat is a victory by comparison. Just don't go into it expecting anything more than a chintzy bonanza of brutality bogged down by ugly digital backdrops and lousy performances – at best, this is a midnight movie to laugh through with friends.

Thornton stars as LaMorte's "Steamboat Willie," looking less like his animated inspiration and more like the midpoint of an Animorphs cover illustration. (You know, where the CG transformation is in the awkward limbo between kid and beast?) The humanoid rat is a genetic experiment gone wrong, small enough to fit inside the headpiece of a costumed Times Square busker. His stalking ground is a Staten Island Ferry, though LaMorte isn’t engaging propellers and drifting around the Hudson River: The New York City skyline glimpsed in Screamboat is a digitally rendered postcard even the most gifted souvenir-shop salesman could never sell. His prey are passengers and crew members who can’t stop alluding to the history of the Walt Disney Company, a few of whom are at least disposed of in creative fashion.

Though Willie’s green-screened mouse-man proportions vary from scene to scene – and are sometimes represented by a raggedy puppet – the slasher violence of Screamboat’s practical effects shine. In its nastiest nautical demises, Willie skewers victims on harpoons, decapitates a captain with a wire, and severs a male member without mercy. LaMorte's ode to ’80s schlock cinema is rough around every edge, but gorehounds should be pleased as Willie gnaws at flesh or impales patrons with forklifts. Thornton's emotive giddiness is the icing on top, with Willie hop-skipping and tap-dancing from bloody corpse to bloody corpse.

The mini-Thornton earns laughs, but as in The Mean One, the actor is trading the malevolent menace of his Terrifier performances for more of a “man in a Halloween” costume vibe. Allison Pittel, meanwhile, fits the bill as Screamboat's final girl: Selena, an artistic bartender who becomes the apple of Willie's eye. But the performances elsewhere are more patchwork. Everyone else – including former MTV Teen Wolf Tyler Posey, appearing alongside his brother Jesse – is just playing a bunch of goofy caricatures. (Not Goofy caricatures – he’s under copyright until 2027 at the earliest.) Sometimes, that can be comical – like when boozed-up influencers compare their crosseyed, tongues-out "Ahegao" faces moments before dying at Willie’s hand – but it can also be uninspired. None of these characters has much to say; they're just parroting New Yawk colloquialisms and trying to break the record for most Disney references in a single parody movie.

The (potentially lethal) drinking game writes itself: Take a sip whenever you hear a song lyric, quote, or movie title from the Mouse House’s back catalog. The aforementioned squad of ditzy, hammered online celebrities are all in princess cosplay, while Thornton does his best off-brand Mickey laughs. Imagine a Roger Corman production written by a Disney Adult: It’s overkill, but it’s also Screamboat’s eye-rollingly humorous charm.

But does it excuse jokes that land with an echoey thud and an overall quality ceiling that’s so low you'll have to duck? Screamboat's legacy will be its outrageous slayings at the hands of a fuzzy, shin-high killer, but for all its juicy practical kill effects, the visuals are markedly downgraded by constant greenscreen usage. LaMorte's approach values entertainment over all else, but that makes for a piecemeal slasher that wanders aimlessly through a slippery metallic maze of pipes and staircases until Willie's next attack. The film's visual storytelling is sloppy, but Screamboat itself is sloppy, and never tries to convince you otherwise. It's shoddily crafted, feels unfinished, and is too silly even for the unserious tone it establishes. If dumb fun is all you desire, then Screamboat might be your ticket to B-Movie paradise. If not, you’ll feel far, far away from the happiest place on Earth.

Are you wondering if A Minecraft Movie has a post-credits or mid-credits scene? We'll tell you right here: Yes, it has both!

Be sure to check back on Friday for a full spoiler breakdown of the movie, but for now this is a spoiler-free page.

Although the first trailer might have gotten fans riled up, and it changed release dates almost as much as The New Mutants, A Minecraft Movie (review) has arrived relatively unscathed in movie theaters, offering some family-friendly fun to the beleaguered 2025 box office.

The adventure begins when siblings Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and Natalie (Emma Myers) are forced to move to Chuglass, Idaho, after the untimely death of their mother. While both struggle to fit in they're soon sucked into the Overworld along with their real estate agent Dawn (Danielle Brooks) and a one-time fighting game world champion turned local failing business owner, Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison (Jason Momoa). Throughout their adventure they meet the master-builder known as Steve (Jack Black) and battle zombies, pigs, and endermen.

But if all you care about is whether or not A Minecraft Movie has a mid- and/or post-credits scene, we're here to reveal that yes, you should wait until after the credits roll as this film has both!

Does A Minecraft Movie Have a Mid- or Post Credits Scene?

As noted above, the film has both. We won't get into spoilers until Friday, but be sure to stick around to check out all the fun.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has long been known for his engaging and stylish British crime dramas and gangster films — not to mention his two Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. — but the writer-director is officially trying something new. The trailer for his upcoming film Fountain of Youth has been released, and gives us a glimpse into a new world for Ritchie, one that is ripe with thrills and adventure in the style of Indiana Jones and The Mummy.

The movie stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman as estranged siblings Luke and Charlotte who reunite to search for the legendary Fountain of Youth (hence the title, of course). The trailer also shows Eiza González, Stanley Tucci, Domhnall Gleeson, Laz Alonso, and Arian Moayed along for the ride — and it seems that not all of their characters are working with Krasinski and Portman’s.

The trailer makes it clear that there are two opposing sides trying to get their hands on the fountain, and for good reason. "There's a power beyond any of our comprehension," Krasinski’s character says of the relic in the trailer. "One story, five continents, dozens of cultures, and over a thousand years." Sounds like the battle for this thing is going to be pretty intense, but then again, that always makes for some great movie action, which, with Ritchie's rep, we'll have in spades for sure.

Fountain of Youth is set to be released on May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+ — which means this one will most likely not see a theatrical run, a disheartening problem we continue to run into as the streamers ratchet up their dominance in the industry more and more. That said, we’re just as excited to see this one at home as we would be in the theater.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.

A Minecraft Movie immediately creates a sticky paradox for itself. Clearly hoping to follow in the footsteps of a project like The Lego Movie, this video-game adaptation wants to pay tribute to the open-world flexibility and creativity of Minecraft while staying well within the framework of the game itself, which means including all of the expected blocky visual touchstones and including an obligatory number of cutesy gamer in-jokes. The surprise of the movie is how long it’s able to delay the latter material – long enough, it turns out, for Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess to get his foot in the door, expertly adapting his deadpan comic-strip style for a children’s fantasy.

Hess’ foray into big-time franchise filmmaking reunites him with Jack Black, the star of his 2006 slapstick adventure, Nacho Libre – and no one can accuse Black of half-assing his way through a paycheck job here. As Steve, a man who “yearned for the mines” as a child and discovers a portal into the magical Overworld as an adult, he throws off the shackles of workaday existence with such relish that his torrent of movie-opening narration feels enthusiastic, rather than blandly explanatory. The short of it: Bad-guy pigs covet the “orb” (like everything else in the Overworld, it’s block-shaped, not an actual orb) that Steve has discovered, so he sends his faithful wolf-dog, Dennis, to hide it in the real world.

Hess really connects with his Dynamite roots – throwback fashions, drier-than-dry non sequitur – and setting in that real world, where he pauses Steve’s story to follow siblings Natalie (Emma Myers, from Wednesday) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) as they relocate to a small town in Idaho. There, creative, school-age misfit Henry clicks with Garrett Garrison (Jason Momoa), a former gaming champion who now runs a retro pop-culture junk store on the verge of foreclosure. Natalie, meanwhile, meets Dawn (Danielle Brooks), a friendly real estate agent who moonlights as a kind of mobile zookeeper.

In a movie for grown-ups, this litany of quirk might seem a bit much: Natalie is a young woman of indeterminate age who gets a job running social media for a local potato-chip factory; Henry tinkers with his design for a working jetpack. For a kid picture, though, it’s sweetly silly, even distinctive; the kitschy tater-tots-and-alpacas ambience is pure Hess. Momoa in particular makes a surprisingly good fit for the filmmaker’s sensibility, playing a less bullying version of the blustery Napoleon Dynamite sensei Rex Kwon Do. In fact, the first 30 to 40 minutes of A Minecraft Movie have enough big laughs that it’s almost a disappointment when Henry, Garrett, Natalie, and Dawn stumble upon the orb and wind up accidentally sucked into the Overworld.

Eventually they meet up with Steve, who provides some standard gameplay tutelage in advance of their quest. The quest itself is conceptually muddy, confusingly and erratically presented as some combination of saving Steve’s beloved Dennis, protecting the orb, and eventually bringing the four displaced travelers home. The seams of the six-writer screenplay show frequently, like when characters make plans and then deviate from them without comment as if the actors are all working from different versions of the script. Based on the uninspired action sequences – digital hordes running and flying around in a manner better suited for an in-game Lord of the Rings fan film – there aren't many big-budget fantasy epics in Hess' future. But A Minecraft Movie stays light on its feet nonetheless by continually pausing for slapstick silliness and cartoonish little sketches like an ongoing and delightfully pointless subplot involving Jennifer Coolidge and a resident of the Overworld.

Eventually, the more antic side of things takes over, and the various CG landscapes populated by blocky people and creatures start to feel repetitive. It’s like a slightly more polished version of someone’s playthrough video, only with a couple of big stars getting thrown around the screen. What A Minecraft Movie misses from Minecraft the game is its combination of minutiae and vastness; as much as the movie advertises its subject’s creative flexibility, it shortchanges any potential obsessiveness in favor of making the Overworld look a little more like something out of a Mario game. The parallels to Black’s other video-game-movie gig – and aspirations to its popularity with the playground set – become especially clear when Steve chases the next “Peaches” by riffing out no fewer than three little songs. (On the other hand, it’s hard to resist Black bringing his goofball-rock-star shtick to Gen Alpha.) As with so many game-based movies, the mismatch between what each medium does best isn’t really reconciled by A Minecraft Movie. But turning the world’s best-selling video game into Jared Hess’s best feature in years is, admittedly, a pretty creative undertaking.

Microsoft has unveiled a list of Xbox Game Pass titles set to join the service in the first half of April 2025, revealing a strong lineup of first- and third-party games, including South of Midnight, Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition, Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition, and more.

It’s a remarkably strong month that was detailed in a recent Xbox Wire post. Expect major hitters to start dropping in tomorrow, April 3, kicking off the month with Gearbox Software’s Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) for all tiers, while All You Need Is Help (Console), Still Wakes the Deep (Xbox Series X | S), and Wargroove 2 (Console) all join Game Pass Standard. There’s more than enough in this first block to keep even the most dedicated Xbox fan busy all month, but you’ll only have five days before South of Midnight (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X | S) and Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition (Console and PC) arrive for all Game Pass subscribers April 8.

South of Midnight, Compulsion Games’ Deep South-set folklore adventure, is poised to be one of Xbox’s biggest releases of the year, and its presence on Game Pass will no doubt have hordes of players seeing what it has to offer. Microsoft’s official description sheds more light on how it will bring some life to Game Pass this month: “Explore the mythos and confront mysterious creatures of the Deep South in this modern folktale while learning to weave an ancient power to surmount obstacles and face the pain haunting your hometown.”

April 9 follows with Commandos: Origins (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X | S) for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with Blue Prince (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X | S) coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers April 10. Finally, Hunt: Showdown 1896 (PC) will round out the Wave 1 drops come April 15 when it is added for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Xbox Game Pass perks are also getting a refresh for the first half of April 2025. Highlights include the Beyond the Void Bundle for The First Descendant, the Sweet Starter Pack for Candy Crush Solitaire players on mobile devices, and an anniversary Seventh Serving Emote for Sea of Thieves fans. You can see the full list of everything coming to Game Pass in the first half of April below.

Xbox Game Pass April 2025 Wave 1 Lineup

• Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 3
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• All You Need is Help (Console) – April 3
  Now with Game Pass Standard
• Still Wakes the Deep (Xbox Series X|S) – April 3
  Now with Game Pass Standard
• Wargroove 2 (Console) – April 3
  Now with Game Pass Standard
• Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition (Console and PC) – April 8
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• South of Midnight (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 8
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Commandos: Origins (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S) – April 9
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Blue Prince (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S) – April 10
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Hunt: Showdown 1896 (PC) – April 15
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Another month of Game Pass newcomers means another batch of games will soon be leaving, too. You’ll be losing access to these titles come April 15, so if you’re interested in playing but don’t think you’ll have time to reach the credits, Microsoft still offers a 20% discount for members looking to pick up a last-minute purchase.

Games Leaving Game Pass April 15

• Botany Manor
• Coral Island
• Harold Halibut
• Homestead Arcana
• Kona
• Orcs Must Die! 3
• Turbo Golf Racing

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic video game series of all time. Starting on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, The Legend of Zelda follows various incarnations of Princess Zelda and Link as they fight to save Hyrule from the evil that is Ganon. While the series has always been popular, the Nintendo Switch has catapulted Zelda into one of Nintendo's best-selling properties with landmark titles in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Echoes of Wisdom released toward the end of the original Nintendo Switch's life cycle, but Nintendo has already revealed quite a bit about the next generation of adventures in Hyrule. Here's every Legend of Zelda game on the Nintendo Switch as well as new features and Zelda games we can confirm are coming to the Switch 2.

How Many Zelda Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?

In total, eight Zelda games have been released specifically for the Nintendo Switch. This includes both mainline entries and spinoff games that were released from 2017 to 2025. All of these Zelda games will be playable on the Switch 2, with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom specifically getting Switch 2 upgrades.

All Zelda Switch Games in Order of Release Date

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 2017

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the first Zelda title released for Nintendo Switch. Launching alongside the system, this title marked a turning point in the Zelda series, bringing a style of open world gameplay that we'd never seen before. You can traverse to anywhere you can see in the world. Link awakes after a 100 year slumber, where he is tasked by the spirit of Hyrule's former King to save Princess Zelda from Calamity Ganon - a primal evil trapped inside Hyrule Castle.

Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition - 2018

Hyrule Warriors is an action hack and slash title developed by Omega Force and originally released for the Wii U. Characters from all kinds of Zelda games make an appearance, whether as playable characters or villains. The game was brought over to Nintendo Switch in 2018 in the form of Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, and includes all characters, stages, and modes from the original game in addition to Breath of the Wild inspired costumes for Link and Zelda.

Read our review of Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.

Cadence of Hyrule - 2019

Cadence of Hyrule is an extremely unqiue collaboration between Brace Yourself Games and Nintendo. The game combines the roguelike rhythm gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer with the world of The Legend of Zelda and its characters. This spinoff offers an incredible soundtrack and beautiful pixelated graphics. Up against Octavo, a musical villain, Zelda and Link team up with Cadence to thwart his plans and save the Hyrule.

Read our review of Cadence of Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening - 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a remake of 1993 Game Boy title developed by Grezzo. This charming platformer sees Link castaway at Koholint Island, where he must solve the mystery of the Wind Fish, a legendary being said to be on the island. Unlike some of the more modern Zelda titles, Link's Awakening takes you across many different dungeons and areas to collect the Instruments of the Sirens. If you never got the chance to play the original Link's Awakening, this is the definitive way to experience one of the Zelda series' most unique titles.

Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - 2020

The second Switch entry in the Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Calamity is set 100 years before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Here, you can experience firsthand the events that occured in the fight against Calamity Ganon. All of your favorite Breath of the Wild cahracters are here and playable, including Link, Zelda, the Champions, and so many more. Omega Force created a fun and expansive title, with two waves of DLC you can check out after completing the main story.

Read our review of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD - 2021

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the long-awaited remaster of the classic Wii game. Set at the beginning of the Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword takes Link to the skies as he traverses across the world to save his childhood friend Zelda. You'll uncover the Master Sword was created as part of this journey, among other things. The remaster includes the iconic motion controls you can operate with the Joy-Con and a new button-only gameplay style for those looking to play without motion.

Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom hit the market in 2023, selling over 10 million copies in just three days as well as quite a few special edition Switch consoles. Set a few years after the events of Breath of the Wild, Link is tasked once again with finding Princess Zelda after Ganondorf is resurrected. Tears of the Kingdom takes to both the skies of Hyrule and the depths below the land. This creates one of the largest maps you'll find in any game, leaving for hundreds of hours of exploration to be had. All in all, it's the best Zelda game of all time and a hard one to follow.

Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - 2024

But, of course, Tears of the Kingdom was not the end of this beloved Nintendo franchise. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was announced during June's Nintendo Direct before launching on the Switch this week. While Echoes has the titular Princess take the story's reigns, and features a more 2D art style à la Link's Awakening, it should not be mistaken as a spin-off or side project. This is a full-blown, magical Zelda game, that lets you unlock your creativity to try and save Link and the rest of Hyrule in entirely new ways.

Read our review of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

One of the best 55" OLED TVs is on sale for a limited time. Walmart is offering a 55" Samsung S90C 4K OLED Smart TV for just $989 with free shipping. Beach Camera is the marketplace vendor and it is an authorized Samsung reseller, which means you get the full manufacturer's warranty. The S90C is a 2023 model, but it's a better TV than the 2024 S85D and nearly identical in image quality to the 2024 S90D, which is currently selling for $200 more. Ideally you'll pair it with your PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or even the upcoming Switch 2 console.

Update: This TV is also available on Amazon for a little more.

55" Samsung S90C 4K OLED Smart TV for $989

Nintendo just revealed so much about the Nintendo Switch 2 during its latest Direct, but we have learned even more since the hour-long presentation ended, including the new console's tech specs. While we still have a lot of questions, let's break down what's new with the Switch 2.

This had been touched on before, but Nintendo reiterated that this new system will feature a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen that is capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080). This is a big upgrade from Switch 1's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen (although we will miss OLED!), and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen.

There is also support for HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, which means games can jump up to 120fps if they and your setup allow it.

It was also confirmed that slotting the Switch 2 to its new dock will allow games to be played in 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps or 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. We know these higher-end graphics are made possible by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA," but sadly we are currently given no further details in regard to Switch 2's CPU/GPU.

What was revealed, however, was the battery life. The Switch 2's internal battery is a Lithium-ion battery with 5220mAh, and this will allow for approximately 2 - 6.5 hours of battery life and a charge time of three hours when in Sleep mode. Nintendo noted these are "rough estimates" and that the "battery life will depend on the games you play."

This battery life is just about the same as the launch model Switch 1 as it boasted a range of 2.5 - 6.5 hours. On the other hand, the Switch 2's battery life is a downgrade from the three newer Switch models - Nintendo Switch (4.5 - 9 hours), Nintendo Switch - OLED Model (4.5 - 9 hours), and Nintendo Switch Lite (3 - 7 hours).

Elsewhere, we learn that the Switch is approximately 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick with the Joy-Con 2 attached. This translates to a weight of roughly .88 pounds without Joy-Con 2 and 1.18 lbs with them attached.

The weight of the Switch 2 is an exact match for the current Switch 1 model, but it is both taller and longer than any current model with Joy-Con attached;

• Nintendo Switch 2 - 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick / .88 lbs
• Nintendo Switch - 4 inches tall x 9.5 inches long x .55 inches thick / .88 lbs
• Nintendo Switch - OLED Model - 4 inches tall x 9.5 inches long x .55 inches thick / .93 lbs
• Nintendo Switch Lite - 3.6 inches tall x 8.2 inches long x .55 inches thick / .61 lbs

Speaking of Joy-Con, we sadly don't get the confirmation that they are using Hall Effect joysticks that would likely prevent the drifting issues many Switch owners experienced. They very well may use them, as it was hinted at in a patent from 2023, but we'll have to wait to find out for sure.

On the audio front, the Switch 2 supports linear PCM output 5.1ch. If you want a surround sound effect, that can also be enabled via headphones of the built-in speaker after a system update.

For storage, the Switch 2 will feature 256 GB of internal storage, which is another upgrade from the 32 GB available on the Switch and Switch Lite and the 64 GB on the Switch - OLED Model. Another big difference here is that the Switch 2 will require microSD Express cards for up to 2TB of extra storage, meaning the microSDXC cards the current Switch models support will not be able to be transferred over to the new console.

To wrap up, it was also revealed the Switch 2 will support Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6), it will have 2 USB-C ports, a 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard), and a built-in monaural microphone with noice cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control.

For more, check out our recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, how much the new system will cost, a list of the launch games we know so far, and when Switch 2 pre-orders start.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

I've had a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription for little over a year now and it's been great. I've been able to play some older Game Boy Advance games I never got to experience as a kid as well as revisit classic N64 games like Banjo-Kazooie. Now with the Switch 2 on the horizon, the Switch Online subscription is going to start including GameCube games – plus be required to use the new GameChat function – and I couldn't be more excited. What I'm not excited about is the increased prices for the new console and games.

The price of the Switch 2 was revealed to be $449.99 and the new Mario Kart game is going to cost $80 at launch. These price increases make me think that a Nintendo Switch Online price increase is probably inevitable. If you are looking to pick up a subscription for the first time, there are still gift cards available at some retailers that you can purchase now instead of later. These are only available for new subscribers and do not stack upon existing subscriptions.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Gift Cards - 12 Months

The boys are back in town — and by the boys, I mean Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman. South Park has finally announced a return for Season 27, and it looks as though our favorite Colorado crew is dealing with, well, the state of things. And by dealing with it, I mean barely.

The beloved animated series debuted a new trailer announcing the upcoming season, but cleverly psyched the audience into thinking it was a dramatic sneak peek at a new drama. The intense editing and music added to the ominous vibes... until Stan’s dad Randy and his sister Shelley pop up on-screen and he asks her if she’s been taking drugs. “Because I think it could really help you,” he says as they sit on her bed with a Wicked movie poster in the background.

Earlier this year, Dell rebooted the legendary Alienware Area-51 lineup of prebuilt gaming PCs, but until recently you could only configure it with one graphics card option - the RTX 5080. That's no longer the case. Starting now, you can choose to equip your Alienware Area-51 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU and - finally - an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU starting at $5,499.99. Better yet, you won't have to wait months for your system to arrive; Dell estimates an early April ship date.

Alienware Area-51 RTX 5090 Prebuilt Gaming PCs Are Available

Often cited as one of the world's most valuable media franchises, Pokémon is a household name that's been a Nintendo staple since the Game Boy. The beloved series is home to hundreds of amazing creatures you can catch in-game or collect as trading cards, with each new generation bringing loads more to discover. Every console released by Nintendo has had plenty of Pokémon games released for it, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception.

With Nintendo's official Switch 2 announcement confirming the console's backward compatibility, you can feel confident picking up any existing Pokemon games on the Switch, knowing they'll carry over to the new system. Plus, Pokemon Day brought tons of new announcements about what's next for the franchise. Below, we've compiled every Pokémon game that has been released on Nintendo Switch and the information we have on upcoming Pokémon games releasing on the Switch 2.

How Many Pokémon Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?

In total, 12 Pokémon games have been released for the Nintendo Switch. This includes the mainline games for the 8th and 9th Pokémon generations as well as plenty of spinoffs. For the sake of this list, we've counted mainline entries with two versions as a single release. We also don't include the Pokémon games offered through Nintendo Switch Online, but you can check out that list below.

What Pokemon Game Should You Get in 2025?

If you're wondering which game is worth picking up on the Switch in 2025, my recommendation is Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It's not going to give you that OG Pokémon game feeling, but that's what the older generation games are for. Instead, Legends: Arceus introduces more action and RPG elements to the Pokémon series, offering the freshness of open areas to explore, more control over encounters, and plenty of polish for the handheld. If you're looking to pick up new Switch games on sale, it's worth checking out Presidents' Day game deals this weekend.

All Pokémon Games on the Nintendo Switch (in Release Order)

Pokkén Tournament DX (2017)

Pokkén Tournament was originally released for the Wii U in 2016. A year later, Nintendo and Bandai Namco prepared a deluxe version of the game for Nintendo Switch, adding new characters and updated visuals to take advantage of better hardware. This three-on-three battle system is a blast to play with friends both in person and online.

Pokémon Quest (2018)

Pokémon Quest turns all your favorite Pokémon into miniature cube form. This free-to-play Switch game features a fun and simple combat system where you send Pokémon on expeditions. Equip different abilities to your Pokémon to handle all types of encounters.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! (2018)

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of the beloved 1998 Pokémon Yellow. These titles were the first mainline Pokémon games ever to release on a home console, since none made it to the Wii U. Set in the Kanto region, all 151 original Pokémon appear with varying forms from previous mainline installments. With heavy accessibility features, these remakes were a great first step for the series on Nintendo Switch for newcomers and veterans of the series.

Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019)

Pokémon Sword & Shield marked the first installment in the series to feature aspects of an open world. Dubbed the Wild Areas, these regions allowed for free traversal and battles with wild Pokémon. Gyms also made a return for the first time since X & Y. Additionally, Sword & Shield introduced the eigth generation of Pokémon, which included Dynamax and Gigantamax forms of previous Pokémon.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 titles Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team. Surprisingly, this is the first Pokémon spinoff remake ever, with development handled by Spike Chunsoft. The gameplay consists of completing jobs in different dungeons and unlocking new Pokémon along the way.

Pokémon Café ReMix (2020)

The other Pokémon release of 2020 was Pokémon Café ReMix featuring similar gameplay to other puzzle games like Disney Tsum Tsum, which requires you to connect Pokémon together to solve puzzles. In Pokémon Café ReMix, you and Eevee own a café and must serve the Pokémon who come for food or a little drink. This charming service game is free-to-play via the Nintendo eShop.

New Pokémon Snap (2021)

After more than 20 years, the Nintendo Switch is the console that finally received a sequel to Pokémon Snap. Developed by Bandai Namco, you traverse around different biomes and areas with an on-rails camera to capture pictures Pokémon in the wild. You can unlock new courses by taking good pictures in New Pokémon Snap, leaving for a sizeable amount of content to unlock and discover. You never know what you might find during each session!

Pokémon Unite (2021)

This free-to-play game marked Pokémon's first entry into the MOBA genre. You command and control a team of five Pokémon in head-to-head battles against other players online. There's a solid amount of Pokémon to choose from, so you can adjust your team to best fit your needs. Pokémon Unite went on to be featured in different esports tournaments, with multiple championships held for the game.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which originally released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. As the fourth generation of Pokémon, Diamond & Pearl feature a wide variety of Pokémon to battle against and discover. The remakes feature a new chibi art style that was created to stay faithful to the original titles while still remaining fresh.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is often praised as one of the best Pokémon games available on the Switch. This original title takes place far in the past, somewhere in the Hisui region. With a focus on exploration, you can freely walk all around the map to capture Pokémon, explore different environments, and so much more. Pokémon can be spotted wandering around all over the map, which requires you to be strategic if you're looking to avoid battle.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022)

The latest mainline Pokémon games officially kicked off Generation 9, bringing along an entire new approach to gameplay and world design. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, an open world awaits with freedom to explore wherever your heart takes you. The DLC pass, titled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, is now wrapped up, making it a perfect time to check out Scarlet & Violet.

Detective Pikachu Returns (2023)

One game and one movie later, the sequel to Detective Pikachu is finally available on Nintendo Switch. Tim's father is missing, and it's up to Detective Pikachu to solve the case! This sequel features new puzzles and investigations, where you can investigate scenes and use your notebook to get to the bottom of the mystery. If you're a fan of both Pokémon and mystery games, this is a great game to consider.

Available Pokémon Games With Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service has additional Pokémon titles if you're looking for more after completing the Nintendo Switch library. Here are the five Pokémon games you can play with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership:

• Pokémon Trading Card Game
• Pokémon Snap
• Pokémon Puzzle League
• Pokémon Stadium
• Pokémon Stadium 2

Upcoming Pokémon Games on Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Day 2025 brought some solid announcements about new Pokémon games. Pokémon Legends: Z-A was initially announced last year, though a new gameplay trailer revealed the game's setting in Lumiose City within the Kalos regions. Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita are familiar starting Pokémon, from Gen 2 and 5, but will be getting new Mega evolutions. "Rooftop parkour" and new battle mechanics also indicate an increased focused on real-time action. As far as a release date, "Fall 2025" is all we know for now. In the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo confirmed that Pokémon Legends Z-A will release simultaneously on both Switch systems, with the Switch 2 edition featuring enhanced graphics and better framerates.

Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have also announced Pokémon Champions, a new battle game in the spirit of Pokemon Showdown. Coming to mobile devices and Switch, you'll be able to battle with Pokémon you've trained in other games through the Pokémon Home app.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

Here's your best opportunity to sign up for an Audible membership at a stellar price. Starting now and running through April 30, you can sign up for three months of Audible Premium Plus for just $0.99 per month. Premium Plus is Audible's highest tier plan and normally costs $14.95/mo. As a additional subscription perk, you get a free audiobook of your choice for each of those three months and you get to keep them indefinitely.

Both new and currently expired Audible customers are eligible

Anyone who doesn't currently have an active Audible membership should be eligible. That includes new subscribers as well as existing members whose subscriptions have since expired. There's always a small your-mileage-may-vary disclaimer with these types of promotions, but fortunately it's easy to check if you qualify: log into your account, and if you see the $0.99/mo banner right on Amazon's Audible page then you're eligible for this promotion.

3 Months of Audible Premium Plus for $0.99 per Month

Fortnite is getting a special Nintendo Switch 2 port that should keep those pesky technical issues from keeping players from a win, and the internet is already celebrating its potential.

Epic Games’ trend-setting battle royale showed up during a sizzle reel during today’s Switch 2 Direct to confirm that a new version is in development. What’s more is that it’s planned to launch day and date with Nintendo’s new hybrid console this June, meaning you’ll be able to check out all of the fancy new upgrades (whatever they may be) as soon as you unbox your Switch 2.

Fortnite fans have long complained that the Switch version of Fortnite has too many technical issues, keeping them from enjoying the massively popular free-to-play game on one of the most popular consoles of all time. Examples include drastically downgraded visuals compared to those seen on rival platforms, glitches that impact gameplay, and other annoyances that make it hard to justify spending time playing on Nintendo’s original Switch.

Epic has moved to improve performance in the past, but many Switch owners have found themselves wanting more – and now the Switch 2 is here to answer their prayers. With improved specs – including support for 120fps and up to 4K resolution when docked – Switch 2 will run beefier titles like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Final Fantasy 7: Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and many more, and players are expecting to see Fortnite get a significant bump when the Switch 2 launches this summer. It already seems to be running well enough based on its brief time in today’s new sizzle reel, so fans quickly dropped onto social media to share their excitement.

FORTNITE FOR SWITCH 2 AVAILABLE ON RELEASE DAY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WkRpC9fFJ4

— Shiina (@ShiinaBR) April 2, 2025

i just realized fortnite may finally look halfway decent on the switch 2

— Fortnite Furry Bait 😺👑|🐺🦯 (@furry_fortnite) April 2, 2025

i hope the switch 2 makes fortnite easier to play for us switch users. i cant take the choppiness anymore pic.twitter.com/SzBCzcAezA

— jalenciaga | comms open (@jalenciagasart) March 27, 2025

You’ll want to make sure you download that spruced-up Switch 2 version of Fortnite come launch, as Nintendo has already warned that the original Switch version of the battle royale experience may have a few issues when running on the new hardware. It was included in a recently published list of known Switch titles to suffer from drawbacks when running on Switch 2. Though it’s unclear what those issues may be, it sounds like you’ll be fine so long as you’re playing on the Switch 2 version of Fortnite.

We’ll know more about how Fortnite looks, feels, and runs on the new Switch as its launch on June 5, 2025, draws closer. In the meantime, you can check out everything else announced during today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Nintendo has finally given us all the info on its new console, the Switch 2. During the hour-long Direct, there was a LOT of info on both new and old games coming to Nintendo’s new console. From expected arrivals such as Mario Kart World to the complete surprise of what looks like a spiritual sequel to Bloodborne, here are 72 new details about the Nintendo Switch 2 games library as we know it right now.

Mario Kart World

1. The Switch 2’s flagship launch title looks set to be Mario Kart World, the first open-world Mario Kart game that will allow you to “drive almost anywhere”.

2. Many new tracks were seen in the trailer, including one based on the original Donkey Kong game and a metropolis that could be Super Mario Odyssey’s New Donk City.

3. The overworld’s roads and track conditions will change due to the environment’s changing weather and a day/night cycle.

4. Up to 24 drivers in a race were confirmed, almost certainly leading to even more Mario Kart havoc.

5. A new mode for Mario Kart World called Knockout Tour will be introduced. These will be longer races where you follow the checkpoints and have to remain near the leaders to avoid elimination and ultimately take the crown.

6. You can also drive freely around the open world and meet up with friends. A photo mode will help document these adventures.

7. New racing mechanics look set to be introduced. We see wall-riding and grinding in the trailer, as well as what looks like Birdo transforming into a semi-truck and Mario eating a burger to transform into a different version of himself? I’m sure we’ll find out what the hell is going on here soon enough.

8. And that time could be 6am Pacific Time on the 17th of April, when Mario Kart World will be having its very own Nintendo Direct stream.

Other Switch 2 Nintendo Games

9. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be getting its very own Switch 2 version, which allows you to take advantage of the new joy-con mouse controls.

10. Metroid Prime 4 will also be available to play in two different graphics modes. Quality Mode allows for 4K 60FPS with HDR enabled when docked and 1080p 60fps handheld. Performance Mode offers 1080p with HDR at 120fps docked, but 720p 120fps HDR when handheld.

11. A new 3D Donkey Kong platformer called Donkey Kong Bananza is heading to the Switch 2 on July 17th. It appears we’ll be able to smash everything in it.

12. Kirby Air Riders, a follow-up to GameCube racing spin-off Kirby Air Ride, is also coming to the Switch 2. It will be directed by legendary Super Smash Bros. developer, and Kirby creator, Masahiro Sakurai.

13. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will offer a “virtual exhibition” of the new hardware, as well as being filled with minigames. This will not be packed into each Switch 2 at launch, though, but a paid-for game in its own right.

14. Drag X Drive is a launch game that uses the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con mouse controls to enable three-on-three basketball-style matches.

15. Then there are a bunch of existing Nintendo-published games that will be getting Switch 2 upgrades. These won’t be free for existing owners, however, with paid upgrade packs being the barrier to entry. The list of Switch 1 games getting these upgrades so far includes:

16. Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, the latter being an expansion centered around the Switch 2 camera and GameChat additions.

17. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with both receiving enhanced resolution and frame rates, as well as HDR implementation. A new Zelda Notes section on the Nintendo Today app will also be added to let you look at Hyrule’s map and easily share TOTK creations with other players.

18. Kirby and the Forgotten Land will be receiving an upgrade, as well as a new Star Cross World story expansion.

19. And Pokemon Legends Z-A will get its very own Switch 2 version with enhanced resolution when it arrives later in 2025.

3rd Party Switch 2 Games

20. But that’s not it. During the Switch 2 direct a whole host of third-party games, both new and old, were revealed to be making their way to Nintendo’s upcoming console. We’ve got them all for you here:

21. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the whole direct, FromSoftware is making what looks like a spiritual successor to Bloodborne exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Releasing in 2026, The Duskbloods is officially described as “a brand-new multiplayer game" from the Dark Souls developers and we look forward to hearing much more about it when a Creator’s Voice article from Hidetaka Miyazaki himself drops on the Nintendo Today App on April 4th.

22. FromSoft’s last game, Elden Ring, will also be making its way to Switch 2 with its Tarnished Edition.

23. Hades 2 will arrive (presumably once out of early access)

24. We finally got another little peek at Hollow Knight Silksong, which is listed for 2025.

25. Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition will be available on day one.

26. Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion will launch on September 5th.

27. Split-Fiction will also arrive at launch.

28. Both the EA FC and Madden sports sims will be on Switch 2.

29. Hogwarts Legacy, complete with mouse controls, will be available at launch.

30. The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remakes will arrive in summer, as well as what looked like a tease for a Spongebob level (?)

31. The Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition will let us carry out contracts on the go.

32. James Bond will make his way to Switch 2 when Project 007 is released by IO Interactive.

33. A Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster will launch alongside the Switch 2.

34. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is also a launch title and comes packed with new cutscenes.

35. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom – promises to tell the untold story of the Imprisoning War when it arrives from Koei Tecmo this winter.

36. Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 are also set for launch day.

37. And Borderlands 4 will fire its way onto Switch 2 alongside its thousands of different ridiculous pieces of weaponry.

38. Civilization 7 will be taking advantage of the Switch 2’s mouse controls at launch.

39. And both WWE 2K and NBA 2K will both be making their way to the console as well.

40. Survival Kids, a colourful co-op survival game, will be arriving at launch, too.

41. Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition is on the way from CD Projekt Red, complete with its Phantom Liberty expansion.

42. And Square Enix will also be bringing Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade to Switch 2 in all its glory.

43. There were also MANY more games shown to be on their way to the Switch 2. Let’s rattle them off here, starting with Enter the Gungeon 2.

44. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions

45. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

46. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar

47. Goodnight Universe

48. Two Point Museum

49. Wild Hearts S

50. Witchbrook

51. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

52. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

53. Marvel Cosmic Invasion

54. Star Wars Outlaws

55. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition

56. Fast Fusion

57. Shadow Labyrinth

58. Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army

59. No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files

60. Reanimal

61. Fortnite

62. Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

63. Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

64. Tamagotchi Plaza

65. Human Fall Flat 2

Nintendo Switch Online + GameCube

66. But wait! There are more games. Even older ones! Nintendo Online will continue over to Switch 2 and if you subscribe to the +Expansion service, Switch 2 owners get exclusive access to a new classic game library: GameCube.

67. There will be three titles at launch, including The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Yeah, it’s not the HD remaster that many have been crying out for but at least it’s a way of replaying the fantastic GameCube adventure on the go.

68. SoulCalibur 2 is also a launch game, along with F-Zero GX. What’s more, multiplayer games like F-Zero GX will support four-player local and online play.

69. Games coming further down the line include Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Super Mario Strikers, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Chi bi-Robo!, Luigi’s Mansion, and Pokemon Coliseum.

70. A 3D Mario platformer was also shown during the Direct, but not the brand-new one many were hoping for. Instead, Mario Sunshine will be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion subscribers in the future.

71. All GameCube games benefit from superior image quality and improved resolution compared to the original versions.

72. Additionally, a dedicated Switch 2 GameCube controller is coming, available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online members. It’ll connect wireless to Switch 2 and also has a C button for GameChat.

And that’s all the important information we picked out about the games heading to Switch 2 from Nintendo’s extensive Direct. What games are you most excited to play on the upcoming console? Let us know in the comments. And for everything else Switch 2, stick with IGN.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

Following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the launch lineup for the much-anticipated follow-up to 2017's Switch is starting to take shape and it's an exciting one. From Mario Kart World to enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, there clearly won't be a lack of things to play on June 5, 2025.

We've already found over 20 games headed to Nintendo Switch 2 at launch, and that's not including the backward-compatible Switch 1 games (even though some may have some start-up issues) and titles already a part of Nintendo Switch Online. And yes, we will continue to add to this list as more are revealed.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Line-up So Far

• Mario Kart World
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
  • F-Zero GX
  • SOULCALIBUR II
• Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
• Deltarune Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Split Fiction
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
• Street Fighter 6 - Official Years 1-2 Edition
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
• Sid Meier's Civilization VII - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
• Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
• Fortnite
• Fast Fusion
• Hitman World of Assassination - Signature Edition
• Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
• Survival Kids
• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
• Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

For more, be sure to check out our recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, how much the new system will cost, and when Switch 2 pre-orders start.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

Nintendo has officially locked in a launch date for the Nintendo Switch 2, its successor to the extremely popular Nintendo Switch. That name, though, could have been a little bit different, if not for a piece of Nintendo's past.

In a new Q+A published today alongside the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo conducted an interview with three of the developers behind the making of the Switch 2 hardware. From the Entertainment Planning & Development Department there was producer Kouichi Kawamoto and senior director Takuhiro Dohta, as well as Technology Development division GM Tetsuya Sasaki.

When asked how the team landed on the name Nintendo Switch 2, the developers said there were a "lot of ideas" for the name of the console, and they struggled to find the right one.

"We even considered ideas like Super Nintendo Switch," Kawamoto said. "However, Super NES, which came out after the NES, couldn’t play NES games. Since Switch 2 can play Switch games, it didn't feel right to use the same naming convention as Super NES. Switch 2 is a new system with improved performance, but we'd like players who get their hands on it not to focus on the specs, but rather to think of it as the latest system developed by Nintendo.

"So, in the hope that it becomes the new standard for Nintendo Switch, we named it Nintendo Switch 2."

Dohta continued, talking about the team's goals for the system.

"From the beginning of development, we wanted Switch 2 to be a system that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of players," Dohta said.

"This hasn’t changed from Switch to Switch 2. I also wanted to create an experience that as many players as possible could enjoy, rather than an experience made specially for those who prefer high-performance hardware. So, we wanted a name that would communicate simply to potential customers that, if you're considering buying a Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 is the newest system."

Sasaki said the name was simple and easy to understand, since "development began with the idea that Switch 2 would be a proper successor to Switch." So after a lot of struggle and deliberation, the team arrived on Nintendo Switch 2.

While the name is not necessarily surprising, it's interesting to see how Nintendo looked back on its own history and what the "Super" prefix wound up representing, versus a "2." The Nintendo Switch 2 does carry forward a great deal of the Nintendo Switch, from its games and services to a similar form factor. Switch 2 does seem like the suitable name, even if Super Switch is a fun bit of alliteration.

There was a lot of Nintendo Switch 2 news today, from the launch date and ultimate price reveal of the new console to a host of games arriving at or after its debut. For all the news and headlines, be sure to check out our recap of everything announced at the Switch 2 Direct here.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

If audio is important to you when it comes to Nintendo games, one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories worth adding to your collection is a decent gaming headset. And, if you're eyeing a Switch 2 for its new GameChat feature, a headset will be essential to not annoy everyone else in your home. Our favorite option to pair with the Nintendo Switch is the versatile Razer Barracuda X. Still, no matter what you want, we’ve made sure to cater to all kinds of needs and price ranges – from the best budget headsets to the most premium high-end headset money can buy.

TL;DR: These Are the Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch

Finding the best Nintendo Switch headset requires a lot of time, energy, and effort, with various brands on the market and tons of features to look out for. Plus, the best gaming headset will appeal differently to different people. Nintendo finally addiing Bluetooth connectivity to the Switch also makes wireless headsets eligible for consideration. We've done the testing and research to bring you five of our favorite gaming headsets for Switch.

The Razer Barracuda X we reviewed is easily our top pick for a Nintendo Switch headset that’s impressive in every way at an incredibly reasonable price. For just $99, you get excellent audio quality and a lag-free wireless connection through the low-latency 2.4GHz USB dongle. This headset also offers seamless Bluetooth connectivity for your Nintendo Switch, smartphone, and other devices for a completely cable-free setup.

In our testing of the Barracuda X, we found it is also immensely comfortable thanks to its mesh-covered memory foam earcups, remarkably thick headband padding, and lightweight plastic body. Weighing just 250g, it is ideal for extended hours of gameplay without feeling like a burden on your noggin. What makes the Barracuda X even better for long gaming sessions is its 60-hour battery life, and even when it runs out of juice, you can always use the included 3.5mm cable to keep playing. If you also game on platforms other than the Switch, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s also one of the best PS5 headsets, and is compatitable with PC and smartphones sporting USB-C Ports.

Our testing of the HyperX Cloud Alpha confirmed it to be one of the most popular choices for a wired gaming headset. It hosts 50mm dual chamber drivers that deliver focused and powerful sound. The sound is crisp and clear, and it maintains that clarity even when the volume is cranked all the way up. The detachable boom mic on the cans is excellent at canceling unwanted background noise and transferring your voice clearly and precisely.

The Cloud Alpha features a sturdy aluminum frame headband that makes it durable and light. The lightweight profile of the headset coupled with its thick earcups makes for a tremendously comfortable fit as well. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry too much about the cable being a hassle. The headset boasts a braided nylon cable that is fairly easy to untangle.

We've reviewed theSteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless and found it to be one of the best options if you want to go fully cable-free. The headset has a lag-free connection with its USB dongle and it provides up to 20 hours of gaming before it runs out of battery. (Since it also sports wired connection options, you don’t have to put the headset down when it’s out of juice, though you'll be tethered up.) The Arctis 1’s 40mm drivers help deliver impressive audio.

Apart from the seamless connection and brilliant sound, the headset features a sturdy body padded with soft Airweave fabric on the earcups and plushy foam cushions on the headband. Plus, it weighs a total of 254g to sit comfortably atop your head. It offers easy compatibility with not just the Nintendo Switch but also PS4, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices. What’s more, it features a fantastic mic, which is also thankfully detachable, so you won’t look like a newscaster when you’re not gaming.

The Logitech G Pro X is a great choice if you prioritize high-quality sound in a gaming headset. It features impressive highs that thankfully doesn’t go overboard with the clear lows. Often, the bass is overdone, so it sounds thick and heavy, but that isn’t the case with the Pro X – explosions and the like sound great. The surround sound on the headset is pretty impressive too, which always helps to enhance the overall experience.

It’s also a tough and sturdy headset, accompanied by thick cushioning to keep the strain off your head and ears at all times. Apart from ensuring a comfortable fit, the thick cushioning facilitates a certain level of passive noise isolation as well. Not only is the Pro X immensely comfortable, but it also fits rather snugly, hugging your ears tightly with just enough clamping force to not feel overbearing. Logitech also thoughtfully provides an extra pair of velour pads in the package to accommodate users with glasses. It's a wired option, so you can grab the G Pro X Lightspeed we also reviewed to go wireless.

5. Skullcandy PLYR

Best Bluetooth Nintendo Switch Headset

Skullcandy's PLYR is a great Bluetooth headset for your Switch. The connection process is fast and simple, and there is hardly any lag. With a 3.5mm cord in the package, you can also use the PLYR as a wired headset. You can rely on the 50mm drivers to deliver punchy, clear, and focused sound. For a $130 mid-range headset, the sound on this is brilliant. It has the immersive audio experience that gamers look for.

PLYR also allows an impressive amount of user customization through the Skullcandy-HQ app It allows you to modify the equalizer channels with options for bass, mids, and highs – or there are presets such as RPG, music, and film mode. The app also lets you tweak volume levels for both gaming and chat, which you can also adjust using the headset’s onboard controls.

How to Choose a Nintendo Switch Headset

One of the most important features to look for when buying a Nintendo Switch headset is comfort. You’re going to be spending a lot of time wearing it, so you don’t want something that feels like a burden. Avoid this by opting for a headset that is generously padded, both on the headband and earcups. You’ll also want to make sure the earcups are covered in mesh fabric instead of leatherette as the latter material can cause sweating

Noise isolation is almost as important as comfort. Make sure to look for a headset that forms a snug seal around your ears to provide a good degree of passive noise isolation. The circumference of the earcups should be large enough to fit around your ears. If you’re someone who wears glasses, consider velour earcups.

Active noise-canceling (ANC) is another important feature to look for. Noise cancellation helps block out any external sounds so you can pay more attention to those slight, but all-so-crucial directional audio cues. Basically, ANC enhances immersion and results in an overall enhanced gameplay experience.

It’s wise to not underestimate the importance of build quality. You might be tempted to opt for plastic headsets because of their relatively inexpensive price tags, but it’s best to invest in a sturdy metal headset that will last you years. Not only will plastic give up on you pretty quickly, but it can also look a little cheap.

If cordinating with your teammates is important, the microphone quality on a headset is crucual. You’d want to make sure the mic transmits your voice quickly and clearly without any lag. It is also recommended to look for headsets that feature custom settings for mics, so you can tweak how you sound. If you plan on using the headset on the go, definitely go for those with detachable mics.

Lastly, make sure the sound on your headset is customizable via EQ settings on a companion app. The rest mostly has to do with your preferences. If you’re a fan of bass, look for a headset that emphasizes low-end. If you’re big on RPGs, surround sound is a must-have feature.

Nintendo Switch Gaming Headset FAQ

Will my Switch headset be compatible with the Switch 2?

Unlike some of the other Switch accessories, your headset will most likely work with the Switch 2. The new console will, of course, support Bluetooth, and also has a headphone jack and an extra USB-C port at the top, so your current headset should work fine.

Does the Switch support Bluetooth audio?

The Nintendo Switch has always supported the best Switch controllers via Bluetooth, but for a long time, a special adapter was necessary to connect wireless headphones or headsets to the console over Bluetooth. Luckily, in late 2021, Nintendo finally added Bluetooth audio support on the Switch. Just be sure your device’s system version is updated to 13.0.0 or higher. Then, it should be simple to connect the best wireless earbuds, gaming earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Unfortunately, Bluetooth microphones still aren’t supported. Take a look here for more information about how to connect via Bluetooth to your Switch.

What’s the best Nintendo Switch headset?

We’ve tested dozens of headsets, and when it comes to performance with the Nintendo Switch, nothing beats the Razer Barracuda X. With it, you’ll enjoy an incredibly reasonable price tag, reliable connectivity, a comfortable fit, and decent sound. Plus, you aren’t limited to listening only on your Switch, as the Barracuda X comes with multiplatform compatibility ready to work on the majority of your devices.

Dua has been hooked on technology since she was a kid and used to spend all of her spare time reading product reviews online. Today, she writes for IGN, TechRadar, and Gizmodo, and has worked for PCMag, Digital Trends, and ScreenRant among other tech publishers. When she isn't obsessing over the latest gadgets, Dua spends her time working out, playing the uke or reading.

As one of Nintendo's most iconic characters, Mario is everywhere on the Switch. The plumber has had multiple releases every year since the system first came out with no signs of stopping, even as we head closer to the now officially announced Switch 2. Some of the best Mario games ever have launched on the Switch, like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

From 3D platformers to the newest versions of Mario Kart, here's every Mario game available on the Switch, as well as upcoming Mario games set to launch on the Switch 2.

How Many Mario Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?

A total of 21 Mario games have been released for Nintendo Switch. This spans from the launch of the system in March 2017 to the present day. Below, we've compiled each of the original Mario titles available on Switch. Keep in mind that this list won't include games that are a part of Nintendo Switch Online.

All Mario Switch Games in Order of Release Date

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)

The first Mario game on Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, brought together all Mario Kart 8 had to offer on Wii U in one package. The game has gone on to receive a handful of new characters and 48 new tracks through the Booster Course Pass DLC. It is the best-selling title on the Nintendo Switch.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (2017)

A unique partnership between Ubisoft and Nintendo, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle brought together the worlds of Super Mario and the Rabbids. A turn-based strategy system was implemented to allow you to control Mario and friends around each map to take down enemy Rabbids.

Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

Super Mario Odyssey is a revolutionary release that reinvented and transformed the 3D Mario formula forever. You travel with Mario across all sorts of kingdoms to stop Bowser's plans to hold a wedding with Princess Peach. The big new feature of Super Mario Odyssey is the addition of Cappy, Mario's trusty cap. With Cappy, you can capture and transform into all sorts of enemies, allowing for a wide variety of gameplay. It's arguably the best Super Mario game to ever be released.

Mario Tennis Aces (2018)

Mario Tennis Aces was the first Mario sports title to release for Switch. The game had a large focus on its Adventure Mode, which was the first story mode in a Mario Tennis title since the Game Boy Advance's Mario Tennis: Power Tour. Content was released frequently after launch, with a total of 30 unique characters available to choose from.

Super Mario Party (2018)

The first Mario Party title for Nintendo Switch is Super Mario Party, which was coined as a refresh of the beloved series. Contrary to Mario Party 10, this game brought back to turn-based boards for the first time since Mario Party 9. Over 80 minigames are available with a handful of modes to play with friends.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019)

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe hit Switch in early 2019. This package combines New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U into one bundle. Between the two games, there are a ton of levels available for you to play through. Additionally, new playable characters Toadette and Nabbit were added to this Deluxe package.

Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)

The exciting follow up to the hit Wii U title, Super Mario Maker 2 implemented new tools like slopes, on/off blocks, seesaws, vertical areas, water levels, and more. Additionally, a style based on Super Mario 3D World is available to create courses with, allowing for items like the Cat Powerup and Clear Pipes to be used. A Master Sword powerup was even added, which transforms you into Link.

Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)

A staple series with each year of the Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 released for Switch in November 2019. A story mode featuring Mario, Sonic, Bowser, and Dr. Eggman is available, in addition to online play with events. A total of 32 different characters are available to choose from. It's one of the many Switch Sonic games worth adding to your collection.

Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)

The main Paper Mario release for Nintendo Switch was released in July 2020. Paper Mario: The Origami King features a unique puzzle battle system that involves rotating rings to line up enemies. Like previous Paper Mario titles, The Origami King was developed by Intelligent Systems.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)

A collection of three 3D Mario titles, Super Mario 3D All-Stars was a limited release that celebrated the 35th Anniversary. It bundles together Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy into one package. Both Sunshine and Galaxy received substantial resolution upgrades with this collection's release.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020)

You might have forgotten about this game, but Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit hit Nintendo Switch in 2020. The game utilizes AR technology to allow you to create Mario Kart tracks in real life with RC cars. The game combines the environment around you with the world of Mario Kart, featuring coins, powerups, and other racers to go up against.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021)

The Wii U's 3D Mario title made its way to the Switch in 2021, with an enhanced version of Super Mario 3D World. A new mode, Bowser's Fury, was added as a part of the package. Bowser's Fury brought a brand-new take on the 3D Mario formula, opting for one large, open sandbox environment.

Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021)

Developed by Camelot, Mario Golf: Super Rush released in June 2021. A story mode is featured, where you level up your Mii character across different courses. Multiple new modes were introduced with Super Rush, like Speed Golf where you run across the course to hit the ball into the hole as fast as you can. It's one of the best golf games on the Switch.

Mario Party Superstars (2021)

Mario Party Superstars is a classic take on the Mario Party formula, bringing back older boards from the Nintendo 64 titles. One hundred minigames were featured in this release, with returning favorites from prior games. Additionally, Nintendo and NDcube finally opened up online play for all modes.

Mario Strikers: Battle League (2022)

The first Mario Strikers game in more than 15 years, Mario Strikers: Battle League was developed by Next Level Games and released in June 2022. Plenty of new characters and abilities were made, with eight-player multiplayer added as well. The highlight of Battle League is the Strikers Club, which allows you to create clubs with up to 20 other players and take on competing clubs.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022)

The sequel to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope completely revitalizes the combat system. The game opts for an open approach to combat rather than the Grid system found in Kingdom Battle. New characters like Rosalina and Edge join the battle in an action-packed adventure that spans the cosmos.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the latest 2D Mario game in the Super Mario Bros. series. It introduced the Wonder Flower, a unique mechanic that allows everything you know about a Mario level to flip on its head and surprise you. A total of 12 characters are playable through more than 100 unique levels.

Super Mario RPG (2023)

Released in late 2023, Super Mario RPG, is a remake of the classic SNES title of the same name. The wacky and colorful title recreates each of the unique characters, environments, and battles with exquisite detail. Even composer Yoko Shimomura returned to recreate the magical original soundtrack with modern orchestration!

Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a remake of the 2004 GBA game of the same name. It's a puzzle-platform game that brings the the Donkey Kong and Mario franchises together once again for entertaining gameplay.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)

The Nintendo Switch remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the most faithful remake of the original GameCube sequel to Paper Mario that released in 2004. The graphics are upgraded to give the characters and their environments a bigger pop of color, but the comedy threaded into the game's plot remains a classic. It's arguably the best Paper Mario game there has ever been.

Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024)

The third Mario Party game of the Switch generation, Super Mario Party Jamboree is the series' biggest entry to date with 22 playable characters, seven game boards, and over 110 minigames across its various single- and multiplayer modes. Jamboree notably intrdouces the Jamboree Buddies mechanic, which allows you to compete for companions through more complex minigames called Showdowns.

During the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced that Super Mario Party Jamboree would be one of the select games recieving an enhanced edition for the Switch 2. This enhanced edition is called "Jamboree TV" and will incorporate the Switch 2's mouse, voice, and camera features.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership (2024)

The most recent Mario game isn't just dedicated to one brother: Brothership launched in November as the first mainline "Mario and Luigi" game from Nintendo since 2015's Paper Jam. With a fresh new artstyle, gibberish voicelines, and even some turn-based combat, Brothership lets you take control of both brothers to restore the land of Concordia. And while our Mario and Luigi: Brothership review did say the game "feels designed specifically for ages six to 12 rather than ages six to 66," that could make this game a great gift or entry point for younger gamers.

There was a ton of new info to take in from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Luckily, we’ve picked out the most important details about the console, including when you can play it and the technology behind it, in this handy article. So, let’s get straight to it. Here are 23 new details about the Switch 2 console and its new GameChat feature.

The Console

1. Let’s start with the big one. We finally now know that the Nintendo Switch 2 will arrive on June 5th, 2025.

2. It will be available to pre-order on April 8th in the UK and Europe, but one day later on the 9th in the US.

3. The Switch 2 is a larger version of the original hybrid console, with the screen measuring 7.9 inches – a considerable increase compared to the Switch’s 6.2 inches.

4. The screen itself is a 1080p LCD monitor, with double the amount of pixels of the original screen. It also supports HDR (High Definition Range) and 120fps for an even smoother gameplay experience.

5. 4K resolution will be available on Switch 2 when docked and a suitable TV is connected via HDMI. The new dock also has a built-in fan this time around.

6. The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, a mammoth eight times the amount of space the original came with.

7. If you simply have too many games and need even more room, MicroSD Express cards are the only type that can be inserted for extra storage. Frustratingly, original Switch microSDs won’t work.

8. The Switch 2 will also be using a new type of game card. They’re red as opposed to their predecessor’s grey, and have a faster reading speed.

9. The audio capabilities of the Switch 2 appear significantly improved, with better quality speakers allowing for increased range, as well as 3D audio available when using headphones. Great, now we’ll be able to hear that blue shell coming for us directly from behind.

10. There’s also a built-in microphone on the top of the console that comes into its own when using the Switch 2’s brand-new GameChat feature (more on that later).

11. It also possesses two USB C ports. One on the bottom, just like the original Switch, and one on top to make charging easier when in tabletop mode, or if you want to take advantage of the new Nintendo Switch Camera 2 accessory.

12. The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera will be available on the same day as the console. It will cost $49.99/£49.99 and can be used to put your face into games, such as Mario Party Jamboree, or as an overlay when playing with friends.

13. The Switch 2 joy-con connects magnetically to the console via the bigger, metallic SL and SR buttons, and also has larger analog sticks.

14. Each joy-con can also be used as a mouse too. Some examples of games that have were shown to use this functionality are Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Civilization 7.

15. A new Pro Controller will also be available for the Switch 2. It comes with programmable GL and GR buttons on the grips and will be available for $79.99/£74.99.

16. Other official accessories revealed at this time include Mario Kart steering wheels, a Switch 2 carry case, and an “all in one” carry case that can store and carry all equipment needed to play in TV mode. This includes the Nintendo Switch 2 system, Nintendo Switch 2 dock, Joy-Con 2 controllers, various cables, and up to six game cards.

17. Amiibo also make their return and are confirmed to be compatible with the Switch 2. Three new Street Fighter Amiibo – Luke, Jamie, and Kimberly – are due at the console’s launch.

18. The standard Nintendo Switch 2 console costs $449.99/£395.99 and comes with the following in its box: A 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, and a USB-C Charging Cable.

19. A Mario Kart World Bundle will also be available at launch. It comes with all of the above, plus a copy of the game. This will cost $499.99/£429.99.

GameChat

20. And finally, the big mystery of the Switch 2’s C button was finally solved. GameChat is a new party voice channel system for the Nintendo console that will allow players to talk to friends, and all begins with a press of that button.

21. The microphone on the top of the console promises to pick up players’ voices over the top of background noise, whether be busy traffic or a vacuum cleaner on the other side of the room.

22. It will also allow players to share their screens with others, much like PlayStation’s share screen tech, so that you can see what your friends are up to or even help them with a particular puzzle.

23. GameChat, of course, comes with a price, though. And that admission fee is a Nintendo Online membership. That will only be the case after March 31st, 2026, however, as before then it will be available to all Switch 2 owners for free.

And that’s all the quickfire information we picked out from Nintendo’s extensive Switch 2 Direct. Are you planning on picking up a Switch 2 at launch? Let us know in the comments. And for everything else Switch 2, stick with IGN.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.