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:

If your wallet has been pleading for mercy, it might just have to hold on a little longer because today’s gaming deals are too good to ignore. Whether you're into high-speed hijinks, fantasy epics, or quirky co-op chaos, there's something to tempt every kind of gamer. With discounts this tempting, now’s the time to grab a controller, a mouse, or a magic paintbrush and dive into something new!

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm using a NOS burst to light 26 candles on a cake for Need For Speed: High Stakes. This beloved racing game wasn't just about sating one's velocity requirements while unlocking new whips; lose a High Stakes race, and you'd perma-lose your car. Us launch adopters loved that risk-versus-reward structure and the groundbreaking damage system that would go on to influence the future of racing simulations.

Better yet, we had I highly localised Aussie version with Holden VT Clubsport and Ford AU Falcon XR8 featured prominently on the cover. Even cooler, winning the special HSV Pro Cup would unlock Craig Lowndes' MHRT VT Commo'. Using it to evade the fuzz down Durham Road (preferably in split-screen PvP) was mighty boss stuff.