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Nintendo Switch 2 Hands on Event Registration Begins Very Soon
Nintendo fans eager to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 and likely Mario Kart 9 can sign up for a chance to do so very soon.
A short trailer confirmed the new hardware alongside a brand new Mario Kart game, and Nintendo soon after revealed that registration for a handful of hands on events across the U.S. begins tomorrow, January 17 on Nintendo’s website.
“Get hands on with the Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the Nintendo Switch system, at events in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas,” Nintendo said. “Tickets will be made available through a free-to-enter, randomly selected drawing.”
Registration begins at 12noon Pacific / 2pm Central / 3pm Eastern on January 17 and runs until 11:59pm local time on January 26. Results of the drawing will be revealed “soon after.” Those eager to participate will need a Nintendo Account to do so and must be over 18 years old.
Nintendo has not announced what games will be playable at the event, though it’s likely to include Mario Kart 9 as it’s the only one confirmed so far. This new entry only received a few seconds of gameplay during the trailer, but this alone was enough to suggest 24 person races are coming to Mario Kart for the first time.
The New York event takes place from April 4 to 6, the Los Angeles event from April 11 to 13, and the Dallas event from April 25 to 27. Only U.S. residents are permitted to apply for a ticket, though various other events are taking place outside of the country for non-American fans.
This includes Toronto, Canada from April 25, to 27, plus European locations including Paris from April 4 to 6, London from April 11 to 13, Milan from April 25 to 27, Berlin from April 25 to 27, Madrid from May 9 to May 11, and Amsterdam from May 9 to 11. Nintendo is also visiting Melbourne from May 10 to 11, Tokyo from April 26 to 27, Seoul from May 31 to June 1, and Hong Kong and Taipei at later dates.
Though these latter two are yet to be announced, confirmation that one of these events — which typically take place before a console is released — will still be taking place on June 1, it’s therefore likely the actual Switch 2 release will come after.
The events will also take place after the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, which arrives in April. The brief trailer has already confirmed a few things about the new hardware, of course, such as backwards compatibility features and the addition of a second USB-C port.
Most details, such as its other games and what the heck the mysterious new Joy-Con button does, were left out, though the Joy-Con mouse theory did gain a little traction.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal: Here’s Everything Announced and Confirmed
Nintendo has finally revealed the Switch 2 with a video that confirms a number of new features while sparking burning questions for fans to discuss.
While pre-announce leaks proved to be pretty accurate, this video is the first time we’ve had official word from Nintendo on what to expect from the Switch 2, and the first time we’ve seen the next-gen console in an official capacity.
And so, we’ve rounded up everything announced in Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal, alongside all the confirmed features and games.
Nintendo Switch 2 is due out in 2025
Nintendo confirmed its Switch 2 console is due out at some point in 2025, but failed to offer a firm release date. However, we can speculate that the Switch 2 won’t be released before June, given its hands-on event schedule runs up to June 1.
Nintendo Switch 2 is larger than the Switch
The video shows how the Nintendo Switch 2, its screen, and its new Joy-Con are larger than the original Switch and its controllers. Nintendo has yet to release specifications, but we can expect a bulkier machine when in portable mode.
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con snap on to the console itself
The Switch 2 ditches the original Switch’s rail connections for a magnetic snap on system that should be more user friendly.
The Switch 2 Joy-Con look like they can be used as a mouse
Leaks had indicated new sensors would enable the Switch 2 Joy-Con to be used as a mouse, and the video confirms this functionality, although to what degree we do not yet know. Could the Joy-Con also be used in some other way?
The right Joy-Con has a mysterious new button
Leaks had suggested the Nintendo Switch 2’s right Joy-Con had a new “C” button, and the reveal trailer confirmed this to a degree. There is indeed a new square button on the bottom of the right Joy-Con, but it’s unmarked, so we do not know at this stage if it has a name. We also have no idea what it’s for.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has two USB-C ports
The video confirms a fantastic quality-of-life improvement: two USB-C ports, one at the top of the console and one at the bottom. The original Switch had one. Here’s why this is significant.
The Nintendo Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games
The Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible, as Nintendo had already said, but the video gives us more detail. It confirms the Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, as well as Switch 2 exclusive games. Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, however.
There’s a new Mario Kart game for Nintendo Switch 2
The video shows off just one new game: a new Mario Kart. We don’t have much detail on what we presume is Mario Kart 9, but fans are already digging into the footage on the hunt for clues.
A Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is set for April
Nintendo announced plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025, where we expect to find out more about the console and the games we’ll play at launch.
Nintendo will host a number of hands-on events across the world
You’ll be able to play the Nintendo Switch 2 early via a number of hands-on events set to take place in the run up to June.
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.
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Nintendo Switch 2 Brings Major Quality-of-Life Upgrade With Second USB-C Port
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally official, and with the announcement comes a first look at the system. As well as new Joy-Cons (which appear to also function as a mouse, thanks to optical sensors), the Switch 2’s new design has another quality-of-life feature that you may have missed in its initial reveal trailer.
The original Nintendo Switch has a single USB-C port on the underside of the tablet, but the Nintendo Switch 2 has doubled the number of Type-C ports on the system to two.
This is a bigger change than you might imagine, as the single port on the original Switch meant that if you wanted to use more than one accessory with the console, you would have to splash out for (somewhat dubious) adaptors, which had the tendency to brick your console as manufacturers figured out the exact specification that the Switch used.
The original Nintendo Switch claimed to be USB-C compliant, but the reality is that its USB-C connector had a weird and complex specification. Within it, Nintendo essentially created a custom spec that needed to be reverse-engineered before third-party docks and accessories functioned correctly without burning out pins inside the console.
With Nintendo adding a secondary USB-C port in the Switch 2, you might expect that the console will use actual USB-C standards this time around to support accessories straight out of the box. With the standard now reaching maturation, USB-C (especially the high-end Thunderbolt standard) can do high-speed data transfer, in addition to 4K display outputs. Heck, if you wanted to, you can even use the Thunderbolt standard to hook up an external GPU to a small PC or laptop via the connector.
The point is, USB-C standards are much more complex and refined than they were back in 2017. Nintendo’s addition of a secondary port suggests support for the universal standard, especially since it can handle all manner of connections, such as support for external displays, networking, data transfer, and high-wattage power.
The bottom port may be slightly more sophisticated than the top, however, since that port would be the only one going into Nintendo’s official dock, which is where you would want to plug in all of your accessories.
The top port, in an ideal world, would also support fast charging, display outputs, and other accessories. It would make no sense for Nintendo to include a secondary USB-C port at the top of the console without supporting all the additional functionality that would come with it. This opens up the opportunity to use external power banks alongside other accessories in tandem, which is a huge quality-of-life upgrade when compared to the original console.
Either way, for more details on the specifics of the Switch 2, like its mysterious C button, we’ll have to wait until April 2, 2025 and Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct presentation.
Sayem is a freelancer based in the UK, covering tech & hardware. You can get in touch with him at @sayem.zone on Bluesky.
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Likely Not Before June
Nintendo has now revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 and, though it tried to remain coy with a vague 2025 window, may have subtly suggested it won’t arrive until at least June.
A short trailer from Nintendo confirmed the new hardware alongside a brand new Mario Kart game, and though there are plenty of details to be gleaned from this alone, some more can be found by reading between the lines.
The expectation of a June 2025 release date at the earliest comes via the series of Nintendo Switch 2 hands on events announced by Nintendo. North American locations include New York from April 4 to 6, Los Angeles from April 11 to 13, Dallas from April 25 to 27, and Toronto from April 25 to 27.
European locations include Paris from April 4 to 6, London from April 11 to 13, Milan from April 25 to 27, Berlin from April 25 to 27, Madrid from May 9 to May 11, and Amsterdam from May 9 to 11. Nintendo is also visiting Melbourne from May 10 to 11, Tokyo from April 26 to 27, Seoul from May 31 to June 1, and Hong Kong and Taipei at later dates.
Though these latter two are yet to be announced, confirmation that one of these events — which typically take place before a console is released — will still be taking place on June 1, it’s therefore likely the actual Switch 2 release will come after.
Though details are still light ahead of a full Nintendo Direct in April, backwards compatibility features have already been confirmed. The trailer didn’t reveal what the mysterious new Joy-Con button does, however.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
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Nintendo Switch 2 to Be Released in 2025, First Look at Console Design Revealed
Nintendo has unveiled the long-awaited successor to its popular Switch video game console: the Nintendo Switch 2. First-look images at the console design and a teaser trailer were revealed by Nintendo Thursday, but the Japan-based video game company has held back the price tag for the Switch 2 as well as the official release date. […]
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Announced for April
Nintendo has finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 following a stream of leaks but announced a full breakdown of its 2025 launch won’t come until a Nintendo Direct airs in April.
A short trailer from Nintendo confirmed the new hardware alongside a brand new Mario Kart game, and closed with confirmation that the Nintendo Direct everyone’s been waiting for will take place on April 2, 2025.
“Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 will air on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, offering a closer look at Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to Nintendo Switch releasing in 2025,” Nintendo said on its website. “The broadcast time will be announced on this website and on our social media accounts at a later date.”
The announcement was therefore light on details itself, but showed off the visuals of the new console and its redesigned Joy-Con controllers. As myriad leaks suggested, the Switch 2 is a larger and higher spec version of its predecessor.
Nintendo will hold various fan events around the world in the days following its full reveal in the Nintendo Direct. North American locations include New York from April 4 to 6, Los Angeles from April 11 to 13, Dallas from April 25 to 27, and Toronto from April 25 to 27.
European locations include Paris from April 4 to 6, London from April 11 to 13, Milan from April 25 to 27, Berlin from April 25 to 27, Madrid from May 9 to May 11, and Amsterdam from May 9 to 11. Nintendo is also visiting Melbourne from May 10 to 11, Tokyo from April 26 to 27, Seoul from May 31 to June 1, and Hong Kong and Taipei at later dates.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.