{"id":3315,"date":"2025-04-02T14:54:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/nintendo-announces-switch-2-release-date-and-a-new-mario-kart-game\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T14:54:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:54:24","slug":"nintendo-announces-switch-2-release-date-and-a-new-mario-kart-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/nintendo-announces-switch-2-release-date-and-a-new-mario-kart-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Nintendo announces Switch 2 release date &#8211; and a new Mario Kart game"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nintendo announces Switch 2 release date &#8211; and a new Mario Kart game<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-0 haItSe\">\n<div class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-1 cjDa-dM\"><time datetime=\"2025-04-02T14:24:28.776Z\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-2 jViTsK\">17 minutes ago<\/time><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors\" class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-12 fcCDwR\">\n<div class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-5 evAEAB\" readability=\"6\">\n<div readability=\"7\"><span class=\"sc-b42e7a8f-7 kItaYD\">Tom Gerken &amp; Tom Richardson<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Technology reporter &amp; BBC Newsbeat<!-- --><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 EXUng\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/oTWxFy.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/1583\/live\/614e33d0-0f0a-11f0-9021-b1661f716c64.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Nintendo A promotional image of the Nintendo Switch 2 console taken against a bright red background. The black Joycon grip is in front of a dock containing the main switch unit. The right-hand Joycon is detached slightly, showing the new magnetic attachments.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 hesJxn\">Nintendo<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\" readability=\"32.198918918919\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2, the long awaited successor to one of the best-selling consoles in history, will be released on June 5.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Fans have been impatiently waiting to find out more since January, when the Japanese gaming giant ended months of speculation by <!-- -->confirming basic information about the new device<!-- -->.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">In a Nintendo Direct online presentation, watched by more than a million people, it gave further details of the hardware, as well as confirming it would be accompanied by Mario Kart World, a new edition of Nintendo&#8217;s most famous game.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">It also announced a series of other new titles for the console, including Elden Ring and Street Fighter 6.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The company said the new device would have better graphics and audio than its predecessor, and a chat button allowing players to speak to each other while playing.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The price will vary in different markets but in the UK it will retail at \u00a3395, or \u00a3429 with Mario Kart.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-518485e5-0 DkKTF\">What games were announced?<!-- --><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\" readability=\"32\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">As well as huge interest in the device itself, fans have been keen to find out what games they will be able to play on it.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Most eye-catching was Mario Kart World &#8211; in which the franchise appears to have been given a significant refresh.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Water graphics, character tweaks, big sprawling race tracks seen from a distance with varying weather and climates &#8211; Nintendo is firmly showing fans this console has more under the hood than its predecessor.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The games made by third party developers &#8211; such as Elden Ring &#8211; are notable too because they are the kind of high-profile games that typically have not come to Nintendo consoles in recent years.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">They included:<!-- --><\/p>\n<ul class=\"sc-5c9c90b0-0 ggNdZQ\">\n<li class=\"sc-8d73edac-0 ezcCTE\">Cyberpunk 2077<!-- --><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-8d73edac-0 ezcCTE\">Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade<!-- --><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-8d73edac-0 ezcCTE\">Hitman World of Assassination<!-- --><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-8d73edac-0 ezcCTE\">The Duskbloods<!-- --><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The firm also said a new Donkey Kong platforming adventure was in development, and announced Kirby Air Riders will be coming in 2025, a sequel to a fan favourite game released back in 2005.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nintendo also confirmed that &#8220;compatible&#8221; Switch games will work on the Switch 2. Others will get Switch 2 editions, meaning they will have updated graphics and gameplay.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The company did not say how much the upgrades will cost.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-518485e5-0 DkKTF\">Mouse, camera and chat function<!-- --><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\" readability=\"31\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The console itself has a bigger screen than its predecessor at 7.9imches, with a better display &#8211; 1080p compared to the Switch&#8217;s 720p, with HDR support and showing up to 120fps. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Marginal changes &#8211; such as larger buttons and control sticks &#8211; will get attention. But more interesting is that both controls can be used as a mouse, as with a PC, in supported games.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nintendo argues its 3D audio tech will create a surround sound experience, but this is unlikely to be the feature that sways people to picking up the device.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">256GB of internal storage is a big upgrade, as Nintendo has historically been stingy on this front.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The C button on the switch controller is the new bit of hardware for the Switch 2. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">It appears to help control a voice chat feature which is built into the system. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Players pop up at the bottom of the screen, appearing almost like Zoom or Teams &#8211; complete with a quite low frame rate screen share &#8211; and Nintendo claims its tech will isolate your voice regardless of background noise.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-518485e5-0 DkKTF\">A tough act to follow<!-- --><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\" readability=\"26\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">The original Nintendo Switch is one of the best-selling consoles of all time, having shifted more than 150 million units since its 2017 release.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Only Sony&#8217;s PS2 and Nintendo&#8217;s own DS have proved more popular.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Its hybrid format &#8211; allowing players to use it as a handheld device or hooked up to a TV in a more traditional home console set-up &#8211; is thought to be one of the big reasons behind its success.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Even if the new device replicates that level of interest, it may need to overcome other challenges.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Console launches are often hit with hardware shortages &#8211; a trend that was particularly evident when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles were launched in late 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Nintendo&#8217;s president Shuntaro Furukawa previously told investors the long wait for the new console was partly to ensure the company could manufacture enough machines to meet demand.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fezwLZ\">Since then the global trading picture has been affected by President Donald Trump launching a wave of tariffs &#8211; it is not yet clear how they could affect the production and sales of the Switch 2.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:24:28 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nintendo announces Switch 2 release date &#8211; and a new Mario Kart game 17 minutes ago Tom Gerken &amp; Tom Richardson Technology reporter &amp; BBC Newsbeat Nintendo Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2, the long awaited successor to one of the best-selling consoles in history, will be released on June 5. Fans have been impatiently&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/nintendo-announces-switch-2-release-date-and-a-new-mario-kart-game\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Nintendo announces Switch 2 release date &#8211; and a new Mario Kart game<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3315\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}