While the unveiling of the new Switch 2 was exciting, some aspects have left people asking for answers. Nintendo avoided mentioning things like battery life, accessory compatibility, game upgrade pricing and more. So let’s discuss everything Nintendo didn’t tell us, the good and the bad.
New Pre-order date?
This is the most recent update to customers. During the event, there was mention of an April 9th pre-order date. As of this morning, Nintendo has issued a statement that due to new tariffs, they are postponing the pre-order date but keeping the launch date of June 5th.
Switch 2 games upgrade pack
The good news is that most Switch 1 games will work on the new Switch 2 hardware. However, Nintendo announced three types of games for Switch 2, Switch 2 exclusives, Switch 1 games, and Switch 2 Edition games. Switch 2 edition games are games that have a Switch 1 version but have enhancements to them that need to be added so it can take advantage of that new Switch 2 hardware. Nintendo said that people who already own the Switch 1 versions of the game will be able to buy an Upgrade Pack that will be cheaper than buying the game again.
While Nintendo did not mention the pricing of this, they did release the Japan version of these upgrades. We are seeing that upgrades cost anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 Yen, which equates to $7 to $14. Honestly is not as bad as I would have thought.
Accessory compatibility – New and old
The good news is that many of the main Switch 1 accessories will work with the new Switch. So, if you can connect old Joy-Cons via Bluetooth to your new Switch 2. Of course, they can’t physically attach because they are completely different. But some standouts that will not work are the old Dock and regular MicroSD cards. The Switch 2 now uses MicroSD express cards for save game data, but the Switch 2 will technically be able to read the old mircoSD cards by viewing images and videos on them but you cannot save your game data onto the old microSD cards.
This video breaks down everything Nintendo didn’t mention about the Switch 2, including key compatibility issues, limited battery life, and new accessory requirements. It also highlights surprising changes like $80 game pricing, microSD Express-only support, and USB-C webcam functionality.
Switch 2 games situation
The big headliner is that new Switch 2 games will cost $80 and maybe even up to $90, depending on whether you get a digital or physical copy. But what is interesting is that if you purchase the physical copy, the actual game data is not on there. This seems very strange, but it houses a download key instead. So, by putting the new cartridge in the console, it will prompt you to download the digital version anyway.
For older Switch 1 games the Switch 2 supports supports them. However, save data won’t carry over automatically. You’ll need to transfer it from your original console—otherwise, you’ll have to start fresh. Nintendo claims the process will be simple, though details are still limited. While backward compatibility is a plus, keep in mind that save migration is a separate step.
New camera support via USB-C
Nintendo launched a new Nintendo Camera alongside the Switch 2, which is meant to be used alongside the new GameChat feature. The idea here is to create a sense of social playing by showing the gameplay and the face of the player. I kind of like this new idea! What cool thing about this is that yes Nintendo has their camera, but according to some staff at the event, you can use an USB-C enabled camera, it is not limited to the first part camera Nintendo sells. You can see that this HORI camera below is just a USB-C-enabled camera!
Battery life
This is the big one; the Switch 2 sees a noticeable drop in battery performance, offering 2 to 6.5 hours of playtime depending on the game. More intensive titles like Hogwarts Legacy may only run for about two hours, while lighter games or streaming might stretch closer to six. This is a downgrade compared to the old Switch 1, which offered 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life. Nintendo didn’t emphasize this in their announcement, likely due to the drop in efficiency. If handheld play is your main use case, this reduction in battery is not something I like.
Final take
Hopefully, this helps shed some light on some of the things Nintendo didn’t tell us. Regardless, I am still excited to get my hands on one and give everyone a real long-term review. The pre-order date is not up in the air, but stay tuned, and we will be sure to cover that for everyone. The expected launch date remains June 5th, and the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle will start at $499, while the Switch 2 alone will be $449.
FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!
