Nintendo Switch 2 Direct live coverage: All of the details around the company's latest console

As expected, a new Mario Kart title will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Called Mario Kart World, the game will let players "drive virtually everywhere," including off the race track, on railings and even walls. Parkour Mario Kart?

More from Sarah Fielding:

"You can also enter a mode called Free Roam which let's you simply drive around and enjoy the scenery with friends. Cue me as my forever choice Yoshi excitedly driving across the globe.

Unsurprisingly, with a name like Mario Kart World, the courses will take place in regions around a contiguous game world. You'll also get a bit more of an immersive experience as Nintendo is going to change things up based on the time of day and the weather."

Read more: Mario Kart World features 24-player races, off-roading and sick grinds

One more note on the Switch 2 before I tell you all about new games... On June 5, when the Switch 2 is actually available, Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack will begin to include GameCube titles. The company is also releasing a new version of the GameCube classic controller for Switch Online members.

Per Igor Bonifacic:

"Games that support multiplayer, including F-Zero GX, will offer online play, with support for up to four players. Additionally, the Switch 2 will render every GameCube game at a higher resolution for improved image quality. Nintendo will also release a new version of the GameCube's classic controller that features a USB-C connection, wireless connectivity and a dedicated C button for GameChat functionality."

Read more: The Nintendo Switch 2 will play GameCube games

An intriguing new feature is GameShare, which will allow you and your friends to play multiplayer games in the same space with multiple consoles, even if only one of you actually owns the title.

More details from Daniel Cooper:

"With the first Switch, multiplayer was limited to sharing JoyCons on the same console hardware. But for the successor, if two people each have a Switch 2 but one copy of a compatible game, then they’ll be able to play wirelessly on their own hardware. But that’s not all, as you’ll also be able to do this with four consoles at a time, including original Switch and Switch Lite models."

Read more: Nintendo lets Switch 2 players share their games

We also got to see the updated Joy-Cons with the ability to act as mice (of the computer variety, not the rodents).

From Lawrence Bonk:

"One Joy-Con can be used as a traditional controller, held vertically, while the other slides along the table as a mouse. This could allow for near-perfect ports of Wii and Wii U games that relied on motion control, in addition to ports of PC titles. A Joy-Con will also combine with the gyroscope for unique gameplay experiences."

Read more: The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons can double as mouse-like controllers

In addition to the new console, Nintendo also showed off the Switch 2 Camera, as well as features like built-in voice chat and screensharing. The handheld gaming machine will not only have a microphone onboard to pick up your voice, but also a C button that activates the chat mode.

According to writer Lawrence Bonk:

"Voice chat was never easy on the Nintendo Switch. Thankfully, with the Switch 2, Nintendo is making it an essential part of the new console. By pressing the new "C" button, located on the right Joy-Con, players can jump into a GameChat with their friends and family."

Read more: The Nintendo Switch 2 offers built-in voice chat and screensharing

The biggest news today was of course the official unveiling and availability details of the Nintendo Switch 2. It'll be available for $450 on June 5, with pre-orders beginning on April 9. Various bundles are available, as well as new accessories and launch games. Check out our guide on how to pre-order the Switch 2, and I imagine step 1 is probably to set a reminder for 12:01am on April 9.

Read more: The Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on June 5 for $450

Thanks to both Sam and Devindra for this liveblog and to all of you for sticking with us so far. We have plenty of coverage planned for the rest of this week as we take some time to digest the news and parse through all the different trailers and press releases from Nintendo. Here's a quick recap of some of today's announcements, though.

Well I think that's actually it for now. But stay tuned to Engadget, because there's definitely more to learn as we get closer to launch.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launches June 5 at $449.99, Bringing New Forms of Game Communication to Life

Pre-orders kick off on April 9.

So before we go, we just saw this press release get dropped online!

Oh wait we see a price now! It's $450! Why drop this in a press release and not the hour-long livestream?!

Thanks for joining us folks, stay tuned for more coverage around the Switch 2!

That's definitely a bummer and I'm kind of surprised they aren't just spilling that info now. But I think Nintendo already sold millions of people on the Switch 2 without even telling us how much it costs.

So the stream is over, and we still don't have a price. Like many companies, Nintendo is likely weighing final pricing against potential US tariffs and other economic concerns. Personally, I'd expect it to land around $400

Ok, back to Switch 2 for a sec, Nintendo says we're going to have to wait longer for an official price!

We don't have a price, don't go!

Yah Sam, we forget Donkey Kong is also a first-party Nintendo title, this will easily cover for a new Mario.

It's Donkey Kong Bananza. Great title! Coming July 17th

I was expecting a new mainline Mario title, but this looks great too. A full 3D platformer and some really interesting looking locations.

Holy crap, this looks amazing.

And last but definitely not least is a new Donkey Kong game!!!!

New game: Kirby Air Riders. My daughter is in love with it already. Sakurai is also directing.

But its directed by Sakurai, so it'll probably worth playing.

That was a lot of hype for a new Kirby game, it's called Air Riders.

This feels like a Smash tease...

Hidetaka Miyazaki is directing the game, of course. We'll hear more in a director's chat on April 4.

So that's it for third-party games, but there's still time for more stuff from Nintendo.

It's called The Duskbloods. Very Bloodborne-esque.

It's not Bloodborne, but it sure looks like it. It's a new title called The Duskbloods. Arriving in 2026.

This looks like a Soul Reaver game too.

One final game reveal, and it's coming from the folks at From Software! Bloodborne 2?

Is this Bloodborne 2?!?!?!

And here's one last big third-party game. For now at least.

We're getting a slew of other game announcements, including the excellent Kunitsu-Gami.

It's getting really hard to keep up with all the ports and older titles getting new versions for the Switch 2.

Silksong in 2025!

WOWOWOWOW. We finally see signs of life from Hollow Knight Silk Song. It's really real.

The Final Fantasy 7 Remakes and Rebirth games are also getting ported to the Switch 2.

Good point Dev, which leads perfectly into a Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077.

Oh this is cool, the Switch 2 is getting a sequel to Enter the Gungeon, which was a really cool dual-stick indie shooter from a while back.

A big takeaway here is that the Switch 2's improved hardware seems much more friendly for third-party developers.