According to the report, people at GDC familiar with Nintendo’s plans suggested that the console will launch in June 2025. The rollout strategy will prioritize first-party games before third-party developers gain access later in the year. Insider Gaming also claims that select media and content creators will get a hands-on look at the system next week. They will have a few hours to test the hardware and its launch lineup.
A Staggered Launch for Nintendo Switch 2 Games
The Nintendo Switch 2 is reportedly launching in June, and Nintendo plans to roll out games in phases rather than dropping everything at once. The first phase, expected at launch, will focus primarily on Nintendo’s first-party games. Historically, Nintendo has relied on flagship titles to showcase its new hardware’s capabilities. Think back to 2017 when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild set the bar high for the Switch. This time, rumors suggest that Mario Kart 9 could be one of the launch titles, which would be a huge system seller.
The second phase, planned for October-November, will introduce third-party titles. Many of these developers are expected to receive development kits in June, meaning they’ll have just a few months to optimize their games for the Switch 2. This staggered approach is unusual, as third-party releases on past Nintendo consoles have varied in timing rather than following a strict rollout plan.
Finally, the third phase is expected to land during the holiday season. While specifics are still unknown, this will likely be a big moment for the console, with major releases aimed at driving end-of-year sales. Nintendo has always leveraged the holidays to push hardware and software sales—just look at how the Wii’s 2006 holiday debut, alongside Wii Sports, contributed to its massive success.
Hands-On Event and Full Reveal
In addition to the launch strategy, select media and content creators are reportedly getting hands-on time with the Nintendo Switch 2 next week. These events help generate hype and provide early impressions of the hardware and games. On top of that, the full reveal is set for April 2nd, where we can expect detailed hardware coverage, the first batch of confirmed launch games, and hopefully, pricing and release date details.
A More Thoughtful Launch Strategy?
If accurate, this approach could ensure a steady stream of content rather than frontloading everything at launch. It’s a stark contrast to Sega’s surprise launch of the Saturn in North America in 1995, which left developers scrambling and retailers unprepared. That decision resulted in months without new releases beyond the initial first-party titles, with third-party games not arriving until September. Nintendo seems to be avoiding that mistake with its structured, multi-phase rollout.
With just a week left until the big reveal, anticipation is building. Whether you’re excited for Nintendo’s first-party exclusives or waiting to see what third-party studios bring later in the year, the Switch 2 launch strategy is shaping up to be an interesting rollout.
What are your thoughts on this three-phase approach? Are there any games you’re hoping to see in each wave? Let’s discuss what’s next for Nintendo’s new console!
As always, remember to follow us on our social media (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube and Facebook) to keep up with the latest news.
