Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Delayed Until June 5

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, there's a significant update that IGN readers need to be aware of: Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This departure from the norm means that we won't be able to provide our usual timely reviews of key titles like Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, and the upgraded versions of Zelda games and other ports before the console hits the market.

This change poses a challenge for us and other media outlets, including our colleagues at Digital Foundry, as we strive to deliver the comprehensive insights you rely on to make informed decisions about your gaming investments. At IGN, we take pride in offering detailed analyses of new hardware and games right when you need them most, and this situation has certainly thrown a wrench into our plans.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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However, this isn't the first time we've had to adapt to such circumstances. We're committed to providing you with the next best thing, even if it means working harder and faster. As soon as our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive right into our coverage. This will include an ongoing review of Mario Kart World led by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant, as well as in-depth impressions of the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and third-party ports like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. We'll focus on how these games perform and compare to their previous versions on other platforms.

Simultaneously, our team will evaluate all aspects of the hardware. This includes the Switch 2 console itself, reviewed by our expert on Switch and Switch Lite, Tom Marks, along with the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2, the camera, and every other accessory we can get our hands on, with insights from our controller specialist, Michael Higham.

Our goal is to have most, if not all, of these reviews published within a week or so of the launch. We're also prepared to address any major questions that arise as early adopters worldwide begin to explore the capabilities of this new console. There's a lot to cover, but we're ready to deliver the quality content you expect from IGN.