The gaming community is eagerly awaiting the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, poised to dive into the new gaming experience. However, IGN readers should note an important change in the usual pre-launch process: Nintendo has decided against providing traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This means that we won't be able to offer you 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 departure from the norm has disrupted our plans—and those of other media outlets, including Digital Foundry—to deliver comprehensive insights into the new hardware and games right at launch. At IGN, we pride ourselves on providing you with all the information you need about new gaming systems and titles precisely when you're making crucial decisions about where to invest your time and money. It's a core part of our mission, and we're committed to adapting to this new situation to keep you informed.
View 91 Images
While this isn't the first time we've had to adjust our approach, we're ready to hit the ground running to bring you the next best thing. It will require a bit more effort, but rest assured, we're committed to delivering quality content without delay. As soon as our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll start working on a variety of reviews and impressions. This includes an ongoing review of Mario Kart World by our in-house champion and NVC host Logan Plant, detailed analyses of the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and third-party ports like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, focusing on their performance and how they stack up against previous versions on other platforms. Simultaneously, our team will be evaluating the hardware itself, including the Switch 2 console (reviewed by Tom Marks, who covered the Switch and Switch Lite), the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2 (assessed by controller expert Michael Higham), the camera, and all other available accessories.