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 early reviews of anticipated titles like Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, or the enhanced versions of Zelda games and other ports before the launch.
This change disrupts the usual flow of our coverage, impacting not only IGN but the broader gaming media, including our tech-focused friends at Digital Foundry. We take great pride in delivering detailed insights about new hardware and games right when you're making crucial decisions about your purchases and time. It's a core part of what we do at IGN, and we're disappointed that we can't provide that service in the usual timely manner.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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However, this isn't our first rodeo with such challenges. We're prepared to adapt and bring you the next best thing. While it will require a bit more effort, we're committed to delivering comprehensive reviews and insights as soon as possible, without sacrificing quality. The moment our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive into a variety of content, including an ongoing review of Mario Kart World led by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant. We'll also provide in-depth impressions of the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and third-party ports such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, focusing on their performance and how they stack up against previous versions on other platforms. Concurrently, our team will evaluate all aspects of the hardware, from the Switch 2 console itself (reviewed by our expert on Switch and Switch Lite, Tom Marks), to the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2 (analyzed by controller specialist Michael Higham), the camera, and every other accessory we can get our hands on.
