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70% of Gen Z and Millennial Gamers Are Ready to Purchase a Switch 2, CNET Survey Finds

Gen Z gamers spend nearly $700 a year on new games and subscriptions. And they’re looking forward to the new Switch model the most.

The time has finally come for a new Nintendo console. Eight years after the launch of the original Nintendo Switch, the storied gaming company will release details on its highly anticipated successor, the Switch 2, this week. 

On Wednesday, April 2, Nintendo will unveil its hybrid gaming console, which can be handheld or connected to a TV. The original Switch gained popularity with different variations, including the Switch Lite and the OLED model. Further, Nintendo remains the only place gamers can enjoy beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda and Animal Crossing. 

The gaming world has evolved since the first Switch hit the scene. Nowadays, 4K graphics, virtual reality, streaming, game subscriptions and social play are increasingly important to many gamers. The new Switch has the opportunity to catch up to the technology of competitors like the Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5 while maintaining a family-friendly, portable format that’s more accessible to everyone. Gamers everywhere are excited about what Nintendo will reveal next. 

A new CNET survey finds that over half of US gaming adults (58%) are interested in buying the Switch 2 but are considering a few factors ahead of the launch. By the numbers, 27% are looking for an affordable price tag, while others hope new games for the Nintendo franchise and improved technology will meet their expectations. 

And after years of waiting, loyal Nintendo gamers are ready for a new and improved system — and to pass down the older one. However, the big question is, will the Switch 2 deliver?

Here’s what CNET’s latest gaming survey found and the big Nintendo moments our gaming editors say you don’t want to miss. 

Gen Z hopes the Switch will bring better games and performance

CNET found that 70% of Gen Z gamers and 71% of millennials who identify as such are interested in the upcoming Switch model. What’s most interesting is Gen Z’s hopes for the new console and how they view gaming. 

Nearly one in four (23%) of Gen Z respondents are looking forward to new games for Nintendo franchises, while 30% are looking forward to improved technology such as a bigger screen and better graphics. Above all, the top factor for deciding whether or not to buy the Switch was an affordable price (31%). CNET Editor-at-Large Scott Stein, who writes about gaming devices among other things, wasn’t shocked by any of this.

«It definitely sounds like those results favor the Switch 2’s existence,» said Stein. 

Here’s a closer look at the factors Gen Z gamers and US gaming adults overall consider when deciding to upgrade to the Switch 2 and what experts think about the data. 

Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder and Release Date Leaked by Retailer

The no.1 factor is the console price

Compared to other gaming consoles, Nintendo hasn’t been the most expensive on the market, which makes it a budget-friendly gaming option for some compared to a $500 Xbox Series X. Stein predicts that the Switch 2 will cost less — around $400, which Gen Zers may be a lot more willing to pay if they don’t want to spend as much on a console. In comparison, when the first Switch was released, it cost $300. 

«Gen Z knows the tech landscape and doesn’t want to pay a lot,» said Stein. «The Switch 2 could make a play for a middle ground.» 

Stein also pointed out that if Gen Zers love the usual Nintendo games, they’ll likely buy the newer Switch model. However, it could depend on how much support big-name publishers give the Switch 2 for popular games that could make the new console worth the sticker price for them. 

It’s all about the Switch’s performance and unique features, too

As one of the youngest gaming generations, Gen Z hopes that Nintendo will deliver higher-resolution graphics with the upcoming release, which could meet Gen Z’s expectations — like we see with PlayStation and Xbox. Since this generation was much younger when the first Nintendo Switch was first released, Stein said this is the first time they can weigh in on the Nintendo franchise’s graphics and capabilities. 

Beyond graphics, Gen Z is also looking at what makes the Switch stand out. 

For example, Nintendo has teased the possibility of using the Switch’s Joy-Con as a mouse. That might not move the needle for making the purchase, but Gen Z is looking for something different and will make the purchase worthwhile, said David Lumb, a senior reporter at CNET. 

They’re spending more on gaming, but intentionally 

Even though the younger generation is weighing the console price, let’s not forget about the no. 1 factor for the younger generation considering the Switch 2: the availability of games. «Gen Z, with its disposable income, is choosing to focus on a couple of games and going a little bit on that, rather than having a broader [array] of games, especially if their socialization is based on those one or two games,» said Lumb. 

Lumb also said there’s a chance Gen Z will initially wait to see if more games come out to justify the price of the Switch 2, especially since they already have forever games they’re socially playing with friends. 

Yet this generation spends the most on subscriptions and gaming. 

Gen Z spends an average of $56 per month on subscriptions and/or new games, compared to US gaming adults as a whole, spending an average of $35 per month. That’s an additional $252 per year for the youngest surveyed generation. 

Beyond buying new games and paying for subscriptions, there’s a chance this monthly amount could be spent on in-game purchases for games that Gen Z gamers may only buy once a year. However, they could spend the monthly amount on customization, upgrades and other in-game purchases, said Lumb. For example, think about in-game cosmetics and items you can purchase in Fortnight. 

Read more: Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date Rumors, Everything We Know So Far

Why the Switch 2 is gaining traction for US gamers

More than half (58%) of US adults that game want to buy the Nintendo Switch 2. The big question is why. 

For loyal Switch gamers, the format and games are fun, and gamers are ready for the next iteration of it, Lumb said. 

«I think it’s just people are excited to see the next version of this, but I also think it’s excitement, not a guarantee people are going to buy it,» Lumb said. For US adults, here’s what would persuade them to buy the new Switch. 

The big Switch moments our editors and gamers are hoping for 

Lumb and Stein said we shouldn’t plan on any major changes for the Switch 2. While Wednesday’s Nintendo Direct will tell us more, here are a few possibilities that gamers and our experts are looking forward to based on survey findings. 

Better performance to lure popular games 

Aside from the price of the console, the two biggest factors for buying the Switch are improved technology and game availability. However, to have both, big-name popular games need better performance to offer more than Nintendo’s usual titles. 

Nintendo hasn’t been focused on performance like Xbox and PlayStation — which perform similarly to a personal computer, said Lumb. Instead, it has focused on offering unique games. 

«Nintendo is really going for style over the latest and greatest, which is fun. However, the original Switch suffered in terms of porting top-end games,» said Lumb. «So hopefully, we will see a performance boost to at least be able to get a decent amount of these leading games.» 

A new Nintendo subscription plan 

Currently, Nintendo offers Nintendo Switch Online, which allows cloud data storage, online gameplay and a library of Nintendo games. Our editors are eager to see if Nintendo’s big announcement will include changes to the existing subscription to offer more to gamers. 

Stein wonders if Nintendo will do a fun subscription for the Switch 2, and whether or not the special offers will be available to all Switch owners. For example, there’s the possibility of a subscription tier that includes Switch games and special offerings for a certain amount more per month. Think about playing the new Mario Kart for free with the subscription. 

But it all depends on Nintendo’s proposition for the Switch 2 and whether it’s planning any subscription changes with the new release. And the big question is, would the offers only be for the Switch 2 or all Switch users?

Special features and upgraded technology 

So far, specs rumored for the Switch 2 include an 8-inch LCD screen, an eight-core Arm Cortex A78C CPU and a 5-watt draw for battery life. 

Occasionally, Nintendo has a way of impressing us technologically, which could be interesting with the upcoming console release. «It’s funny because we always write off Nintendo as not being about graphics or necessarily about tech, but they do have moments that they push the envelope on tech,» said Stein.

There’s also a chance for artificial intelligence upscaling and an Nvidia processor. But one of the features Stein is hopeful for is the Switch 2 being backward compatible. That means your older Switch games will be compatible with later Switch models and the Switch 2.

«I would totally expect that Nintendo hedges its bets in a clever way so that people who don’t want to spring the money right now won’t feel totally left out,» said Stein. 

Stein said that would be welcome news for loyal Nintendo customers, who may consider buying the newer model later on. And when they do, they’d already have a library of games since the Switch 2 would be backward compatible. 

Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,369 adults, of which 1,290 were gamers. Fieldwork was undertaken between March 19 and 25, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 and over).

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Technologies

The Duskbloods Is New FromSoftware Gaming Action Coming to Switch 2 in 2026

Talk about a surprise for the new Switch.

FromSoftware had a big day with the Switch 2 Direct. The company revealed a new game called The Duskbloods and confirmed that its smash-hit action RPG Elden Ring is coming to the new console, which launches on June 5 for $450. 

The Duskbloods is exclusive to the Switch 2, which was a surprise announcement during the Switch 2 Direct. According to FromSoftware, the game is a player vs. player vs. enemy, or PvPvE, online multiplayer game similar to the developer’s upcoming Elden Ring: Nightreign. 

Players will be part of the Bloodsworn, which is a group that has «transcended human strength thanks to their special blood.» Each individual will be playing against each other as well as taking on other foes. 

The game features some mainstays for FromSoftware games, with a gothic tone and a focus on gore, like its popular Bloodborne game for the PS4. It does appear that characters have a few more abilities than seen in previous games from the cult developer.  

The Duskbloods will release sometime in It will be released in 2026.

The Switch 2 will launch on June 5 and preorders will start on April 9 at retailers. The new console will feature plenty of third-party support, with major games like Borderlands 4, Madden and Civilization 7 coming from other publishers.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, April 3

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 3.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword has two similar clues, 5-Across and 6-Across. They both play off the same idea — using the first part of two words to make one, all food-related. I didn’t get that at first, so I struggled with those two clues. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Hit the ___ (go to bed)
Answer: SACK

5A clue: Misleading name for a sub/shish kebab restaurant?
Answer: SUSHI

6A clue: Misleading name for a taco/pasta restaurant?
Answer: TAPAS

7A clue: Certain sports bets
Answer: OVERS

8A clue: Cooped (up)
Answer: PENT

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Almost *too* sophisticated and charming
Answer: SUAVE

2D clue: Upscale Colorado skiing destination
Answer: ASPEN

3D clue: Word after bar or pie
Answer: CHART

4D clue: Smooch
Answer: KISS

5D clue: Word on an eight-sided traffic sign
Answer: STOP

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

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Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2: Everything We Know About the Console, New Games, Release Date

The $450 console will get Mario Kart World at launch, 4K gaming when docked, Switch 2 Edition game enhancements and new mouse controls.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console’s biggest reveal yet arrived Wednesday morning as part of the company’s Nintendo Direct event. This teed up a day of Switch 2 reveals that include its June 5 release date, a $450 price, its specs, and its initial game lineup that extends from launch into 2026. 

The console will be further buoyed by having Mario Kart World as a launch title, which will go on sale in either a $500 bundle with the Switch 2 or on its own for $80 — making the open-world racing game one of Nintendo’s most expensive yet. Other games announced, such as Donkey Kong Bananza, are being priced around $70, which matches the cost of 2023’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That Zelda game and Breath of the Wild are among the original Switch titles that will get enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, a premium upgrade allowing players to get new features, modes and graphical enhancements that take advantage of the newer system’s capabilities. 

Here are the top highlights from Nintendo’s console event, all of the games we’ve heard about so far (including new titles, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles and GameCube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online) and all of our coverage so far. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog for even more updates about the Switch 2 as we learn them. 

Nintendo Switch 2 console

The Nintendo Switch 2’s specs saw a noticeable technical bump over the Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch, 1080p resolution LCD that supports a 120Hz refresh rate — matching what we now see on most Android phones. When the Switch 2 is docked, compatible games can run in 4K resolution. The new dock also includes a cooling fan. 

The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, and the new Switch 2 Game Cards will load games faster. For digital libraries, however, the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards, which are different from the microSD cards that are compatible with the prior Nintendo Switch. Nintendo will have a Software Transfer feature available to help move games and data from the original Switch to the Switch 2.

The new Joy-Con for the controllers will support mouse controls, and a new C button will be part of a new GameChat communication feature that allows both voice and video chat. There’s also a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing players to see each other.

The Switch 2 also adds a second USB-C port to the top of the system, which Nintendo says can help connect its new camera accessory or charge the console when playing in tabletop mode. Nintendo also revealed a new Switch 2 Pro Controller with the C button and customizable GL and GR buttons on the back.

Following the presentation, Nintendo unveiled the system’s price of $450 in the US. It will also sell the Switch 2 bundled with a digital version of Mario Kart World for $500.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World removes its traditional boundaries and lets drivers roam freely across an entire world of race courses. The game will get its own Nintendo Direct later this month, where we’ll see additional details, but we already know it’ll include traditional races and a Free Roam mode, much like in the Forza Horizon series. 

Getting the game bundled for an extra $50 on the cost of the Switch 2 might be the move if you are interested in the game, because Nintendo announced on its website that standalone copies of Mario Kart World will cost $80. 

Joy-Con 2 C button and GameChat

Nintendo’s rolling out its new C button across several new Switch 2 controllers. The button will be used for the new GameChat communication features without a headset. The button will be used alongside a microphone on the console itself, which Nintendo says can be used whether it’s docked to a TV or in handheld mode. 

In its teaser video, Nintendo promises the microphone will be able to cancel out loud background noises. GameChat will also work with a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing video chat and various camera-based game modes in supported titles. GameChat will be free at launch through March 31, 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games upgrade titles

The Nintendo Switch 2 will play three types of games: original Switch games, Switch 2 games and Switch 2 Edition games that will receive substantial enhancements. For many of these Switch 2 Edition games, you’ll need to buy an upgrade pack if you own the original for Switch. Many of them will get more than just enhanced graphics in the upgrade; for example, Super Mario Party Jamboree will get new games that support the new Joy-Cons’ mouse controls, audio recognition and video camera gameplay options through the Switch 2 Camera. 

Other Nintendo Switch games that are getting Switch 2 Edition options include The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Enhancements vary: The Zelda games will start working with a companion phone app for maps and sending schematics to friends, while Kirby will get a new story that’s exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. On the third-party side, Civilization 7 will get mouse controls.

Nintendo did not announce what upgrade packs will cost. However, some Switch games will get free updates that will improve performance or enhance features when playing them on the Switch 2. The Switch games getting these updates include:

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a new game set in the world of Zelda that tells the story that leads into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This appears to be similar to how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity told the story of a war that led to the events of Breath of the Wild. The teaser shows Zelda discovering that she’s arrived in the past of Hyrule, and the game will expand on how she gets involved in the corresponding Imprisonment War.

Nintendo Switch 2 games

Several other first- and third-party games were spotlighted during the Switch 2 Direct. These include Donkey Bananza, one of the first 3D platforming games featuring DK since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Kirby will also return to the racing genre in Kirby Air Riders, which comes more than 20 years after the GameCube racer Kirby’s Air Ride. DragXDrive will use mouse controls to control a futuristic wheelchair basketball game in which players will simulate push and pull motions to control their character.

An onslaught of Switch 2 third-party games were quickly shuffled through during the Direct, which I list below. An unnamed James Bond game is in development at Hitman studio IO Interactive, as is a darker title from Elden Ring creator FromSoftware called The Duskbloods, which will be exclusive to the Switch 2. 

The full list of announced Nintendo Switch 2 games includes:

  • Borderlands 4
  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
  • Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
  • Deltarune
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Drag x Drive
  • EA Sports FC
  • EA Sports Madden NFL
  • Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
  • Enter the Gungeon 2
  • Fast Fusion
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
  • Fortnite
  • Hades 2
  • Hitman World of Assassination — Signature Edition
  • Hogwarts Legacy
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
  • Kirby Air Riders
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Star-Crossed World
  • Kunitsu-Gai: Path of the Goddess
  • Mario Kart World
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • NBA 2K
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
  • Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Project 007
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Split Fiction
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
  • Street Fighter 6
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Jamboree TV
  • Survival Kids
  • The Duskbloods
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4
  • WWE 2K
  • Yakuza 0 Definitive Edition

Among these titles, you can see the full list of June 5 Switch 2 launch day games here.

Nintendo GameCube library coming to Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch Online game library will add GameCube games to the Switch 2. On launch day, these games will initially include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur 2 and F-Zero GX, with each game getting enhanced graphics. Online multiplayer will also be added to certain titles. Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Strikers and Luigi’s Mansion are among the games set to arrive later. At launch, Nintendo will also sell a GameCube controller, which will be wireless and include a C button for GameChat.

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