Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2 Event: Everything Announced for the New Console

The $450 console will get Mario Kart World as a launch title, games in 4K resolution and new GameChat communication features.

The Nintendo Switch 2’s console and games got their biggest reveal yet Wednesday, with Nintendo unveiling a June 5 release date along with Mario Kart World as a launch title. Here are the top highlights from Nintendo’s console event, and all of our coverage so far. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog for our reporting during the event.

Nintendo Switch 2 Console

The Nintendo Switch 2’s specs saw a noticeable technical bump over the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch 1080p resolution LCD display 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 for physical games will have faster speeds for loading games. 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 system.

The new Joy-Con for the controllers will support mouse controls and the new C-button will be part of a new GameChat communication feature that allows both voice chat 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 to to help charge the console when playing in tabletop mode. Nintendo also revealed a new Switch 2 Pro Controller with the new C-button (for chatting with friends and watching them play) along with customizable GL and GR buttons on the back.

Following the presentation, Nintendo unveiled a $450 price for the system itself. Nintendo 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 year, 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, which will be 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 the console is docked to a TV or in handheld mode. In its teaser video, Nintendo claims the microphone will be able to cancel out loud background noises. GameChat will also work with a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, which will allow for video chat along with 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 Nintendo Switch titles, Nintendo Switch 2 games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games that will receive substantial enhancements. For many of these Switch 2 Edition games, you’ll need an Upgrade Pack if you own the original Switch title. Many of them will get more than just enhanced graphics in the upgrade, for instance Super Mario 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 range, for instance the Zelda titles will start working with a companion phone app for maps and for sending schematics to friends. The Kirby game will get a new story that will be exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. On the third-party side, Civilization 7 will get mouse controls.

Nintendo did not yet announce what an upgrade pack would cost.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will be a new Zelda game 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 lead into the events of Breath of the Wild. The teaser shows Zelda discovering that she’s arrived in the past of Hyrule, and will expand on how she becomes involved in the corresponding Imprisonment War.

Nintendo Switch 2 games

Several other first- and third-party games took the spotlight 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 over 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, and include Hades 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, Hogwarts Legacy for Switch 2, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Borderlands 4, WWE 2K and NBA 2K. A James Bond title in development is also on the way from 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.

Nintendo GameCube library coming to Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch Online game library will add GameCube titles on the Switch 2. These games will initially include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX on launch day. Nintendo says each title will receive Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mairo Strikers, Luigi’s Mansion were among the titles set to arrive later. Nintendo will also ship a GameCube controller at launch, which will be wireless and include a C-button for GameChat.

Technologies

Verum Messenger: How to Protect Your Personal Data and Why Choosing a Secure Messenger Matters

A major data leak has been reported involving users of the Russian messenger MAX. Hackers claimed to have obtained the platform’s entire database, which includes 46,203,590 records. To prove their claims, they published part of the stolen data publicly.

According to preliminary information, the attackers gained access to users’ personal details, including contact numbers, chats, IP addresses, and other sensitive data. Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents can lead to serious consequences — from account takeovers and extortion to large-scale phishing attacks.

Why these leaks happen

The main cause of such breaches is the storage of personal user data on servers without adequate protection or encryption. If attackers gain access to these servers, users’ information becomes fully exposed.

Additionally, many popular messaging apps require users to register with a phone number and provide extra personal information, increasing the amount of data that can be stolen.

How to reduce the risks

The only reliable way to protect your personal messages and data is to use messaging platforms that do not store personal information on their servers and rely on true end-to-end encryption.

One such solution is Verum Messenger — a next-generation app built on the principle of maximum privacy. The platform:

does not store users’ personal data;
uses unique encryption keys generated locally on the user’s device;
does not require a phone number or other personal information to register;
has no access to messages, calls, or files;
provides effective anti-spam and anti-scam protection;
offers private chats and group channels with flexible security settings.

Even in the event of a server breach, attackers would not be able to access message content — because encryption keys simply do not exist on the company’s side.

Freedom of communication without the risk of leaks

In addition to its strong security foundation, Verum Messenger offers a built-in ecosystem of tools — from encrypted email Verum Mail and an integrated VPN for anonymous connections to free crypto mining with Verum Coin and eSIM connectivity in over 150 countries worldwide.

As data breaches become increasingly common, choosing a secure messenger is no longer just about convenience — it’s about personal safety.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, Oct. 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 20.

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.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It was a tough one for a change! That 1-Across is going to slyly trick you as to what a mouse is. So if you need the answers, read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

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 to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Sound from a mouse
Answer: CLICK

6A clue: Many-headed serpent killed by Hercules
Answer: HYDRA

7A clue: View from a cruise ship window
Answer: OCEAN

8A clue: «See ya later!»
Answer: PEACE

9A clue: Animal whose antlers can grow up to an inch per day
Answer: ELK

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Dice, e.g.
Answer: CHOP

2D clue: French for «high school»
Answer: LYCEE

3D clue: 10 out of 10
Answer: IDEAL

4D clue: Sound from a bat
Answer: CRACK

5D clue: «Citizen ___»
Answer: KANE

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 20, #392

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 20, No. 392.

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

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a category for all the Windy City residents out there. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Deep-dish pizza, anyone?

Green group hint: Duke it out.

Blue group hint: College division.

Purple group hint: «Go to your ____!»