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Nintendo Switch 2: Every Reveal About the Console, New Games, Price, Release Date

The $450 console launches June 5, with Mario Kart World the highlight of its launch day game lineup.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console’s biggest reveal yet arrived Wednesday as part of the company’s latest 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 Editions 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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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 28, #778

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 28, #778.

Looking for the most recent 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, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle features another movie category, so cinema fans, dig in. Need more help? Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

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

Yellow group hint: Out front.

Green group hint:  It suggests something.

Blue group hint: A hobby.

Purple group hint: Cinema genres.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Foremost.

Green group: Indication.

Blue group: Item in a collection.

Purple group: ____ movie.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is foremost. The four answers are first, initial, original and primary.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is indication. The four answers are evidence, hint, sign and trace.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is item in a collection. The four answers are coin, comic, record and stamp.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ movie. The four answers are buddy, cult, date and silent.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 28, #308

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 28, No. 308.

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.

I learned enough during gym-class track days to ace today’s Connections: Sports Edition green category. Need an assist with the game today? Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it 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: These players win championships.

Green group hint: Team effort.

Blue group hint: Sobriquet.

Purple group hint: On the diamond.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Football defensive positions.

Green group: Relay race terms.

Blue group: Nicknames of NBA legends, with «The.»

Purple group: _____ run.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is football defensive positions. The four answers are cornerback, defensive end, linebacker and safety.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is relay race terms. The four answers are anchor, baton, changeover and exchange zone.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is nicknames of NBA legends, with «The.» The four answers are Admiral, Answer, Glove and Truth.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is _____ run. The four answers are earned, home, insurance and pinch.

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Technologies

Best Minimalist Wallet for 2025 Tested By CNET Experts

Upgrade to a slim wallet with sleek, minimalist designs perfect for everyday carry. Cut the bulk and streamline your pockets.

Our Experts

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Written by  James Bricknell
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What to consider

Number of cards

The number of cards you need will determine the size and shape of your minimalist wallet.

RFID blocking

Are you worried about someone scanning your chip? RFID blocking wallets are the answer.

Is cash needed?

Having a sturdy money clip or elastic band is important if you need cash.

Wallet material

If you want specific materials then some wallets may not be suitable for you.

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Are you still using a bulky wallet that’s packed full of receipts from who knows when and looks like it’s about to burst at the seams? If so, it may be time to upgrade your wallet to something more minimal, sleek and stylish. With everything being done digitally nowadays, there’s little reason to keep all those receipts like before, you know, «just in case.» And if you don’t carry cash, there’s no good reason to have those old-fashioned wallets anymore.

Modern wallets seem to be trending toward simplicity and minimalism, with card slots for an ID, credit cards and a couple of other items. These wallets tend to be highly durable, with some offering RFID protection, and are secure enough to pass a vigorous shake test.

I’ve spent hours testing a variety of wallets to evaluate their feel, fit and functionality. Based on that experience, I can confidently say the options below are the best minimalist wallets available. Whether you’re seeking a robust metal design or a luxurious full-grain leather wallet, you’ll find the perfect choice below.

What’s the best minimalist wallet?

For our money, the Ridge wallets are the best minimalist wallets you can buy. Sure, they aren’t the cheapest, but they are sturdy, good-looking and can be customized to fit your needs well.

Although there are plenty of bifold and trifold thin wallet options, we’re mostly focused on one-panel design wallets here. These usually hold between four and 10 credit and debit cards, although some do it more artfully than others, and there is a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. Some are hybrids, which combine a wallet and money clip or elastic band. Most offer some RFID blocking technology, which is advertised as a protective measure against electronic pickpocketing, like scammers skimming data stored on your contactless credit cards. (That may be an overblown concern.)

Tactical wallets also have built-in multitools, should you be the type to be randomly kidnapped and ditched in a forest somewhere. Just remember that you’ll need to take any bladed multitools out before you fly, because TSA confiscating your wallet isn’t fun. At all.

Best minimalist wallet of 2025

A luxury wallet by Ridge on a field of round yellow discs
Sarah Tew/CNET

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Best overall minimalist wallet

Ridge Wallet

Pros

  • Made from titanium
  • Keeps your cards tight and safe
  • Adjustable design

Cons

  • Can be pricey for the best version

Of all the rugged, minimalist wallets I tested, I found the Ridge to be the most flexible, ironic for a wallet made of titanium (or aerospace-grade aluminum if you pick a different color). The sandwich design of the Ridge wallet securely accommodates one card as easily as it can 12, and the durable but pliable money clip holds one bill as tightly as a bigger wad. The cutout provides quick access to all of your cards, and the tough elastic strap that holds everything together inspires confidence.

This wallet is almost comically overdesigned, and you can use the included screwdriver to disassemble the pieces, remove the money clip and bring the money strap to the exterior. Ridge makes this wallet in China but backs it with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, which seems about right for the price. This burnt titanium Ridge wallet is probably my favorite color, although it’s a little pricier than some of the other color variants, which start at $95.

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A black wallet with Airpods next to it on a black table
Ekster

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Ekster

Best mechanical minimalist wallet

Ekster Cardholder

Pros

  • Elegant design
  • Great mechanism
  • Low profile

Cons

  • Some scratches already

The Ekster’s mechanics, along with its slim profile and lightweight materials, make it an elegant solution. The button used to raise the cards is really well done, with a hefty feel of a mechanism that will last as long as the wallet. The money belt is tight, keeping his small cash pile safe, and the wallet is plenty big enough for a few cards and Ekster’s neat little Finder Card, so I could track it if the wallet did get lost. The finder card and its Android counterpart are so good that I recommend adding them to your wallet purchase. There’s even a discount if you buy them together.

I gave it to my son to use at his prom, and it perfectly matched his maroon prom outfit though I have already noticed some wear in the paint, which is not ideal. If you keep it away from your keys, you should be OK, but the paint should last longer, even in a back pocket.

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hammeranvil
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Best minimalist wallet for under $15

Hammer Anvil Minimalist

Pros

  • Cheap and cheerful
  • RFID blocking
  • Room for cash

Cons

  • Quality can vary

Five of the 12 wallets we tested had essentially the same basic design, and there are dozens — if not hundreds — of nearly identical models, all made in China, listed on Amazon. Prices start at just $7, for the Chelmon model, and other models generally cost between $13 and $20, although some colors, patterns and fabrics are more expensive than others. They’re all about the size of a deck of playing cards, though they measure about 0.25 inches thick. The five we tested all have their brand names embossed on them:

Each of these slimmer wallets had the same basic elements: two or three card holder pockets on each side, a transparent window that lets you flash your ID without removing it, an inner space that can be used as a cash pocket or to stow a few more cards, RFID blocking on its card sleeve to block electronic pickpocketing and, in the case of the slightly pricier Zitahli, a magnetically attached money clip. (That company claims this money clip wallet can safely hold up to 25 bills, but when I put in just 10 folded bills, the magnets failed to connect.) My top choice overall is the shorter, wider Hammer Anvil. I don’t mind that it lacks the ID window, which I find tacky and not befitting of our top wallet list.

I also really like the Kinzd, which has a slightly broader design that separates it from the cookie-cutter field. It has a terrific inner pocket — which is closed on one side only, allowing you to open it up wide — that comes together firmly with a satisfying magnetic snap.

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Brown leather-topped metal wallet with cards sticking out
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Best American-made minimalist wallet

Groove Life

Pros

  • Made in the US
  • Mechanical slide action
  • Really tough

Cons

  • Only fits around 5 or 6 cards

Employing «more than 200 people in Tennessee,» Groove Life has created a precision-made wallet with a balanced weight that feels great in your pocket. Designed for five cards to fan easily, I found it could fit four credit cards and two insurance cards nicely, with an ID in the front leather sleeve.

The mechanism for releasing the cards is really nice, too. The entire front of the wallet slides up to help fan the cards out with a spring-loaded action that is satisfyingly mechanical. Like all metal wallets, the Groove wallet is RFID blocking, so you can have some peace of mind on that score. It’s rugged too, so dropping it doesn’t pop your cards out; at least it hasn’t yet.

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Other minimalist wallets we’ve tested

Not all of the minimalist wallets we’ve tested get to be called the best. Some of them are OK. Some of them are really not OK. Here are some of the wallets that did OK at testing but didn’t quite make the cut.

Factors to consider when buying a minimalist wallet

There are many factors to consider when buying the right minimalist wallet. I’ve tried to boil it down to a few key ones but remember, we are all different, so your mileage may vary. The top things to consider are:

  • How many cards do you really need?
  • Are you worried about RFID blocking?
  • Are you taking cash along with you?
  • What material do you want it to be?

The most important factor in this list is the first one and will often dictate what your minimalist wallet looks like. Do you only need two to five cards? then a no-folding wallet, or possibly a mechanical opening wallet could be a good choice. If you need more than that then a bifold or even trifold wallet may be your only option.

Most minimalist wallets these days come with RFID blocking as standard, so it’s more than likely you will have that. Double check on the listing to make sure, if it’s important to you, but know most do come with it. That’s also true for some kind of money clip or elastic strap to hold a small amount of cash. If you are looking to take a large amount of paper money with you, a minimalist wallet may not be for you.

The size of the wallet will also dictate the materials used. A mechanical wallet will be made of a metal of some kind, while other minimalist wallets will be made of leather or a vegan leather substitute. Deciding on the material and the number of cards you want to carry will likely give you the best indication of the type of wallet you’ll want to buy.

How we test minimalist wallets

Testing wallets is, as you might imagine, a fairly subjective process. These wallets come in many sizes, shapes and materials so it’s important to test on those merits. Trying to jam 10 cards into a wallet designed to hold three is pointless and not a true test.

All wallets are subjected to a vigorous shake test where we try to dislodge the cards from the inside, and if they have a money clip/strap on the outside, I try to get that to fall out too. Then it’s time for my least favorite test: sitting on the wallet in my back pocket for an entire workday. Mostly, I am making sure the wallet doesn’t bend, or otherwise damage the cards inside, but I am also checking how uncomfortable it is to sit on for eight hours a day.

Any of the wallets that claim to be RFID blockers are subjected to a test using an Android Pixel phone and an RFID card that has my Twitter link on it. If the card can be read through the wallet and my Twitter bio opens on the phone, then the wallet fails the test. Finally, I spent a week using the wallet as my main cardholder in the real world. There are very few tests better than that to give you a clear idea of whether or not it is worth your money.

Minimalist wallets FAQ

Do minimalist wallets damage cards?

If you use a minimalist wallet correctly, it will keep your cards safe and sound. If you overstock it, then you run the risk of damaging your credit cards. Remember, the whole point of a minimalist wallet is to only take the few cards you need for the trip you are on. Most can hold five to 10 cards, so keep that in mind when you choose your wallet.

What pocket should you hold your wallet?

Despite the traditional notions of holding your wallet in your back pocket, it probably shouldn’t be there. Not only does it make it much easier for pickpockets, but it also makes it harder for you to get to it when you need it. If you’ve ever tried to get your wallet while at a drive-through, you know what I mean. Having your wallet in your back pocket can also damage the cards inside. The cards will have the full pressure of your body, as well as the other cards and metal parts of the wallet pressing down on them.

Which minimalist wallet is best?

While this is a subjective question, the overall best minimalist wallet that we’ve tried is Ridge. That’s because it’s made with tough and durable materials but is still flexible enough to accommodate up to 12 cards. There’s also a strap or clip for cash, too. The Ridge Wallet comes in a variety of colors, and NFL fans can also rep their favorite teams. If you get a Ridge, expect it to last for years.

Why are Ridge wallets so popular?

Ridge wallets have become very popular, and for good reason. These hard minimalist wallets have a unique aesthetic design, are made of titanium (or aluminum, depending on color) and can hold one card as easily as 12. They come in a variety of colors, have RFID blocking technology and look incredible. They’re leading the market when it comes to hard, minimalist wallets.

Which RFID blocking wallets actually work?

Several of the wallets we mention in this list have RFID blocking technology, which means your cards won’t get scanned by thieves. Out of the ones we’ve listed, the Ridge Wallet, Hammer Anvil Minimalist wallet and Groove Life have been reliable on the RFID blocking front. We tested this feature out by attempting to use an Android phone to scan an RFID card with our X link on it; these wallets prevented that from happening.

Do RFID-blocking wallets mess up my cards?

No, RFID blocking wallets will not mess up your cards. They’re designed to prevent unauthorized reading of the RFID chips, but won’t have an affect on the magnetic strip or chip on your cards.

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