Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Delayed Until June 5

Today, the gaming community is eagerly poised at the starting line, with eyes fixed on the countdown to the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5. However, IGN readers should be aware of a significant change in the usual pre-launch process: Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access for the Switch 2 hardware. This decision also means that we won't be able to provide timely reviews of exciting titles like Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, or the enhanced versions of Zelda games and other ports before the console hits the shelves.

This development is less than ideal and has disrupted our typical coverage plans, not just for us at IGN but also for other media outlets, including our tech-savvy colleagues at Digital Foundry. We take great pride in delivering comprehensive insights into new hardware and games right when you need them to make informed decisions about your purchases and gaming time.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 ImagesDespite this challenge, we're ready to adapt and provide you with the next best thing. While it will require a bit more effort, we're committed to getting you the answers you need without sacrificing quality. As soon as our preordered Switch 2 consoles arrive, we'll dive into a review in progress of Mario Kart World, led by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant. We'll also offer more in-depth impressions 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 compare to previous versions on other platforms. Simultaneously, our team will evaluate all aspects of the hardware, including the Switch 2 console itself, reviewed by Tom Marks, who has covered both the Switch and Switch Lite. We'll also look at the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2, the camera, and every other accessory we can get our hands on, with insights from controller expert Michael Higham.