Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Delayed Until June 5

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, IGN has some important news to share. Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This decision means that we won't be able to provide our usual timely reviews of key titles such as Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, and the upgraded versions of Zelda games and other ports before the console hits the market.

This development is less than ideal and disrupts the standard process we, along with other media outlets like Digital Foundry, follow to offer you comprehensive insights at or before a console's launch. We take pride in delivering detailed information about new hardware and games right when you need it to make informed decisions about your investments in time and money.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 Images

While this isn't the first time we've had to adapt to such circumstances, we are prepared to offer the next best thing. Although it will require more effort than usual, we're committed to providing you with thorough answers as soon as possible without sacrificing quality. Once our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll immediately begin working on a range of content. This includes an in-progress review of Mario Kart World by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant, and 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. We'll focus on how these games perform and compare to their previous versions on other platforms. Simultaneously, our team will evaluate all aspects of the hardware, including the Switch 2 console itself (reviewed by Switch and Switch Lite expert Tom Marks), the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2 (analyzed by controller expert Michael Higham), the camera, and other accessories we can get our hands on.

Our objective is to publish most, if not all, of these reviews within a week or so after the launch. We'll also be addressing any significant questions that arise as early adopters worldwide begin to explore the capabilities of this new console. There's a lot on our plate, but we're fully prepared to deliver the information you need.