Nintendo Switch 2 Review Embargo Lifts June 5

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, there's a significant update from Nintendo that all IGN readers need to be aware of: there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This unprecedented 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 Zelda games, along with other ports, before the console hits the market.

This development poses a challenge for us and other media outlets, including our colleagues at Digital Foundry, in delivering the comprehensive coverage you rely on to make informed decisions about your gaming investments. At IGN, we take great pride in offering detailed insights into new hardware and games right when you need them most, and this change disrupts our usual process.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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Despite this hurdle, we're ready to adapt and bring you the next best thing. It will require some extra effort, but as soon as our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive right into providing comprehensive coverage. Our plans include an ongoing review of Mario Kart World by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant, and detailed 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 performance and comparisons to previous versions on other platforms. Additionally, our team will thoroughly evaluate the hardware, including the Switch 2 console itself, reviewed by Switch and Switch Lite expert Tom Marks, as well as the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2, analyzed by controller specialist Michael Higham, the camera, and all other available accessories.

Our aim is to have most, if not all, of these reviews published within a week of the launch, addressing the big questions that arise as early adopters worldwide begin to explore the new console's capabilities. We have a lot on our plate, but we're fully prepared to deliver the in-depth coverage you expect from IGN.