Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Delayed Until June 5

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, a significant piece of news has emerged that IGN readers should be aware of. Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware, deviating from the norm for console launches. This means that we won't have the opportunity to test and review games like Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, or the enhanced versions of Zelda titles and other ports before their release, which impacts our ability to provide the timely review coverage you've come to expect from us at IGN.

This development is less than ideal and has disrupted the usual plans we, along with other media outlets including our tech-savvy colleagues at Digital Foundry, had in place to answer your questions around or before the launch. At IGN, we take pride in being able to provide you with all the information you need about new hardware and games right when you're making crucial decisions about your time and money. It's one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.

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While this isn't the first time we've had to adapt to such circumstances, we're committed to delivering the next best thing. It will require more effort than usual, but we're prepared to provide you with the answers you need as soon as possible, without compromising on quality. As soon as our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive into a range of content, including a review in progress of Mario Kart World led by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant. We'll also offer 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, from the Switch 2 console itself (reviewed by Switch and Switch Lite expert Tom Marks) to the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2 (analyzed by controller specialist Michael Higham), the camera, and every other accessory we can get our hands on.

Our goal is to have most, if not all, of these reviews published within a week or so of the launch, and to address any significant questions that arise as early adopters worldwide begin to explore the new console. There's a lot to cover, but we're ready to tackle it head-on.