The gaming community is eagerly poised, finger on the A button, as the countdown to the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5 continues. However, IGN readers should be aware of a significant change in the usual pre-launch protocol: Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This departure from the norm means we won't be able to test and review key titles like Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, and the upgraded Zelda games and other ports before the launch, preventing us from providing the timely review coverage you're accustomed to from IGN.
This shift poses a challenge to our usual approach, affecting not just us but the broader media landscape, including our colleagues at Digital Foundry. At IGN, we take pride in delivering comprehensive insights into new hardware and games right when you need them to make informed decisions about your time and money. This aspect of our work is incredibly rewarding, and we're committed to maintaining that standard despite these new circumstances.
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While this isn't the first time we've had to navigate such a situation, we're prepared to adapt and deliver the best possible coverage. As soon as our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive into a range of content, including an ongoing review of Mario Kart World by our in-house expert and NVC host Logan Plant. We'll also provide detailed impressions of the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and third-party ports such as 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 our 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 other accessories we can get our hands on.
AnswerSee ResultsOur objective is to have the majority, if not all, of these reviews ready within a week or so of the launch. We aim to address the significant questions that often arise as early adopters worldwide start using the new console. There's much to cover, but we're fully prepared to deliver the insights you need.
