Now that Nintendo has revealed the Switch 2, it’s giving eager players the chance to go hands-on with what is sure to be the year’s bestselling console.
Over the coming months, the gaming giant will be touring the device around the world ahead of its release date later this year, with pit stops in London, Paris and New York.
Here’s how you can attend the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events and be among the first to sample the new gaming device.
When are the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events?
Nintendo has announced a total of 15 demo events across Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia.
These will take place over the course of two months, starting in Paris between April 4-6 and concluding in Seoul, South Korea between May 31-June 1. Dates for the Hong Kong and Taipei legs of the tour have yet to be confirmed.
The good news is London is second in line, with the Switch 2 coming to Excel London between April 11-13.
The Switch 2 announcement video also contained a glimpse of a new Mario Kart game (Nintendo)
The full list of dates is as follows:
Europe
Paris – April 4–6
London – April 11–13
Milan – April 25–27
Berlin – April 25–27
Madrid – May 9–11
Amsterdam – May 9–11
North America
New York – April 4–6
Los Angeles – April 11–13
Dallas – April 25–27
Toronto – April 25–27
Oceania
Melbourne – May 10–11
Asia
Tokyo (Makuhari) – April 26–27
Seoul – May 31–June 1
Hong Kong – To be announced
Taipei – To be announced
How to get tickets
So, the bad news is that tickets are only available as part of a randomly selected draw. But, at least it’s free to enter.
All you have to do is create a Nintendo account (which you probably already have if you own a Switch) and then register on the Nintendo website between January 17 at 2pm to January 26 at 11.59 pm.
Alas, you can’t just waltz up to the London Excel Center and snag tickets.
The Switch 2 public demo will be held at the Excel Centre in London (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Archive)
Bear in mind that you have to be 18 or over to register, so be prepared to do it for the kids. If you’re signing up with a group of two or more, including anyone aged 7-17, everyone needs a Nintendo account linked to the same family group.
If you’re under 16 and want to join, a parent or guardian can create a Nintendo Account for you as part of their family group.
And remember, all group members must attend the same session together. If you get chosen, Nintendo will let you know through a message sent to the email address linked to your Nintendo account (so, be sure to update it if it’s not your main one).
Nintendo Switch 2: What we know
Nintendo offered a first look at the Switch 2 in a promotional video on Thursday following a spate of recent leaks.
The upcoming console looks like a bigger version of its predecessor which, at seven years old, is geriatric in gaming terms.
It comes with a pair of Joy-Cons that slot into ports on the side of its larger tablet-like touchscreen, which rumours suggest is eight inches in size. There’s also an additional USB-C port on the top of the device and a slimmer, more flexible pop-out stand on the rear.
Like the original Switch, it’s a hybrid device that can connect to your TV (via a bigger dock) or be played on the go. The design is more sober this time round: a virtually all-black console with pops of bright blue and orange accents on the respective controllers.
The Switch 2 features a pair of larger controllers that can also be placed in a Joy-Con grip accessory, transforming them into a single gamepad (Nintendo)
Apart from showing off the gaming machine, the announcement video was shy on details. For instance, we learned nothing of the console’s specs, though it’s said to feature a more powerful Nvidia processor. Still, Nintendo did tease a new Mario Kart game, which could turn out to be a major Switch 2 exclusive.
It sounds like Nintendo is saving some tidbits for its upcoming Switch 2 Direct presentation on April 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 release date
Maybe that’s when we’ll finally get the release date, since all we have to go on right now is a 2025 launch window.
With the demo events wrapping up at the start of June (right around the predicted release date from gaming tipster Nate the Hate), it’s looking like that could be when the Switch 2 hits shelves.