A behind-the-scenes look at Nintendo Switch 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Nintendo's Switch 2 is bigger and better than its predecessor of eight years past as the video game developer pushes to bring its brand into “a new era" where social experiences are at the forefront.

The Associated Press and other members of the media got an exclusive look this week at Nintendo's latest handheld, TV-console hybrid, which dives head-first into the social world of online gaming.

The Switch 2 will hit the market June 5 at a price of $449.99.

“You’ll be joining us as we step into a new era of Nintendo,” Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s president, told those in attendance before they scattered to test out the new Switch.

Video and audio chats and game-sharing functions are huge parts of the new console. One of the Switch 2's Joy-Cons — it's controllers — even has a “C” button to quickly access “GameChat." Click the button and up pops window views to others players' gameplay, lined up at the bottom of the user's screen in squares like a video conference call.

A camera attachment — sold separately — allows gamers to project themselves into those windows instead of sharing their own screen, while some games let the camera-user appear in the game itself. A microphone is now built into the console for audio.

Another feature, “GameShare,” allows users to share the game they are playing temporarily with other consoles that don’t have it.

And then there’s a function to control the console’s Joy-Cons like a computer mouse — an appeal toward the growing PC-based gaming audience — something developers are excited for people to try.

“Because of the environment were in, it’s a hands-on experience,” Takuhiro Dohta, the console’s director, said through a translator at the media event.

Kouichi Kawamoto, the Switch 2’s producer, called the mouse feature a “fun,” “engaging” way to experience gaming.

It can be used on multiple surfaces, not just a mouse pad, he said.

“We have made adjustments so that you can control the mouse on your pants,” Kawamoto said through a translator about sitting down and using your own leg as a mouse surface. “There were some people in development where that was their preferred way of playing.”

The media demo area had a station to test out the mouse function on a wheelchair basketball game. Players used both Joy-Con “mice” for that one. Using both at the same time was a gaming experience unlike many, or any. This particular station had a smooth pad that the Joy-Cons slid around on seamlessly. Another station without the pad worked just fine on a hard desk surface — that one was a world-building game with less precision required.

The first game played was Mario Kart World — included in the console’s bundle package. That was in handheld mode. The 7.9 inch LCD screen is bigger and it feels it. Next to a last generation Switch OLED Model, there’s a stark difference.

The handheld graphics were obviously better in 1080p. In the docked mode, Nintendo says the system is able to support 4K resolution for compatible games. It wasn't immediately clear if the docked games that were demoed were compatible, but the graphics looked better than the first-generation Switch. Especially in Hogwarts Legacy. Wow.

The Joy-Con controllers, which are now magnets that click into place, are upgrades from the slide-into-place mechanism in first-gen. The AP didn’t spend enough time with the demo unit to get a great read on how sturdy they are, but developers were asked about what one reporter thought was a “flimsy” connection and had this to say:

“It may at first glance look flimsy, but if you’ve actually touched it, I think you’ll see that it’s not as flimsy as it looks,” Kawamoto said through a translator. “We did our best to make sure it’s strong.”

The new Mario Kart World featured a thrilling Knockout Tour mode that pits 24 players against each other in a race where the field is culled at five checkpoints until one racer remains.

Among the wishes from Switch fans was an increased battery life. Developers weren’t able to promise that, mainly because they said battery life depends on the environment and conditions the console is operating in. The Switch 2 does uses more energy. But they did say it has a larger battery to compensate for that.

“With Switch 2, because of things like ‘GameChat’ ... There’s variability of battery life even wider than the Nintendo Switch,” Dohta said.

The Switch 2 will cost $150 more than its predecessor at launch. Joost van Dreunen, author of “One Up: Creativity, Competition, and the Global Business of Video Games,” said the Trump administration’s tariffs have hit the video game console industry at a fragile moment. He believes the console costs about $50 more than it would have without the tariffs, which he says impact video game hardware because console devices are manufactured and shipped from China and the surrounding region.

One of the Switch 2s that media members demoed said “Made in China” in the small font on the back of the console.

Nintendo didn’t address pricing, with a company moderator declining to answer a reporter’s question on the cost during the media event.

When asked about chip shortages, hardware costs and the pandemic, however, developers did say those factors impacted development in terms of the number of consoles they could produce.

“Yes, for example covid certainly had a large impact in the development,” Tetsuya Sasaki, the console’s technical director, said through a translator. “Even with the chip shortage we were working with our partners and had to be creative in working our way through that. ... And yeah even the Nintendo Switch was hard to get at one point.”

In addition to Mario Kart World, two more Switch 2 exclusives feature its marquee characters: Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D adventure with the big ape punching his way through a huge underground world, arriving July 17, and Kirby Air Riders, a racing game from the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, due later in the year.

The new console will be backwards compatible — able to play physical and digital Switch games — but not every game from the predecessor console will have that capability. Also, users will need to purchase a microSD express memory card for the Switch 2. The Nintendo Direct on Wednesday revealed that normal microSD cards will not be compatible with the system.

Associated Press reporters Sarah Parvini in Los Angeles and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.

"Made in China" is on a new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Mario Kart World on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

A GameCube controller is at a Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Hogwarts Legacy on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Mario Kart World on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

An unopened Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console is on display at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

New Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming consoles are on display at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Super Mario Party Jamboree, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Donkey Kong Bananza on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Super Mario Party Jamboree, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Mario Kart World on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People play Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Star Crossed World, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, on the new Nintendo Switch 2 video gaming console at a media preview event in New York on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

President of Nintendo America Doug Bowser delivers his remarks during the debut of the Nintendo Switch 2, in New York, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

A game controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 is demonstrated during a media event, in New York, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The Joy-Con controllers of the Nintendo Switch 2 are demonstrated during a media event, in New York, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The Joy-Con controllers of the Nintendo Switch 2 that include a new "C" button, are shown during a media event, in New York, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The Nintendo Switch 2 is demonstrated during a media event, in New York, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

CHICAGO (AP) — Luis Arraez had four hits, Fernando Tatis Jr. scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning when first baseman Justin Turner couldn't make the catch to finish a double play, and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 8-7 on Sunday.

The Padres' Gavin Sheets singled off Porter Hodge to tie it in the eighth.

Jackson Merrill homered for the Padres, who had lost two straight after opening the season with seven consecutive victories for the best start in franchise history.

Kyle Tucker homered and drove in three runs and Nico Hoerner added three hits for the Cubs, whose five-game win streak ended.

Ryan Pressly (0-1) took the loss after allowing one hit and a walk in the ninth. Robert Suarez threw a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

The Padres went ahead 3-0 in the first inning. Ben Brown allowed two walks and a bunt single before hitting Jake Cronenworth to bring in a run. Xander Bogaerts reached on an infield single and Jason Heyward walked to score the other runs.

The Cubs scored five runs in the bottom of the first. After Kyle Hart issued two walks, Tucker singled, Justin Turner had a sacrifice fly and Hoerner doubled to tie it. Logan Gillaspie, called up from Triple-A El Paso before the game, replaced Hart and was called for two balks while pitching to Carson Kelly, scoring two runs.

Tucker hit a two-run homer in the second inning for his fifth, tied for the NL lead.

Merrill drove a two-run shot off Brown in the fourth.

With runners on first and second in the ninth, Manny Machado hit a grounder to shortstop. Dansby Swanson threw to second to start the try for a double play, but Hoerner's relay to first got past Turner. That allowed Tatis to come around to score.

Tucker, acquired in a December trade with Houston, now has 15 RBIs to lead the NL.

The Padres had yet to announce their starter for Monday’s series opener against the A’s.

LHP Justin Steele (2-1, 6.89 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday for the Cubs against Texas. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 1.20) is slated to pitch for the Rangers.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Chicago Cubs' Justin Turner (3) hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker (30) hits an RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ (8) celebrates with manager Craig Counsell, right, after scoring during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres catcher Elias Díaz (17) tags Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson (7) out during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki slides into home plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres pitcher Kyle Hart (68) reacts after being relieved during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker, center, and Ian Happ (8) celebrate after scoring on Tucker's two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Umpires talk to San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt (8) about a balk call during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) scores during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill (3) and teammates pose for a photo in the dugout after he hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres pitcher Robert Suarez reacts after a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez (4) and outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) high-five after a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. scores during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates in the dugout after he scores during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)