Here's Our First Look at an Actual Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridge

Nintendo has shown off our first proper look at a Nintendo Switch 2 game cartridge, ahead of the console's launch next month.

The latest video from the company's Nintendo Today app shows off a look at the official Switch 2 carry case, which has slots for you to safely tuck in up to six Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 cartridges.

As we knew already, Switch 2 cartridges are the same size and shape as Switch 1 cartridges — meaning that the Switch 2 itself only needs one cartridge slot to play games from both Switch console generations. But there's one key difference: the cartridge's color.

Switch 2 cartridges are red — and this appears to be a universal decision, not just for the Mario Kart World cartridge seen in Nintendo's video. (If you don't have the Nintendo Today app, you can see the video via OatmealDome on X / Twitter below.)

The top of the cartridge's printed design sticker also shows a Switch 2 logo, rather than the Nintendo Switch design on original cartridges.

[Switch 2]

Here's a look inside the official Switch 2 carrying case. It has room for the console with the Joy-Con 2 attached, six cartridges, and two Joy-Con 2 straps.

(Also, Switch 2 cartridges seem to be the same size as Switch 1 cartridges, to no one's surprise.) pic.twitter.com/h7k0tqThQz— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) May 19, 2025

Other than that, Switch 2 cartridges are identical, even down to the foul-tasting coating that Nintendo applies to discourage you from putting the cartridges in your mouth.

"We don't want anybody to be at risk of any unwanted consumption," Switch 2 director Takuhiro Dohta previously told GameSpot. "We have indeed made it so that if it enters your mouth, you'll spit it out."

Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025 — in just three weeks' time. Earlier today, a report revealed that Nintendo's key electronics partner Samsung was already thinking about a Switch 2 hardware refresh with an OLED screen upgrade.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social‬