First Look at the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cartridge

Nintendo has officially unveiled our first detailed look at a Nintendo Switch 2 game cartridge ahead of the console's launch next month.

A recent video from the company's Nintendo Today app highlighted the official Switch 2 carry case, which features dedicated slots to securely store up to six Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 game cartridges.

As expected, Switch 2 cartridges maintain the same size and shape as the original Switch cartridges. This design ensures the Switch 2 console only requires a single cartridge slot to play games from both generations. However, one key distinction stands out: the new cartridge's color.

The Switch 2 cartridges feature a striking red color, which appears to be a universal design choice—not limited to the Mario Kart World cartridge displayed in Nintendo's video. (For those without the Nintendo Today app, the video is available via OatmealDome on X/Twitter below.)

The top of the cartridge’s printed label also showcases a new Switch 2 logo, replacing the original Nintendo Switch branding found on earlier 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

Apart from these updates, the Switch 2 cartridges remain identical in all other aspects—including the distinct bitter coating applied by Nintendo to discourage users from putting them in their mouths.

"We want to ensure no one is at risk of accidentally swallowing the cartridges," explained Switch 2 director Takuhiro Dohta in a previous interview with GameSpot. "That's why we’ve made sure that if it goes into your mouth, you'll instinctively want to spit it out."

Nintendo Switch 2 Game Packaging

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on June 5, 2025—just three weeks from now. Earlier today, a report also revealed that Nintendo’s key electronics partner Samsung is already exploring a future hardware refresh for the Switch 2, including a potential OLED screen upgrade.