"Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Delayed Until June 5"

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, there's a crucial piece of information that IGN readers need to be aware of: Nintendo has announced that there will be no traditional pre-launch review access to the Switch 2 hardware. This break from tradition means that we won't be able to provide our usual timely review coverage of anticipated titles such as Mario Kart World, Welcome Tour, or the enhanced versions of Zelda games and other ports before the launch.

This unexpected decision has disrupted the plans of not only IGN but also other media outlets, including our colleagues at Digital Foundry, who had prepared to offer in-depth analysis and answers to your questions right at or before the launch. At IGN, we take great pride in providing you with comprehensive insights into new hardware and games at the critical moment when you're deciding how to invest your time and money. This aspect of our work is both a responsibility and a privilege.

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Though this is not the first time we've faced such a situation, we are committed to delivering the next best thing to our readers. It will require a bit more effort, but rest assured, we are ready to provide you with the information you need as soon as possible, without sacrificing quality. Once our preordered Switch 2 units arrive, we'll dive straight into work, starting with a review in progress of Mario Kart World by our in-house champion and NVC host, Logan Plant. Additionally, we'll offer detailed impressions of the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and third-party ports like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, focusing on performance comparisons with previous versions on other platforms. Simultaneously, our team will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the hardware, including the Switch 2 console itself (reviewed by Tom Marks, our expert on Switch and Switch Lite), the new Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller 2 (analyzed by controller expert Michael Higham), the camera, and every other accessory we can lay our hands on.

Our aim is to have most, if not all, of these reviews published within a week or so following the launch, addressing any major questions that arise as early adopters worldwide begin exploring the capabilities of this new console. There's a lot to cover, but we are fully prepared to deliver the comprehensive coverage you expect from IGN.