Nintendo's next-gen console, the Nintendo Switch 2, is slated for an official launch on June 5, 2025. However, a few lucky (or unlucky?) players have already started sharing footage of their early units online. The catch? While the Switch 2 can power on, these early birds quickly discovered it won't run a single game without an internet connection and a mandatory update.
The earliest glimpse came from YouTuber Ali Almarzooqi, who recently uploaded an 8-second clip showcasing his supposed early Switch 2 console (though some speculated it could be a highly convincing fake). Unsurprisingly, the video was swiftly taken down due to a copyright claim.
Interestingly, when a commenter asked Almarzooqi for more footage, he replied, "Nintendo locked the Switch 2. It needs an update to work. I'm waiting for June 5th to unlock it." Talk about a digital padlock! 
And Almarzooqi isn't the only one facing this digital roadblock. Renowned gaming leaker Wario64 also shared that another player provided real-life photos and hands-on impressions of the Switch 2, though an NDA prevents them from sharing the visuals publicly.
When this player tried to boot up a previous-gen game on the Nintendo Switch 2, a message popped up: "Please connect to the internet and update the system." This confirms that the console requires a mandatory day-one update to run any games — new titles or old favorites alike.
This isn't entirely new info. GamesIndustry.biz journalist Chris Dring previously reported that Nintendo had informed some media outlets about a "significant update" dropping on the Switch 2's launch day, which is why review units were being delayed. It seems this update isn't just for system optimization; it's likely Nintendo's clever defense mechanism to prevent early leaks of actual game content.
It's still unclear if every single game will require an online update download, or if some physical game cartridges might come pre-loaded with the necessary update files.