Nintendo’s New Deep Cut Joy-Con 2 and the Full June 2026 Direct Breakdown

Release date and pricing

The Deep Cut Joy-Con 2 set will launch on July 23, 2026, the same day as Splatoon Raiders . Pricing was not formally announced during the Direct for the US market. However, Japanese Nintendo sources confirmed a price of ¥9,980 (tax included) for the Japanese market . European retailer listings have indicated a price of €89.99 . Based on the pricing of previous Joy-Con 2 pairs—which launched at $89.99 in the US and £74.99 in the UK for the Light Purple/Light Green set—the Deep Cut variant is expected to land at the same $89.99 price point in the US .

Pre-order availability

Nintendo did not confirm pre-order timing or availability for the Deep Cut Joy-Con 2 during the Direct. Earlier Joy-Con 2 color launches, such as the Light Purple/Light Green pair, opened pre-orders immediately upon announcement via Nintendo’s website and the Nintendo Today app . It’s likely that pre-orders for the Deep Cut edition will follow a similar pattern closer to the July 23 launch.

Previous Joy-Con 2 color options

Before the Deep Cut announcement, Nintendo had released only two sets of Joy-Con 2 color options since the Switch 2 launched in June 2025 .

• Light Blue (L) / Light Red (R) — Launch colors, included with the console and available separately at $99.99 for the pair .
• Light Purple (L) / Light Green (R) — Announced in January 2026 and released on February 12, 2026 alongside Mario Tennis Fever . Priced at $99.99 in the US .

There is no gray-only launch set for Joy-Con 2, unlike the original Switch. The base Switch 2 console ships with the Light Blue and Light Red pair .

Splatoon Raiders joins the July lineup

The Deep Cut controllers launch alongside Splatoon Raiders, a single-player-focused Splatoon adventure set on the Spirhalite Archipelago . Players take on the role of a character called the Mechanic and explore islands, battle Salmonid enemies, and hunt for treasure alongside Deep Cut members as AI companions . Nintendo also announced a standalone Splatoon Raiders Direct for June 30, 2026, which will provide a deeper dive into gameplay and features .

In Japan, Nintendo will release a special Splatoon Raiders Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that includes the game and the console on July 23 . Additionally, Splatoon 3 will host an in-game festival tied to Raiders from July 11 to July 13 .

Full Nintendo Direct June 2026 game announcements

Beyond the Joy-Con news, the June 9 Direct delivered a dense 50-minute showcase of first-party and third-party games, capped by a surprise closer .

Nintendo first-party highlights

• Rhythm Heaven Groove — July 2, 2026 on Switch. Features over 80 rhythm mini-games and more than 30 multiplayer modes for up to four players, including an RPG-like rhythm battle system .
• Star Fox — June 25, 2026 on Switch 2. A new full entry (not a port), with a free demo available immediately after the Direct on the eShop .
• Splatoon Raiders — July 23, 2026 on Switch 2. Single-player action-adventure set in the Spirhalite Islands .
• Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave — September 17, 2026 on Switch 2. Tactical RPG set in the Dagdan Empire, featuring multiple playable heroes and a returning character, Sothis, from Three Houses .
• Nintendo Switch Sports Resort — October 22, 2026 on Switch 2. Features 12 sports using Joy-Con 2 motion controls as rackets, bows, and handlebars .
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — Remake — 2026 on Switch 2. A fully rebuilt remake that served as the Direct’s surprise finale .
• Xenoblade Chronicles Genesis — 2027 on Switch 2, announced during the showcase .

Third-party and partner highlights

• Kingdom Hearts IV — Switch 2 version confirmed with a new trailer. No firm release date .
• Final Fantasy Resonance — October 22, 2026 on Switch and Switch 2. The first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, a turn-based title featuring classic FF character cameos as “Visions” .
• Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World — December 3, 2026 on Switch and Switch 2. The fourth entry in the Dragon Quest Monsters series .
• Metaphor: ReFantazio — November 12, 2026 on Switch 2 .
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword — September 25, 2026 on Switch 2, supporting Joy-Con 2 motion controls .
• Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition — June 23, 2026 on Switch 2 .
• Pokémon Pokopia — Free underwater update and paid DLC arriving later in summer 2026 .
• Deltarune Chapter 5 — June 24, 2026 as a free update .
• Space Marine 2 — Confirmed for Switch 2 .
• Sea of Stars — Shown as part of the third-party lineup for Switch and Switch 2 .

What’s next: the Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30

The next major Nintendo presentation is the dedicated Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026 . Expect a much deeper look at the game’s mechanics, exploration systems, companion AI, and likely confirmation of US pricing and pre-order details for both the game and the new Deep Cut Joy-Con 2 controllers.