Nintendo Switch 2: Everything We Know and What to Expect

* Originally published on January 16, 2025

Recent updates:

January 22, 2025

  • A retail listing may have announced a 3D Super Mario game and a Zelda remake
  • Nintendo released an updated video showing the controller release buttons

After years of anticipation and speculation, and many leaks in recent months, Nintendo has officially announced the Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal trailer, a brief but captivating two-minute showcase, has confirmed some of the rumors while leaving plenty of room for excitement and speculation.

As the successor to the wildly popular Nintendo Switch, this next-generation console is anticipated to offer a refined portable and home console hybrid gaming experience with upgraded features, new games, and innovative design elements. In this article, we’ll dive into everything that’s known so far, explore the most credible rumors, and provide expert analysis of what this console could mean for the gaming world.

Confirmed Details

Design and Display

The Nintendo Switch 2 sports a sleek, all-black design that departs from the colorful aesthetic of its predecessor. The trailer showcases a significantly larger display with thinner bezels (compared to the smaller Joy-Con’s of the original Switch as seen in the image above), rumored to measure 8 inches, offering more screen real estate for an immersive gaming experience. This larger display is complemented by redesigned Joy-Cons, which appear to be larger and more ergonomic.

Backward Compatibility

Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will support backward compatibility, allowing players to enjoy their existing library of Nintendo Switch games. Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online will carry over to the new console, enabling cloud saves and continued online play.

Hardware and Ports

The trailer highlights some of the hardware features, including two USB-C ports — one on the top and another on the bottom—and an improved kickstand for tabletop gaming. These upgrades suggest a focus on versatility and user convenience.

Audio and Accessibility

Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of headsets. The enhanced speaker grilles visible in the trailer hint at improved sound quality, while potential advancements in Bluetooth support could make wireless audio a more viable option.

Speculations and Rumors

Performance and Technical Specifications

One of the most exciting areas of speculation revolves around the technical specifications of the Nintendo Switch 2. Industry insiders and leaks of the motherboard suggest the console will use a custom Nvidia chipset. Reuter’s reported a year ago that the Nvidia chip in the Switch 2 will support ray tracing and upscaling through Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). These technologies could significantly improve graphical fidelity, allowing games to render at lower resolution and then be upscaled to look good.

Recent leaks show that the Switch 2 will draw more power while docked, suggesting that being docked gives it better performance. This might even mean that it can run in 4K resolution when docked.

Another rumored improvement, based on leaked customs and shipping data, is a substantial increase in RAM, from 4 GB in the original Switch to 12 GB in the Switch 2. This boost, combined with a possible jump in internal storage to 256 GB (from 32GB), would allow for faster load times, better multitasking, and support for larger game files.

Additional retail store leaks suggest that the Switch 2 will move to microSD Express cards for expanded storage, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to current UHS-I microSD cards.

Joy-Con Innovations

The Joy-Con controllers are rumored to feature Hall-effect joysticks, a design that would likely eliminate the infamous “drift” issue that plagued the original Switch controllers. Additionally, magnetic connectivity appears to replace the rail attachment system (as reported by Eurogamer), making it easier to detach and reattach the Joy-Cons.

The official trailer doesn’t confirm that the controllers uses magnets, but it certainly looks that way when the controllers snaps into place.

On January 22, Nintendo published a short video update on the Joy-Cons showing that the controllers are indeed magnetically connected and locked into place once connected. To disconnect, you press a button on the back of the controller to unlock and release it from the system.

Another intriguing rumor is that the Joy-Con’s may function as a mouse. This seemed like one of the more far-fetched rumors until the official trailer was released.

The trailer shows Joy-Con controllers clicking into an adaptor and then moving across a surface with their wrist straps trailing behind them, very much looking like mice.

Pausing a section of the trailer shows what appear to be the  inclusion of an optical sensor on the Joy-Con, similar to a mouse.

This could be a very interesting feature, but the question is, how ergonomic will it be to use a skinny Joy-Con as a mouse? A Redditor posted a video trying it with the original Joy-Con and it doesn’t seem half-bad.

Display and Form Factor

We can see in the trailer that the screen size has been increased, so that rumor seems confirmed. Bloomberg reported that the Switch 2 would have a larger 8-inch LCD display. The overall form factor appears to be slightly larger, which may affect portability but could offer a more comfortable grip for extended play sessions.

Games and Ecosystem

The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to launch with a new Mario Kart game, which was teased in the announcement trailer. Other confirmed titles include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

A retail listing on NewEgg may have accidentally announced two other games; a new 3D Super Mario game (hopefully the long-awaited follow up to Super Mario Odyssey) and a Zelda remake.

There have also been rumors swirling about potential third-party offerings like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but Nintendo hasn’t confirmed or denied any of these titles.

Backward compatibility ensures that players can continue enjoying their current library, while the inclusion of both physical and digital game support broadens accessibility.

Price Predictions

The original Switch launched at $299.99 in 2017, the Switch Lite launched in 2019 at $199, and the Nintendo Switch OLED (launched in 2021) currently sells for $349.99.

It’s not likely that Nintendo will sell the Switch 2 for the same price as the Switch 1’s OLED model, and the Switch 2 isn’t going to be more powerful than a Series X or PS5, which means it’s not likely to exceed $500.

An analyst predicted the Switch 2 would launch at $400. While pricing of the Switch 2 remains a mystery, it’s likely that the Switch 2 will fall between $399 and $449, considering inflation and the competition from other gaming systems like the Steam Deck, PS5, and Xbox Series S.

Nintendo’s strategy will likely balance affordability with the need to showcase the console’s advanced features.

Release Timeline

The official trailer confirmed a 2025 release with more details to be announced on April 2nd (carefully avoiding April Fools Day), with hands-on preview events scheduled through June of this year. This suggests a launch in the latter half of 2025, likely timed to maximize holiday sales.

Nintendo is accepting sign-ups to their free preview events starting on January 17 throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. North America events will be happening in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

Other Features to Watch

Speculation continues around potential new features, including enhanced online capabilities, improved battery life, and even spatial audio for a more immersive gaming experience. The rumored “C” button and “Campus” social feature (as mentioned at Game Rant) could also introduce innovative ways for players to connect and interact.

Expert Opinions and Analysis

Industry experts are already weighing in on what the Nintendo Switch 2 means for the gaming landscape. Analysts believe that the console’s hybrid design will continue to set it apart in a market increasingly dominated by dedicated handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. However, the addition of features like DLSS and ray tracing could bring the Switch 2 closer to competing with more powerful home consoles, such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Competitive Landscape

Nintendo’s approach has always focused on innovation and unique gameplay experiences over sheer hardware power. The inclusion of features like Hall-effect joysticks and a potential mouse-like Joy-Con could attract gamers who value precision and novel mechanics. Moreover, its robust first-party game library—combined with backward compatibility—gives the Switch 2 a strong edge in the ecosystem wars.

What will be interesting to watch is how Nintendo positions the Switch 2’s pricing and release date to outmaneuver competitors. A well-timed launch could capitalize on holiday sales, while aggressive pricing may draw gamers away from pricier alternatives.

Ongoing Updates and Future Speculation

As more information becomes available, this article will continue to be updated to include new details, analyses, and announcements. With the Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2, 2025, we expect significant revelations about the console’s specs, game lineup, and official release plans. Until then, keep an eye on this space for the latest developments.

Final Thoughts

The Nintendo Switch 2 has already generated immense excitement among fans and industry experts alike. While many details remain under wraps, the confirmed features and compelling rumors point to a console that could once again revolutionize the gaming landscape. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor and analyze all things Nintendo Switch 2!

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