Finally, we have an official look at the Nintendo Switch 2, which was released about eight years ago. Nintendo unveiled its next-generation gaming console in a rather short trailer; no specifications or price were disclosed, but a 2025 release date was mentioned.
As anticipated, the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be a fresh version of the company’s first hybrid gaming system. The console can be used in handheld mode, as a separate display controlled by detached Joy-Cons or external controllers, or in docked mode via a redesigned dock that can be connected to a TV or external display. The design is essentially the same, with detachable Joy-Con controllers.
Since no specifications were disclosed, we are forced to speculate about the Nintendo Switch 2’s potential performance based on leaks and rumors. Since we were given a sneak peek at a brand-new Mario Kart game, which is probably the next major installment in the venerable series, we can assume that the Nintendo Switch 2 has a good amount of power.
That’s the summary, but below we’ll go into more detail about the Nintendo Switch 2, including some educated guesses and predictions about what features it might have and when we might be able to see it in person.
Nintendo Switch 2: let’s get right to the point
- What is it? The Nintendo Switch 2 is the official name of the Nintendo Switch console’s replacement.
- What will the price be? TBA
- When will it be available? Around 2025
- What improvements will it have? According to current plans, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature a larger screen than the original Switch, a redesigned kickstand, a second USB-C port, and new Joy-Cons. Although the specifications are unknown, anticipate greater power from what is probably an Nvidia chip, possibly longer battery life, and more storage.
Nintendo Switch 2: speculative release date
Nintendo has only stated that the Switch 2 will be available in 2025. However, it’s unclear when this year. More information about the Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed by the company at a Nintendo Direct on April 2. Based on that, we can conclude that the Nintendo Switch 2 won’t be available before April.
However, we estimate that Switch 2 might arrive as early as May, with hands-on sessions available to Nintendo account holders at specific locations. In order to give people time to pick it up as a holiday gift, other reasonable release windows would be around September.
We are entirely in the realm of speculation regarding price. The Nintendo Switch OLED debuted at $349.99 / £309.99 / AU$539.95, while the original Switch retailed for $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD $435. There is a chance that the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost more than its predecessor because of its more potent hardware and rising chip prices since 2017.
But we don’t anticipate price increases akin to those seen in the PS5 to PS5 Pro. Instead, we believe Nintendo will maintain the price at $399.99, £349.99, or AU$699.95 or less.
Design of the Nintendo Switch 2
In the end, the Nintendo Switch 2 resembles the original Switch in appearance, albeit larger. Although the precise dimensions are unknown, it appears to have a larger display than the Switch OLED’s 7-inch panel and a larger overall footprint.
Because of this, the Joy-Cons seem taller and more curved. Although the right joystick has an orange accent and the left has a blue accent, they have abandoned the pronounced red and blue colors of their predecessors. There is a new square button on the right Joy-Con, but it’s unclear what it does. Other than that, the buttons and their arrangement are the same.
The Joy-Con on the Switch 2 seems to snap into place using what may be magnets, as opposed to sliding and locking in place like the Joy-Con on the original Switch. There are buttons beneath the Joy-Con triggers that seem to work like a piston to push out and release the Joy-Con when they need to be detached.
When they are detached, they appear to function similarly to the original Joy-Con, including the SL and SR buttons. The only indications that the controllers could be used as a computer mouse are the video’s hint at a laser sensor and its depiction of Joy-Con moving around with their strap attachment in a manner akin to a mouse.
Returning to the switch itself, the ventilation grille now has three vents rather than five, and the power and volume buttons appear to have undergone some design changes.
The addition of a USB-C port is the largest change to the top edge of the console; its purpose is unknown, but we believe it may allow for more peripheral connectivity and charging from the top of the console instead of the bottom.
Speaking of which, the Switch 2 has new downward-firing speakers on the bottom edge that should improve the sound quality.
Additionally, there is a new kickstand that is hollow rather than a single panel, similar to the one on the Switch OLED, and extends the length of the console. It appears to have multiple locking positions and to be more substantial than the original Switch’s tiny, slither-like kickstand.
The Switch 2 has a new, rounded dock, but aside from the exterior design, there are no indications of any significant internal changes.
A somewhat similar add-on that combines the Joy-Con into a single controller is available for those who prefer to play games while docked; this wasn’t a standout feature of the original Switch, and it doesn’t appear to have been much enhanced for the Switch 2.
Display of the Nintendo Switch 2
Although Nintendo has not disclosed any information regarding the Switch 2’s display, the video indicates that it is larger than the original Switch and has much thinner bezels. Although it’s difficult to predict whether the display will be larger than the Switch OLEDs, we believe there’s a good chance it will measure about 7.4 inches, similar to Valve’s Steam Deck.
The Switch 2’s display won’t use any of the words on the panel. Although the Switch’s LCD display is far from poor overall, it’s difficult to tell in the video whether it’s an LCD or an OLED panel. We’re hoping for the latter because the colors and contrast of an OLED panel are much more punchy.
Additionally, we would like to see the display’s resolution increased from 720p to 1080p, but Nintendo has not provided any information on this. Game performance would be slightly improved by switching to Full HD resolution, and a modern chipset might not require significant performance gains in exchange.
Although there has been some conjecture regarding a higher refresh rate, it may not be necessary for games that ultimately aim for 60 frames per second to have a display that refreshes at, say, 120 Hz.
Speculations about the Nintendo Switch 2
As previously stated, Nintendo has not released any official Switch 2 specifications. We can anticipate a significant increase in raw processing power and graphics rendering because it is a second-generation device, and we would be shocked if Nintendo didn’t use an Nvidia system-on-a-chip for both its processor and graphics.
The Switch 2 may have a chipset with an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal eMMC storage, according to rumors and a report from our sister publication Tom’s Hardware.
The Switch 2’s hardware support for artificial intelligence-powered upscaling, possibly through Nvidia’s deep-learning supersampling (DLSS) technology, has been the subject of much conjecture and rumor. Such upscaling may be more applicable to handheld games or may be used in conjunction with additional power being piped to the Switch 2 when it is docked to enable upscaling on the top 4K TVs.
Given the Switch’s enormous popularity, Nintendo undoubtedly has the opportunity to collaborate with Nvidia on a Switch 2-specific chipset rather than an “off-the-shelf” component, even though supporting DLSS would probably require custom hardware from Nvidia.
For the newest TVs to get the most out of the Switch 2, we would prefer that the dock of the Switch 2 support the most recent HDMI standards and work with TVs that have variable refresh rates.
Should you hold off until the Nintendo Switch 2 comes out?
What you specifically want from a new gaming console will determine whether or not the Nintendo Switch 2 is worth waiting for.
It might still be a good idea to purchase an original Nintendo Switch if you haven’t already. They are offered in amazing value packages that frequently come with a few games or extras. They may even be on sale, particularly if you purchase used.
In recent years, games have also gotten significantly cheaper. Physical copies of some well-known Nintendo games, such as Bayonetta 3, cost about $20 to £20.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Nintendo Switch 2 might be a worse choice because it’s probably going to be more expensive than the Nintendo Switch.
In 2025, you can still get a lot of value out of a cheap original Switch and a few games. It should easily keep you occupied for a few years at the very least, giving you time to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 later on when it may be slightly less expensive.
It will be much more tempting to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 on the first day if you already have a Nintendo Switch. You don’t even have to worry about losing access to your favorite games because it will continue to play the majority of your current selection.
Additionally, there will be games that are only available on the Nintendo Switch 2, like a potential new Mario Kart, which might make the admission fee worthwhile.
