Nintendo Switch 2: What It Looks Like, Launch Games, Specs, Everything We Know

It’s been eight years for the reason that Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, and after an extended and profitable reign, it’s about time we discover out extra about its successor. We’ve seen updates to the present Switch with the OLED and Lite fashions, however it seems like we’re lastly near a correct Switch 2.

After changing into the 2nd best-selling console in historical past final 12 months, it’s truthful to say that Nintendo needs to maintain issues near its chest. Yet, even with all of the secrecy surrounding the opportunity of a brand new Nintendo Switch, leaks have steadily trickled out these previous few months and we’ve collected all the main points we might discover concerning the thriller follow-up forward of its eventual official announcement and launch.

What Will the Nintendo Switch 2 Look Like?

The look and design of the Switch 2 — as we’ll name it for now till an official announcement — is the topic of among the heaviest leaks in latest weeks due to third-party accent producers who’re releasing prototypes of their Switch 2 equipment. The most high-profile of those comes from equipment maker Genki, which confirmed off a recreation of the Switch 2 at this 12 months’s CES which it claims is predicated off of the specs of an actual Switch 2 that Genki says it is seen and used – one thing it has since backtracked on.

IGN met with Genki at CES and checked out a number of particulars concerning the Switch 2 design we’ve seen in leaks lately, together with Joy-Cons that connect magnetically to the pill versus slide on rails like within the present Switch. Genki CEO Eddie Tsai, who once more claims to have based mostly the corporate’s designs on an actual Switch 2, additionally advised The Verge there may be an optical sensor that would doubtlessly flip the Joy-Cons into one thing like a pc mouse.

Another new addition to the Switch 2 is a mysterious new “C” button on the precise Joy-Con. There are some rumors that it might be associated to some sort of digicam operate, however neither Genki nor any leaks have any actual affirmation on what this new button does. Lastly, there may be additionally a brand new USB port on the prime of the Switch 2 that ought to let gamers cost the system in handheld mode if they like having the cable above the display, quite than beneath it.

The Joy-Cons look to be the world of largest change within the Switch 2. Alongside the magnetic attachments, in May 2023 a patent was filed with the United States Patent Office and printed in September, which particulars a magnetic discipline for controls quite than the plastic circuit boards seen within the present era console that would alleviate “Joy-Con drift.”

As for the shape issue itself, based mostly on the Genki mannequin, the Switch 2 will probably be largely unchanged although it will likely be larger. We introduced a tape measure and located Genki’s Switch 2 mannequin is 10.5” broad, 4.5” tall, .5” thick, and has an 8” display. For comparability, the Switch OLED is 9.5” broad, 4.5” tall, additionally .5” thick, and has a 7” display. The Switch 2 might additionally sport a U-shaped kickstand versus those at present on the Switch and Switch OLED.

Switch 2 Specs and Performance

Less is thought concerning the Switch 2’s internals, and due to this fact efficiency continues to be a thriller. Digital Foundry was in a position to verify that the Switch 2 is operating a customized model of Nvidia’s T234 cell processor referred to as the T239. Based on an octo-core ARM A78C CPU cluster and customized graphics unit based mostly on Nvidia’s RTX 30-series Ampere structure, Digital Foundry’s findings makes me suppose the Switch 2 will probably be extra highly effective than a PS4, however not corresponding to current-gen consoles just like the PS5.

Another wrinkle is that sources have advised Digital Foundry that the customized Nvidia chip might not characteristic a Deep Learning Accelerator (DLA) which might restrict DLSS upscaling to 1440p quite than 4K.

Lastly, per yet one more leak, alleged retail listings reveals the Switch 2 helps newer fashions of SD playing cards with sooner switch speeds and efficiency corresponding to SSDs.

Switch 2 Launch Games

While the look and specs of the Switch 2 are all properly and good, what concerning the video games? Well, we all know even much less concerning the launch video games for the Switch 2 than virtually the rest concerning the console. So, let’s take a look at among the video games that launched with the primary Switch, we could?

Looking again, the primary Switch launch titles had been fairly paltry. Aside from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was actually a shocking recreation, the remainder of the Switch’s launch choices included video games like 1-2-Switch, Just Dance 2017, Snipperclips, and Shovel Knight amongst others.

The launch “window” was a bit higher with video games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Splatoon 2, plus Super Mario Odyssey in direction of the top of the 12 months.

Will the Switch 2 launch video games be any higher? It’s virtually unattainable to say. Nintendo nonetheless has some Switch video games releasing in 2025 together with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, however that’s virtually definitely going to be a cross-gen recreation in the identical approach Breath of the Wild was for the Wii U and Switch. But who’s to say if Metroid Prime 4 will probably be a launch recreation, or a launch window recreation?

Will the Switch 2 be Backwards Compatible?

Here’s one factor we do know: The Switch 2 will seemingly be backwards suitable.

Instead of a leak, this comes from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa himself in an announcement launched on Nintendo’s official X account. At the November 2024 Corporate Management Policy Briefing, Furukawa introduced that “Nintendo Switch software program may even be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.”

Furukawa additionally says that “Nintendo Switch Online will probably be accessible on the successor to Nintendo Switch as properly.”

This is Furukawa. At at this time’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we introduced that Nintendo Switch software program may even be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will probably be accessible on the successor to Nintendo Switch as properly. Further details about…

— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024

While this assertion isn’t totally revealing, on the very least it confirms that present Nintendo Switch video games will probably be playable on the Switch 2, and the model of Nintendo Switch Online we all know at this time may even be on the Switch 2. The finer particulars, like whether or not or not it’s as straightforward as taking part in our video games straight from our present Nintendo Switch cartridge, or some digital switch, isn’t clear.

Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date

While Nintendo hasn’t but introduced any official follow-up to their extremely profitable Nintendo Switch console, a 2025 launch appears virtually sure. We simply don’t know when.

In February 2024, the Japanese publication Nikkei steered that the proposed Nintendo Switch 2 would launch in March 2025 on the earliest, contradicting earlier studies. While the article coated data we’ve heard earlier than, just like the proposed iterative design scheme, Nikkei did add that the 2025 date was possible because of the firm stockpiling consoles to keep away from scalping at launch. As any long-term Nintendo fan is aware of, procuring one of many firm’s new consoles might be difficult enterprise. Those who tried will bear in mind how tough it was to safe a Nintendo Switch at launch in 2017, with the console affected by inflated pricing on the aftermarket attributable to artful resellers.

Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, confirmed in an interview with Nikkei, and translated by VGC, that Nintendo will assist the current-gen Switch till a minimum of March 2025. This sentiment can be backed up by earlier feedback Furukawa made concerning the way forward for the Nintendo Switch in a financial briefing Q&A in 2022. In this interview, he dedicated to specializing in “constructing long-term relationships with our shoppers (by way of Nintendo Accounts),” he went on to reiterate “, While persevering with to launch new Nintendo Switch software program for shoppers to take pleasure in, we intention to keep up relationships throughout {hardware} generations by way of providers that make the most of Nintendo Accounts and by offering alternatives for them to expertise our IP by way of different non-gaming channels.”

Even with all of the juicy gossip, it’s finest to not maintain your breath on what’s coming from the Japanese tech titan’s subsequent console till there may be an official announcement; fingers crossed we’ll get that affirmation quickly.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price

There are loads of Nintendo Switch fashions to think about whereas procuring proper now, with pricing shifting dramatically relying on the model you’re seeking to put money into. Looking ahead to a possible Switch 2, inflation and inside specs, amongst different variables, will possible play an element in what we’ll pay for a brand new console at launch.

It’s laborious to know what the pricing of this thriller machine will probably be, however we’ve listed the RRP of the present vary of Nintendo Switch fashions as a reference:

• Nintendo Switch Lite: $199.99
• Nintendo Switch: $299.99
• Nintendo Switch OLED: $349.99

Nintendo Switch 2 Models

With the vary of Nintendo Switch consoles at present in the marketplace, it’s possible you’ll be left questioning in case you’ll have the identical variety of selections to select between when the subsequent iteration rolls round.

The newest Nintendo Switch OLED mannequin incorporates a exceptional display, and it seems like the way forward for the console, it being the newest version to Nintendo’s lineup. However, in keeping with a VGC report, the next-gen Nintendo Switch might doubtlessly characteristic an LCD display as an alternative.

The present array of Nintendo Switch fashions are quite a few and had been launched over the console’s multi-year lifespan, so it’s cheap to consider there could also be a number of variations of a possible Nintendo Switch follow-up, too.

This piece was initially printed on April 4, 2024. It has been up to date on January 9, 2025.