We're only weeks into January 2025 and already the Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been teased by the Japanese gaming company – with more to come on 2 April. It was a snap reveal of the console – here in Nintendo's official YouTube video – after much speculation that 16 January would be the reveal date.
Thing is, not much is known about the console at this stage, so it's got me thinking even more about what Nintendo's second-gen Switch console needs to do to be an instant pre-order. I'm somewhat surprised that the console is called Switch 2 – I previously wrote about Nintendo's biggest mistake (the naming of the Wii U) – but as a massive Switch fan, I can understand it.
So here are three major things the Switch 2 needs to do to be a day-one instant pre-order come this April.
1. A killer launch title
The more I've thought about it, the more I've come to realise that, while the Switch 2 will be more powerful – and it needs to be, let's face it – it's actually a killer day one exclusive title that'll really sell it. But Nintendo isn't talking about that... just yet.
Something as landmark as Mario 64 on the N64, say, a Switch 2 exclusive that you can't play on the older console that shows off everything the console can do and feel like a real step up.
I'm hoping for a new Mario Wonder, personally, but we shall see – it's not as though Nintendo is short on IPs.
2. Backwards compatibility
That said, as someone who suffered through The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, I was really wishing on the new Switch to be backwards compatible – and perform better with older Switch games. No more stuttering frame-rates, thanks very much!
Well, that wish has come true. Nintendo has confirmed Switch titles will work on the Switch 2 – or at least 'most' will, there'll be some caveats – which will give a great lease of life to all those Switch games already in hand.
The extra power on board to make that happen also means greater graphical ability for the new console – so I'm excited to see what the exclusive Switch 2 titles will be and will look like. That's also been confirmed by Nintendo – although which titles is still under wraps for now.
3. A bigger OLED display
A big part of the Switch's appeal is its handheld nature. The original, with its 7-inch screen, is a nice size – but the Switch 2 certainly has a larger display, as shown-off in the Nintendo YouTube reveal video. It doesn't specify how large, however, but an 8-inch or 8.4-inch display is what's expected.
Current rumours remain that the Switch 2 won't feature an OLED panel, however, and that's still thought to be the case. I think that's a shame – but, just like the original console, I suppose that leaves the opportunity for a mid-term upgrade option later down the line.
Perhaps there'll even be a Switch 2 Lite, but at the 7-inch size of the original Switch rather than any smaller. That's certainly not been confirmed!
In conclusion
There's probably more I could say in addition – such as extended battery life, more accurate Joy-Con controllers (seemingly confirmed), and enhanced power and resolution output to TV sources – but those three above listed factors would be key in getting me to sign-up for pre-order of the Switch 2 on day dot.
I don't think Nintendo need worry too much about the price either, as with the PlayStation 5 Pro costing a bomb and Microsoft rarely shifting its Xbox One X price down (even in recent sales), the Switch 2 ought to be much more aggressively priced and appealing to many customers.
But really, above all else, it's whether that killer launch title is in tow – as that'll be the single biggest lure to get Nintendo fans jumping on board. Nothing has leaked in that regard either, which is great to keep everyone on their toes, I just hope Nintendo has something major up its sleeve to make it truly worth it...
