The Nintendo Switch 2 is real, and it has finally been confirmed after months of speculation and leaks. Nintendo gave us the first official look at the Switch 2, and while there are still a lot of questions left unanswered, it's a relief to know the upcoming handheld isn't just a Mario-shaped pipe dream. This is the first time the company has ever put out a numbered console, bucking the trend of its platforms always having a distinct name.
During the short video uploaded on Nintendo's many social media channels on January 16, we finally got to see what the Switch's successor is all about, and it wasn't too far away from what we expected. The brand-new gaming handheld features a new sleek all-black design, with pops of that now iconic blue and red Switch color combination we've come to know. This time around, the Joy-Con controllers appear to attach magnetically to the handheld and are larger than before. There are also new ports, a brand-new C button, a new kickstand, and a new design for the dock too.
We may have finally gotten an official look at the Switch 2 for itself, but there are a lot of details that Nintendo is leaving for a later date. A new Nintendo Direct presentation is planned for April 2, 2025, which will hopefully give a full look into when we can get a hold of the handheld for ourselves. Before that time comes we've gathered every bit of news and details about the Switch 2, so you can know exactly what Nintendo is cooking.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
We don't yet currently have an official launch date for the Nintendo Switch 2. However, a Nintendo Direct presentation is planned to go ahead on April 2, 2025, which will hopefully give us an insight into when we can expect to get a hold of the upcoming console.
Before Nintendo gave us an official glimpse at the Switch 2, rumors pointed towards April being our launch window at the earliest. After Nintendo confirmed that its next Switch console would be announced within this fiscal year (which it was on January 16, 2025), GamesIndustry.biz podcast, head Chris Ding explained that "[developers] have been told not to expect it in the [current] financial year. A bunch of people I spoke to hope it's out in April or May time" which aligns with the upcoming Direct presentation.
More recently, the French website numerama also stated on January 8 that the Switch 2 will be released "in April" which was expressed to them by gaming accessories maker Genki. The brand was debuting its new upcoming third-party Switch 2 accessories, which included controllers and a dock while showing off a dummy unit Switch 2 unit to some attendees. While at CES, Genki informed Nicolas Lellouche of numerama of the April release timeframe, which lines up with Chris Ding's previous statements. Yet, with the next upcoming Direct presentation just months away on April 2, 2025, it likely won't be long until Nintendo unveils the release date for themselves.
Nintendo Switch 2 spec rumors
Nintendo hasn't yet provided an in-depth look at the kind of specs, and hardware, we can expect for the Switch 2. During the video shared on January 16, they were brief with the details of what we can expect for the upcoming console, instead focusing on how it looks in comparison to the original Switch.
Before we finally got an official look at the Switch 2, rumors and analyst predictions pointed toward the Nintendo Switch 2 being more of an iterative update than a complete revamp of the current hardware. This is definitely apparent with how it looks, yet we don't yet know if this will also be the case for its specs and performance power. Rumors point towards the dock having the ability to upscale to 4K rather than just 1080p using DLSS 2. That said, Digital Foundry points out that we don't yet know whether the chip destined to power the Switch 2, Nvidia's T239, has the Deep Learning Accelerator components required to make that feat a reality.
A patent filed by Nintendo in July 2023 but published on December 31 and discovered by Laura Kate Dale, however, outlines the use of machine learning tech to "convert one data or signal into another." This patent, discovered on January 1 mentions the use of the tech in the context of converting the resolutions of images into other resolutions, which could support the Switch 2's use of DLSS tech.
On January 7, 2025, Laura Kate Dale also posted on her Bluesky account that she had received an image of the Switch 2 from a "trusted source." The image showcased what appeared to be a close-up of the back of the handheld's dock, which ended up looking like the official design. The images in question showed off the alleged voltage information, which will allegedly have an input of 20 volts and an output of 15 volts. Along with the image, Laura Kate Dale stated that the Switch 2 will require a 60W charger, as opposed to the current Switch's 39W charger that comes packaged with every model, but this hasn't yet been confirmed by Nintendo.
As for display specs, a VGC report claims the Switch 2 could go back to using an LCD screen rather than an OLED panel, in an attempt to keep costs low. This has been consolidated more recently by Hiroshi Hayase, an Omdia analyst, being cited in a Bloomberg report. The video shared on January 16 by Nintendo did give us a look at the new display, but there was no confirmation whether they've stuck with an LCD or OLED screen.
In terms of unconfirmed raw stats, the latest rumor is that the Nintendo Switch 2 specs could be:
- Custom Nvidia chip
- 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 64GB eMMC storage
- DLSS 2 support
- FSR 3 support
- 8-inch LCD display
- Improved battery life
There's good news elsewhere too - or so we hope - as there are rumors Nintendo is switching to a new technology for Switch 2 Joy-Con which should mean stick drift is a thing of the past. According to a patent spotted by Laura Kate Dale the Nintendo Switch 2 could use Hall Effect analog sticks, which would avoid the wear and tear-induced stick drift that the current controllers are prone to.
While we have seen an official look at the newly updated Joy-Con controllers, there was no mention of their integration with Hall Effect sticks. For now, we'll have to wait for April to find out more about the updated Joy-Cons, and an in-depth look at the Switch 2's capabilities. For a full rundown of everything we know so far about the new Joy-Cons compared to the originals, check out the linked feature.
Nintendo Switch 2 design
Nintendo officially showcased the first look of the Nintendo Switch 2, where it was revealed that the design and overlook are similar to that of the original Switch. During the short video, the brand-new handheld was shown off in all its upgraded glory, featuring an all-black colorway, with hints of the original blue and red design visible on the side of the controllers and around their sticks.
The exact dimensions of the Switch 2 haven't been shared, but the video confirmed that the handheld is decked out with a larger display and fittingly longer versions of the Joy-Con controllers. The controllers also seem to connect magnetically to the side of the device, although there are connecting pins - which hopefully won't be subject to damage like the mounting rails of the original console. The new Switch also features an updated kickstand design, which, similar to that of the Nintendo Switch OLED, is a lot bigger than the classic Switch and offers up more angles for its tabletop gaming mode.
Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility
During the first official look at the Nintendo Switch 2 revealed on January 17, 2025, it was confirmed that the upcoming handheld will be compatible with physical original Switch game carts.
However, during the short reveal video it was also stated that "certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2."
For now, we don't yet know the reason why some physical games won't be compatible, but further details will be available on Nintendo's website at a later date. From talks within our hardware team, maybe this really only refers to some functionality in certain games, for example, games that use certain accessories. This could mean Ring Fit Adventure may not work because the new Joy-Con controllers likely won't fit in that game's controller. Or, maybe this hints at the lack of Amiibo support for the Switch 2.
During the same video, details surrounding the backwards compatibility of digital Nintendo games and Nintendo Switch Online weren't touched on. However, Nintendo's president Shuntaro Furukawa stated on X/Twitter on November 6, 2024, that "Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch." According to the Nintendo President, this news was unveiled during a corporate management policy briefing. It was also announced that the Nintendo Switch Online services "will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well."
Nintendo Switch 2 games
So far, Nintendo has managed to be tight-lipped on any suspected game released for the upcoming handheld. That doesn't mean we have no inkling of what may be in the cards for the Switch 2. During the first official look at the upcoming handheld, Nintendo showcased a version of Mario Kart running on the system. While it's likely this is Mario Kart 8 DeluXe running via backward compatibility, a new Mario Kart game wouldn't be out of the question. We likely won't know for sure until the upcoming Switch 2 Direct comes this April.
A few hours after the original Switch 2 reveal video, VGC reported that according to reliable sources, an additional Nintendo Direct geared at upcoming games for the original Switch is in the works for February. Perhaps this could show some upcoming games for Switch 2 as well, although due to backwards compatibility, there will probably be some crossover.
During a Pokemon Presents showcase held on February 27, 2004, Pokemon Legends Z-A was unveiled. While no specific release date was revealed alongside the new game announcement, Nintendo confirmed the game would come to "Nintendo Switch systems" in 2025. With just a 2025 release window, it's more than likely this could be released on both the current Switch console and the Switch 2.
Another game on the Nintendo pipeline for 2025 is the highly-anticipated Metroid Prime 4. Again, only the fact it's due to release sometime this year has been announced by Nintendo during a Direct presentation. However, the retailer canceled pre-orders on the lead-up to the first Switch 2 reveal held on Thursday, 16, which could bode well for the game releasing on the upgraded console upon release.
Podcast NateTheHate, known for his reputable leaks in the past, stated in their podcast episode entitled "Xbox 2025 Predictions" (as reported by VGC) that some major Microsoft games, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be releasing on the Switch 2. That being said, there was no indication whether these would be available at launch or further down the Switch 2's lifespan.
Nintendo has yet to confirm any future games for its new hardware, so everything is still very much up to speculation for now. For more information on future Switch 2 titles, check out our list of all rumored upcoming Switch 2 games.
Nintendo Switch 2 price rumors
While Nintendo gave us the first official look at the Nintendo Switch 2, the price has not yet been revealed. The current price of the Nintendo Switch OLED is £309.99 / $349.99, but rumors suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 price will be more in the region of $400, which could convert to around £350 retail. At most, though, we could be looking at a $499 MSRP for the Nintendo Switch 2 - but we won't know for sure until the next Nintendo Direct presentation to be held on April 2, 2025.
These price predictions are according to an analyst speaking as part of the GI.biz 2024 analyst predictions piece though, so obviously isn't exactly concrete yet. But, if we look at the retail price of machines like the Steam Deck OLED, PlayStation Portal, or the Asus ROG Ally then the $400 mark does seem pretty reasonable. Of course, the majority of those devices have higher specs that better justify those price tags.
