The Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t been officially announced, but we’ve been hearing rumors about the handheld device for over a year at this point. Given that the Nintendo Switch is almost seven years old and runs on older hardware, the Japanese gaming giant is likely working on a follow-up. That console could be the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo tends to introduce entirely new consoles that take advantage of the features and power of their successors. Or, the company goes for something completely new (see the years from N64 to GameCube). In general, it has been more iterative with its portable machines. As such, we’re sure that Nintendo’s next big gaming machine will be the Switch 2, even if that’s not the name Nintendo uses.
We expect to see big improvements in power, an OLED display as standard, and 4K output capability to be on par with the best TVs. With that in mind, here’s what we’ve heard so far about the Nintendo Switch 2 and what we’d like to see.
Latest Nintendo Switch 2 News (Updated April 29)
- The Switch 2 could have an 8-inch screen and be compatible with older Joy-Con games and controllers.
- Speaking of Joy-Cons, they could connect to the Switch 2 using magnets.
- Leaker Moore’s Law is Dead Discussed Alleged Hardware Details and Reasons for Release Delay
- Although some expect a Switch 2 reveal in June, a Japanese publication suggests that the Switch 2 has been delayed until 2025 to avoid stock shortages at launch.
Possible release date and price of Nintendo Switch 2
After expectations that the Nintendo Switch 2 could appear in June, a source claims that the Switch 2 has been delayed until next year. More specifically, Nintendo’s follow-up to its best-selling handheld/home hybrid console will launch in March 2025 at the earliest, according to that report, which comes from the popular Japanese media outlet.Nikkei. It corroborates a widely spread rumor that revealed that the Switch 2 was moved from its planned 2024 release to the first quarter of 2025.
This original rumor suggested that Nintendo had moved the release date of its next console to ensure its launch lineup was as strong as possible (rumors about the Switch 2 launching with a new 3D Mario game are persistent), but Nikkei also offers another reason for the delay.
According to the publication, one of the main reasons why the Switch 2 will arrive a little later than initially expected is because Nintendo wants to make sure it can meet the expected demand at launch. The company wants to avoid its own PS5 restock nightmare.
Right now, it looks like we’ll have to wait a year for the Nintendo Switch 2 to arrive.
Nintendo Switch 2 specifications
We can expect Nintendo to stick with a system-on-a-chip from Nvidia, likely a next-gen version of the older Tegra X1 chip found in the current Switch. We wouldn’t be surprised if Nintendo also got a custom chipset from Nvidia, given the success and reach of the Switch.
But AMD’s advancements, as seen with the Valve Stream Deck and Asus ROG Ally, could give Team Red a slim chance of providing the silicon for a next-gen Switch. But we would still be on Nvidia’s side.
In fact, after a chaotic rumor pointing to a Tegra chip based on Samsubg’s 5-nanometer process node, which was later refuted by the tipster it originated from, we believe the Nintendo Switch 2 will have some kind of Nvidia chip. in his heart.
It would be difficult to guess the potential power or clock speed. But we’d like to hope that Nintendo harnesses enough CPU and GPU power to deliver a next-gen gaming experience.
However, a leak in the Switch 2 spec sheet could point towards a console that isn’t as next-gen as we expected. According RedGamingTech, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature an octa-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 10 streaming multiprocessors (SM), 8GB of RAM, and just 64GB of eMMC storage. That’s an improvement over the current Switch, but it doesn’t have enough power to compete with the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
There were rumors about a possible coprocessor chip to live in the base of a Switch 2 or the once rumored Nintendo Switch Pro. This additional chip would be used to increase the power and video output of the console when docked and connected to a television 4K. Such a feature would be interesting, but rumors about it have died down.
Built-in storage has been set at 512GB, which would be a significant improvement over the 32GB and 64GB of the original Switch and Switch OLED, respectively.
Nintendo Switch 2 Screen
On the screen side, we can see that the Switch 2 opts for an OLED panel, very similar to that of the Switch OLED. But hopefully an increase in refresh rates would be nice, for example taking the 60Hz display and bumping it up to 120Hz; as seen on the best phones. There are no rumors to support this, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
However, Sharp, which makes the current Switch displays, has said it is working on a new LCD panel for a “new gaming console”, which could be the Switch 2. If that’s the case, then it could be disappointing as The Switch 2 may come with more dated display technology than the Switch OLED. There is a possibility that Sharp is referring to another console not yet announced. But we’re a little worried that the Switch 2 won’t use OLED panels as standard.
Our fears have been further heightened by a recent rumor suggesting that the Switch 2 will launch with an LCD screen to keep production costs down. And a new rumor from tipster NateTheHate further fuels the rumor that the Nintendo Switch 2 could have an LCD screen.
On the bright side, however, controller maker Mobapad claims that the Switch 2 will have an 8-inch display with a 1080p resolution. The current Switch has a 7-inch screen and only supports 1080p when docked.
Nintendo Switch 2 Features
There are very few clues about the features of the Nintendo Switch 2, but we can make some educated guesses.
If the Switch 2 follows the same control scheme as the Switch, we’d like to see it improve the Joy-Cons so they suffer less potential joystick drift and have analog triggers for more precise control in racing games. Some adjustments to ergonomics (if Nintendo really sticks to the core design of the Switch) would also be appreciated with the Switch 2.
The new Joy-Cons will apparently be larger and attach magnetically to the Switch 2. They are also set to add more buttons, according to reports.
We’d like to see an increase in battery life for the next-gen console, as the Switch tends to run out of power within a few hours when running games like Breath of the Wild. A larger battery would certainly help make it a more viable gaming machine for things like long international flights.
Another feature we’d like to see is improved Wi-Fi connectivity for the Nintendo Switch 2. It may not be the first update that comes to mind, but a better Wi-Fi connection can be a dramatic improvement when it comes to things like gaming. streaming or simply downloading games at high speed.
nintendo switch 2 games
A new Mario game has been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. And it will apparently be created using the Unreal 4 engine. This initial leak was given further credence thanks to a report claiming that the system will launch with a new 3D Mario title. Additionally, in the second year of its life cycle, the console will receive a new Mario Kart game, called Mario Kart X. It is believed to be the “most expensive game Nintendo has ever produced.”
There are also reports that Final Fantasy 7 Remake “looks and plays” like a PS5 game on Switch 2. The 2020 game could be a great showcase of the device’s power at launch and is definitely a game that the current Switch I couldn’t drive. .
A new report from a leaker known as Nash Weedle suggests that the Bayonetta Trilogy is headed to Switch 2. This collection would group together the three main Bayonetta games and also update them with improved visuals and performance, as well as HDR features. This would be a really elegant package.
A recent report from Eurogamer claims that select developers were able to see the Nintendo Switch 2 behind closed doors at the Gamescom 2023 trade show in Germany. The website’s sources suggest that Nintendo demoed a new version of Breath of the Wild to show off the power of the Switch 2, but it is unknown if an updated version of the game will ever be released to the public or if it was just for promotional purposes. demonstration.
We can probably expect to see some big first-party games on the Switch 2, say a new Zelda game at some point. And probably a remake of Mario Kart. But other potential games exist only in the realm of speculation and imagination at the time of this writing.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility
One feature we’re really hoping to see on Nintendo Switch 2 is backwards compatibility, especially given the appetite we’ve seen for such capabilities on PS5 and Xbox Series X; Running older Switch games on newer hardware would hopefully result in increased performance and better visual fidelity.
Worryingly enough, a new rumor claims that backwards compatibility for Switch games might not happen for the Switch 2. That would be a bit disappointing and would require Nintendo to have a stellar launch lineup for a next-gen Switch if it doesn’t. does. Rely on your oldest, most established game library.
We’ve also argued that backwards compatibility will need to be extended to Switch Joy-Cons as well. Backup Joy-Cons can be an expensive extra for the current Switch, so if they become moot with the Switch 2, that could be quite disappointing, and we hope other existing Switch accessories like Ring Fit Adventure and external controllers do as well. they do it. be usable with Switch 2.
For what it’s worth, mobapad claims that there will be backwards compatibility for both older Joy-Cons and games compatible with the original Switch. However, games designed specifically for the Switch 2 may not run on the original console.
Nintendo Switch 2 Outlook
As explained, the Nintendo Switch 2 has not been announced, so it is best to take everything written above with a grain of salt. That being said, Nintendo will no doubt release a sequel to the popular Switch, it’s just a matter of when it could happen. And while we don’t expect this system to offer power on par with consoles like the Xbox Series X or PS5, its first-party offerings should make it a winner.
We’ll update this page with any Nintendo Switch 2 rumors we hear, so be sure to check back frequently as rumors continue to arrive almost every week.
