Nintendo Switch 2: Leaked Photos, Rumored Release Date, Specs, & More

After seven years available on the market, 146 million systems, and more than 1 billion games sold, Nintendo is lastly gearing as much as announce its subsequent piece of {hardware}. On this submit, we’re rounding up every little thing we all know in regards to the Switch 2–or regardless of the subsequent console is called–and what’s been speculated in regards to the subsequent system from Nintendo. There was various information in regards to the subsequent Nintendo console recently. In actual fact, it seems the rumor mill is de facto heating up of late, although this does not essentially imply an official announcement is arising quickly.

Nintendo has made a number of bulletins recently, together with an alarm clock and a music app, however there hasn’t been any official phrase on the Switch 2.

2025 kicked off with a juicy rumor, as individuals declare to have their fingers on the Switch 2’s Pleasure-Cons. Photos posted on-line claiming to be the brand new controllers recommend they may sport an identical design to the unique, although they could possibly be hiding a brand new characteristic or two. One other current report detailed what number of models the Switch 2 might promote within the US throughout its first 12 months.

One other current report that claimed the following Nintendo console is certainly known as, merely, Switch 2. One Chinese language retailer is promoting display protectors and carrying circumstances for the Switch 2, and these might comprise clues in regards to the type issue and measurement of the Switch 2. In addition they is perhaps completely faux or speculative.

This submit covers the system’s potential type issue, rumors in regards to the the Switch 2 launch date, worth, launch video games, backward compatibility, and extra. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll discuss with the brand new system because the Switch 2, though it appears probably that, primarily based on Nintendo’s historical past, it should have some sort of new, unique identify for the console. Time will inform.

There are many unanswered questions remaining in regards to the Switch 2, however for now, this is all of the important data we’ve.

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Switch 2 leaked pictures

A serious improvement for the Switch 2 got here in mid-September 2024 when unverified pictures of what is claimed to be the Nintendo Switch successor appeared on-line, revealing a console that is not a radical departure from the present Switch console design. The photographs recommend that the Switch will sport an even bigger eight-inch display, Pleasure-Cons that use a magnetic attachment, and considerably improved {hardware} compared to the present mannequin.

The images have been first discovered on a Chinese language social media web site and uploaded to Reddit. Whereas Nintendo has not commented on them, a supply advised VGC that the Reddit images line up with what companions have been advised to anticipate with the ultimate Switch 2 design.

In November and early December 2024, the alleged Switch 2 leaked pictures continued to pour out, this time revealing a more in-depth have a look at the reportedly up to date and extra ergonomically designed Pleasure-Cons. The photographs appear to indicate plenty of updates over the prevailing Pleasure-Cons, together with larger SL/SR buttons, a pedal again button, and a extra curved design, amongst different issues.

Then in January 2025, new pictures of the supposed Pleasure-Cons emerged, and, crucially, it seems the brand new controllers might characteristic mouse performance.

Switch 2 Rumored Release Date

We do not know for positive. The Switch launched in March 2017 and console generations are identified to be within the space of 5-10 years, however there is no such thing as a assure that Nintendo would comply with an identical playbook with its subsequent piece of {hardware}. Tendencies are all the time altering attributable to a wide range of components.

The Wii and Wii U, for instance, launched in November of 2006 and 2012, however it’s anybody’s guess as to the launch month for the following Nintendo console.

A September 2024 launch date for the Switch 2 emerged in an official press launch from the most recent interplay of GameShark. Nevertheless it proved to not be respectable. After that, an analyst steered Switch 2 will launch in 2024 and have and an 8-inch LCD screen–but that, after all, did not occur both.

Most just lately, somebody on the Shopper Electronics Present spoke with peripheral firm Genki and was apparently knowledgeable that the Switch 2 will launch in April 2025. This isn’t confirmed, after all.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has stated the Switch 2 will probably be introduced in the course of the firm’s present fiscal 12 months (April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025), so the official reveal might occur anytime now.

Throughout an earnings name, Furukawa alluded to what the Switch 2 is perhaps when it comes to an evolution over the primary system. A number of instances within the briefing, Furukawa spoke in regards to the “successor to the Nintendo Switch,” suggesting that the brand new machine will construct on the muse established by the Switch console.

“At this stage, we can’t say something extra in regards to the successor to Nintendo Switch,” Furukawa stated when requested why that time period was used particularly. “For at present’s announcement, we decided that essentially the most acceptable expression to make use of was ‘successor to Nintendo Switch.’ Info will probably be launched in phases main as much as the launch, as we’ve finished with earlier new {hardware} bulletins.”

Not too long ago, GI.biz reporter Christopher Dring said, “No developer I’ve spoken to expects it to launch on this monetary 12 months, in actual fact they have been advised to not anticipate it on this monetary 12 months. A bunch of individuals I spoke to hope it is out in April/Could time.”

For what it is price, Eurogamer said it corroborated this, noting that the following Switch console will not be launched till April 2025 on the very soonest.

Amazon Video games boss Christoph Hartmann just lately advised IGN that his firm “clearly” plans to develop video games for the Switch 2 and that he “cannot await it to be out.” Nonetheless, he is additionally OK with Nintendo taking their time to get it proper.

“I imply, actually, I might fairly have them wait a 12 months and get it good than rush it to the market after which all of us complain about what does not work. Switch has been such a improbable product, I can wait one other 12 months if I’ve to,” he stated. “And from improvement, I feel most non-Nintendo builders will not be completely doing titles for the Switch. They’re all the time a part of a portfolio mixture of platform combine. Simply wait.”

Not too long ago, analyst David Gibson steered the Switch 2 might launch in March 2025. Gibson identified that one in every of Nintendo’s assembling companions, Hosiden, is spending a number of cash in preparation for… one thing. As such, Gibson steered this is perhaps associated to the Switch 2.

Switch 2 Potential Specs

One of many greatest unknowns in regards to the subsequent piece of Nintendo {hardware} is what precisely will probably be. Former Nintendo workers have predicted it should have an identical type issue to the Switch and that it may be used as a handheld machine and in addition dock to your TV like the prevailing mannequin does. Nintendo, for its half, has stated nothing in any respect about what to anticipate from its subsequent system, aside from how the intention is for it to “shock and delight” followers, so we solely have predictions and guesses to go on for now.

Digital Foundry reported that the Switch 2 might use Nvidia’s new customized variant T239 processor. The positioning compiled a PC primarily based on what it believed the Switch 2’s specs could possibly be and located that it might capably run Dying Stranding at 1080p at a median of 35 fps.

Nintendo consoles are traditionally much less highly effective than the newest PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and plenty of imagine that is perhaps the case for the following system as nicely. However nobody is aware of for positive. Whether or not or not the Switch 2 could possibly be a 4K-capable machine or supply cutting-edge graphics and efficiency is unknown.

Vandal (via VGC) just lately reported that the Switch 2 will use Pleasure-Con controllers as soon as once more, however this time, they may connect to the system magnetically. Whether or not or not the prevailing Pleasure-Cons you would possibly personal already will work on the system is unknown. The report additionally talked about how the present Switch Professional controller will probably be appropriate with the Switch 2.

On the Broken Silicon podcast just lately (via IGN), Moore’s Regulation Is Useless and The Phawx had a dialog wherein it was steered by Moore’s Regulation is Useless that the Switch 2 will probably be “clocked quicker than we anticipate” in its docked mode. In undocked mode, it is “going to be clocked loopy low,” apparently. The aim, apparently, is to assist the Switch 2 have an extended battery life when performed on the go in comparison with the unique Switch.

Whereas Switch gross sales boomed in the course of the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worldwide semiconductor scarcity introduced new challenges for Nintendo because it struggled to fulfill demand. For the Switch 2, Nintendo does not “anticipate” this to be an issue forward of the launch of the Switch 2. On the identical time, Nintendo’s gross sales forecast for the monetary 12 months does not presently think about Switch 2 gross sales, however that might change in time.

Gen AI?

Synthetic intelligence, or extra particularly, generative synthetic intelligence continues to be a significant speaking level on the earth of video games–and expertise basically. However will Nintendo implement genAI for the Switch 2 and its video games? It stays to be seen, however Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa just lately weighed in to say Nintendo will fastidiously take into account using genAI.

Throughout a current Q&A with investors, as translated by TweakTown, Furukawa is reported to have stated AI has been utilized in online game improvement for ages already for issues like controlling enemy characters. However genAI is a distinct story.

“Generative AI, which has been a sizzling matter lately, could be extra inventive, however we additionally acknowledge that it has points with mental property rights,” he stated. “We have now many years of know-how in creating optimum gaming experiences for our prospects, and whereas we stay versatile in responding to technological developments, we hope to proceed to ship worth that’s distinctive to us and can’t be achieved by way of expertise alone.”

Switch 2 Video games and Backward Compatibility

It is broadly anticipated that Nintendo will launch a brand new Mario Kart recreation for its subsequent house console–there will not be many safer bets in gaming that one might make. A report stated Mario Kart 9 may have some sort of “new twist,” and followers are eagerly ready to see what that is perhaps. If a brand new Mario Kart recreation is within the works, it might seemingly make enterprise sense for it to be a launch title for the following console. A report from 2023 stated plenty of builders already had the brand new Nintendo console at their places of work and have been starting to construct video games for it, however none have been introduced and even hinted at up to now.

A serious query followers wish to know is whether or not or not the following Nintendo console will help video games from the Switch, and on November 6, Nintendo confirmed backwards compatibility for the Switch 2. Not solely that, however Nintendo Switch On-line will work throughout Switch 1 and Switch 2.

“At at present’s Company Administration Coverage Briefing, we introduced that Nintendo Switch software program may also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch,” Nintendo confirmed. “Nintendo Switch On-line will probably be accessible on the successor to Nintendo Switch as nicely. Additional details about the successor to Nintendo Switch, together with its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will probably be introduced at a later date.”

Hold checking again with GameSpot for extra as we study extra in regards to the subsequent Nintendo console, as we’ll proceed to replace this story as extra data involves gentle.

Switch 2 Worth

The Switch 2 has not been introduced, so every little thing is guesswork at this stage. However one analyst just lately predicted that the Switch 2 will price $400 and that its top-tier video games will promote for $70. The unique Switch launched at $300, and its comparatively low worth level little doubt helped the system carry out exceptionally nicely out there. Whether or not or not the following Nintendo console launches with only one SKU or a number of editions, at numerous worth factors, stays to be seen.

By way of the prediction about recreation prices rising to $70, that would not be very stunning. In any case, Nintendo already charged $70 for Tears of the Kingdom, and it was a gross sales juggernaut at that worth level. Nintendo stated that was a one-off for Switch recreation costs, however charging $70 for Switch 2 video games would carry Nintendo according to what corporations like Microsoft and Sony, in addition to a wide range of third-party publishers, cost for his or her main titles.

Switch 2 Information

Nintendo’s earlier consoles had their very own account methods and gamers needed to create new accounts for subsequent {hardware} launches. However the brand new overarching Nintendo Account modifications this, and this might assist ease the transition to the following Nintendo console.

It “permits us to speak with our gamers if and once we make a transition to a brand new platform, to assist ease that course of or transition,” Nintendo’s Doug Bowser stated.

“Our aim is to attenuate the dip you usually see within the final 12 months of 1 cycle and the start of one other,” he added. “I can not communicate to the potential options of a brand new platform, however the Nintendo Account is a powerful foundation for having that communication as we make the transition.”

Nintendo’s CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, stated in 2023 that the following Nintendo console will use the identical Nintendo Account system because the Switch, so listening to Bowser recommend one thing comparable isn’t any huge shock.

Chatting with Bloomberg, Yijia Zhai of Macquarie Group Ltd. stated the following Nintendo console will not be going to have the ability to match the success of the Switch.

“We don’t assume the brand new console will probably be as profitable because the Switch, and see potential profit-taking after the announcement,” Zhai stated, additional noting that Macquarie had downgraded Nintendo’s inventory evaluation to “impartial.”

Goldman Sachs analyst Minami Munakata, in the meantime, stated the following Nintendo {hardware} probably will not improve the entire addressable marketplace for Nintendo. Nonetheless, the agency is not married to that concept and says its forecast might change if the system “seems to be new idea {hardware} fairly than a successor alongside the identical strains because the Nintendo Switch.”

A console not being as profitable because the final one won’t inform the entire story and is not essentially completely dangerous information for Nintendo. The Switch, after all, carried out exceptionally nicely when it comes to {hardware} and software program gross sales. And that success is all of the extra obvious following the dismal efficiency of the Wii U.

In September 2024, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella stated the following Nintendo console might “disrupt” the online game trade.

“A few issues will actually impression how issues go: Nintendo’s subsequent {hardware} machine, anticipated to reach subsequent 12 months, might considerably disrupt the market,” he told GI.biz. “In fact, not a lot is understood about this machine past rumor, however a extremely profitable new Nintendo machine might apply downward pricing stress throughout different units. However we’ll have to attend and see.”