Nintendo Switch 2 Release: Everything We Know About the Successor Console

Excitement is building as news about the confirmed handheld successor is expected soon, with fans eagerly anticipating the potential unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo has confirmed that an announcement will be made at the end of the fiscal year in March 2025, which many hope will be the moment the official announcement is made.

Though official information has been kept under Nintendo’s cap, rumors have been running rampant, offering glimpses of what we might expect from the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
3. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Price
4. Latest Nintendo Switch 2 News 
5. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Features 
6. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Games
7. Nintendo Switch 2 Competition & Potential Impact on the Gaming Industry
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs
10. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
3. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Price
Show Full Guide
4. Latest Nintendo Switch 2 News 
5. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Features 
6. Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Games
7. Nintendo Switch 2 Competition & Potential Impact on the Gaming Industry
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs
10. References

Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date

An official announcement can’t come soon enough as leaks have almost reached critical mass. Fan frustration has even extended to the US patents website, which was reported to have crashed due to the sheer number of people attempting to look at Nintendo’s 39-page “Systems and Methods for Machine Learned Image Conversion” patent filing.

The patent is for AI image upscaling technology, which would prevent 4K video game download sizes from being too big for a handhold console cartridge.

While it was initially targeted for a late 2024 launch, reports throughout 2024 suggested March 2025 was the key time window to pay attention to. This claim is confirmed by tweets posted on May 7, 2024 by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, promising a reveal before March 2025.

However, at this time, it appears an announcement, or reveal, is all we will get as a Nintendo Switch 2 release was not factored into Nintendo’s accounting for the fiscal year ending March 2025. That suggests a Q2 launch, provided there are no further delays.

Accessories companies, which are often guilty of jumping the gun on product launches, believe the console is ready to be released now. This gives us no reason to doubt a March reveal and early Q2 launch.

Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Price

Reports or thoughts on a potential new Nintendo Switch price prove elusive. Perhaps Nintendo will track the first Nintendo Switch launch price point of around $299.99 in the United States, ¥29,980 in Japan, £279.99 in the United Kingdom, and A$469.95 in Australia.

While an OLED screen looks unlikely, if the new Nintendo Switch 2 did include an OLED (like later versions of the first Switch), you might expect a price bump of $50 to $100.

Kantan Games CEO Dr. Serkan Toto, putting on his predictions hat in a chat with GamesIndustry, speculated a $400 price point and suggested that games may hit the $70 mark.

Dropping bombs quite happily, he said: “The time is finally here for a Switch successor, even though I can say a ‘Pro’ model actually did exist, and certain developers were already working with the dev kit.

“I believe the next hardware will drop for $400 [in 2024]. There is a high chance that games will cost more, too: $70.”

The Nintendo Switch 2, costing $400, would track the trajectory of the current console generation while still undercutting its rivals. Nintendo could put its successor hardware out cheaper than an Xbox Series X or PS5, which would offer enough under the hood to keep up. However, the specs are rumored to be underpowered in comparison.

Latest Nintendo Switch 2 News 

Tackling the many Nintendo Switch 2 leaks chronologically, in December last year, the following two tweets stirred the pot significantly. The first claims to be a leak, while the second one is a concept based on the information that has leaked so far. As you would expect, they have both been forensically dissected online, so we’ll let you judge their veracity.

🎄This holiday season, I couldn’t resist sharing this gift with you all. Some might call it an early reveal… but I call it the best-kept secret of the year. 👀🎁 pic.twitter.com/btAcUo9j0Q

— NextHandheld (@NextHandheld) December 25, 2024

Que tal a Dock do Nintendo Switch 2, segundo os vazamentos, parece melhor?

>> Tenham em mente q algumas coisas são meramente especulativas, pois não fazem parte do vazamento, como a tampa traseira. pic.twitter.com/pTnROMQBFs

— Ely🗡️🎶 (@Elymar_Tj) December 28, 2024

Next on the timeline is a leak of the motherboard, which surfaced on 1 January. It was leaked by user MHN1994, but they later clarified they were not the original leaker.

A few days later, on 5 January, we got the first leak of what the Joy-Cons may look like.

Rumor: More images of Switch 2 Joy-Cons have immerged from China.

Source: https://t.co/MplOUwKhRi pic.twitter.com/5ZdFmVlggl

— Stealth (@Stealth40k) January 5, 2025

The images are said to have originated on social media in China before being picked up on Reddit, and they seem to have passed the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit smell test.

They feature bigger SL and SR buttons than on the original Nintendo Switch, which tracks given the successor console is expected to be bigger than the original. These new Joy-Con allegedly favor electromagnetic suction controllers over the railed lock method used by the current Switch.

Analysis has extended to what could be rubber glide pads at the top and bottom of the side of the Joy-Con, and what looks like a sensor of some kind. Some are speculating the Switch 2 Joy-Con could be used as a mouse if turned on its side and placed on a flat surface.

Elsewhere, in what could be the most credible and accurate leak is the Nintendo Switch 2 cases from Dbrand. Although not on sale yet, they give fans a pretty good idea of the look of the console.

Earlier leaks included a spec sheet and a few disassembled parts. Originating from a Famiboarads thread, the source claims the Nintendo Switch 2 console could feature an 8-inch display with two USB-C ports and magnetic Joy-Cons. From the render, the attachment rails appear to be gone, supporting the narrative of the new alleged controller’s magnetic functionality. Aesthetically, this machine is strikingly similar to Nintendo’s current-generation console and appears to be a more credible supposed leak than some others we have seen.

More interesting than the leak’s proposed Nintendo Switch 2 design is the reported specifications, however. The alleged specs sheet (via Reddit)  infers 12GB LPDDR5X memory clocked at 7,500 MT/s, backed by Nvidia’s T239 SoC, and 256GB NVMe storage. Now, this isn’t the highest amount of RAM or storage we’ve seen from a handheld, but it’s the Ampere chip inside of the console that earns our attention, forgoing tried-and-true conventions of AMD hardware such as the Z1 and Z1 Extreme found in today’s handheld PCs.

Nintendo Switch 2 rumors featuring the Nvidia T239 are nothing new; they have been circulating for over a year now, but it’s the implementation of this chip that could make the system surprisingly powerful. As Digital Foundry Technology Editor Richard Leadbetter touched on, the T239 is based on an octa-core ARM A78X CPU with integrated graphics based upon Nvidia’s Ampere architecture.

With 1,536 CUDA cores on a 128-bit memory bus, the GPU found on the T239 isn’t going to frighten the best graphics cards or even challenge mainstream discrete laptop graphics; however, even with its quoted 102 GB/sec bandwidth, there’s a ton of potential especially when compared to the first Nintendo Switch’s Tegra X1, which was already aging by the time it was put into the handheld. The Nintendo Switch GPU is a GM20B processor with only 256 CUDA cores and 4GB DDR4 RAM on a 64-bit memory bus with a mere bandwidth of 25.60 GB/sec (via TechPowerUp), so we’re talking about a massive uplift in performance potential between the two machines.

Here’s how the alleged T239 hardware compares against GM20B in detail:

In terms of real-world performance, we could see the Nintendo Switch 2 confidently delivering 60fps at a native 1080p resolution, especially if the SoC utilizes Nvidia’s DLSS AI-upscaling, which is almost a given considering how hard the company has pushed this tech in recent years.

This could empower developers to dynamically upscale their games for high framerates without a loss in resolution, something not possible on the original Nintendo Switch hardware.

Moreover, there’s enough under the hood with the Switch 2’s alleged specs to make a 4K output a possibility.

It doesn’t seem likely, but similarly powered Ampere-based machines can do 1440p, so we could make Quad HD resolution possible through upscaling when docked. Again, this is pure speculation on our part, though.

Details have been revealed by Furukawa through a tweet confirming backward compatibility for the Nintendo Switch 2. Players will be able to run Nintendo Switch software on the new console, in addition to the continuation of the Nintendo Online service.

Other leaks have been reported via a Famiboards thread, stating that Nintendo will be releasing the console at 2.5 times the quantity of the original Nintendo Switch that launched back on March 3, 2017. We pre-phase that these are still rumors and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Features 

Reports surfacing at the end of April suggested the Nintendo Switch 2 display could be an 8in screen with a resolution of 1080p, with other features including magnetic Joy-Cons, backward compatibility (including with accessories), a powerful Nvidia chip based on the advanced Ampere architecture, and 8K resolution when connected to a new-generation dock.

A leaker who scoured connections between Nintendo and its hardware suppliers suggests we could be looking at 12GB of RAM, along with 256GB storage, which will give game developers plenty to play with.

Internal communications stemming from the FTC v. Microsoft case initially suggested performance levels similar to those of PS4 and Xbox One consoles.

Even better, other Nintendo Switch 2 rumors paint a potentially different picture, indicating a more robust hardware setup that could rival current-gen systems from Sony and Microsoft. This advancement would be bolstered by the adoption of Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology, which promises enhanced performance and visual fidelity.

In other Nintendo Switch news, the demonstration of an improved version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at Gamescom, running at higher resolutions and frame rates, adds weight to the speculation surrounding the Switch 2’s capabilities.

However, it’s worth noting that cost considerations may lead to the adoption of an LCD screen instead of OLED for the Switch 2. The speculation stems from Sharp revealing it was preparing LCD screens for “an upcoming gaming console.”

One issue with a 1080p resolution is that, while backward compatibility is expected, it could play havoc with games built for 720p — blurring could be a problem that needs to be solved at the software level. We could see a level of AI-powered upscaling using a hand-tuned algorithm to clean the picture quality.

What’s most exciting about the potential Nintendo Switch 2 hardware is how much has changed since the original’s launch. The Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw, and others have innovated in the mobile hardware space with superior performance, faster displays, and better battery life. Nintendo could learn a thing or two from the current crop of handheld PCs with its new console.

Expected Nintendo Switch 2 Games

Among the rumored flagship games, beloved franchises like Pokémon and Metroid are expected to take center stage, drawing eager fans to experience these iconic series on a new, more powerful platform.

In particular, Metroid Prime 4 stands out as a prime candidate for the Switch 2 launch title. Despite lacking a clear release date, its status as the only previously announced in-house Nintendo game without recent updates fuels speculation about its potential as a cross-generational release, spanning both the Switch and its successor. Reports in 2023 also suggest Luigi Mansion 4 is also reportedly in the mix “for a 2025 launch.”

However, there are noticeable gaps in Nintendo’s lineup, including the absence of a new Mario Kart installment and a 3D Super Mario game. With no new Mario Kart title in over nine years and a lack of fresh 3D Mario adventures since 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey, fans eagerly anticipate announcements for these highly anticipated titles.

At the same time, the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey on the original Switch suggests that the arrival of a new platform could provide the ideal opportunity for sequels, further enhancing the appeal of the Nintendo Switch 2.

A Reddit post sourcing the aforementioned Famiboards thread also highlights potential details on the new generation of Pokémon potentially coming to Nintendo Switch 2. In a nutshell, the source broke down a line of code to reveal lines in the Black & White games, suggesting that Gen Five remakes are in the works and are expected to launch sometime after the rumored Gen 10 – coinciding with the Nintendo Switch 2.

Details shared have yet to be confirmed, but we will be sure to keep you updated.

Nintendo Switch 2 Competition & Potential Impact on the Gaming Industry

The Nintendo Switch 2 could significantly affect the world gaming scene. Its touted backward compatibility feature is expected to allure gamers and facilitate a smooth transition from its predecessor.

However, in a world where Sony and Microsoft are already ahead in terms of specs, concerns arise regarding the console’s graphics upscaling and resolution capabilities, which may pose limitations for enthusiasts seeking high-performance gaming.

Additionally, its architecture, rooted in Nvidia’s mobile ARM platform, could pose challenges for developers tasked with porting titles.

Nonetheless, a Switch 2’s triumph could redefine the industry’s emphasis on graphical advancements. Ultimately, the impact of the Nintendo Switch 2’s arrival will depend on its ability to strike a balance between performance, compatibility, and user satisfaction.

Nintendo holds dear the same values as most gamers — it’s about gameplay. Ray-tracing and processors can take a backseat to the best, replayable, multiplayer gaming experiences.

Until the retail boxes hit the stores, stay tuned for more updates and Nintendo Switch 2 news as information continues to unfold.

The Bottom Line

It appears as though Nintendo is determined to kick off 2025 with a bang. Buzz around the rumored design, specifications, and launch lineup of their upcoming console has amplified fan anticipation.

Officially, the company has confirmed backward compatibility and promised an announcement before the fiscal year concludes. However, it’s wise to approach online leaks and rumors with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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