Anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 is ramping up, as more details emerge about its design, features, specs, and when it might release. Here’s everything we know about the Switch 2 so far.
The Nintendo Switch was released back in 2017 after the Wii U failed to make a splash, and support for the 3DS began to dry up. What resulted was the Nintendo Switch, which took the best lessons from the Wii U and the 3DS.
But, with the Switch well into its seventh anniversary, Nintendo is preparing a successor. With rumors regularly surfacing online, we’ve scoured the internet for the latest on a potential Switch 2, which might give handhelds like the Steam Deck a run for their money.
Release window speculation
Developers working on future games have been “told next to expect [the Switch 2] in the [current] financial year”, according to GameIndustry.biz head Chris Dring. This comes from an episode of the GameIndustry.biz Microcast podcast released on August 13, 2024, where those Dring talked to, “hope it’s out in April or May time.”
Dring also explained that “no developer I’ve spoken to expects it to be launching this financial year.” This latest development clashes with the last official statement from Nintendo, where Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa stated it’s expected to launch within “this fiscal year.”In a May 7 post on their official Twitter/X account, Nintendo made the first official confirmation that the Switch successor is on its way.
Previously, Shuntaro Furukawa stated that we shouldn’t expect any hardware until after April 2024. We suspect a partial reason for this is that Nintendo will want to include hardware sales in the next quarter, sort of like a fresh start.
While no official release date was provided, the current fiscal year for Nintendo ends in March 2025. This announcement by Furukawa lines up with claims that support for the launch of the upcoming console is likely expected in March 2025. The extra time will allegedly give more time for developers to make software.
Being shown off behind closed doors
Other reports claim that the Switch is already in the hands of game developers, having shown off titles in the works at Gamescom. The titles that were allegedly shown off include the Unreal Engine 5 Matrix Awakens demo, in addition to a souped-up version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
A leaker, Nash Weedle, has hinted that the Nintendo Switch 2 is almost ready. He claims that a development kit for a Switch 2 is already in the hands of a Spanish studio, most likely to be MercurySteam.
While Nintendo plans to keep things strictly under wraps, this leak suggests that the key hardware specifications, including the display, processor, and RAM, have been finalized as sharing a dev kit ahead of the launch helps partner studios prepare the games well ahead of launch.
We’d suspect that the announcement to release will follow a similar pattern to the Switch, with an announcement months in advance before release. The Switch was announced in October 2016 and launched in March 2017.
Price speculation
Toko Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda suggests the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $499 at launch. In a report by Yasuda, hosted by the Japan-based news site Kabutan, the analyst explains that “various reports” suggest the Switch 2 will be “relatively cheap” as far as US dollars are concerned.
The analyst stated, on August 15, 2024, that the Switch 2 could be “less than $499” which roughly amounts to 75,000 Japanese Yen.
If set to launch at $500, the Switch 2 at almost $100 higher than previously predicted.Both predicted price points would put Nintendo’s handheld in contention with rivals like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck. But, since it’s Nintendo, the company could also initially sell the device at a loss to garner a larger install base for its software and accessories, where it’s poised to make its money back.
With hardware expected to be a significant jump, and with more features also suspected to arrive thanks to the onboard Nvidia chip, the Switch 2 might be a little more costly than its predecessor.
Specs leak
- CPU: Custom Nvidia ARM SoC “DRAKE” (T239)
- GPU: Nvidia Ampere architecture
- CUDA cores: 1280
- Display: 8-inch LCD
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256 GB
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been confirmed by Reuters sources to be running on a custom Nvidia chip. This was first spotted all the way back in May 2022. Leaker Kopite7Kimi claimed that the Switch will make use of a custom Nvidia SoC named the T239, codenamed DRAKE. The SoC will be an ARM-based chip, much like the original Switch.
The addition of an Ampere-based GPU would allow the Switch 2 to access modern rendering techniques like DLSS 2 super-resolution and DLSS 3.5 ray reconstruction. But, don’t expect any frame generation feature on the console. One benefit of sticking with an ARM SoC is that the Switch 2 will also potentially support backward compatibility, as reported in several rumors.
While nothing has been made official yet, early rumors from key insiders suggest fans should keep expectations in check, at least in terms of Switch 2’s performance. In particular, GameIndustry.biz’s Dr. Serkan Toto argued the new model will simply be an “iteration rather than a revolution.”
Microsoft court documents also revealed that the Switch 2 could potentially end up in the same ballpark of power as the PS4 and Xbox One.
YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead shared on an episode of his ‘Broken Silicon’ podcast, that in docked mode, the Switch 2 may be clocked faster than expected. While talking to fellow YouTuber The Phawx, he shared that sources informed him that the upcoming console will instead be “clocked crazy low” in undocked mode, to improve on battery life from its predecessor.
According to information gathered from Shipping and Customs data by users of the Famiboards forum, the Switch 2 will sport 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. If accurate, this would represent a big jump from the Switch, which has only 4GB of LPDDR$ RAM, and 32GB of internal storage.
Features
With DLSS in tow, it would allow Nintendo to push the Switch 2 further than expected, as many weaker PCs are currently doing right now. This could potentially mean that 4K gaming is doable by blowing up the image to a bigger size through Nvidia’s super-resolution AI algorithms.
On a 3050-based laptop, we managed to squeeze out considerable performance by using DLSS 2, and hardware that supports DLSS 3 sees massive gains.
DLSS is Nvidia’s current baby, but we doubt there will be anything like frame generation enabled. That said, the SoC will require tensor cores, which power DLSS.
It’s also expected to see DDR5 RAM onboard the new Switch 2, which should give an enormous boost to overall performance. How much they’ll use is not yet known, but current Nvidia SoCs like the Jetson Nano, use 8 GB. However, NX versions use 16 GB and there’s a development kit that uses 64 GB. Don’t expect anything more than 16 GB, and even then, we’d say to expect closer to 8 GB.
For storage, Nintendo should be going with an NVMe or eMMC drive. 2230 drives are what currently power things like the Steam Deck, and are relatively low-cost. However, Nintendo is staunchly against self-repair, and we could see an embedded storage solution soldered straight onto the motherboard.
Controller leaks
The Switch 2 will continue to use Joy-Cons, according to a leak by Switch accessory manufacturer Mobapad. Posting to their official Facebook and Bilibili social media pages, the hardware manufacturer revealed that the Switch 2 will continue to use Joy-cons.
However, instead of the typical rail system found on current models of the Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 Joy-cons will connect with an electromagnet system.
Modapad further stated that the new Joy-Cons will be larger and more ergonomic, and their SL and SR buttons will now be metal buttons. The leak further explains that new buttons will be present on the controllers, one behind each Joy-Con, and another below the ‘Home’ button.
New images shown by VGC on September 18, 2024, potentially reveal the new back buttons placed right beside the triggers. It’s unknown whether or not they’ll be programmable like many other controllers on the market, so we’ll have to wait to see as the console gets closer to release.
Rumor: leaked photos of Nintendo Switch 2 design https://t.co/YLeJgmvywH"While the images are unverified, one source, who has not seen the final ‘ Switch 2’ console but has been briefed on Nintendo’s plans, told VGC that the Reddit images match what the company has told… pic.twitter.com/0zqvUM4SnR
— Wario64 (@Wario64) September 18, 2024
While the new electromagnetic connection system could mean existing Joy-cons would be obsolete, Modapad explains that the Bluetooth chip of the Switch 2 will support any existing Joy-Cons and Pro controllers.
Additionally, Nintendo announced a new Joy-Con accessory, set to be available on October 17, 2024. This brand-new accessory allows for two extra standard Joy-Con controllers, or the NES edition versions, to be charged while connected to the Switch dock.
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As the accessory was announced seven years after the initial launch of the Switch, many suspect this could be laying down the groundwork for Switch 2 support. The previous leak by Modapad, suggests backward compatibility with the Joy-Cons for the Switch successor.As a result, many fans suspect this upcoming accessory will bridge that gap between consoles, and allow the current Joy-Cons to be used alongside the new Switch console, despite the rumored new magnetic rail system.
With Hall Effect sticks, stick drift could be a thing of the past. Giving the Switch 2 a huge one-up over its drift-riddled predecessor. A patent filed by Nintendo in the US on September 7 2024, outlined the use of a magnetic field to send its movement through a controller for the Switch 2. This could allude to Nintendo utilizing hall-effect sticks for the upcoming console.
Additionally, a new rumor states that Nintendo has made it mandatory for the upcoming Switch 2 controllers to feature motion sensors, through the use of gyroscope tech.
The rumor, as revealed by UniversesoNintendo, stated that a long-time partner in the “production and distribution of licensed controls” for Nintendo, shared this information with presenters of the Bonuslevel podcast.
This tech already exists in the current Joy-Cons and is compatible with a long list of Switch games. However, the manufacturer, who wants to keep their identity a secret, notes that this is the first time Nintendo has requested this type of requirement where the manufacturing of its new accessories is concerned.
Design rumors
Though development kits for the Switch 2 are said to already be with certain developers, little is known yet about the design specifics of the supposedly upcoming new handheld. Multiple sources have stated that the new console will retain the hybrid nature of its predecessor, with a portable and docked mode.
Speaking of the Dock, a patent has been uncovered that shows a new design for an official Nintendo Switch dock. The proposed design features a rotating back panel for the input/output panel. This will allow users to position the ports of the dock in whichever position is most convenient for their TV or monitor setup.
This rotating section has been dubbed the ‘swivel block’ by Nintendo and serves as a decent solution for cable management. It is unknown if this patent is intended for the Switch 2, or if it is a design for some theoretical future product.
New images shown by VGC on September 18 potentially reveal the quite familiar kickstand being used on the Switch 2, as it shows the wider version used on the Switch OLED.
The revamped kickstand is more stable and better built than the one used on the LCD versions of the Switch, and is less likely to break off with heavy use.
Display leaks and rumors
The Switch 2 will come equipped with at least one eight-inch LCD screen. This development was reported on by Omida analyst Hiroshi Hayase, who spoke to Bloomberg to discuss the upcoming handheld.
Another rumor is that the Switch 2 could potentially possess two screens, as revealed in a Nintendo patent. This could potentially bring back the two-screen displays that the Wii U and DS lineup were previously known for. This could be a likely way that Nintendo remasters old titles, as well as creating a new gimmick for the console.
Sadly, the lack of an OLED might be seen as a step back for the Switch 2, but this could be due to cost-cutting measures to hit a consumer-friendly price. An 8-inch screen would also be much larger than the original Switch, which debuted with a 6.2-inch display.
Availability speculation
In February 2024, reports emerged from a Japanese newspaper that suggested Nintendo had a good reason for delaying the Switch 2 to 2025. Even though the console was complete, Nintendo not only wanted to ensure there was a robust library of games available at launch, but it also wanted to thwart resellers.
This has since been confirmed by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa during their June earnings call with shareholders. Furukawa confirmed during the Q&A that measures were being taken to prevent resellers from charging inflated prices by ensuring that sufficient numbers were available to meet demand.
Furukawa also said that he did not expect a repeat of the semiconductor shortage that slowed down the production of the Switch through 2022 and 2023.
He explained: “Last year and the year before, we were unable to produce sufficient quantities of Nintendo Switch hardware due to a shortage of semiconductor components, but this situation has now been resolved. At present, we do not believe that the shortage of components will have a significant impact on the production of the successor model.”
Games & backward compatibility
According to recent reports, the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with original Nintendo Switch cartridges. According to Modapad, the Switch 2 will play original Switch cartridges. The Switch accessory manufacturer behind the Switch 2 Joy-con leaks further revealed that the upcoming console will be able to play Switch 2 carts, however, Switch 2 carts won’t work with any original Switch models.
In the comments of a post on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours, Nate the Hate, a known leaker, also stated that the Switch successor will have “backwards compatibility support.”
While this could mean physical games will be backward compatible with the Switch 2, we can only speculate whether this will be the case for digitally bought games, including the Nintendo Switch Online and NSO Expansion Pack libraries.
The Nintendo Switch marked the first instance of having access to a library of NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Genesis, and N64 games on the system, through a subscription service.
A discovery made by X/Twitter user Stealth40k, made it known that Nintendo is currently hiring for a slew of new positions, including a front-end engineer, a back-end engineer, and a director/planner for the Nintendo Switch Online services.
With multiple new hires directly aimed at developing and maintaining NSO, and while in the lead-up to the Switch’s predecessor, we can only theorize that it looks good for NSO libraries carrying over to the upcoming handheld.
What games will be on Switch 2?
Nintendo has not yet confirmed or announced any games for the Switch 2. However, the announcement of Pokemon Legends Z-A has made fans speculate that it may be an upcoming Switch 2 launch title.Revealed during the most recent Pokemon Presents showcase, held on February 27, Pokemon Legends Z-A is the next installment of the Pokemon Legends Arceus game on the Nintendo Switch. Within Pokemon Presents, it was stated that the upcoming game is set to launch in March 2025, which coincides with the rumored release date of the Switch 2.
Previously announced games in development by Nintendo also include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which is “coming to Nintendo Switch” in 2025.
Rumors surrounding a potential sequel to Super Mario Odyssey have also been circulating for a while. However, Nintendo could likely be saving an Odyssey sequel for the upcoming Switch 2. Although there have been no official announcements regarding a sequel in the works.
A brand-new rumor speculates that Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be coming to the Switch successor. Originally posted on X/Twitter by leaker Nash Weedle, the release of the upcoming Ubisoft title on the Switch 2 was backed up by reputable leaker and Editor-in-chief of Universo Nintendo, Necro Felipe.
It was also speculated that previous AC titles, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Assassin’s Creed Origins will also be ported to the future console, with Odyssey and Origins available as a bundle. However, this part of the rumor wasn’t supported by Felipe.
Additionally, Amazon Games Vice President Chris Hartmann spoke in an interview with IGN that Amazon “obviously plan to develop games” for the upcoming Switch console.
While Hartmann didn’t give an insight into what Amazon Games titles may be currently in development for the Switch 2, the company is currently working on the future of the Tomb Raider series, as well as Throne and Liberty and Blue Protocol.
For now, we can only speculate what games we’re likely to see on the Switch follow-up console come launch.
