Everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2
Jan. 25, 2024All the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news, rumors, and more
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December 10 -Peripheral manufacturer Satisfye posted a now-deleted trailer for their upcoming ZenGrip 2 case, revealing imagery of a compatible handheld suspected to be that of the upcoming Switch successor. Screenshots of the trailer, displaying the grip attachment, which is set to release after the Switch 2, revealed blurry snapshots of a device that resembles the current Nintendo Switch but with an ‘extra button.’
The Nintendo Switch 2 saga continues to drag out, but now that Nintendo has finally confirmed the handheld’s actual existence (like that was ever in doubt) and we have a rough release window, things are heating up. The rumor mill has been spinning for a while at this point - after all, it’s been seven years since the original console took to the shelves. That’s a lot of time for the internet to do its thing, and we’re rounding up all the credible rumors right here.
The Nintendo Switch has largely stayed the same during its life. We’ve had the Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED models, delivering a more portable form factor with the former and an improved OLED display with the latter, but neither managed to improve the specs of the original model. Despite this, we still think it’s thebest gaming handheldfor most players, as it offers up an incredible library and decent portable performance.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
All the rumors and analyst predictions are definitely pointing towards Nintendo Switch 2 being more of an iterative update than a complete revamp of the lastest hardware. Think like the difference between the Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS, which mainly introduced better 3D quality, some additional buttons like a second pair of shoulder buttons, and a c-stick rather than completely reinventing its predecessor. It doesn’t help that Switch 2 will be"closer" to PS4 and Xbox One specsaccording toActivisionemails.
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Most recently, a post on theGamingLeaksAndRumors Reddit subreporting to come via a Chinese site has fuelled speculation about the Nintendo Switch 2’s design. The images contain raw renders of the Switch-like system, with console, Joy-Con, and dock labeling. As previously rumored, this is very much a Nintendo Switch but with a larger body, slimmer profile, and more rounded corners.
It’s expected that the design will stay much the same but with a few tweaks. In a now-deleted trailer by peripheral manufacturer Satisfye, for example, the Switch successor was thought to be leake. The trailer features a device that displays a similar design to that of the current model handheld but with some extra buttons. While not confirmed to be the Switch 2, screenshots of the trailer for the brand’s ZenGrip 2 were posted on social media byX (Twitter) user DP19where many suspect it to be the alleged device.Regardless of how it looks, the handheld is still thought to be a hybrid console, with a dock that might be able to upscale to 4K rather than just 1080p using DLSS 2. That said,Digital Foundrypoints 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.
It’s also looking like the Nintendo Switch 2 will be larger than its predecessor. A previous leak from Spanish siteVandalnot only suggests the new device will use magnetic connections for its controllers but that the gamepads themselves are bigger. The report also seems to confirm that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be compatible with the existing Pro Controller.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 aBloombergreport. Some players may view that decision as a step backwards considering the Steam Deck OLED is now also a thing, but it does provide Nintendo with options for revamped models down the line.
Rather than investing in OLED off the bat, Nintendo is apparently looking at upping the quality and quantity of the storage available in the Nintendo Switch 2. It could come with eMMC storage like the original entry-level Steam Deck, which is faster than the current Switch’s internal memory solution.
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-Cons that should mean stick drift is a thing of the past. According to apatent spotted by Laura Kate Dalethe Nintendo Switch 2 could use hall effect analog sticks, which would avoid the wear and tear induced stick drift that the current Joy-Cons are prone to.
In terms of raw stats, the latest rumor is that the Nintendo Switch 2 specs could be:
There are rumors that a better specced Nintendo Switch 2 Pro could launch alongside with a higher price tag, but that’s less substantiated than the above specs sheet.
However, Shuntaro Furukawa also elaborated on that a little in aNintendo financial results briefingfrom the end of FY22. He said that the company is “focusing on building long-term relationships with our consumers (through Nintendo Accounts). While continuing to release new Nintendo Switch software for consumers to enjoy, we aim to maintain relationships across hardware generations through services that utilize Nintendo Accounts and by providing opportunities for them to experience our IP through other non-gaming channels.“Furukawa later shared on X (Twitter) that “Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.” According to the Nintendo President, this news was unveiled during acorporate management policy briefing. It was also announced that the Nintendo Switch Online services “will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well.“Details on whether this means that downloaded games and physical Switch carts will be backwards compatible weren’t shared. However, the current Nintendo Switch 2 spec rumors do suggest that the next hardware will retain the cartridge slot so you should be able to play your physical Switch games on the Switch 2 whenever it launches.The Nintendo President closed out his recent statement on social media by iterating that “further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.”
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.
December 10-Satisfye reveals imagery hoped to be that of the Switch 2 in its now deleted ‘ZenGrip 2’ trailerScreenshots of a now-deleted trailer from peripheral manufacturer Satisfye were posted onX (Twitter)by user DP19. These screenshots, featuring the brand’s upcoming ‘next-gen ready’ ZenGrip 2 grip case, revealed blurry imagery of a compatible handheld suspected to be that of the upcoming Switch successor.
November 6 -Backwards compatibility announced
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa announced onX (Twitter)that existing Nintendo Switch software and Nintendo Switch Online services will be available on the Switch successor.
September 18 -Design images reportedly leaked
While in no way verified, a Chinese website was recently credited with leaking 3D rendering images of the new Nintendo Switch 2 system in aReddit poston September 18. The images show a larger, slimmer, and more curved design.
September 4 -Industry insiders rumor news is coming soon
July 22 -Nintendo releases new charging accessory
It might not seem linked to Switch 2, but Nintendo launched a new Joy-Con charger in July that allows you to charge the controllers without the handheld. Considering previous rumors have pointed to a new controller style for the next-generation device, this could be a product designed to bridge the gap between handhelds.
July 5 -Nintendo says Nintendo Switch ‘successor’ won’t suffer from component shortages
Nintendo reported that it had fixed supply chain issues that caused shortages of the original Switch handheld in time for its next console when speaking with investors. This was also a rare moment of acknowledgement of the new device from Ninty itself.
May 7 -Nintendo confirms that Nintendo Switch successor will be announced in this fiscal year
April 26 -New reports suggest Switch 2 will feature magnetic controls
Rather than opting for a Joy-Con rail design, the Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to feature magnetically attaching controllers. The leak comes from Spanish siteVandal, with information also suggesting that the next console will be larger than its predecessor.
Brazilian siteUniverso Nintendodetailed that original Switch games will not only be playable on the new Nintendo, but developers will also be able to enhance their libraries for play on the new device.
An exclusiveReutersreport featured an unknown source stating that the Nintendo Switch 2 will “likely” feature custom chips from Nvidia. This is less surprising, but does reaffirm speculation from last year.
Appearing on theGame & Talk Podcast, known leaker NateTheHate stated that the new console “appears poised and ready for a reveal or announcement in March”, citing information from last year’s supposed Gamescom closed doors developer demo.
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