As anticipation builds for Nintendo’s upcoming console, speculations surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 are intensifying. Expected to launch between April 2024 and March 2025, details on its design, performance, and possible prices are emerging. Likely to feature two models—digital and cartridge-compatible—the console aims for enhanced graphics and backward compatibility with the original Switch. While initial reports suggest 4K capability and improved specs, official confirmations remain awaited, fueling excitement among gamers worldwide.
Nearly 7 years after the debut of the original Nintendo Switch, gamers globally are buzzing with excitement for Nintendo’s upcoming console. Here’s a comprehensive overview of everything we currently know about it.
While details are still speculative, the buzz around the Nintendo Switch 2 has intensified significantly in recent months. As the original Switch nears its seventh anniversary in March 2024, discussions about a potential new generation console are increasingly relevant. Historically, a 7-year lifespan is common for console iterations.
With the original Switch experiencing a decline in sales and performance struggles with newer titles, it seems plausible that Nintendo is gearing up for the release of a fresh console, providing us with a chance to gather all that we do know.
Release Date for the Switch 2
The original Nintendo Switch made its debut back in March 2017. Despite the introduction of the Switch OLED in 2021, the gaming community is feeling the need for a true next-generation system. However, concrete information regarding the Switch 2’s release date remains elusive.
Some reports from Nintendo’s suppliers hinted that the Nintendo Switch 2 could potentially launch in the first half of 2024. However, Nintendo has confirmed that a new console will not be released before the end of March 2024. Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo’s president, emphasized the company’s focus on supporting the existing Switch until the end of its fiscal year, which wraps up in March 2024, with plans to continue contributing new titles well into the next fiscal year.
The phrasing used by Nintendo clearly indicates that a new console announcement is expected during the upcoming fiscal year—between April 2024 and March 2025. Notably, there are already plans for Switch games through 2025, including the HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest 1 and 2.
According to reports, the Switch 2 is projected to launch no sooner than April 2025. It was anticipated that mass production would begin in September 2024, with various announcements possibly scheduled for late October 2024.
Several sources have reported that Nintendo showcased the new console in private sessions at Gamescom, which was held in late August 2023, followed by additional demonstrations to select developers at the Tokyo Game Show. This indicates that Nintendo is confident enough to unveil near-final models, suggesting a forthcoming launch, although the company has denied these claims.
Various specialist outlets have speculated that the successor to the Switch could be released in the latter half of 2024. Reports indicate that key partners and developers may already have development kits as early as the summer of 2023, hinting at ongoing work on “next-gen” titles.
Upon the Switch 2’s official release, it appears there will not be substantial shortages due to scalpers, as Nintendo aims to ensure the availability of the console for all potential buyers.
Price for the Switch 2
While it’s too soon to determine the exact pricing for the upcoming Switch 2, it is anticipated, similar to the last generation, that the new console will be priced lower than the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Sources suggest that two different models of the Switch 2 may be offered: a fully digital version and a variant compatible with physical cartridges. One leaker has suggested potential prices of $399 for the digital model and $449 for the cartridge version. Nonetheless, take these estimates with caution. Dr. Serkan Toto, a consultant in the Tokyo gaming scene, hinted at a price around $400.
Analyst Hideki Yasuda from Tokyo Securities predicts that the Switch 2 could retail for less than $499 in the U.S., a maximum figure that could imply higher pricing in Europe.
Specifications of the Switch 2
A detailed specification sheet for the Switch 2 will be compiled once it becomes available. For now, we can only share what we know so far.
Design of the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo is likely to maintain the hybrid design feature for the Switch 2, allowing it to operate both as a handheld device and a home console. This versatility has played a pivotal role in the original Switch’s success, making it unlikely that Nintendo would deviate from this model.
Recent patent filings by Nintendo include schematics for unannounced devices, potentially hinting that the Switch 2’s design may be derived from these patents. Expectations indicate <