On March 3, 2025, the Nintendo Switch will celebrate its eighth anniversary. It was on March 3, 2017 that Nintendo released its latest console, which aimed to succeed the Wii U and the famous Nintendo 3DS. Because yes, for the first time in its history, the Japanese firm abandoned portable consoles and home consoles to offer only one machine, a hybrid, allowing you to play wherever you want.
The concept of the Switch immediately seduced millions of players. After the huge commercial failure of the Wii U (sold only 13.5 million copies worldwide), Nintendo returned to the top with a Switch that broke all records. Eight years later, this machine now peaks at 146 million units sold and remains the third best-selling video game console behind the 160 million of the PS2 and the 154 million of the Nintendo DS.
After two variations with the Switch Lite in 2019, a portable version only, impossible to connect to a TV. Then the Switch OLED in 2021, allowing to have a larger screen and a much better resolution thanks to the OLED screen. Many rumors mentioned the arrival of a 4K Switch.
From 2022, the first rumors begin to mention a Switch 2. Finally, we will have to wait until May 2024 for Nintendo to officially speak out and confirm the development of a new video game console that will be presented during the 2025 fiscal year, that is, before March 31, 2025.
In November 2024, Nintendo confirmed once again that the plans had not changed and that their next console would indeed be presented before March 31, 2025. During the same period, the Japanese firm confirmed that the next machine would be fully backward compatible with the games of the first Switch, whether physical games with cartridges or digital games purchased on the Nintendo eShop.
- Creation of the file: January 03, 2025
- Last update: February 20, 2025
The Switch 2 presented in 2025
Update – January 14, 2025:
New sources confirm Nate the Hate and VGC's claims. Joining the list are Eurogamer, Tom Warren, and The Verge, as well as the YouTube channel "Kit & Krysta» which is held by two former Nintendo employees.
Update – January 13, 2025:
New reliable sources via insider Nate the Hate as well as the media VGC confirm that Nintendo's new console should be presented on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Nintendo would opt for a double presentation, first of the console on January 16, then of the games in February during a dedicated Nintendo Direct.
Update – January 09, 2025:
While we are still waiting for Nintendo's official announcement, leaks are coming one after another on the web. At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, a prop maker brought a model of the machine that he allegedly reproduced after buying a Switch 2 on the black market in China. This model thus allowed to see the supposed final visual.
On the other hand, the resellers seem to be preparing since the pre-order pages of the Switch 2 are starting to be put online at several resellers including Cultura.
Original article – January 3, 2025:
To date (January 3, 2025), no precise date for the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2. On the other hand, during its quarterly report in May 2024, Nintendo confirmed that its console would be presented before the end of the current fiscal year. That is, before March 31, 2025. After several months of silence, Nintendo confirmed once again, during a new quarterly report, at the beginning of November 2024, that the plans had not changed and that the console would indeed be unveiled on time.
According to the latest rumors and rumors, from insiders and journalists, the presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for this month, in January 2025.
For the first Switch, Nintendo unveiled its console on October 20, 2016 via a first trailer. It was in January 2017 that a detailed presentation took place, to announce the release of the console in March 2017.
A release in 2025
Update – January 9, 2025:
According to the prop maker Genki, who caused a sensation at CES 2025 in Las Vegas with his model of the Switch 2, the release of Nintendo's new machine is expected for April 2025.
Original article – January 3, 2025:
Regarding the release date, Nintendo has not made any official communication. However, according to the latest rumors from insiders and specialized journalists, the release of the console is expected for spring 2025, between March and May 2025.
A powerful console?
On this point, Nintendo has not addressed the subject for the moment. The latest rumors do not all go in the same direction. Some accounts specializing in leaks claim that the console could be much more powerful than we think, allowing 4K gaming in TV mode and 1080p in portable mode.
For his part, journalist Tom Warren (from The Verge) announces a console barely more powerful than a 2016 PS4 Pro. However, the latter is contradicted by John Linneman, member and expert of Digital Foundry who points out that the Switch2 should be more powerful than a PS4 Pro, in particular thanks to the new, much more modern NVIDIA architecture. On the other hand, Linneman specifies that on the "portable" part, the Switch2 would still face some difficulties, forcing it to make concessions.
Is the Switch 2 backwards compatible?
On this point, Nintendo has already confirmed the total backwards compatibility of its next console (which is not yet officially called Nintendo Switch2). It was during its quarterly report in November 2024 that the Japanese firm confirmed that all physical games (in cartridges) and digital games (purchased on the Nintendo eShop) will be backward compatible with Nintendo's next console.
Abandoning the OLED screen?
According to the latest rumors, the Nintendo Switch2 would offer a much larger screen than that of the first Switch or the OLED model. On the other hand, to reduce manufacturing costs as much as possible, Nintendo would have chosen to abandon the OLED screen and return to an LCD panel. This information is however not official at the moment.
A design similar to the first Switch?
According to the first leaks from various retailers who have already received accessories, the Nintendo Switch2 would be very similar to the 2017 Switch. It would offer a slightly more rounded shape, a larger screen, new joy-cons that would correct the joy-con drift issues and that would this time be magnetized to the console. In terms of vibrations, the latter would also be improved on the new joy-cons. This Switch 2 would have a new "C" button under the "Home" button, the usefulness of which has not yet been revealed. For its launch, the console would be offered in white or gray.
What will the Switch 2 launch games be?
Update – January 28, 2025:
According to a reseller, several unannounced games are planned for the Switch 2 in 2025. The reseller confirms the arrival of a new Mario Kart game, as well as a new Mario 3D. But in addition to that, the reseller mentions the arrival of a remaster/remake of an old game from The Legend of Zelda license. A choice that would not be surprising on Nintendo's part. Each console that has had the right to a new Zelda has been crowned with success. With the recent release of Tears of the Kingdom, it is certain that a new opus will not be able to see the light of day anytime soon. Thus, the arrival of a remaster/remake of an acclaimed opus would be ideal. To be continued!
Update – January 22, 2025:
According to insider eXtas1s, in his latest YouTube video, Microsoft should be porting many of its first-party games to the Switch 2, starting in 2025, as will be the case on PS5. In its desire to end exclusivity, the Redmond firm is planning to release several big games on the next Switch including:
- Halo Master Chief Collection
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- Diablo IV
- Fallout 4
- Starfield
- New Call of Duty game
Update – January 14, 2025:
According to recent rumors, insider Nate the Hate announced that games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Rainbow Six Siege, The Division, and a Mario and the Rabbids compilation would be planned for Switch 2. Other rumors, notably from several Nintendo insiders, confirm that games like Tekken 8 and Red Dead Redemption II would also be planned for release on Switch 2 during the console's launch period.
Original article – January 3, 2025:
Still according to rumors, Nintendo has not officially communicated to date, four big launch games would be expected for the console's release (or the first weeks of marketing):
- Mario Kart 9 would be available as soon as the console is released with a Switch 2 + Mario Kart 9 pack
- Metroid Prime 4, from launch or in the first weeks
- Pokémon Legends Z-A, from launch or in the first weeks
- A new Mario 3D, from launch or in the first weeks
What price for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Update – 17 January 2025
According to many rumors, following the release of the first video of the Switch 2, the console should be sold at a price of 399.99 euros.
Original article – January 3, 2025:
For the moment, still no official communication from Nintendo regarding the price of this new console. Still no price announced either by reliable sources, journalists and insiders. A few rumors without real foundation mentioned a price of 400 euros for this new Nintendo console, but again, really nothing official.
0 Comments