Nearly 7 years after the release of the original Nintendo Switch, gamers around the world are eagerly awaiting Nintendo's next console. Before its official launch, we summarize everything you need to know about it.
- When is the Switch 2 coming out?
- What is the price of the Switch 2?
- What are the technical specifications for the Switch 2?
- What is the design for the Nintendo Switch 2?
- What is the screen quality of the Switch 2?
- How does the Switch 2 perform?
- Can the Switch 2 play 4K games?
- How does the battery life of the Switch 2 last?
- How much RAM and storage does the Switch 2 have?
- Backwards compatibility: are the original Switch games compatible with the Switch 2?
- What games are expected at launch?
- What we would like to see on the Switch 2
- Comments
As the Nintendo Switch prepares to celebrate its eighth anniversary in March 2025, it makes sense to start wondering what's next. 8 years is the typical lifespan for a console generation.
With the Switch suffering from slowing sales and performance that was far too poor for the most recent games, everything indicated that it was time for Nintendo to launch new hardware. In this article, we're going to take stock of everything you need to know about the Switch 2, the upcoming console from Big N.
When is the Switch 2 coming out?
The original Switch launched in March 2017, and despite the arrival of the OLED Switch in 2021, the need for a real new generation quickly became apparent. From what we know so far, the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected in 2025. Unfortunately, we'll have to settle for this vague release window for now. As announced by renowned leaker Nathe The Hate, the Japanese company has chosen the date of January 16, 2025 to officially present the Switch 2 in a short trailer.
When the Switch 2 is finally available, we should not face a massive shortage following a raid by scalpers. Nintendo has assured that it will ensure that everyone can buy a copy of the console.
As a reminder, some information from Nintendo suppliers suggested that the Japanese company would present the Nintendo Switch 2 as early as the first half of 2024. However, Nintendo has finally ruled out releasing a new console before the end of March 2024. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa reaffirmed that the company would remain focused on the Switch until the end of Nintendo's current fiscal year in March 2024, and added that it would continue to support the Switch with new titles in the following fiscal year.
Subsequently, multiple sources claimed that Nintendo had unveiled a new console behind closed doors at Gamescom, held at the end of August 2023, before showing it again to a select few developers at the Tokyo Games Show. The company was therefore quite confident in showing near-final models of its console, which indicated a very close launch. As usual, despite the clear evidence, Nintendo quickly denied everything.
What is the price of the Switch 2?
It's still too early to know the exact pricing of the upcoming Switch 2, but like the previous generation, the new console is expected to be cheaper than the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Several reports have indicated that two different versions of the Switch 2 will be offered: a fully digital model and one compatible with physical game cartridges. One leaker has come forward, announcing prices of $399 and $449, respectively. However, this information should still be taken with a grain of salt. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, a Tokyo-based video game industry consultancy, has also suggested a price increase, which would be around $400.
Analyst Hideki Yasuda of Tokyo Securities is more pessimistic. He estimates that the Switch 2 will sell for less than $499 in the United States. That's a high price, of course, but it suggests a high price for Europe. According to a Micromania store employee, the Switch 2 will be sold in Europe for €399. An Italian retailer is listing it for pre-order at €365.
In any case, we'll learn more about this topic (and many others) during the Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Switch 2 scheduled for April 2, 2025.
Quelle fiche technique pour la Switch 2?
Once the official spec sheet is known, you'll find a summary of all the important specifications here. In the meantime, we'll detail everything we already know below.
What design for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Even though there was little room for doubt, Nintendo has unsurprisingly chosen to keep the hybrid format of its console. In other words, it will still be possible to use it both in portable mode, or directly on TV via the dedicated dock. This is one of the main arguments that made the Switch one of the most popular consoles of all time, so it was hard to imagine Nintendo moving away from this formula.
Thanks to the first video preview published, but also thanks to the numerous patent applications filed in recent years by the manufacturer, we already know that the Switch 2 will be slightly larger than its big sister. The screen will notably gain in size. According to previous statements from Sharp Cop (editor's note: one of the brand's suppliers), it would be an 8-inch LCD panel. A notable gain compared to the 6.2-inch screen of the first Switch.
Regarding the controllers, we now know that Nintendo has adopted the format of the famous Joy-Con. With the Switch 2, we will of course be able to detach the controllers and take advantage of several features (gyroscopic aiming, haptic vibrations, etc.) thanks to an armada of sensors.
However, and as previous rumors had suggested, these new Joy-Con will attach to the console via magnets. So we can say goodbye to the rails of the first Switch... And cross off the possibility of reusing our old Joy-Con on the Switch 2. Too bad.
We also hope that the years of ordeal with the famous Joy-Con drift problem will push the Japanese company to correct this defect on the new generation. To this end, Nintendo is reportedly considering using magnetic analog sticks, again according to patents.
Furthermore, the video preview allowed us to discover the presence of an optical sensor on the edge of the Joy-Con. This suggests that these controllers could be used as a mouse. Moreover, during the trailer, the Joy-Con are used in this way for a few moments. Could this suggest a new rapprochement between Nintendo and Microsoft with the arrival of Game Pass PC on the Switch 2? We dare.
Then, we also know that Nintendo has chosen to revise the console's kickstand once again. Already improved on the Switch OLED, it will now take the shape of a U and will extend almost the entire length of the console. We will also be able to tilt it more or less according to our needs. A good point.
Another nice surprise, the Switch 2 will have not one, but two USB-C ports located respectively on the bottom and top of the console. Practical for mobile gamers, who can charge their machine without the hassle of a cable.
Regarding the Switch 2 dock, the changes are virtually minimal, with the exception of the more rounded top edges. The new logo, namely the pair of Joy-cons accompanied by the number 2, sits in the center of the device.
What is the quality of the Switch 2 screen?
The switch to the OLED Switch had significantly improved the user experience thanks to its higher-quality screen with infinite contrast, but Nintendo has reportedly chosen to backtrack with the Switch 2. Sharp, which makes the current Switch screens, has stated that it is working on a new LCD panel for a “new gaming console,” and all indications are that this is the Switch 2.
Recent reports have corroborated this information by claiming that the Switch 2 will launch with an 8-inch LCD screen to reduce production costs. If confirmed, this would be bad news for gamers.
Nintendo could, however, choose to improve the panel's resolution to FHD 1080p, which would be a significant improvement over the previous 720p HD. Of course, we'll get more information about the Switch 2's screen during the Nintendo Direct in April 2025.
What is the performance of the Switch 2?
Thanks to Microsoft's legal wrangling over its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and reports of Nintendo giving partner demonstrations at Gamescom, we're starting to get an idea of the Switch 2's hardware capabilities.
First, internal emails released as part of the FTC case against Microsoft revealed that Activision executives met with Nintendo in December 2022 to discuss the console, and came away with the impression that performance would be close to that of Gen8 platforms, in other words, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Nevertheless, the device would offer similar quality to the PS5 thanks to Nvidia technologies such as DLSS. This technology uses AI to increase the resolution of the different images displayed, allowing developers to optimize performance and visuals on less powerful hardware. In concrete terms, you can thus increase your number of frames per second in games tenfold.
In addition to DLSS, Nintendo should also focus on ray tracing, a technology that has also made its way onto our high-end smartphones in recent years. We could also find another Nvidia technology called Ray Reconstruction, which considerably improves the quality of ray tracing in games, notably by removing visual noise from different scenes. To get into more technical details, we know that Nintendo was planning to use a less power-hungry version of the Nvidia T234 chip, codenamed T239. This information is corroborated by a statement from an Nvidia employee himself.
The T239 is an advanced mobile processor, based on an octa-core ARM A78C CPU cluster, paired with a custom GA10F graphics unit based on Nvidia's Ampere RTX 30 architecture, combined with some elements inherited from the company's latest Ada Lovelace GPUs. Data collected from Nvidia has shown that the T239 features an optical flow accelerator, a key component of DLSS 3 image generation.
According to some leaks, the Nintendo Switch 2 would offer 3.5 to 4.5 TFLOPS of power when docked, and 1.7 to 2 TFLOPS in handheld mode. That's slightly more than the Steam Deck, which offers around 1.6 TFLOPS. It would also be expected to have 12 or 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM at 102 GB/s or 88 GB/s, and 256 GB or 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage. But again, this information should still be taken with a grain of salt for now.
Can the Switch 2 play games in 4K?
During a developer demonstration at Gamescom, the console was able to run a modified version of The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild in 4K resolution and at 60 frames per second, as well as Epic's Unreal Engine 5 demo, The Matrix Awakens.
So we expect the Switch 2 to be able to run some games in 4K, unlike the previous generation. However, for some titles, an upscaled 4K solution might be more likely, especially since Nintendo has been experimenting with upscaling technologies according to certain patents. To support this, we know that Nintendo has reportedly asked studios to be ready to make their games compatible with 4K as early as 2020.
The most demanding titles should still be limited to 1080p definition. The Nintendo Switch 2's T239 GPU is reportedly not compatible with Nvidia's Deep Learning Accelerator (DLA) upscaling technology. The lack of DLA could drastically limit DLSS's effectiveness and result in less powerful upscaling, potentially limiting the console's ability to achieve 4K resolution, with predictions leaning more towards 1080p upscaling, or even 1440p depending on the game. Technically, the current Switch dock is already capable of delivering 4K 60fps visuals thanks to its HDMI 2.0, but the current version isn't powerful enough to deliver such a result. It's therefore possible that Nintendo won't change its docking station much, but we're still hoping for a more powerful HDMI 2.1 port, which would allow for the arrival of technologies popular with gamers such as VRR or ALLM.
The latest rumors claim that the Switch 2 will host demanding AAA games upon its release. In the first video preview, Nintendo took the opportunity to reveal some images of the next Mario Kart, but in the opinion of many users, the graphical slap is not really there. So we'll see.
As for the games that will accompany the console's release, many are expecting a new 3D Mario as well as what could be a remake of a Zelda title.
What is the battery life of the Switch 2?
Nintendo reportedly took advantage of Gamescom 2023 to provide estimates of the console's endurance to various partners. The Switch 2's battery is said to offer a battery life of between 3 and 6 hours. This will obviously vary depending on the game used, but also the console settings (brightness, vibrations, etc.).
To put these figures into perspective, know that this would make it less autonomous than the latest OLED Switch, which offers between 4.5 and 9 hours of battery life in play. However, it would do better than the original Switch, which only lasts between 2.5 and 6.5 hours. Regarding the charging port, as mentioned above, there will be two USB-C ports.
How much RAM and storage for the Switch 2?
Onboard storage could reach 512GB this time around, which would be a significant improvement over the 32GB and 64GB of the original Switch and Switch OLED, respectively. This should make it easier to turn to digital games without having to worry about expanding storage. As for RAM, Nintendo is expected to adopt at least LPDDR5, but it remains to be seen how much.
Backward Compatibility: Are Original Switch Games Compatible with the Switch 2?
One of the most anticipated features of the Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatibility, especially considering that the company has sold hundreds of millions of games on its Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo has a good reputation for backward compatibility. The Wii allowed you to play GameCube games, the Wii U allowed you to play Wii games, the Game Boy Advance was backward compatible with the Game Boy, and the 3DS with the DS. However, the Switch, with its new game cartridge format, marked a clear break with the past.
During the first video preview, Nintendo did indeed confirm the backward compatibility of Switch games on the Switch 2. Be careful, however, the manufacturer specified that “some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2″.Unfortunately, to learn more about these limitations, you will have to wait a little while.
What games are expected at launch?
Launch titles are very important for the release of a new console and, hopefully, Nintendo does not will spare no expense in delivering great titles to customers upon the Switch 2's release. Rumors suggest that the biggest contender for a Switch 2 launch title will be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. After years of ominous silence, the Kyoto-based company released a new trailer for the game in November 2024, while announcing a release planned for 2025.
Furthermore, we imagine that Mario Kart 9 will be part of the launch line-up, as Nintendo has just unveiled the first images of its Switch 2 preview. When we know that Mario Kart 8 crossed the 60 million copies sold mark in March 2024, it is difficult to see how Nintendo could do without such a golden goose to offer the Switch 2 a launch canon.
Legends Pokémon: Z-A could also be among the lucky ones, especially since the game still doesn't have an exact release date, except for a vague 2025. Nintendo is also reportedly working on two versions of the next Pokémon game, featuring the 10th generation of the little monsters. One for the Switch 1 and one for the Switch 2.
We're also thinking about the HD remake of Dragon Quest 1 & 2,also planned for 2025. Who knows, the launch of the Switch 2 would also be the perfect opportunity to launch a new 3D Mario, the latest being the excellent Super Mario Odyssey launched in 2017.
What we would like to see on the Switch 2
Given its hybrid aspect, it would also be appreciated if the Switch 2 were compatible with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E networks. This would not only improve download speeds, but also the stability of online games while reducing latency. Since Wi-Fi 7 is so new, it would be surprising to see Nintendo adopt the latest standard, especially for cost-cutting reasons.
We can also hope that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be compatible with a newer Bluetooth standard, which would also improve the stability of connections with wireless headphones, in addition to reducing latency.
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