Key Takeaways
- Rumors suggest the Switch 2 could have more consoles at launch than the original Switch.
- Nintendo patents suggest Switch 2 may have improved features.
- The Switch 2 has already been confirmed to be backward compatible.
A new rumor suggests that the follow-up to the Nintendo Switch could have many more consoles available at launch than its predecessor. Details are still scarce, especially considering Nintendo has not even formally revealed the Switch 2 yet, but one user on the Nintendo forum Famiboards claims to have insider information. While they didn’t offer a specific number, they did say the next-gen Switch will have a much larger release than the first.
Nintendo has confirmed that it will announce the Switch 2 before March 2025, which is when its current fiscal year ends. Beyond that, though, the company has remained quiet about the console. Its official name, specs, games, and release date are all still a matter of speculation. Amid that silence, the rumor mill has churned almost nonstop.
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This latest rumor comes from Famiboards user ninspider. Early on November 20, ninspider posted a cryptic message on a Switch 2 speculation thread. The message looks like gibberish at first, but when translated from Base64 — a binary-based code — it says Nintendo is planning to produce around 2.5 times as many Switch 2 consoles as it did for the original Switch’s release for the U.S. market. Considering how the Switch became Japan’s best-selling console of all time, that could mean the Big N has high expectations for its follow-up system.
The Switch 2 Could Break New Ground
Whether ninspider really has the inside scoop or not has yet to be seen. Still, it would make sense for Nintendo to ramp up production on the Switch 2 compared to its first hybrid console. The original Switch was difficult for some gamers to get their hands on when it first came out, and buyer enthusiasm over new tech has only gotten higher since then. Consider how the PlayStation Portal sold out ahead of its release in many areas.
Regardless of how many systems it produces at launch, Nintendo could make some big moves with its next console. If Nintendo’s recent patents are anything to go by, the new system could have rotating cable connectors, improved Joy-cons, and a more functional UI. One of the few confirmed details is that the Switch 2 will have backward compatibility, making the bridge between consoles easier. That could also mean hardware improvements in the Switch 2’s accessories could benefit players still using a first-generation Switch, though that’s also just speculation at this point. While much is still unclear, fans will likely learn more within the next few months as the fiscal year draws to a close.
Nintendo Switch
$285 $300 Save $15
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid portable and home console that aims to be the only gaming system anyone needs. The hybrid controller is an undisputed success because it provides a high degree of portable visual quality and converts easily into a home console.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Battery
- 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required
- Dimensions
- 13.7 x 7.8 x 3.66 inches
- Weight
- 2.65 pounds