Nintendo hasn’t made any effort to hide the fact that the Switch’s successor is in the works, but has been characteristically noncommittal as to when it will be revealed. Although, with the company’s history of keeping secrets, the little that is known might point to unusual surprises whenever the Nintendo Switch follow-up is announced.
Fans have been anticipating news about the next Nintendo console, generally referred to as the “Switch 2” due to the lack of a confirmed name, for ages. Originally rumored for a 2024 reveal, the expected announcement window for the Switch 2 was pushed back to next year. Specifically, Nintendo has committed to announcing its next console before March 2025, which is rapidly approaching. The reason for this delay has never been stated, though some believe it may be giving the company extra time to finalize marketing for the console or to give developers extra time to finish games that will launch alongside it. Whatever the reason, gamers have been left wondering what to expect from the Switch 2. A few hints have been provided, but knowing that Nintendo loves to surprise its fans, a better place to look might be at what the company isn’t revealing yet.
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What Nintendo Has Confirmed About the Switch 2
Despite it being well-known that the new console is on the way, Nintendo hasn’t publicly shared many details about what to expect from the Switch 2. The only major facts that have been divulged are that the Nintendo Switch Online program will be continuing and that the console will feature backward compatibility. It might not seem like much to go on, but this information does give players some idea of what to expect from the new arrival. Because of the name of the feature, Nintendo Switch Online returning may confirm that the next console will continue to be branded as some form of “Switch.” Much like the 3DS or the Wii U, Nintendo may be keeping the basis of the console’s name while still upgrading other elements of the system.
Even more telling though, is the implication of backwards compatibility. This basically means that the Switch 2’s design will probably be similar to the current one. If players are expected to play current-generation games on the new console, it must have the option for the same control mechanisms, meaning that joy-cons are most likely returning. It also confirms that the Switch 2 will take cartridges, continuing Nintendo’s movement away from game discs.
Potential New Features of the Nintendo Switch 2
Because fans can infer so many details about the Switch 2, many are left wondering what Nintendo might be hiding up its sleeves for the big reveal. In anticipation, players have expressed interest in many new features for the Switch 2, such as more storage capacity, better battery life, and better portability options. Some even hope that Nintendo might take notes from its competitors by including achievements and controller audio. By far the biggest issue many have with the Switch, though, is joy-con drift, which players are hoping might be fixed by the new system’s hardware.
Fans can only wait to find out about most of their wishlist features for the Switch 2, but research has pointed to some possible innovations. Based on patents filed by Nintendo regarding new hardware, some of the company’s design process can be seen. These patents include pictures and information about possible design changes that Nintendo has been considering, many of which fit perfectly in line with what fans are expecting from the Switch successor.
A new home screen has been in development that would allow players to directly open their different saves before even booting up the game. There is also a patent for a rotating feature on the dock that would simplify the process of connecting the hardware to the TV. Some images have even surfaced of a double-screen variant of the Switch, as well as possible new joy-con designs. While the patents are freely available to find online, Nintendo hasn’t made any reference to their existence. It could be that, if any of these new designs were used for the Switch 2, they might be planned for a large reveal alongside the console’s official announcement.
With March of 2025 on the horizon, Nintendo must be finalizing plans about when and how to officially announce the next console. There are even rumors that copies of the Switch 2 will be shipping soon. This would point to a reveal in the very near future, which Nintendo fans would surely appreciate.
Nintendo Switch
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Weight
- .88 lbs
- Storage
- 32 GB
- Display
- 6.2-inch LCD Screen / 1280 x 720
- Battery
- Approximately 4.5 – 9 hours