Summary
- Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed before March 2025, be backward-compatible, and support Nintendo Switch Online services.
- Predictions suggest the Switch 2 will likely be revealed between January and February, with a possible release between March and July.
- Speculated to have PS4 Pro-level power, an 8-inch 1080p screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, and potential launch titles such as Metroid Prime 4 or Mario Kart 9.
One could argue that the Nintendo Switch revolutionized the world of handheld consoles with its smashing success, slick portable design, iconic click sound from the Joy-Cons, and the amazing reception of its biggest launch title in the form of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It has been over eight years since the original Switch was revealed, and this year will see the reveal and release of the heavily rumored Nintendo Switch 2. While there have been countless leaks online regarding the Switch 2, Nintendo has been surprisingly silent so far. Fans should not fret, though, as it’s confirmed the console will at the very least be revealed before the end of March 2025.
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What is Confirmed About The Nintendo Switch 2 So Far
Not much has been officially revealed about the new console just yet, including its name, but fans have affectionately dubbed it Nintendo Switch 2—which might as well be what it’s actually called. So far, the following is known:
- The Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed, even if only with a teaser trailer, before the end of the company’s fiscal year for 2024, which ends on March 31, 2025.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward-compatible and run all Nintendo Switch titles, meaning it will have a cartridge slot and support physical games.
- The console will continue to support Nintendo Switch Online services via Nintendo Accounts and the official Nintendo store.
Predicting The Nintendo Switch 2’s Reveal Window
Considering that the console is supposed to be fully revealed before the end of March and given how many leaks about it have surfaced online, it would be safe to assume it will rear its head sometime between January and February of this year. This is also in line with many leaks, claiming the Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed before March, with most sources allegedly knowing it will be showcased in January.
Predicting The Nintendo Switch 2’s Release Window
The Nintendo Switch 2’s release date is a bit more complex to predict because it’s not based on official information, unlike its reveal window, but there are more likely possibilities than others. A good release date for the console could be March 3, the 8th anniversary of the Nintendo Switch’s launch, but it seems too close to be true. A more likely window for the console to hit store shelves is between the end of March 2025 and the end of July, with April through June being the most likely months. Most of the leaks seem to agree that March, April, May, and June are the likeliest candidates for the console’s release.
The original Nintendo Switch was revealed on October 20, 2016, and released on March 3, 2017, nearly four months and a half later.
Predicting The Nintendo Switch 2’s Hardware and Design
In terms of hardware, most leaks have agreed that the Nintendo Switch 2’s power will be similar to the PS4 Pro. This seems likely, considering how console generations have evolved over time, and it’s also plausible to think that the Nintendo Switch 2 will have some form of ray-tracing and AI upscaling that will improve its overall performance. Recent leaks stated that the console will allegedly have an 8-inch screen that is reportedly 1080p in terms of resolution, meaning that the Switch 2 will be wider than the regular Switch, which has a 6.2-inch screen.
It is also rumored to have magnetic Joy-Cons, which can be easily removed, and possibly a sensor that allows the controllers to be used like a mouse. Much like the original Nintendo Switch, the new console is expected to have a dock and to be attachable to TVs, which seems extremely likely.
Nintendo Switch 2’s Possible Launch Games Explained
There have been multiple leaks about Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles over time, and nothing concrete is known just yet. However, a likely candidate for a launch title is Metroid Prime 4, which has been in development for a long time and was showcased last year with plans to release the game in 2025. Likewise, a standalone 3D Mario game is long overdue, as it’s been almost eight years since Super Mario Odyssey came out.
Mario Kart 8 has been getting support for a long time after its launch, but the Switch 2 may be a good time to launch Mario Kart 9. There have been many rumors about remasters for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, which could be great to have when the console is out. Lastly, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to come out in 2025, and new rumors hint at another set of mainline Pokemon games for this year, which would likely be either Gen 5 remakes/new titles or Pokemon Let’s Go games possibly set in Johto.
A sequel to Animal Crossing: New Horizons may also be in the cards, as the Switch game was a smashing success, and it has been a long time since it first came out. No new Animal Crossing game for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been announced just yet, but it doesn’t mean it’s not a possibility.
Nintendo Switch 2’s Price – Leaks and Predictions
The last important topic to discuss ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2’s release is its price. Several Switch 2 leaks state it will cost $500, more or less. Given that the current Nintendo Switch OLED version sells for $349, and considering that a Steam Deck OLED is $549, the most likely price range for the Nintendo Switch 2 is between $399 and $499. This may vary depending on launch bundles, and it’s likely the console will also have limited edition bundles over time.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model Mario Red Edition
Players can now warp into a world of games in style with the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model: Mario Red Edition console. This limited-edition system features a Switch system, dock, and Joy-Con controllers all in the iconic Mario Red color. A silhouette design of Mario jumps into action on the back of the dock. There are also some hidden coins on display!