Nintendo surprised the gaming world by revealing the Switch 2 early in the morning on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The new console shares some similarities with its predecessor – it is similar in shape to the original Switch, and will feature two detachable joy-cons that can be used individually or combined into a single controller. However, the Switch 2 will also come with a number of new features and changes that will differentiate itself from the previous hybrid console. Fans only got to see a brief trailer of the Switch 2, but here are all the new features and changes confirmed so far.
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Changes To The Console Itself
The Switch 2 is larger and thicker than the original Switch, an appearance that has already led to comparisons with Valve’s Steam Deck. It is also more rounded and less angular. It definitely looks like it will represent a significant graphical, processing, and battery life upgrade, but the system’s specs have not yet been revealed. What has been revealed, however, are a few key physical changes to the console:
A Larger Kickstand
Like the Switch OLED, the Switch 2 features a kickstand, allowing players to prop it up on a table or similar surface while playing. However, the Switch 2’s kickstand is larger and more versatile, allowing players to rest the console at a larger variety of angles. It has more of a “U” shape compared to the more angular kickstand of the Switch OLED.
A Secondary USB-C Port
The reveal trailer shows off a second USB-C port on the Switch 2, located next to the headphone jack. This new port joins the existing one on the underside of the console, which is used to charge the device and attach various accessories. The secondary port means that players can attach multiple accessories at once – in particular, they can have a secondary accessory attached while the device is charging.
The Nintendo Switch’s USB-C port is a custom version not one hundred percent compliant with the universal standard; this led to some difficulty for Switch owners who wanted to use third-party accessories in addition to those officially released by Nintendo. While it has not been confirmed if the Switch 2’s two ports will conform to universal USB-C standards, it seems likely. If this is the case, players can attach their Switch to high-quality display outputs or perform high-speed data transfers.
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Changes To The Joy-Cons
Like the console itself, the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons have undergone a change. They are larger and longer to match the increased size of the console itself. In addition, the Joy-Cons themselves are now black, rather than brightly colored as with the Switch. However, they do have colorful accents on the inner edges and around the analog sticks; their detachable grips and wrist straps are also colored. The Joy-Cons shown off in the trailer are red and blue, to match the “standard” Switch Joy-Cons, but it is likely that Nintendo will release multiple differently colored Joy-Cons in the future.
Several of the buttons on the Joy-Cons have been made larger as well, to match the increase in size. This is particularly noticeable with the SL and SR buttons that allow players to use each Joy-Con as an individual controller. The strip of LEDs that represents whether a Joy-Con is paired with a Switch has been moved to the front-facing edge of the controller.
Joy-Con Attachment Style Has Changed
Rather than sliding along a rail to attach to the sides of the console, the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons slot directly into the side. There is a single protruding connector on each side of the console, to which the Joy-Con attaches. Rumors have indicated that the Joy-Cons may attach to the Switch 2 via magnets, although this was not confirmed by the initial trailer. However, some players have reported the “rails” used to connect Joy-Cons to the base Switch have worn down and become damaged over time, meaning it would not be surprising to find Nintendo had experimented with alternative solutions.
A New Release Trigger
The Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons feature small buttons that can be pushed to smoothly disconnect the controllers from the Switch itself. For the Switch 2, this button has been replaced with a larger trigger. This will likely allow the Joy-Cons to be detached more easily, especially if magnets are involved. The pressing of the trigger may invoke the classic “snap” sound often associated with the Switch and frequently used in Nintendo Direct presentations.
A Mysterious New Button
The Switch 2 reveal trailer briefly shows a new button on the right Joy-Con, located below the pre-existing Home button. The function of this button is a mystery, as it was not shown off in the trailer. However, some people have theorized that it may be related to the Joy-Con’s potential ability to function as a computer mouse.
A Small Lens
On the edge of the Joy-Con, next to the connector that attaches the controller to the Switch 2, is a small, colorless lens. The exact function of this lens has not yet been confirmed. However, it greatly resembles the laser sensors found on computer mice. This has led to theories that Joy-Cons may be able to function as mice, in addition to stand-alone controllers.
Finally, two peripheral items have been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2: a dock and a device that combines the two Joy-Cons into a single controller. The latter device appears not to have changed much, aside from an increase in size. The dock also looks physically similar, but any potential changes were not explored in detail during the trailer.
The other major feature confirmed in the Switch 2’s launch trailer is that it will be backwards compatible – at least to some degree. The trailer features the words “Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2,” and indicates that more details will be revealed at a later date. A Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct will be happening on April 2, 2025, and fans will hopefully find out even more about the exciting new console at that time.
Nintendo Switch 2
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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2025-00-00