The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally revealed just a few short weeks ago, though it didn’t exactly set the world on fire for those already in the know. Indeed, just about every prominent rumor about the Switch 2’s high-level hardware distinctions, like the magnetic Joy-Cons and larger console, were confirmed by the official reveal, but more granular details, including its specifications, are still a mystery.
The hardware specs of the Nintendo Switch 2 could be a make-or-break issue. There have been some reports suggesting that the Switch 2 will still fall behind current-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles, though just about everyone anticipates that it will be noticeably beefier than its predecessor, which can only be a good thing. Aging, feeble hardware is one of the biggest points of contention surrounding the Switch 1, especially in recent years as other consoles wow audiences with flashy graphics and high-end performance. The Switch can still pull off some impressive technological feats, to be sure, but it is essentially the worst way to experience many third-party games, as even AAA games from the PS4/Xbox One generation have had to be massively downgraded to boot on Nintendo’s hybrid device.
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With the Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed, a Highly Anticipated Game Should Make Its Voice Heard
Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, it would only make sense for one of the most anticipated games to finally get some love.
With The Switch 2 Having Greater Power, Older Third-Party Games Could Be Upgraded
Switch Players Have Long Had to Settle for Less With Third-Party Games
Nintendo’s developers certainly know how to work magic with many first-party games, with the likes of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom punching far above the hardware’s weight. But third-party, contemporary releases have told a different story. The Switch has consistently been home to a slew of technically compromised, high-profile titles, with some of the most notable being:
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Mortal Kombat 11
- The Witcher 3
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Stray
- Doom Eternal
How much ire each of these constrained ports garner varies based on who is playing and reviewing them, and the reception to such releases has changed over time. For example, when The Witcher 3 was brought to the Switch back in 2019, many were amazed that the console could handle it at all, and the novelty of experiencing such an ambitious adventure on a handheld was palpable. But this novelty has become flaccid in the wake of more powerful handhelds like the Steam Deck and even newer mobile phones, which offer portable gaming experiences with little to no compromise.
With more recent ports like Mortal Kombat 1 and Hogwarts Legacy, Switch users have had to endure even greater shortcomings, ranging from significantly reduced visual fidelity to fundamental changes, like the segmentation of Hogwarts Legacy‘s seamless open-world. In the console market, players often weigh the pros and cons of buying an Xbox over a PlayStation, but if a player only buys a Switch, then they are restricted to fundamentally lesser gaming experiences much of the time. This can make the console a tough sell for those valuing graphics, framerate, and the like.
Third-Party Games Could Be Re-Released for the Switch 2
Things might be different come the Switch 2. Naturally, one can expect the gulf between Switch 2 and PS5/Xbox Series X|S performance to be smaller for new releases, but previous third-party titles could perhaps be remastered for the sequel console as well. After all, if the Switch 2 is significantly more powerful than its predecessor, it’s not too hard to imagine a version of, say, Hogwarts Legacy that looks and plays similar to the PS4 version, or perhaps even better.
It will be interesting to see how non-Nintendo developers react to this predicted hardware upgrade. It would take time and resources to elevate these older games, of course, but if the Switch 2 is anywhere near as successful as its progenitor, then the financial reward could be worth it, as these games could move significantly more copies. If Nintendo were to charge an “upgrade fee,” similar to what its competitors have done this generation, then the profit incentive could be even greater.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for April 2, 2025.
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Original Release Date
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2025