Since launching in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become a strong rival to Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox. As anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, we've rounded up the key details, including the expected release date, hardware specs, and upcoming games.
The Nintendo Switch is yet another huge success for Nintendo. By now, the Nintendo console has been sold over 130 Million times, more often than the Game Boy or even the PlayStation 4. Alas, the Switch still stands in the shadow of the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2, though.
With all the fun and excitement we've had with the Nintendo Switch since its release in 2017 – after having celebrated one of its biggest successes with Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 7 years after the console was released, fans think it's high time for the next Nintendo console to be released. According to new leaks, Nintendo agrees.
At this point in time it's more a question of when, rather than if a new Nintendo Switch 2 console, will be released following the Nintendo Switch. Since the gaming market is still booming, Nintendo surely won't just let Sony and Microsoft take over the playing field.
So, let's take a look at what we can expect for the upcoming Nintendo console.
Nintendo Switch 2: Release Window
It looks like the Switch 2 will be released in Q1 2025. This was reported on by VGC, quoting insider sources. It looks like the currently targeted release window is March 2025, with reports saying it could potentially be pushed further back.
Thanks to several leaks, we previously had a different release date for the Nintendo Switch 2: September 24, 2024, with a fallback release date on November 3. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to wait a while longer now. Nintendo has recently briefed partner companies on this change for the release window.
With our current knowledge, we can expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to be announced in Spring 2024 and then released in early 2025. However, the rumored reveal date could have been pushed back, just like the release was.
Nintendo Switch 2: Hardware
Unlike Microsoft and Sony, Nintendo has changed their strategy from releasing consoles with the newest hardware and the best graphics to releasing consoles with innovative technology (such as the controller for the Wii and the following tablet for the Wii U) as well as portability.
Besides the Wii U that celebrated a massive flop (although, to be fair, it had quite the unlucky release since tablets were just becoming popular on the market, which practically ate up the Wii U's individuality), the Wii and especially the Switch were huge commercial hits, which is why we can assume that Nintendo won't really change up their console strategy for the Switch 2.
Although Nintendo doesn't necessarily set their eyes on the newest hardware for their consoles, here are a few pieces of tech that Nintendo surely won't leave out, since fans are basically expecting them:
- 4K-support, as well as 1080p/120 FPS-support – at least as long as the Switch is connected to the TV.
- Since neither Sony nor Microsoft has set their priorities on portability, we can expect the Switch 2 to be a hybrid-console just like the previous Switch, so you can take it along with you anytime.
We can also expect quite the jump in regard to the processors, RAM and GPU, with the Switch 2 supposedly having technology akin to the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. The current Switch has hardware somewhere between the PS3 and PS4. So while this change might not sound too crazy for the Switch 2, keep in mind that just the processor of the PS4 worked about nine times faster than the PS3's did.
Nintendo Switch 2: Games
Ah yes, one of the most important categories when it comes to consoles: games.
Just having a great console is not enough if you can't offer proper (exclusive) game titles for your console. Fans shouldn't have to worry about this aspect though, since Nintendo has the rights to a plethora of gaming franchises and isn't bound to other gaming development studios to produce them
This strategy stems from rather unhappy circumstances in Nintendo's past. At the time of the N64, Nintendo worked closely together with the British development studio Rare, which produced incredible games like Goldeneye, Banjo-Kazooie, Starfox Adventures and Conker's Bad Fur Day. So when Rare was bought by Microsoft, Nintendo also lost many valuable licenses.
Luckily, Nintendo has learned from their past and has only strengthened their own game brands since then. So we can definitely expect new titles surrounding popular video game characters:
- Since Tears of the Kingdom just came out this year, we probably won't be seeing a new Zelda game when the Switch 2 is released. More likely are either a new Mario game, just like Super Mario Odyssey, or Mario Kart 9. A simultaneous release of these games wouldn't be unlikely, though, since Nintendo would then cover the single player and multiplayer market all at once.
- We can also expect (at least) one new Pokémon game (which will hopefully be better than Scarlet and Violet).
- Besides that you can also expect dedicated games for further popular Nintendo characters such as Kirby, Samus Aran (I mean, apparently Metroid Prime 4 will still be released one day), Sonic, Luigi, Yoshi and many more!
Surely there will also be a new Super Smash Bros. as well as a new Mario Party , along with some type of sports games with prominent Nintendo characters, like Mario Tennis or Mario Golf. Just as it is the case for the Nintendo Switch, there will probably be a bunch of Indie games for the Switch 2, that most will be able to buy in the Nintendo eShop.
By the way, Nintendo has already assured us that you can transfer your account seamlessly to the next console generation as soon as it hits stores.
From the Shareholder Q&A.
— GenkiTGS (@Genki_JPN) June 27, 2023
More direct Furukawa quote translated by me:
"As for the transition from Nintendo Switch to the next generation machine, we want to do as much as possible in order to smoothly transition our customers, while utilizing the Nintendo Account."
Nintendo Switch 2: Price
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Switch 2 is its price. The Switch cost around 300 dollars when it was released – of course this didn't include a game (if you added Zelda: Breath of the Wild to your order, you paid just about 370 bucks). Also, over the years the Switch's price point has barely decreased, it took the release of the OLED-Switch for Nintendo to finally lower the price of the normal Nintendo Switch. Most of the AAA games (besides a few short sales) are basically just as expensive as they were at release.
Due to inflation and increased manufacturing costs, it's pretty unlikely that the next Nintendo console will be released at a similar price point. First rumors mention two different versions of the Nintendo Switch 2, a digital-only version and a standard version. The digital-only edition will supposedly cost $400, while the standard edition sells for $449. Even though those numbers are only rumors, we wouldn't be surprised by these prices, yes, that's about $100 more than the original Switch, but even the PS5 and Xbox Series increased their prices once already.
Nintendo Switch 2: Will Nintendo Release Another Big Hit?
That's everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 thus far. We're very excited whether Nintendo will use their magic touch to release another piece of innovative technology, just like they did with the controller for the Nintendo Wii.
As soon as we find out more about the successor for the Nintendo Switch, we'll keep you posted here!
Whether it's the Switch 2 or a different console name, we're certain that it will be released soon! What do you hope that Nintendo will improve upon? Tell us in the comments!