Are you in search of the most recent updates about the Nintendo Switch 2?
Despite the Wii U’s lack of success and the decreasing support for the 3DS, the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, incorporating the best features from both consoles.
As we fast forward to the present, it is evident that Nintendo’s success continues with over 130 million Switch units sold worldwide. This achievement can be attributed to popular titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Despite the Switch approaching its seventh year on the market, Nintendo is already planning for a follow-up to the popular console. As speculation continues to circulate, we have searched the web for the most recent updates on a potential Switch 2, which could potentially compete with handheld devices like the Steam Deck upon its release.
Table of Contents
- Switch 2 release date speculation
- Switch 2 specs leak
- Switch 2 features
- Switch 2 controller rumors
- Switch 2 design rumors
- Switch 2 display leaks and rumors
- Switch 2 price speculation
- Is the Switch 2 compatible with previous versions?
- Which games will be available on the Switch 2?
Release Date Speculation for Switch 2
According to recent rumors, the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 may be announced in early 2025. The handheld is rumored to make its debut in March of that year. These rumors are further supported by reports from Nintendo’s hardware partners, suggesting that 2025 will be a significant year for the company and potentially bring new hardware.
It was previously announced that the successor to the Switch would be released in Fall 2024. However, a recent report suggests that the highly anticipated console will most likely be launched in March 2025. According to the report, Nintendo has decided to postpone the release of the Switch 2 in order to give developers more time to perfect their games for the launch.
According to other sources, game developers have reportedly received the Switch and have showcased upcoming titles at Gamescom. These titles are said to include the Unreal Engine 5 Matrix Awakens demo, as well as an upgraded version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
According to a recent leak by Nash Weedle, the release of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is imminent. Weedle suggests that a Spanish studio, potentially MercurySteam, has already received a development kit for the new console.
Nintendo intends to maintain a strict veil of secrecy around their upcoming plans, but this leak reveals that the essential hardware specifications, such as the display, processor, and RAM, have been solidified. By sharing a development kit prior to the release, this assists partner studios in preparing their games well in advance.
There has been much speculation about the release date since approximately 2020. However, it has been revealed that instead of a successor, Nintendo’s planned console release was the OLED Switch.
Recently, the current CEO of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa, announced that there will not be any new hardware released before April 2024. It is likely that this decision was made in part to include hardware sales in the upcoming quarter, giving the company a fresh start.
It is likely that the release announcement for the new product will follow a similar timeline as the Switch, with an announcement made several months prior to the actual release date. The Switch was officially announced in October 2016 and was released in March 2017.
Switch 2 Specifications Leak
- CPU: Custom Nvidia ARM SoC “DRAKE” (T239)
- GPU: Nvidia Ampere architecture
- CUDA colors: 1280
- Display: 8-inch LCD
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 64 GB
According to sources from Reuters, it has been confirmed that the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will be powered by a custom Nvidia chip. This news was initially discovered in May of 2022. Leaker Kopite7Kimi has revealed that the Switch will utilize a custom Nvidia SoC called the T239, with a codename of DRAKE. Similar to its predecessor, the SoC will be based on ARM technology.
Adding an Ampere-based GPU to the Switch 2 would enable the console to utilize advanced rendering techniques such as DLSS 2 super-resolution and DLSS 3.5 ray reconstruction. However, do not anticipate any frame generation capabilities on the device. One advantage of remaining with an ARM SoC is the potential for the Switch 2 to have backward compatibility, as rumored in various reports.
While there has been no official confirmation, early reports from reliable sources indicate that fans should temper their expectations, especially in regards to the performance of the rumored Switch 2. Specifically, according to Dr. Serkan Toto from GameIndustry.biz, the new model will likely be more of an evolution rather than a complete overhaul.
Court documents from Microsoft also indicated that the Switch 2 may have comparable power to the PS4 and Xbox One.
On an episode of his ‘Broken Silicon’ podcast, YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead revealed that the upcoming Switch 2 may have a faster clock speed in docked mode than initially anticipated. During a conversation with fellow YouTuber The Phawx, he mentioned that sources have informed him of a lower clock speed for undocked mode in order to enhance the battery life compared to its predecessor.
Switch Two Features
With the addition of DLSS, Nintendo would be able to surpass initial expectations with the Switch 2, as is currently being seen with weaker PCs. This could lead to the possibility of achieving 4K gaming by utilizing Nvidia’s super-resolution AI algorithms to enlarge the image.
On a laptop with a 3050 processor, we were able to significantly increase performance by utilizing DLSS 2, while hardware compatible with DLSS 3 showed substantial improvements.
Nvidia’s current focus is on DLSS, however, we do not anticipate the inclusion of any feature similar to frame generation. It is worth noting that the SoC will still need tensor cores to support DLSS.
The upcoming Switch 2 is expected to feature DDR5 RAM, providing a significant increase in performance. The amount of RAM that will be used is still unknown, but it is worth noting that current Nvidia SoCs, such as the Jetson Nano, utilize 8 GB. However, there are versions of the Switch that use 16 GB and a development kit with 64 GB. It is unlikely that the Switch 2 will have more than 16 GB of RAM, and it is more likely to have 8 GB.
Nintendo should consider utilizing either an NVMe or eMMC drive for storage. These types of drives, specifically the 2230 variant, are commonly used in devices such as the Steam Deck and are also cost-effective. However, it is worth noting that Nintendo has a strong stance against self-repair, so it is possible that they may opt for a non-removable storage solution that is directly soldered onto the motherboard.
Switch 2 Controller Rumors
According to a recent leak by Modapad, a Switch accessory manufacturer, the upcoming Switch 2 will still utilize Joy-Cons as its controllers. While there have been very few rumors or leaks about the successor’s controllers, Modapad posted on their official Facebook and Bilibili social media pages that the Switch 2 Joy-cons will have an electromagnet system for connecting instead of the usual rail system on the current Nintendo Switch models.
Modapad also revealed that the upcoming Joy-Cons will have a larger, more comfortable design, and will feature metal SL and SR buttons. The leaked information also mentions the addition of new buttons on the controllers, with one located behind each Joy-Con and another below the ‘Home’ button.
Although the new electromagnetic connection system may suggest that current Joy-cons will become outdated, Modapad clarifies that the Switch 2’s Bluetooth chip will be compatible with all existing Joy-Cons and Pro controllers.
Although Modapad provided new information about the Joy-Cons, there was no indication of whether Nintendo plans to invest in Hall Effect sticks. The issue of Joy-Con drift has been a persistent concern throughout the lifespan of the Nintendo Switch. In fact, it became such a significant problem that in 2023, Nintendo offered free repairs to Switch owners in the UK, European Economic Area, and Switzerland for their controllers.
With the implementation of Hall Effect sticks, the issue of stick drift may become a thing of the past for the Switch 2. This could give the upcoming console a significant advantage over its predecessor, which was plagued by drift problems. On September 7th, 2024, Nintendo filed a patent in the US detailing the use of a magnetic field to transmit controller movements for the Switch 2. This suggests that Nintendo may be incorporating hall-effect sticks into their new console.
Switch 2 design rumors
Regarding the Dock, a recent patent has been discovered showcasing a potential new design for an official Nintendo Switch dock. The concept includes a swiveling back panel for the input/output ports, giving users the flexibility to adjust the dock’s positioning to fit their TV or monitor arrangement.
The ‘swivel block’, a rotating section created by Nintendo, has been deemed an adequate solution for managing cables. It is unclear whether this patent is intended for the Switch 2 or if it is a concept for a potential future product.
Switch 2 Display Leaks and Rumors
According to Omida analyst Hiroshi Hayase, the upcoming handheld, known as the Switch 2, will be equipped with at least one eight-inch LCD screen. This information was reported by Hayase in an interview with Bloomberg.
A recent rumor suggests that the upcoming Switch 2 may have two screens, as evidenced by a Nintendo patent. This could potentially reintroduce the popular dual-screen feature seen in the Wii U and DS lineup. Additionally, this could serve as a means for Nintendo to remaster old titles and introduce a unique feature for the console.
Unfortunately, the absence of an OLED display on the Switch 2 may be perceived as a regression, but this could be attributed to efforts to reduce costs and offer a more affordable price for consumers. Additionally, the potential 8-inch screen would be significantly bigger than the original Switch, which initially featured a 6.2-inch screen.
Switch 2 Price Speculation
Experts anticipate that the initial price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will be approximately $400. This places the portable console in competition with other models such as the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. However, considering Nintendo’s business strategy, there is a possibility that the company may initially sell the device at a loss in order to attract a larger customer base for its software and accessories, ultimately generating profits in the long run.
Due to the anticipated increase in hardware capabilities and the potential addition of new features due to the inclusion of an onboard Nvidia chip, it is likely that the Switch 2 will have a slightly higher price point compared to its predecessor.
Despite the possibility that this could still be true, the decreasing costs of flash storage and RAM for manufacturers could potentially result in the system being less expensive than originally predicted.
After carefully examining the handheld market, Nintendo may only view Valve as a significant rival. While the Switch 2 will not have a similar price point as the ROG Ally, it is expected to be priced at $399, which is on par with Valve’s Steam Deck.
Is the Switch 2 backwards compatible?
Based on recent reports, the upcoming Switch 2 will have compatibility with the original Nintendo Switch cartridges. Modapad confirms that the Switch 2 will support playing cartridges from the original Switch. Additionally, the Switch accessory manufacturer responsible for the leaked Joy-con images shared that the upcoming console will be able to run Switch 2 cartridges, but the original Switch models will not be able to read them.
This scenario is comparable to the 3DS, which allowed for the use of Nintendo DS carts. While the 3DS enabled users to play their DS carts on the recently released handheld device, it did not support the use of older Nintendo DS carts.
Although physical games may be compatible with the Switch 2, it is uncertain if the same will apply to digitally purchased games, such as the ones available through Nintendo Switch Online and the NSO Expansion Pack. This can only be speculated at this time.
The introduction of the Nintendo Switch allowed users to have access to a variety of NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Genesis, and N64 games through a subscription service. In the past, older games for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U could only be purchased digitally from their individual Virtual Console storefronts.
Despite the eShop being its own separate entity when the Nintendo Switch first debuted, previously purchased digital games could not be transferred from older hardware. However, the fact that Nintendo continues to frequently update the NSO game libraries even after seven years is a promising indication that these games may still be accessible on the potential Switch 2.
What games will be on the Switch 2?
Nintendo has yet to confirm or announce any games for the Switch 2. However, the recent reveal of Pokemon Legends Z-A at the Pokemon Presents showcase has led to speculation that it could potentially be a launch title for the upcoming Switch 2. This highly anticipated game, set to release in March 2025, is the next installment in the Pokemon Legends Arceus series specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch platform. The release date aligns with the rumored launch date of the Switch 2, adding to the excitement and anticipation for both the game and the console.
Nintendo has already revealed several upcoming games in the works, including Metroid Prime 4, which does not currently have a set release date. According to a reliable Nintendo insider, a fresh installment in the Starfox series may also be in development for the Switch 2. This speculation is backed by the discovery of Nintendo’s patent filings for the ‘Starfox’ name in November of 2023.
Despite ongoing rumors, it remains uncertain if a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey will be released. Recent games such as Super Mario Wonder, Super Mario RPG Remake, and the upcoming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake have been released, leading fans to speculate about a potential Odyssey sequel. However, it is possible that Nintendo is reserving this sequel for the anticipated Switch 2, although no official announcements have been made regarding its development.
Currently, we can only make educated guesses about the potential games that will be available on the upcoming Switch successor at its release.
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