Nintendo Unveils New Gaming Hardware, But Is It the Switch 2?

Nintendo has made its first hardware announcement in what feels like an eternity, but it isn’t the much-anticipated Switch 2 that fans have been longing for.

The original Nintendo Switch made its debut in 2017, and since then, players have been eagerly hoping for a new, more powerful hybrid console to be unveiled.

Throughout 2024, speculations about the successor to the Switch have been rampant on various social media platforms, with many fans believing that an official announcement is imminent.

On October 9, 2024, Nintendo finally unveiled its first piece of new hardware, but surprisingly, it came in the shape of an interactive alarm clock.

Currently accessible to Nintendo Switch Online members in the United States and Canada, the Alarmo marks Nintendo’s foray into interactive alarm clocks.

In their announcement tweet, they exclaimed, “Wake up! The Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo is now available for early access for Nintendo Switch Online members in the US and Canada.”

“This innovative alarm clock allows you to set your wake-up time and choose from 35 delightful scenes inspired by five popular Nintendo titles. Additional titles will be added in the future!”

Wake up! Nintendo Sound Clock: #Alarmo is available for early access for Nintendo Switch Online members in the US and Canada! This interactive alarm clock lets you set a time and select from 35 scenes from across 5 Nintendo titles. More titles to be added later! pic.twitter.com/PzwoYn1xy3

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 9, 2024

Users can pick from scenes based on five different Nintendo games: Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4, and Ring Fit Adventure. After making a selection, a character from the chosen game will display on the alarm clock’s screen.

When the alarm rings, another character will appear as the volume escalates. If you happen to hit snooze, the alarm becomes increasingly intense, and the character will transform into a more persuasive figure. To illustrate this, Nintendo mentioned Peach and Bowser as examples of such characters.

Following the announcement, many fans took to social media to express their mixed feelings; while some were bemused yet interested in purchasing Alarmo, others clearly indicated it wasn’t the hardware update they were hoping for.

Ultimately, the hardware update they eagerly await is the long-rumored Nintendo Switch 2. Speculations suggest that this next-generation hybrid console could launch in 2025, with a potential reveal happening a few months prior.

Source