Nintendo Switch 2: All You need to Know – Launch Date, Games, and More

The Nintendo Switch is arguably the most popular handheld console in the gaming community worldwide and is due for an upgrade soon. If you are among the countless people awaiting the next-gen Nintendo gaming console, pull up your pants because the launch date is already announced. Indeed, we are talking about the Nintendo Switch 2, the next big thing in the portable gaming console industry.

Thanks to Nintendo’s release of a trailer late last week, we now have concrete information about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. While detailed specifications have yet to arrive officially, leaks and speculations make it easier for us to tell you what the Switch 2 will be like. Stay tuned to learn more about it.

Hardware Changes

Nintendo released a first-look video for the upcoming Switch 2 on its YouTube channel not long ago. While there aren’t many apparent changes since Nintendo isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here, there are enough to appreciate compared to the original Switch, which launched in 2017. The Switch 2 looks precisely similar to the ones seen in renders released a few weeks ago.

For starters, the screen sees an upgrade, and the Nintendo Switch 2 is now going to feature a much bigger screen, seemingly an 8.4-inch FHD (1080p) display. While we can’t be sure if it will be an OLED screen like the Nintendo Switch OLED, the least we can expect from Nintendo is to follow up with an OLED version if the Nintendo Switch 2 resorts to a traditional LCD screen. For instance, the Switch and Switch OLED feature 6.2-inch and 7-inch displays, respectively, so this change will be substantial. The dimensions are also expected to be up by 10-15% because of this, whereas the thickness is said to be 31.4mm (including Joy-Cons) if the 91Mobiles report is to be considered. The Joy-Cons are also tipped to enjoy a size increment, making them easier to grip.

Other than that, the top includes a power ON/OFF button, volume rockers, a brand-new USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a game card slot, and a few other openings, possibly for the ambient light sensors of ventilation. Adding a USB Type-C port will allow for an improved charging and connectivity experience. At the bottom, we get the usual docking pins, front-firing speaker grills, and a second USB Type-C port. As for other physical changes, the back gets an upgraded U-shaped kickstand for added stability, and the right Joy-Con receives a new home button for easy navigation.

Speculated Specifications

According to Tom’s Guide, the Nintendo Switch 2 could use an Nvidia chipset instead of an AMD one. The Nvidia Tegra chip that’s expected to make an appearance inside the Nintendo Switch 2 is built using Samsung’s 5-nanometer fabrication process for enhanced efficiency. However, there have been no claims of other parameters, such as clock speed and other performance metrics.

What we do know is that the Nintendo Switch 2 will pack 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of onboard eMMC storage. While the Nintendo Switch 2 has never been comparable to a PlayStation or an Xbox, we would love to see UFS storage instead of eMMC because the former is far superior and faster. Leaks also suggest that the Switch 2 could use a dual-chip architecture to aid performance when connected to a 4K display or during other demanding tasks.

Although no concrete claims about Switch 2’s battery life have been made, u/Still_Bison1884 on Reddit reports that the battery housing seems smaller than the Switch OLED. It will be interesting to see how Nintendo manages to improve, or at least match, the battery life of its previous models. Not to forget, the power-hungry chipset, a bigger, brighter, and sharper display, and other features all contribute to reducing battery life. A few reports claim a runtime of about 4 hours in handheld mode, which is passable.

Exclusive Launch Titles and First Party Games

A console is nothing without its games, and the Nintendo Switch 2 will be no different. Leaving the hardwire aside, most people are waiting for the accompanying games, and we have some ready for you. Mario is Nintendo’s biggest cash cow, so there’s no uncertainty that the long-awaited Mario Kart 9 won’t launch alongside. After all, Nintendo has poured millions into it, plus Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is among the most popular games ever to exist.

In fact, the Nintendo Switch 2’s first-look trailer confirmed the existence of a new Mario Kart game. What’s even surprising is that the trailer supposedly featured the 24-player version of Mario Kart, which is a first and something that many of us have been waiting for. More details about the game are expected to follow soon after.

A surprising leak, sourced from Comicbook, suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 will supposedly be able to play AAA titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Final Fantasy 7. The list also includes other games, including Tekken 2 and the Bayonetta Trilogy. As per Tom’s Guide, Switch 2 could also introduce a brand-new 3D Mario game, but this has yet to be confirmed. All in all, there are enough compelling games to be excited about.

Spotted in the Wild

Thanks to its sheer popularity, Nintendo Switch never fails to attract eyeballs. The same can be said for the unreleased Switch 2, as there have been enough instances where some other companies, particularly the accessory manufacturers, have showcased a prototype to the public. There have been two prominent instances that can’t be overlooked. Spoiler alert: the second one is an insane giveaway of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

Dbrand, a renowned accessories manufacturer, has released the official render of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 as part of its Killswitch series of cases for portable gaming consoles. The 360-degree render is up on Dbrand’s website in all its glory as we speak, so it’s certainly not an accidental move. Although enclosed in a case, the model is an accurate representation of everything we have said so far, including the blue and orange color scheme.

What better than having a render or a CAD model? An actual prototype. That’s right; another accessory maker, Genki, showcased a 3D-printed mockup of the Nintendo Switch 2 at CES 2025 held in Las Vegas. What’s mind-blowing is that the prototype wasn’t enclosed in a case or some other accessory but a true-to-life replica of the upcoming console. It even had the magnetic Joy-Cons we discussed earlier in this article. Since it’s easier to get an idea of the sizing with an actual mockup, The Verge’s Antonio G. Di Benedetto could tell it’s a little smaller than the Steam Deck OLED. The mockup also included the latches used to detach the Joy-Cons from the main body.

New Feature Set

Nintendo Switch 2’s signature feature will be the magnetic Joy-Cons. That’s right; instead of the usual slide-in mechanism of the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2’s magnetic Joy-Cons will be a lot easier to attach and detach. Furthermore, this will open even more opportunities for accessory manufacturers to develop creative accessories for the Joy-Cons and the Switch 2 console.

Although we urge taking these with a pinch of salt, CNET’s report suggests the USB Type-C ports could be used for more than just charging – for connecting external displays, including smart glasses. Another underrated yet crucial feature confirmed by Nintendo is backward compatibility with the Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED. Thanks to the presence of a game card slot on the Switch 2, this applies to games, both physical and online. Although it’s more or less a given, Nintendo Switch 2’s titles may not be playable on the original Nintendo Switch due to hardware limitations.

Another interesting feature seemingly revealed in the first-look video was that the Joy-Cons were being used as mice using an attachment. The implementation presented wasn’t wireless, so we are unsure how intuitive it will be. What’s certain is that we will have yet another way to control the console, which could benefit games that require such a form of input.

Launch Timeline and Expected Pricing

With the release of the first-look video, Nintendo also revealed the launch date of its next-gen gaming console. The Nintendo Switch 2 will see the daylight on the 2nd of April, 2025. In the meantime, you can expect more leaks to lead the way. Moreover, you can experience the Switch 2 yourself after it launches by visiting the Nintendo Switch 2 experience zones in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The experience zones will also be set up in other countries, including Japan, Australia, and the UK.

As far as the pricing is concerned, Nintendo won’t risk pricing the console absurdly high and losing out on its customer base. Thankfully, Tom’s Guide reports the same, as the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be priced at $280 or 400 CAD. Considering the current-gen Nintendo Switch OLED sells for $349, the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 could be around $300. This also suggests that the Nintendo Switch OLED 2 could be in the works.

Buckle Up for the Rest

With the Nintendo Switch 2 launch being closer than ever, we cannot contain the excitement in the air and the gaming community. There’s a lot to look out for this time, including the updated specifications, next-gen games, a bigger display, and so much more. We can certainly tell that the Switch 2 will be among the most prominent launches of 2025 and will surely pave the way for other consoles to follow up later.