Nintendo Switch 2 – Switch 2 Release Date & Rumors

Many gamers would like to upgrade their Nintendo Switch. The last time they were given such an opportunity was in October 2021. Then the Nintendo Switch OLED went on sale, which did not undergo any significant changes compared to the first model. After 3 years, users would like to see a more innovative and productive console that can support rich graphics without losing quality. Will the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 satisfy them? So far the manufacturer has not provided any details, but we can already assume some things from the Switch 2 rumors.

When is the Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date?

Nintendo has promised that the console will be presented before the end of the fiscal year, which points us to the period until April 2025. Of course, customers understand that the console cannot be released earlier, since it has not even been officially announced yet. However, in September, possible Nintendo Switch 2 leaks were spotted online. It strengthened the belief that Switch 2 will be released in the first quarter of 2025.

Switch 2 Rumored Release Date

So far we don’t have any exact dates other than abstract indications from the company itself, that are pointing to April 2025. The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal is possible at The Game Awards on December 12. Otherwise, we won’t get any info on when the Switch 2 is coming out until mid-January as the entire industry usually quiets down during the holidays.

Nintendo Switch 2: Price Speculation

At launch, the Nintendo Switch cost $259, and the updated version of the Nintendo Switch OLED cost $349. Nintendo usually tries to win the attention of buyers with a lower price than its competitors. The Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles cost in the range of $500-700. From this we can conclude that the price of the new Switch 2 model will be around $400.

Switch 2 Potential Specs

Nintendo Switch is equipped with an Nvidia Tegra X1 chip and only 4GB of RAM, so it pretty much needs an upgrade. Nintendo Switch 2 will probably have an eight core Cortex-A78AE processor added with 8GB of RAM to enjoy a high-quality game without losing speed of reactions. The console will also receive 64GB of internal eMMC storage. Additionally, the Switch 2 is likely to continue supporting microSD cards, allowing users to expand their storage further. On the most recent Nintendo Switch 2 leaks the parameters of 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage were indicated, but with such improvements, Nintendo won’t be able to fit into a $400 budget, so it is unlikely. In addition to this, the console is supposed to have a 7-inch OLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and a significantly larger battery for playing longer in the handheld mode.

There are also rumors about an update to the JoyCon controllers. Presumably, they will become more ergonomic and tactile, and will also receive rear buttons, an infrared sensor and haptic feedback. PS5 controllers have a similar system. Infrared sensors provide faster responses to movement, and haptic feedback allows players to sense textures and subtle changes in the game, ensuring deep immersion. Switch 2 may also receive an updated cooling system, since the original console received a lot of criticism due to overheating, especially when playing games with complex graphics for a long time and in docked mode. A possible solution to overheating may be to install a processor with lower power consumption. Additionally, the Switch 2 might support ray tracing for more realistic lighting and shadows in games, elevating the visual experience even further.

As for AI, the company is not going to implement it in the future Switch model, since the peculiarities of artificial intelligence can lead to problems with the use of copyrights. Another potential improvement could be the incorporation of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology to enhance frame rates and resolution without much impact on performance. But most of all, gamers will be pleased about the new console being backward-compatible, which means they can continue playing their all-time favourite games from the original Switch on its successor. While the Switch 2 specs may not look too stellar, you can still expect the console to perform well in the game.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price

We estimate Nintendo Switch 2 to cost $399. The final price will depend on the characteristics that the console will eventually get. Prices for top games for the new console will now rise up to $70, which may upset players.

Nintendo Switch 2: Latest News and Rumors

The upcoming release of Nintendo Switch 2 has gathered a lot of rumors around it. Most of all, players are interested in the following.

Nintendo Switch 2 Games

There are several Nintendo Switch 2 news about the release of compatible games.

Yuka-Replaylee: at the end of the recent trailer for the upcoming Yuka-Laylee remake, logos of the platforms on which the game will be available were presented. Among them, the updated Nintendo logo appeared. This may mean that the game will be compatible with the new Switch.
Final Fantasy XIV: Naoki Yoshida, the director of the MMORPG Final Fantasy 14, mentioned in one of his interviews that he would like everyone to have access to the game ‘regardless of device’. Speaking of the future Nintendo system, he said ‘we’ll try our best’ to have the game available. Which may mean that we were hinted at the release of the first third-party game for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Legend of Zelda: another title that has been speculated to launch with the Switch 2. It is “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”, or, as it is also called “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2”. This game features highly detailed graphics that will showcase the new console to its full potential. So far, this is the most impressive announcement among possible games for Switch 2.
Mario Kart: there is also talk of a new version of everyone’s favorite Mario Kart game being in development specifically for the next Nintendo console. So loyal fans can look forward to the return of their favorite heroes, along with new characters and challenges.

Nevertheless, the Nintendo company continues to release products for existing consoles. For example, this Christmas, customers are offered to purchase a Nintendo Switch OLED Super Mario Bros.Wonder bundle that includes a Nintendo Switch OLED console, a copy of Super Mario Bros.Wonder and a 12 month Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Will Switch 2 be backward-compatible?

The other good Nintendo news about the Switch 2 is that the company has officially confirmed that the next Nintendo console will be backward-compatible with its predecessors. Information about this appeared way back in June 2023 after hints from the Nintendo manager, which greatly excited fans. Backward compatibility of consoles allows players to preserve their wide library of games and save money on purchasing new titles. Nintendo has released backwards compatible consoles in the past, and users were excited to try out old games on the new hardware. For example, the Wii allowed gamers to enjoy GameCube titles, and the Wii U supported Wii games. Thus, customers are not afraid to lose money invested in their favorite games and can continue to enjoy them, but with improved graphics and additional features of the new hardware. Such a compatibility system makes it easier for users to switch from older consoles and encourages them to purchase new models.

Could the Nintendo Switch 2 be compatible with GameCube controllers?

Presumably, new Nintendo GameCube controllers are in development. For now, we can’t say if this has anything to do with the Switch 2 release. The GameCube library would be a great addition to Nintendo Switch Online. There are also discussions about whether Nintendo will introduce another line of accessories with the Switch 2 to enhance the gaming experience.

FAQ

Will Nintendo’s next-gen console be called Switch 2?

In online Switch 2 leaks no new name is mentioned. The company itself is still calling the future console “the Nintendo Switch successor”. The Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa mentioned the next Switch model during an earnings call several times. When asked about the name, he replied that ‘At this stage, we cannot say anything more about the successor to Nintendo Switch,’ and ‘For today’s announcement, we determined that the most appropriate expression to use was ‘successor to Nintendo Switch.’ Information will be released in stages leading up to the launch, as we have done with previous new hardware announcements.’

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 coming soon?

When is the Nintendo Switch 2 coming out? It is expected to hit shelves in the spring of 2025. In November 2024, Nintendo’s president declared that the successor to the Nintendo Switch would be released no later than April 2025. Indeed, Nintendo usually makes big launches towards the end of the Japanese fiscal year, which ends in March. Despite the lack of official information, the video review leaked online in September 2024 indicated that the console is in the final stages of development or already in production. This strengthens the belief that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released in the first quarter of 2025.

Will Switch 2 be a hybrid handheld console, like Switch?

It was the hybrid console format that allowed the original Switch model to become so popular. The new Nintendo Switch 2 will be released in the same format with possibility to use it both on-the-go and in docked mode. There are even some improvements expected for the console’s overall portability. It could become lighter, more tactile, and have longer battery life for handheld play. There’s no reason for Nintendo to abandon its most successful formula.

Will Switch 2 be backward-compatible?

Yes, fortunately for users, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with previous consoles. This information has already been confirmed by company representatives. This feature will allow players to save their library of favorite games and try them all on the new Nintendo Switch 2 with improved graphics and performance. Previously, Nintendo has already released models that support content from their predecessors, and they are not going to disappoint this time.

Could the Nintendo Switch 2 have VR support?

We remember that Nintendo experimented with VR as part of the VR Labo Kit. But creating full-fledged VR support for Switch 2 would be too expensive. VR technology requires a lot of expensive resources to make the immersive experience complete. This would greatly increase the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. Therefore, you should not expect VR in this update. Overall, Nintendo’s focus remains on producing affordable hybrid consoles, and we see no signs of them actively working on introducing VR options into the range.

Could the Nintendo Switch 2 support 4K?

Nintendo users want to see the next Switch having a 4K option which is already present in competing consoles. However, company’s France General Manager Philippe Lavoué has previously stated that they do not see any good reason to invest in 4K technology yet, as it has not been widely adopted by most of the audience. Nevertheless, there is still some hope among fans that the Switch 2 might support 4K, at least when docked to the TV. The technology would provide a crisper and more detailed image in games that are developed to take advantage of higher resolutions.

Do we know the Nintendo Switch 2 price?

The Nintendo Switch 2 price will fluctuate around $400. This conclusion can be drawn from the prices of previous models and competing consoles. This pricing policy will again make the Switch more attractive compared to the same PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which cost between $500 and $700. We will see the final price tag closer to the Nintendo Switch 2 release date. The game prices will now reach $70. We may also get consoles with options of expanded storage and RAM, which, of course, should cost more.