Nintendo Switch 2: What do we know about the new console?

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The Nintendo Switch 2, eagerly awaited by many gamers, is slowly taking shape. While no official release date has yet been announced, leaks and rumours are already making the rounds.

A more powerful processor, an improved OLED screen, magnetic Joy-Cons and so on.
But at what price? Will the Switch 2 be more expensive than the original?

We’ll have the answer in the coming months when Nintendo finally makes its new console official.
In the meantime, here’s a roundup of the most reliable Switch 2 rumours to date.

• What about Nintendo Switch?
• Nintendo Switch 2: release date?
• Screen
• Performance
• Controllers
• Will Nintendo Switch 2 be backwards compatible?
• Will there be multiple versions of the Nintendo Switch 2?
• Price
• FAQ Nintendo Switch 2

What about Nintendo Switch?

Originally released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch quickly became a huge success, becoming one of the most popular consoles in history. More than 141 million Switch consoles have been sold worldwide to date.

The Switch is a hybrid console, which means that it can be used both as a home console and as a portable console. Joy-Cons are multifunctional controllers that can be used in a variety of ways, including as traditional controllers, as standalone controllers or as controllers attached to the console.

The Nintendo Switch comes in 3 main models. The original Switch is the base model, with a 6.2-inch LCD screen and detachable Joy-Cons. The Switch OLED, released in October 2021, has a larger 7-inch OLED screen and upgraded speakers. Finally, the Switch Lite is a portable console only, with no dock or detachable Joy-Cons.

The Switch has won over a wide audience, and has been hailed for its innovation, versatility and library of quality games.

Nintendo Switch 2: release date?

In an X/Twitter post on 7 May 2024, Nintendo confirmed that an announcement regarding the Switch’s successor would arrive “sometime this fiscal year”. Does that mean the Nintendo Switch 2 could be released before 31 March 2025? That’s a mystery! Until then, we’re expecting several official announcements in order to learn more about the next console.

According to Tom’s Guide, reporting on Moore’s Law is Dead, the Switch 2 was originally planned for 2024. However, Nintendo has reportedly revised its plans and delayed the console’s release until 2025 to avoid supply problems.

If this is the reason, it would seem that the Japanese firm wants to avoid the pitfalls Sony encountered at the time of the launch of the PlayStation 5.

This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo. We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct…

— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) May 7, 2024

Screen

For several months now, debate has been raging over the Nintendo Switch 2’s screen specifications. On the one hand, some claim that the standard version of the console will feature an OLED screen, while others predict that Nintendo will opt for a simple LCD screen in order to reduce production costs.

According to Tom’s Guide, the Switch 2 will be bigger than the current generation. It would feature an 8″ screen and support 1080p resolution.

By comparison, the current Switch OLED has a 7″ screen and only supports 1080p when docked.

However, according to TechRadar, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature a 7″ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. What’s more, the next-generation docking station is said to be capable of supporting 4K resolution.

Performance

Aesthetics aside, gamers are expecting real performance improvements from the Nintendo Switch 2. Experts are hoping for a more powerful device, with improvements in RAM, processor power and GPU speed.

On that front, rumours are rife and somewhat contradictory. Tom’s Guide indicates that Nintendo is likely to opt for an Nvidia chip, certainly a new-generation version of the Tegra X1.

Further on, however, Tom’s Guide mentions the possibility of the Nintendo Switch 2 being equipped with an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Experts agree that such technical specifications would be extremely disappointing for a next-generation console.

With this in mind, Nintendo might be tempted to offer a more powerful Nintendo Switch 2 Pro or a docking station with an extra chip.

The Nintendo Switch dock is an essential accessory that offers a number of important features, including battery charging and video output with a TV screen. This new dock could be used to boost the console’s power and video output when connected to a 4K TV.

Controllers

According to Spanish media outlet Vandal, the Nintendo Switch 2 will use a new style of Joy-Con controller. The Joy-Con controllers will be magnetically attached to the console.

If true, this would be a major change from the rail system used on the current Switch. New Joy-Cons with magnets would be much easier to attach and remove from the Nintendo Switch. However, this would contradict some rumours suggesting that previous-generation Joy-Cons would be compatible with the Switch 2.

Nonetheless, Tom’s Guide goes on to claim that according to its sources, the Switch Pro Controller would be compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.

Will Nintendo Switch 2 be backwards compatible?

According to reports from Insider Gaming, the Nintendo Switch 2 could be backwards compatible and offer 4K resolution.

The prospect of a backwards-compatible Nintendo Switch 2 would be a godsend for current Switch owners. Imagine being able to rediscover your favourite games on a more powerful console, with improved graphics. It’s a promise of longevity for existing games and a convincing argument for those who are undecided.

As for 4K resolution in docked mode, it opens up interesting prospects for an even more immersive visual experience. If this information is confirmed, the Switch 2 could become a competitor to home consoles, while retaining its portable DNA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Y4c9FSkqg

Will there be multiple versions of the Nintendo Switch 2?

According to the leak relayed by Game Rant, the Switch 2 will be available in 2 distinct models:

• A Nintendo Switch 2 Digital Edition (without a cartridge drive)
• A Standard Nintendo Switch 2 (with a cartridge drive)

The digital model would not have a cartridge drive and would rely solely on downloads of dematerialised games. This more affordable option could appeal to gamers who already have a large collection of physical Switch games.

One of the biggest revelations from the leak is that the digital model of the Switch 2 would be priced at $400, while the standard edition would cost $50 more. This price increase is likely to be due to increased component costs and the development of new features.

Price

Officially, Nintendo has not yet announced the price of the Switch 2. However, a number of factors could influence the final price and push it upwards. If the Switch 2 features a more powerful processor and an OLED screen, these components could increase its production cost.

So it’s hard to say exactly how much the Switch 2 will cost, but it’s unlikely that the Switch 2 will be launched at the same price as the original Switch. Instead, it’s more likely to be more expensive than its predecessor, which was priced at £279.99 at launch.

TechRadar’s estimate for the Nintendo Switch 2 is £399.99 / $399.99.

For your information, here are the launch prices for the various Nintendo Switch models:

• Nintendo Switch: £279.99
• Nintendo Switch Lite: £199.99
• Nintendo Switch OLED: £309.99

We’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Nintendo to find out the final price of the Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is raising a lot of expectations among gamers. A more powerful processor, an OLED screen, new controllers and so on – there are plenty of potential benefits. However, questions remain, particularly about the price and release date. Will the Switch 2 live up to gamers’ expectations? Only time will tell.

FAQ Nintendo Switch 2

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This article is a translation of Louise Constant’s piece for our sister publication, Dealabs Magazine.

Check out the best Nintendo Switch deals on hotukdeals.