It took some time, but they finally got 2 it
Rumors, leaks, insiders, shady business dealings, lawyer ninjas — it was all there over the last few months as we anxiously awaited Nintendo’s announcement of their next console. Well, we can forget all of that now; Nintendo has formally revealed the Switch 2.
The news came in a mini teaser video that the company released across social platforms on Thursday morning, with just a lite look at what the console can do. It didn’t show much in the way of games, but we’re expecting to hear more in the next few weeks as promotion ramps up. A Switch 2 exclusive Nintendo Direct will take place on April 2, 2025.
Now, the goods:
The Switch 2 is the official name, so expect all of the marketing focused on definitely letting us know that we can do a lot “2 gether.”
The screen is bigger (than the original Switch). There wasn’t a comparison to the OLED Switch but initial comparisons paint it larger.
The Joy Con now attach magnetically, popping in sideways and locking with a pin that can also pop them out. Most intriguing is that the Joy-con seem to have an optical sensor built in, allowing users to flip the controllers on their side to use as a mouse. The video shows the two controllers racing around on a surface while perpendicular to it. They’re also larger. They have colored edges, which align to similar colors on the inside of the Switch 2 screen for more obvious visual alignment. No more sticking the MINUS in the PLUS side and getting it jammed.
A new button is on the right Joy Con, but no word on what that does (though we have our ideas). It’s unlabeled in this video.
There’s now a second USB-C on top of the device, likely for attachments or to allow for charging when the Switch 2 is in tabletop mode.
The kickstand on the back is now U-shaped.
The Switch 2 will be able to play exclusive games as well as almost all digital and physical Switch 1 games, with some not being compatible (think about Mario Kart Live and LABO, as they’re hardware/cardboard and JoyCon size specific).
That’s all we know about the actual device so far — no power specs, not visual upgrades. Those will come in the April Direct.
The Switch 2 will arrive in 2025.
Source: Nintendo
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