Nintendo Switch 2: Everything we Know so far!!

After eight years of the current Switch dominating the market, Nintendo fans—myself included—are eager for a next-gen successor that can keep up with the modern gaming landscape.

With competition from the likes of Sony and Microsoft intensifying, it’s about time Nintendo stepped up their hardware game, and from all the clues and leaks we’ve gathered so far, it looks like that’s exactly what they’re planning.

The Anticipated Reveal and Release of the Nintendo Switch 2

Let’s get right into it—when can we expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to drop? According to statements made by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, the announcement for the successor to the Switch will be made within this fiscal year, which wraps up by March 31st, 2025.

However, several signs indicate we may not have to wait that long.

Customs data suggests that Nintendo has already ramped up the production of key parts for the new system, signaling that mass production may kick off soon.

If that’s the case, the risk of leaks increases significantly—something Nintendo would want to avoid by announcing the console sooner rather than later.

Another big factor is the game release schedule for 2025, which appears unusually vague beyond January. Typically, we’d see more upcoming titles being laid out for the year ahead.

The vacuum of information here suggests that Nintendo could be holding back details to make way for the new console’s game lineup. A plausible theory circulating is that we could get an official announcement before November 5th, during Nintendo’s next financial briefing.

This would also allow the company to avoid getting hammered by investors with questions about their future console plans.

What’s New in the Nintendo Switch 2?

While we eagerly await the official announcement, leaks and insider reports have already given us a decent idea of what to expect from the Nintendo Switch 2 in terms of hardware.

The most significant leak dates back to 2022, when Nvidia’s internal documents revealed details of a custom chip designed specifically for the Switch 2. The chipset, known as Nvidia T239, suggests a considerable leap in performance compared to the original Switch.

This Nvidia T239 chip is rumored to feature eight Cortex-A78C CPU cores and a GPU based on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture (the same architecture that powers their GeForce RTX 30 series).

The buzz around this setup is that it will enable DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) support, leading to sharper, higher-quality visuals without the need for the console to output at high native resolutions.

With 1,536 CUDA cores, this is a far cry from what we’re currently used to on the Switch, marking a major step forward in terms of graphical fidelity and overall performance.

Additionally, customs data hints that the Switch 2 will pack 12GB of RAM—three times what the current Nintendo Switch OLED model offers. There’s also talk of 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage, a substantial upgrade from the 64GB of eMMC storage in the original Switch.

Not only will this boost storage capacity, but the switch to UFS 3.0 will also mean much faster data transfer rates, resulting in significantly reduced loading times for games.

Improved Display and Form Factor

Nintendo seems to be giving the Switch 2 a noticeable facelift, particularly when it comes to the display. Leaked reports suggest that the Switch 2 will sport a larger 8-inch Full HD LCD display, compared to the 6.2-inch 720p LCD panel found on the original Switch.

While some may miss the OLED display featured on the most recent Switch model, the increased resolution alone should make games look significantly sharper.

Of course, with a bigger screen comes a bigger console, and rumors indicate that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be closer in size to the Steam Deck.

If this holds true, we can expect a larger form factor overall, but still compact enough to retain the portability that has made the Switch such a hit with players worldwide.

Innovative Magnetic Controllers

One of the more exciting rumors revolves around the Switch 2’s controllers. Unlike the current Joy-Cons, which slide into place along the side rails of the console, the new controllers are said to use magnetic attachments.

This should make the process of snapping them on and off the console much smoother, as you can simply push the controllers onto the sides without the need for precise alignment.

This could also mean fewer mechanical parts, reducing the likelihood of Joy-Con drift, a well-documented issue that has plagued the current generation of Switch users.

These new controllers are also rumored to come with metal SR and SL buttons, and a mysterious additional button on the front of the right-hand controller, potentially geared towards social features or gameplay functionality.

What About Games?

A shiny new console is nothing without the games to back it up. And while official game announcements for the Switch 2 are still scarce, there are a few things we can infer.

For one, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision means that the Call of Duty franchise will be legally required to appear on Nintendo’s platforms for the next 10 years. This likely signals that Call of Duty will skip the current Switch and instead debut on the Nintendo Switch 2.

There’s also been news from the Pokémon front. A leak from Game Freak suggests that the upcoming 10th generation of Pokémon games may be targeting the Switch 2 for release, though a version for the original Switch could still be possible.

As with any new Nintendo console, you can also expect Super Mario, Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda, and Kirby titles to make an appearance at some point after launch.

The most reassuring rumor for current Switch owners, however, is the likelihood of backward compatibility. This means that you’ll be able to bring your existing Switch game library with you when you upgrade to the Switch 2, making the transition to the new system seamless.

---

While we still have some months to wait for an official announcement, the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place for what looks like a truly exciting next-gen console.

Nintendo Switch 2 seems poised to deliver the performance boost and new features fans have been craving, all while staying true to what made the original Switch so beloved.

I’ll be keeping a close eye on any new developments and leaks in the coming months, so stay tuned for the latest news on Nintendo’s next big thing.

In the meantime, it’s time to start planning what games from your Switch library you’ll want to revisit when the Nintendo Switch 2 finally arrives!