Nintendo unveiled the highly anticipated Switch 2 on January 16, 2025, showcasing notable design and ergonomic enhancements. The console is larger, with two USB-C ports and a redesigned kickstand. The new Joy-Con controllers feature a fresh design and additional functionality. The Switch 2 is backward compatible with existing games and will introduce a new Mario Kart title. While technical specifications remain unclear, a Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025, promises further details.
Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled: Exciting New Features and Design
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo finally revealed the highly anticipated Switch 2 through an engaging presentation video that showcased a variety of innovative features.
What We Know About the Switch 2
While Nintendo remains tight-lipped about the technical specifications, performance, and pricing of the new console, the initial presentation highlights significant changes in design and ergonomics. The Switch 2 maintains the core essence of the original Switch while introducing several hardware enhancements.
First and foremost, the Switch 2 is noticeably larger, wider, and thicker than its predecessor. It now boasts two USB-C ports, allowing users to charge the console while enjoying gameplay. The redesigned U-shaped kickstand provides better stability, and the docking station has been given a rounder aesthetic. As with the original Switch, a separate controller grip is available for attaching Joy-Con controllers.
The Joy-Con controllers have also received a makeover. They now come in black with colorful accents and attach to the console’s side rather than sliding on. A new button situated beneath the home button on the right Joy-Con has been noted, which had been hinted at in previous leaks. Furthermore, the video suggests that the Joy-Con may function similarly to a computer mouse, enhancing its versatility. The SL and SR buttons on the Joy-Con are also larger than those on the original model.
Good news for gamers: the Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible, allowing players to enjoy their existing Switch games on the new console. The video confirms compatibility with both physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles, alongside new games exclusive to the Switch 2.
Additionally, Nintendo is preparing to launch a new Mario Kart title, though details regarding the game remain sparse. The last major installment, Mario Kart 8, was released in 2014 and saw an enhanced version for the Switch three years later.
What Remains Unknown
The original Nintendo Switch features a 6.2-inch LCD screen with HD resolution, while the OLED model upgraded to a 7-inch OLED screen, providing vibrant colors and deeper blacks. Rumors indicate that the Switch 2 may come equipped with a larger screen (exact dimensions yet to be confirmed) and could potentially support a 1080p resolution in handheld mode, although this has not been officially verified.
Information regarding the chipset remains elusive, but speculation suggests it may utilize an Nvidia chip with performance levels comparable to a PS4 Pro or Xbox Series S. However, these details have yet to be confirmed in the presentation video, and further information about onboard technologies, including DLSS-type supersampling, is still pending.
As for the launch lineup, there has been no official announcement regarding the new games set to debut alongside the console, apart from the Mario Kart images. Fans will have to wait for the upcoming Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025, for comprehensive details about the technical specifications, pricing, and precise release date, with 2025 confirmed as the launch window.
Additionally, Nintendo plans to showcase the Switch 2 in various cities, including Paris, from April 4 to 6 at the Grand Palais.