It's finally here! After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has officially unveiled its latest console: the Nintendo Switch 2. The name might sound understated, but a closer look reveals a host of intriguing enhancements and features that showcase the evolution of this beloved hybrid console. We've identified 30 fascinating details from the reveal trailer, and we're excited to share them all with you.
From innovative face buttons to new ways of utilizing the Joy-Con, here's everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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01 - The Switch 2 retains a similar form factor to its predecessor, though it's slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con are both bigger, with the entire console estimated to be around 15% larger than the original Switch.
02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the past are replaced with a sleek, uniform dark grey, giving the console a more refined, Steam Deck-like aesthetic.
03 - Despite the monochromatic exterior, the console pays homage to the original's colorful design with a ring of red and blue around each analog stick. This color-coding extends to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con, making it easy to match red to red and blue to blue.
04 - The Joy-Con no longer slide into place via rails; they now slot directly into the device with a protruding connector on the main unit. Rumors suggest these are held in place by magnets, similar to Apple's Magsafe technology.
05 - A new trigger system on the rear of each Joy-Con allows for easy release from the main unit. A brief demonstration video on Nintendo.com shows a piston-like mechanism that pushes the controller away from the console when the trigger is squeezed.
06 - The classic control layout on the Joy-Con's front remains, with off-set analog sticks, direction buttons, A, B, X, and Y face buttons, Plus and Minus buttons at the top, and the square capture button on the left and circle Home button on the right.
07 - A mysterious new button sits below the Home button, its purpose currently known only to Nintendo.
08 - The L and R shoulder buttons are in their expected positions, with deeper and more rounded ZL and ZR triggers beneath them, promising improved comfort and ease of use.
09 - The analog sticks feature a low-profile design with a smaller inside ring radius and thicker, taller rims for enhanced thumb grip and support.
10 - The NFC Amiibo interface is absent from the right Joy-Con, though it may still be present invisibly as it was in the original Switch. The IR sensor from the original right Joy-Con appears to be gone, likely due to its limited use in games.
11 - The SL and SR buttons on the internal edges of the Joy-Con are retained, allowing each Joy-Con to function as a standalone controller. These buttons are significantly larger—potentially up to four times the size of those on the original Switch—promising easier use.
12 - The four green LEDs indicating player assignment have moved to the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.
13 - Between the SL and SR buttons, the connector port links each Joy-Con to the main console unit, with the Sync button below it for pairing.
14 - An intriguing clear lens above the connector port could be a laser sensor similar to those in computer mice, hinting at new mouse-like functionalities for the Joy-Con. The trailer suggests this with Joy-Con skating around with wrist-strap accessories attached, resembling mice with tails.
15 - The wrist-straps return in a new design, matching the red and blue color splash inside each Joy-Con.
16 - The main console unit boasts a larger screen, taking up more space than the original Switch's display. While not edge-to-edge like the Switch OLED, the technology used remains unclear, though it could be a traditional LED panel.
17 - The top edge features slightly redesigned power and volume buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a ventilation grill split into three vents instead of five.
18 - The Game Card slot remains on the top edge, suggesting backwards compatibility with the original Switch's game cartridges.
19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack on the top edge adds intrigue. While the Switch 2 has a bottom-mounted USB C port for docking and charging, this additional port might support new USB-based peripherals or even old-school link cables for games like Pokémon.
20 - Downward-firing speakers replace the original Switch's rear-facing speakers, promising improved sound quality.
21 - A new kickstand system spans the entire length of the console's rear. Though it looks somewhat flimsy, rubber feet on the console's edges may help stabilize it. The kickstand can lock into multiple angles, including upright and nearly flat positions.
22 - The Switch 2 can still be docked to a TV, with the dock resembling the original but featuring rounded corners to match the Joy-Con and a prominent Switch 2 logo.
23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Con slot into is included, though it appears as uncomfortable as the original. Hopefully, hands-on experience will reveal improvements.
24 - The reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, showcasing a starting line that accommodates 24 racers—double the number in Mario Kart 8.
25 - A new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," appears to be set in an American-inspired environment with more open and off-road sections.
26 - Ten characters are confirmed for the roster: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario, who appears briefly as the screen flips.
27 - Backwards compatibility with old Switch games is confirmed, though the trailer notes that "certain games may not be supported," likely those requiring peripherals incompatible with the new Joy-Con design.
28 - The Switch 2 is set to launch sometime in 2025, within the next 12 months, though likely not before June.
29 - More details, including a possible release date, will be revealed during a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2nd.
30 - Following the direct, fans can experience the console firsthand at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a global tour from April to June. Starting in New York and Paris on April 4th, the tour will visit cities like London, Berlin, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Seoul. Entry is open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.
These are the 30 key details revealed in the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we approach the console's launch.
