The Nintendo Switch 2: A Sneak Peek
The surprise January 16th, 2025 YouTube reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2's new form factor, accurately predicted by NateTheHate, sent ripples through the gaming community. While release date rumors had circulated for months, the official trailer finally gave us a glimpse. Let's dive into what we know so far:
Table of Contents
- Size
- Design
- Internal Specs
- Release Date
- Price
- Games
Size
The Switch 2 is noticeably larger than its predecessor. While precise dimensions weren't given, insiders suggest a height of 116 mm, width of 270 mm, and thickness of 14 mm – significantly larger than the original Switch. An 8-inch screen is rumored, compared to the OLED Switch's 7-inch display.
Image: x.com
Design
The Joy-Cons boast a magnetic connection secured by recessed contacts, eliminating the previous fragility concerns. Larger, metallic SL and SR buttons enhance the magnetic hold, preventing accidental detachment. This design necessitates screen bezels. The Joy-Con holders have been redesigned for side insertion, and the buttons are slightly larger. Hall effect sensors in the joysticks promise reduced drift. However, the IR camera is absent, potentially impacting backward compatibility for certain titles like Ring Fit Adventure.
Image: youtube.com
A top bezel USB Type-C port and microphone suggest potential wired joystick support and in-game voice chat.
Image: youtube.com
Internal Specs
Details remain scarce until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct. However, speculation points towards PlayStation 4 and Xbox One comparable power, with potential for Quad HD resolution in docked mode. Insiders suggest:
- Processor: Custom Nvidia Tegra T239
- RAM: 12 GB
- Storage: 256 GB
- Memory Card Support: microSDHC, microSDXC, microSD Express
- Screen: LCD, 8 inches
The absence of an OLED model at launch is unexpected, but the specs are promising. Many AAA titles and potentially Genshin Impact are anticipated.
Image: youtube.com
Release Date
NateTheHate predicts a May release at the earliest, with June being more likely. The official date will be revealed in April, coinciding with the "Nintendo Switch 2 Experience" tour (April 4th onwards), allowing hands-on demos. Registration closes January 26th.
Image: nintendo.com
Tour Dates:
- New York — 04/04-06/04
- Paris — 04/04-06/04
- Los Angeles — 11/04-13/04
- London — 11/04-13/04
- Berlin — 25/04-27/04
- Dallas — 25/04-27/04
- Milan — 25/04-27/04
- Toronto — 25/04-27/04
- Tokyo — 26/04-27/04
- Amsterdam — 09/05-11/05
- Madrid — 09/05-11/05
- Melbourne — 09/05-11/05
- Seoul — 31/05-01/06
- Hong Kong — To be announced
- Taipei — To be announced
Price
Speculation ranges from €349 to €399, but confirmation awaits the Nintendo Direct.
Image: stuff.tv
Games
Mario Kart 9, featuring 24-player online support and redesigned item boxes, was showcased. Further announcements are expected at the Nintendo Direct. User speculation includes titles like Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more.
Image: youtube.com
Stay tuned for the April Nintendo Direct for the full picture!
