The Nintendo Switch 2 has a lot to live up to. As the successor to one of the best-selling consoles of all time, expectations for the new gaming device are sky high.
Nintendo has been here before. When it was under pressure to follow up on the successful Wii console, it released the disappointing Wii U. However, the Japanese company bounced back by single-handedly resurrecting handhelds with the launch of the beloved Switch in 2017.
And fortunately, the buzz around the Switch 2 sounds positive. The console is said to offer a significant leap in graphics power, support for a ton of new games and older titles to boot.
Here's what you need to know about the new device, including its rumored release date, price and features.
Nintendo Switch 2 features
With Nintendo abandoning all hopes of an upgraded Switch Pro in 2019, some thought the company was shifting its focus to a next-generation console.
Nintendo, in turn, announced last May that it did not plan to release new hardware in 2023. Notably, it still hasn't officially announced its next video game system. Nevertheless, the rumor mill went into overdrive this summer with a flurry of news all but confirming the Switch 2's existence.
Design
In July, VGC quoted high-profile figures claiming that Nintendo was sticking to the Switch's hugely successful design formula with a fully portable new device.
A games industry analyst recently agreed with his own prediction that the next Switch will "likely be an iteration rather than a revolution."
Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told Gameindustry.biz that while Nintendo could add some "bells and whistles" to the new device, it would be similar to the current Switch.
Display
However, the Switch 2's display may initially seem like a downgrade in some ways. It's likely that an LCD panel like that of the original Nintendo Switch will be used. The 2021 Switch OLED has much deeper blacks, higher brightness and much greater contrast.
Graphic
Behind closed doors, Nintendo has reportedly demoed the new Switch with some impressive technology usually reserved for the latest consoles and PCs. According to VGC, the device includes Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology, allowing it to increase the visual resolution of a game using AI, meaning it could potentially upscale full HD to 4K quality. It also had ray tracing enabled, allowing it to produce incredibly realistic lighting effects.
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Nintendo Switch 2 games
With Nintendo keeping its new console under wraps, there's no word on what games it will offer. However, VGC said in July that developers were beginning to receive special hardware to test Switch 2 titles and software. This is known as a development kit and typically looks nothing like the final product released to the general public.
Additionally, Microsoft previously confirmed that it will release Call of Duty games on Nintendo consoles if the deal to buy Activision goes through, so perhaps we'll see Modern Warfare 3 on the Switch 2.
As part of its secret showcase in August, Nintendo apparently launched The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 tech demo - originally released to illustrate the power of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2021. Before you get too excited, it's important to note that that's not the case. That doesn't mean the new Switch will rival those machines in terms of performance.
Nintendo, for its part, has vaguely hinted that it might give players access to older games. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in June that the company wants to ensure a "smooth transition" to its next-generation hardware by allowing players to use the same Nintendo Account.
During the demonstration in August, Nintendo also showed off the new console with an improved version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This could indicate that it will offer next-gen editions of some games in the style of the PS5.
Price
VGC's sources also said that the console would use both cartridges and digital downloads, which could potentially increase the cost of Nintendo console games. Similar price increases have already occurred on Xbox and PS5.
Speaking of which, analyst Serkan Toto suggested that the console will be slightly more expensive than the current Switch, at $400, which works out to a UK price of £349.99-379.99.
For comparison, a Nintendo Switch OLED costs £309.99 direct from Nintendo today.
When is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
According to separate reports from VGC and Nikkei Asia, the next Nintendo console could arrive in 2024, but not until spring at the earliest.
Should I buy a Nintendo Switch?
Since Nintendo's next-generation device may be less than six months away, you might be wondering if it's still worth buying a Switch for yourself or the kids.
The good news is that the hybrid gaming gadget still has plenty of steam in the tank. A range of new Switch games should keep you entertained for the rest of the year and well into 2024.
Upcoming releases include Detective Pikachu Returns, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Princess Peach Showtime, Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD.
You also have three versions of the Switch to choose from: the original Switch, the Switch OLED with a sharper display, and the handheld-only Switch Lite. The latter of which would make a great addition to this Christmas, while older children and families can still get plenty of entertainment from the other editions.
When will the Nintendo Switch be discontinued?
For its part, Nintendo has confirmed that it will continue to support the Switch with new games until the end of March 2025.
Due to the console's immense popularity, it's safe to say that it will continue to function beyond that date. Finally, the 12.5 year old Nintendo 3ds handheld will lose online features next year.
