Switch 2: Everything we know about Nintendo's next console
Let's-a-go.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, with the successor to one of the best-selling consoles of all time launching in 2025.
The Switch 2 was unveiled towards the start of this year after months of rumours, leaks and speculation, with the first-look trailer showcasing the console's design, which is larger than its predecessor, its revised dock and the first game revealed for the system - a brand new Mario Kart.
While we've at long last gotten our first glimpse of the Switch 2, there's still plenty we don't know - including the exact release date, price and games line-up. More will be revealed in an upcoming Switch 2 Direct, and fans will also get a chance to go hands-on before the console hits shelves thanks to a Switch 2 public tour. If you can't wait for all this, we've rounded up everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 to help you prepare for the eagerly anticipated launch.
Switch 2 reveal
The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially revealed on Thursday 16th January 2025. Nintendo shadow dropped the reveal trailer for the Switch successor without any prior warning that an announcement was coming, though there were whispers a reveal was imminent.
You can watch the first-look trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 below:
As the trailer shows, the Nintendo Switch 2 like its predecessor is a hybrid console which can be played in portable mode like a handheld, or like a home console in docked mode. It also confirmed that the Switch successor, as widely expected, would simply be called the Nintendo Switch 2. This is the first time the Japanese gaming giant has opted to release a numbered follow-up to one of its consoles, and avoids a Wii U-style situation where parents, who don't really follow video games that closely, may not be aware whether the console is new or not.
The Switch 2 has a very similar design to its predecessor, albeit it's larger, the Joy-Cons feature more curved edges as well as an extra button, and it comes with a redesigned dock. The Switch 2 unit showcased in the trailer had a matte black colour scheme, but there's also fluorescent colour detailing at the base of the analogue sticks, and where the Joy-Cons connect to the Switch 2 console itself. We'll delve more into the Switch 2's design and features later on in this piece. If you want more reaction to the Switch 2's reveal, we've also got a Newscast that discusses everything we learned from the first-look trailer.
Switch 2 Direct
More details on the Switch 2 will be revealed in an upcoming Nintendo Direct. When the Switch 2 was revealed in January 2025 with a brief teaser trailer, Nintendo also announced a Direct dedicated to the Switch successor would be broadcast on Wednesday 2nd April 2025. Nintendo said the Direct will offer "a closer look at Nintendo Switch 2", and later revealed the exact time the Direct will begin. The Switch 2 Direct starts at 2pm BST, and if you're thinking of tuning in we've got a guide on where to watch the Nintendo Direct.
Switch 2 hands-on
If you can't wait to try out the Switch 2, Nintendo has announced there will be public events happening around the world where you can play the eagerly anticipated console prior to its launch. The hands-on events, which are officially called the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, will kick-off after the Switch 2 Direct, with the first event in the tour launching on Friday 4th April 2025 in New York. Invites to the Switch 2 hands-on have already been sent out to those lucky enough to get a ticket.
If you missed out when ticket registration opened in January, you can join a waitlist for the Switch 2 Experience and see if you can get tickets that will be offered on first-come, first-serve basis. Just bear in mind to attend one of the Switch 2 hands-on events you will need a Nintendo Account. If you managed to book a spot for one of the European dates, you will get four hours hands-on with the Switch 2, but the North American tour will offer shorter sessions of two and a half hours.
Switch 2 release date and price
The Nintendo Switch 2 could have a release date window of May or June 2025. That's according to "chatter" Chris Dring, the boss of GamesIndustry.biz, heard at The Game Awards 2024. Dring revealed this in an episode of The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast that was released in December 2024. With the Switch 2 Direct later getting announced for April 2025, and no launch for the console prior to then, it means the Switch successor will be hitting shelves more than eight years after the original Switch debuted in March 2017.
In terms of a price tag, the Nintendo Switch 2 is predicted to cost $400. That's according to Dr Serkan Toto, a respected analyst and founder of the Tokyo-based consultancy firm Kantan Games, who also claimed Switch 2 games could cost $70. A former Nintendo employee also predicts the Switch 2 will cost $400 and thinks it will release in June, just in time for the end of the school year so kids will have a shiny new console to play with during the summer holidays.
When the Switch 2 does hit shelves it should thankfully avoid the type of stock shortages that plagued the PS5 and Xbox Series X when those consoles debuted, and in the aftermath. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the component shortages which affected PS5 and Xbox Series X stock levels at launch, and led to scalping, won't be an issue for the Switch successor.
Switch 2 design and features
The Nintendo Switch 2 is sticking with the formula that made the original Switch one of the best-selling consoles of all time, which at last count has sold over 150 million units. Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 is a hybrid console that can be played as a handheld or a home console when docked. It has also been confirmed that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with both physical and digital Switch games, and the Nintendo Accounts system will help ease the move to the next-generation Switch. Apart from this though, exact specs for the console haven't been revealed yet, but the trailer showcased the Switch 2 will be larger than the original Switch and feature a redesigned dock which has more curved corners at the top, as well as a more flexible stand. The teaser also appeared to hint that the console's new Joy-Cons will feature the previously rumoured mouse functionality.
If, however, you were hoping the next-gen console will come with an upgraded display like the Switch OLED then you may be left disappointed. According to VGC, the Switch 2 could have an LCD screen instead of an OLED panel to help cut costs. Bloomberg also backed up these claims, and said the Switch 2 will have an eight-inch LCD screen. In comparison, the original Switch features a 6.2-inch LCD screen.
Opting for an LCD panel instead of an OLED will give Nintendo extra wiggle room in the budget, that could be set aside and used to add the additional internal storage the Switch 2 needs for modern games. In terms of what type of storage the Switch 2 could use, Digital Foundry thinks Nintendo could opt for eMMC storage, which is what the entry-level 64GB Steam Deck uses and offers faster load times than conventional hard drives (but not as speedy as an SSD).
In terms of other features, it's thought the Switch 2's Joy-Cons will connect to the main console using magnets. This was originally reported by the Spanish website Vandal, who said the Switch 2 will be replacing the current, fiddly rail system which is used to attach Joy-Cons onto the main Switch and Switch OLED consoles. This feature was later hinted at in the Switch 2 reveal trailer, which showed the Joy-Cons being drawn to and sticking to the main console like magnets. It later emerged that Nintendo toyed with the idea of adding magnetic Joy-Cons to the original Switch. Not only that, but in the aftermath of the Switch 2 reveal trailer a patent was published that detailed the way the upcoming console's's Joy-Cons will connect to the system via magnets, and how the wireless controllers can also be used like a PC mouse.
The new Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 could also make stick drift a thing of the past. As highlighted by Laura Kate Dale, Nintendo previously filed a patent for a new controller design which features Hall Effect joysticks. Unlike other setups, these sticks use magnets to detect movement and don't cause wear and tear on a stick's sensor. This type of stick has already appeared on the third-party Nyxi Wizard controller, and if it ends up being used on the Switch 2 it should mean the infamous stick drift issue doesn't cross over to the next-generation.
The big reveal of the Switch 2 came after multiple alleged leaks of the console's design, improved Joy-Cons and the motherboard, among others. Former staff later went on to claim the deluge of alleged leaks had left Nintendo "very, very upset".
Switch 2 specs
We first got an idea of what the Switch 2 would be capable of in the aftermath of Gamescom 2023. Nintendo's next console was demoed behind closed doors at the event, according to our sources and a VGC report. The Switch 2 is believed to be capable of visuals comparable to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, supports ray tracing, and the ability to run Unreal Engine 5.
Games that were reportedly showcased running on the Switch 2 were an enhanced version of Breath of the Wild and The Matrix Awakens, an Unreal Engine 5 demo that was previously released to showcase the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 may be capable of visuals comparable to the current generation of consoles, it doesn't mean the specs will be in the same ballpark. As VGC explained, the Switch 2 demo was believed to be running with Nvidia's DLSS upscaling.
This technology is expected to be a major feature of the custom Nvidia chip that leakers have said will power the Switch 2. Digital Foundry has taken a deep dive into this chipset and discussed how DLSS can be used to upscale native 720p visuals into 4K, among other things. It later emerged that Nintendo had filed a patent for upscaling tech that greatly reduces the amount of storage a 4K game would take up on a physical cartidge.
In terms of raw horsepower, it's thought on paper the Switch 2 could be closer to the specs of last-gen hardware like the PS4 than the current batch of consoles. Emails published during the FTC court case with Microsoft indicate Activision Blizzard's former boss Bobby Kotick spoke to Nintendo's Shuntaro Furukawa about the Switch 2 towards the end of 2022.
In the emails, Activision exec Chris Schnakenberg explained the next Nintendo console had "closer alignment to Gen 8 platforms in terms of performance". If that's the case, how could the Switch 2, as has been reported, be capable of ray tracing (even if it's used limitedly) and running Unreal Engine 5? As Digital Foundry explained, looking at just raw horsepower "factors out so much" of what makes a piece of hardware unique. And a clear example of that is the original Switch had similar horsepower to the Wii U and Xbox 360, and we've all seen what that system is capable of.
It's important to point out that, for their part, Nintendo has denied briefing external developers on the Switch 2, and showcasing their next console at Gamescom in 2023. It's also worth pointing out that while what we've heard of the Switch 2 sounds impressive, expectations should be managed.
If you want a further breakdown of the performance potential of the Switch 2, you can watch Digital Foundry's analysis of the console's reveal trailer below.
DF Direct Weekly #197 - Nintendo Switch 2 Reaction - New Hardware, Mario Kart 9, Back Compat + More!
Switch 2 games
So far, there's one major game that we know for certain will be heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 - the brand new Mario Kart game that was showcased in the console's reveal trailer. As of yet, Nintendo hasn't announced a name for the next Mario Kart, but it is the first brand new entry in the franchise in over 10 years. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is the best-selling Switch game of all time, is just an upgraded version of Mario Kart 8 which debuted on the Wii U in 2014. While the Switch 2 trailer only showed a brief glimpse of the next Mario Kart, eagle-eyed fans were able to spot Donkey Kong sporting a redesigned look and that the starting grid now has spaces for 24 racers. Fans have also started speculating that one of the big gameplay mechanics in the next Mario Kart could be the addition of fuel tanks.
Elsewhere, in terms of other potential first-party releases, if we had to gaze into our crystal ball one contender for the Switch 2 is Metroid Prime 4. Samus' highly anticipated new adventure was announced during the Switch's first year on sale, but news on the project then went quiet for almost the entirety of the console's lifecycle after development was rebooted. But all good things come to those who wait, and seven years after it was announced fans got their first look at Metroid Prime 4 in the Nintendo Direct for June 2024. Samus's next adventure was revealed with a gorgeous gameplay trailer, which also announced the game's full name - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
The next Metroid Prime game is launching in 2025, and has already been confirmed as coming to the Nintendo Switch. But the impressive graphics showcased in the trailer led to speculation that Metroid Prime 4 could be coming to the Switch 2, possibly as a cross-gen title. Nintendo does have form in this department, launching both the Wii and Switch with cross-gen games.
One of the Wii's launch games was Twilight Princess, which also came out on the GameCube, while one of the Switch's launch games was Breath of the Wild, which was also available on the Wii U. We previously discussed the possibility of Metroid Prime 4 coming to the Switch 2 in a Newscast. You can also check out our DF Direct about the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, which includes discussions on the Metroid Prime 4 reveal and some of the things Digital Foundry expects from the Switch 2.
Another first-party title that could be heading to the Switch 2 is Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which was announced during the Pokémon Presents for Pokémon Day 2024. What's interesting about the reveal of this new Pokémon game, which is set in a futuristic version of Lumiose City, is that Game Freak said it will have a "simultaneous" worldwide release on "Nintendo Switch systems", which could indicate that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be a cross-gen game. During the Pokémon Presents for Pokémon Day 2025, we got our first look at Z-A gameplay, with a trailer revealing the game will follow in the footsteps of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and be an action-RPG, along with the Paris-esque Lumiose City setting. It was also announced that Pokémon Legends: Z-A is launching in late 2025, which is after the Switch 2's rumoured summer release date.
Not only that, but the Pokémon Presents in February 2025 also revealed another new pocket monsters game that looks to be a cross-gen title. The broadcast on Pokémon Day 2025 revealed Pokémon Champions, an upcoming game coming to the Switch "family of systems" which is solely focused on Pokémon battles. It will also be launching for Android and iOS smartphones.
Besides these well-established franchises, there's another upcoming first-party title that could be heading to the Switch 2. Towards the end of 2024 thousands of people were invited to playtest a new Switch Online feature. When the playtest started, some participants ended up streaming the unannounced game on YouTube and Twitch, with the game reportedly looking like a Minecraft-style building game mixed with a social hub.
In terms of third-party titles, hints have also been dropped about a few upcoming titles could be heading to Nintendo's next console from other developers. As previously mentioned, during the behind closed doors demo at Gamescom 2023 a demo of the Unreal Engine-5 powered The Matrix Awakens was reportedly shown running on the Switch 2. The Switch 2 being capable of running Unreal Engine 5 is of particular interest when considering the console's potential games line-up, as it opens the door to a whole host of third-party games that could be ported to the console in the future. And with eight percent of devs working on Switch 2 games, there could be plenty of Unreal Engine 5 titles set to be announced for Nintendo's next system.
Some of the third-party games heading to the Switch 2 could have been revealed in a video by reliable leaker Nate the Hate, who discussed leaks he had heard and predictions for the console's line-up. The leaker said Square Enix are planning to release a port of Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2025, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth coming in 2026 - but a version of Final Fantasy 16 isn't planned for Switch 2. Ubisoft are also reportedly working on "half a dozen" games for Nintendo's next console, including Assassin's Creed Mirage which will be available during the Switch 2 launch window, and the next game in the franchise - Assassin's Creed Shadows - which will be out later.
The remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, could also be a day and date release for the Switch 2. The leaker also heard "long ago" about a port of Elden Ring, which would bundle together in one package the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for the Switch 2. However, he didn't have a "high level" of confidence about this due to the amount of sources he had heard the leak from.
Nate the Hate also said when looking at the games that could be coming to the Switch 2, focusing on the companies who have partnered with Nvidia to showcase DLSS will "probably" give you a good idea of the projects being tested or under consideration for Switch 2. Potential games Nate the Hate highlighted included Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Monster Hunter Wilds and Cyberpunk 2077. He added "almost anything" is possible for the system, it's just whether companies have the time and resources to make a port possible.
Elsewhere, it's thought Microsoft could be bringing a number of its most loved franchises to the Switch 2, including Halo and Microsoft Flight Simulator. The critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, which was one of the first Xbox games to go multiplatform, could also be heading to Nintendo's next console. These former exclusives could be making their way to Nintendo's next system now that Microsoft bosses are reportedly pushing for "no red lines" around which Xbox games launch on rival platforms.
Speaking of Xbox, it looks like the next mainline entry in the hugely popular Persona series could be heading to the Series X/S, along with the Switch 2 and PlayStation. That's according to industry insiders Nate the Hate and Midori, who claimed Persona 6 will be multi-platform. It has also been claimed Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona 3 Reload will be heading to the Switch 2 as well.
Elsewhere, Layers of Fear developer Bloober Team, who developed the Silent Hill 2 Remake, have teased an in-the-works title that has been dubbed Project M. Studio boss Piotr Babieno has spoken briefly about the game, saying it is "extremely important" to their long-term plans, and that it is heading to "Nintendo platforms". Fans previously thought the mysterious title was linked to a bizarre teaser trailer that ended up being for the latest Famicom Detective Club game.
It also looks like the upcoming remaster of Yooka-Laylee will be heading to the Nintendo Switch 2. A trailer that dropped during October 2024 curiously announced that the game would be coming to "Nintendo Platforms", along with the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The game's developer, Playtonic, took this tease a step further by announcing on X that the game would simply be coming to "Nintendo", with no reference to the Switch and the eyes emoji next to this cheeky hint.
Another developer that looks to have teased an upcoming Switch 2 release is Level-5. The Ni No Kuni and Professor Layton makers have announced their upcoming game Holy Horror Mansion is heading to "secret" platforms. Given Level-5's extensive Nintendo support in the past, this seems to be hinting at a release for the Switch successor. While some developers have subtly teased Switch 2 releases, the makers of My Time At Portia have officially announced their new game as heading to Nintendo's next console. The title, which is called My Time At Evershine, is coming to "future Nintendo platforms".
With the Switch 2 launching in 2025, it also means Nintendo will have some shiny new hardware out in time for the highly anticipated launch of GTA 6. Rockstar's next game is one of the most eagerly awaited games of all time, and it's also due out in 2025. However, according to Digital Foundry, given what we've heard about the Switch 2's specs a port of GTA 6 looks "very, very tricky to pull off". You can watch the full analysis from DF below.
For more Switch 2 coverage, find out how the internet reacted to the Switch 2 reveal and why Nintendo share prices dropped after the console was announced. If you missed it, make sure you head to our PSA which reveals Gold Points on the eShop have been discontinued ahead of the Switch 2 release. Check out our feature too that discusses if Switch 2 is the end of innovative Nintendo, there's much to be sad about. Alternatively, if you're not thinking of upgrading just yet you'll be pleased to know Nintendo will continue supporting the current Switch "as long as there is demand".