Nintendo Switch 2 revealed with bigger screen, magnetic Joy Con controllers, and 2025 release date
Well, the rumours were right. Nintendo has revealed an early glimpse at its next console, Switch 2.
The original Nintendo Switch, which launched back in 2017, has gone on to sell 146 million units worldwide — making it the third best-selling console of all time. And the second most popular Nintendo console in history.
As such, there’s pressure on Nintendo to deliver a worthy successor.
Ahead of its launch later this year, Nintendo just published a 2.22-minute (get it?) trailer showing the design of the console. However, it has not revealed a price, exclusive games for the console, or launch date.
The original Nintendo Switch was a one-of-a-kind proposition. It combined the strengths of Nintendo’s handheld and home console divisions, replacing both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. The two-in-one design lets players enjoy games on-the-go and on the big screen at home, thanks to the bundled dock.
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The controllers — known as Joy-Cons — can be detached from the side of the console. These can be used as a pair, or individually for local multiplayer without the need to buy any additional controllers.
And from our early glimpse of the Nintendo Switch 2… the company seems to be sticking with its winning formula. The trailer confirms a similar design, but with a bigger screen and larger Joy-Con controllers.
Nintendo Switch 2 will support backwards compatibility, meaning players will be able to run original Switch console games, as well as those made for the Switch 2, on the new system. However, the company added that some Switch games “may not be supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2”.
More details on exactly what that means will be provided at a later date.
So far, Nintendo has only confirmed a new black colourway. Unlike the first-generation Switch, the Joy-Con controllers are largely the same colour as the console itself, with just a hint of blue and red beneath the joystick.
On-screen, a brief glimpse of what appears to be a new Mario Kart game was shown. One of the rumours pointed to Mario Kart 9 being one of the launch titles for the new console.
That would make sense, after all, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the single bestselling game on the first-generation console, with 64.27-million copies sold and counting. That game launched during the first year of the console, which also saw the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, and Super Mario Odyssey.
We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out what games will launch on the Switch 2.
Nintendo has confirmed plans to hold a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, where it’s expected to unveil release date, UK price, and the lineup of games due to launch with the console.
Nintendo confirmed plans to run hands-on events with the product in cities around the world in the same month. These will include an event at London Excel between April 11 – 13, 2025.
Ahead of the announcement of the Switch 2, multiple industry sources speculated Nintendo would launch its next console between May and June 2025. According to reports, the original release was delayed to ensure sufficient supply and combat scalping issues that have affected other recent console launches.
Supply bottlenecks plagued the debut of the Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launch in 2020.
Nintendo is said to have worked closely with Nvidia on the console’s chipset, aiming to deliver graphics comparable to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The first trailer for the new console doesn’t offer any details about the graphical capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.
According to a leak from French retailer Micromania’s internal database, the Switch 2 is expected to retail for €399 in Europe. This would equate to approximately £336 at current exchange rates.
However, pricing conversions may not be direct, as Micromania currently sells the standard Switch for €299, whilst it retails for £259 in the UK.
The leaked database also suggests games will see a price increase, with new titles costing between €69 and €79. This represents a potential price hike of 14% compared to current Switch games. Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about official pricing, with a spokesperson telling AFP on Thursday there was “nothing we can share” regarding any announcements.