The Nintendo Switch 2 saga continues to drag out, but now that Nintendo has finally confirmed the handheld's actual existence (like that was ever in doubt) and we have a rough release window, things are heating up. The rumor mill has been spinning for a while at this point - after all, it's been seven years since the original console took to the shelves. That's a lot of time for the internet to do its thing, and we're rounding up all the credible rumors right here.
The Nintendo Switch has largely stayed the same during its life. We've had the Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED models, delivering a more portable form factor with the former and an improved OLED display with the latter, but neither managed to improve the specs of the original model. Despite this, we still think it's the best gaming handheld for most players, as it offers up an incredible library and decent portable performance.
A new model is already rumored to beef up the internal power of the 2017 original (which shouldn't be hard, it's likely going to land in 2025 after all), with backwards compatibility, a better battery, and performance rumored to stand alongside the PS4 generation of consoles. Ninty's always done things it's own way, though, so we'll just have to wait and see.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
Delays have reportedly pushed the Nintendo Switch 2 launch back to 2025, with new rumors pointing towards April being our new launch window at the earliest. After Nintendo confirmed that its next Switch console will be announced within this fiscal year (ending March 2025) via a message from its President on X (Twitter), we held out hope for a similar release date. However, in a GamesIndustry.biz podcast, head Chris Ding explained that "[developers] have been told not to expect it in the [current] financial year. A bunch of people I spoke to hope it's out in April or May time."
All of this is just the latest in the release date saga after Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe uploaded a new episode to the O X do Controle YouTube channel on February 16, in which they claim five different internal sources have indicated that the Nintendo Switch 2 has been delayed internally. On February 26, Japanese site Nikkei claimed that the Nintendo Switch 2 release date was March 2025, citing Nintendo's aim to beat scalpers with enough units to meet demand as the reason behind the push.
Since then, another possible reason for the delay away from the original expected 2024 timeline has appeared via reputable leaker Moore's Law Is Dead. A Feb 29 YouTube video explained how Nvidia sources approached the leaker stating that the console has been complete for a while now and the brand is just waiting to launch. Crucially, though, the response states that "Nintendo isn't Sony... they see delays as something that will cause their games to be more polished at launch" (original emphasis). Ninty could be pushing the Nintendo Switch 2 release date back to evade scalpers, but there's also a possibility that the launch game lineup just isn't ready for the system yet.
Nintendo Switch 2 spec and design rumors
All the rumors and analyst predictions are definitely pointing towards Nintendo Switch 2 being more of an iterative update than a complete revamp of the lastest hardware. Think like the difference between the Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS, which mainly introduced better 3D quality, some additional buttons like a second pair of shoulder buttons, and a c-stick rather than completely reinventing its predecessor. It doesn't help that Switch 2 will be "closer" to PS4 and Xbox One specs according to Activision emails.
Most recently, a post on the GamingLeaksAndRumors Reddit sub reporting to come via a Chinese site has fuelled speculation in the Nintendo Switch 2's design. The images contain raw renders of the a Switch-like system, with console, Joy-Con, and dock labelling. As previously rumored, this is very much a Nintendo Switch but with a larger body, slimmer profile, and more rounded corners.
It's expected that the design will stay much the same, but with a few tweaks. It'll still be a hybrid console, with a dock that's might be able to upscale to 4K rather than just 1080p using DLSS 2. That said, Digital Foundry points out that we don't yet know whether the chip destined to power the Switch 2, Nvidia's T239, has the Deep Learning Accelerator components required to make that feat a reality.
It's also looking like the Nintendo Switch 2 will be larger than its predecessor. A previous leak from Spanish site Vandal not only suggests the new device will use magnetic connections for its controllers but that the gamepads themselves are bigger. The report also seems to confirm that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be compatible with the existing Pro Controller.
As for display specs, a VGC report claims the Switch 2 could go back to using an LCD screen rather than an OLED panel, in an attempt to keep costs low. This has been consolidated more recently by Hiroshi Hayase, an Omdia analyst, being cited in a Bloomberg report. Some players may view that decision as a step backwards considering the Steam Deck OLED is now also a thing, but it does provide Nintendo with options for revamped models down the line.
Rather than investing in OLED off the bat, Nintendo is apparently looking at upping the quality and quantity of the storage available in the Nintendo Switch 2. It could come with eMMC storage like the original entry-level Steam Deck, which is faster than the current Switch's internal memory solution.
There's good news elsewhere too - or so we hope - as there are rumors Nintendo is switching to a new technology for Switch 2 Joy-Cons that should mean stick drift is a thing of the past. According to a patent spotted by Laura Kate Dale the Nintendo Switch 2 could use hall effect analog sticks, which would avoid the wear and tear induced stick drift that the current Joy-Cons are prone to.
In terms of raw stats, the latest rumor is that the Nintendo Switch 2 specs could be:
- Custom Nvidia chip
- 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 64GB eMMC storage
- DLSS 2 support
- FSR 3 support
- 8-inch LCD display
- Improved battery life
There are rumors that a better specced Nintendo Switch 2 Pro could launch alongside with a higher price tag, but that's less substantiated than the above specs sheet.
Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility
For starters, Nintendo's president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed in an interview with Nikkei (translated by VGC) that the company will support the current Nintendo Switch until at least 2025, which is good news for those not looking to make the leap to Switch 2 straight away.
However, Shuntaro Furukawa also elaborated on that a little in a Nintendo financial results briefing from the end of FY22. He said that the company is "focusing on building long-term relationships with our consumers (through Nintendo Accounts). While continuing to release new Nintendo Switch software for consumers to enjoy, we aim to maintain relationships across hardware generations through services that utilize Nintendo Accounts and by providing opportunities for them to experience our IP through other non-gaming channels."
Furukawa later shared on X (Twitter) that "Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch." According to the Nintendo President, this news was unveiled during a corporate management policy briefing. It was also announced that the Nintendo Switch Online services "will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well."
Details on whether this means that downloaded games and physical Switch carts will be backwards compatible weren't shared. However, the current Nintendo Switch 2 spec rumors do suggest that the next hardware will retain the cartridge slot so you should be able to play your physical Switch games on the Switch 2 whenever it launches.
The Nintendo President closed out his recent statement on social media by iterating that "further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date."
Nintendo Switch 2 price rumors
The current price of the Nintendo Switch OLED is £309.99 / $349.99, but rumors suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 price will be more in the region of $400, which could convert to around £350 retail. At most, though, we could be looking at a $499 MSRP for the Nintendo Switch 2.
That's according to an analyst speaking as part of the GI.biz 2024 analyst predictions piece though, so obviously isn't exactly concrete yet. But, if we look at the retail price of machines like the Steam Deck OLED, PlayStation Portal, or the Asus ROG Ally then the $400 mark does seem pretty reasonable. Of course, the majority of those devices have higher specs that better justify those price tags.
