The wait is over. As anticipated by recent rumors, Nintendo has officially unveiled its new console, the Switch 2.
The announcement aligns closely with the leaks and speculation that have circulated in recent weeks. The console’s design, including its Joy-Con controllers and dock, matches the details shared in recent leaks.
True to form, Nintendo teased the Switch 2 with a brief two-minute video, leaving many specifics for a dedicated Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2, 2025.
Limited Details, Big Tease
The teaser revealed no official specifications, launch date, price, or a detailed game lineup—almost. The video’s closing moments teased a new Mario Kart title running on the Switch 2. Could this be a launch title? It’s hard to say.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launched with the original Switch and became its best-selling game. However, in 2016’s debut trailer for the original Switch, Super Mario Odyssey was featured but didn’t release until months after the console’s launch.
Launch timeline
The timing of the Nintendo Direct provides clues about the console’s release date. Nintendo has announced a global series of events allowing fans to try the console in different European cities (but not Scandinavian). Here the full list:
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Paris, April 4-6, 2025
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London, April 11-13, 2025
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Milan, April 25-27, 2025
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Berlin, April 25-27, 2025
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Madrid, May 9-11, 2025
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Amsterdam, May 9-11, 2025
Based on these dates, a late April launch seems plausible, possibly as early as April 25. Alternatively, the release could fall in early May or later in the first half of 2025. Once fans get hands-on with a product, its commercial release is usually imminent, leveraging the excitement generated by public previews.
Backward compatibility with caveats
Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will support backward compatibility, allowing players to use their existing library of Switch games, both physical and digital. However, not all titles may be fully compatible.
Nintendo plans to share more details in the future, but games reliant on the infrared camera found in the original Joy-Con—such as certain Nintendo Labo kits or 1-2-Switch!—might face issues.
Design and Controller Innovations
The teaser confirmed several rumored design updates. The Joy-Con controllers are larger, feature magnetic attachments, and introduce a new button below the Home button on the right Joy-Con. According to a recent datamine, this button might enable online multiplayer features like group and voice chat.
The Joy-Con’s new black color scheme, accented with blue and orange details, is a departure from the gray Joy-Con of the original Switch and the white Joy-Con of the OLED model. This palette hints at potential alternative color options for the launch, such as orange and blue Joy-Con with black accents. One intriguing moment in the trailer showed Joy-Con being used like a mouse—a potential new feature, though not explicitly confirmed.
The console’s design remains similar to the original Switch but with softer curves for improved ergonomics. It also appears larger, likely accommodating an 8.4-inch display (compared to the Switch’s 6.2-inch and the OLED model’s 7-inch screens). The improved kickstand resembles the sturdy design from the OLED model, though slimmer and centrally positioned.
Power and Performance
Nintendo has yet to share official performance specs, but leaks suggest significant hardware upgrades. The Switch 2 is expected to feature an Nvidia SoC produced on Samsung’s 8nm process, boasting an 8-core Cortex-A78 CPU and an Ampere-based GPU with 2048 CUDA cores.
This hardware supports advanced features like Ray Tracing and DLSS 2.2, powered by 64 Tensor Cores.
Leaked data suggests the following performance metrics:
- Portable mode: 561MHz GPU clock speed, delivering 1.71 TFLOPS
- Docked mode: 1,000MHz GPU clock speed, delivering 3.1 TFLOPS
For context, the Xbox Series S offers 4 TFLOPS. While the Switch 2 lags slightly behind in raw power, DLSS and advanced lighting technology promise modern visuals and impressive upscaling.
