The Nintendo Switch, a real commercial success, celebrated its seven years in March 2024. We are approaching its end of life and everything suggests that the Japanese firm will announce a new console sooner or later. It may be a Switch 2, and it would be expected for 2025.
On March 3, 2024, the Nintendo Switch celebrated its seventh anniversary. If the console continues to enjoy great commercial success despite the weight of the years (more than 140 million copies sold, and a still impressive sales rate), time is starting to get long. Each day that passes brings us closer to the launch of a new Nintendo console, and the rumors in the corridors about the arrival in 2025, rather than 2024, of a Switch 2 are becoming more and more insistent.
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For the moment, the Japanese firm denies everything, which seems logical from a commercial point of view: as long as the Switch continues to sell, Nintendo has no interest in formalizing a new console.
However, it seems that this Switch 2 was shown to certain developers during Gamescom, with demos revolving around a special version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Matrix Awakens experience running under Unreal Engine 5. Enough to reassure partners about the power of the Switch 2, while the first Switch has been lagging behind the competition since its launch.
What do we know about the Switch 2? We take stock.
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What is Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2, as we like to call it today, will probably not be called the Nintendo Switch 2. Historically, it is not the Japanese firm's habit to opt for a name with a number . It could therefore be called the Super Switch, the New Switch, the Switch Advance… or opt for a new nomenclature.
Given the immense success of the Switch, we nevertheless expect a form of continuity. It wouldn't be very smart for Nintendo to make a clean sweep of the past and start with a completely blank slate. This is also why the various indiscretions evoke a Switch 2, and not a console with a strange code name.
What will the new Switch look like?
Assuming that Nintendo opts for a continuity strategy, then the Switch 2 should resemble, in form, the first Switch. In this case: a tablet, onto which two small controllers are attached, and which can be inserted into a dock connected to a television. This hybrid format allows for multiple use cases and has proven itself on the Switch, which is as much a portable console (Nintendo's great strength) as a home console (a segment in which Nintendo has suffered several failures, the Wii U in the lead).
What power for the Nintendo Switch 2?
It has become a running gag: the characteristics of the Nintendo Switch, equipped with an old Nvidia chip, have given rise to a barrage of mockery about the console's performance (recent example with Mortal Kombat 1). The Switch 2 will be expected at the turning point on this point, knowing that Nintendo should once again trust Nvidia (when Sony and Microsoft are associated with AMD for PlayStation and Xbox).
Thanks to the case between Microsoft and the FTC concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, several documents containing confidential information have been revealed. Among them, there are some who mention the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, comparable to the PS4 — indicates The Verge in an article published on September 18.
The PS4 having been released in 2013, we can think that the Switch 2 will disappoint in terms of technical sheet. But this would forget an essential point: the Nintendo console could be compatible with Nvidia's DLSS technology. The purpose of DLSS, or Deep learning super sampling, is to improve performance by playing on a lower image resolution. Scaling is boosted in order to benefit from better fluidity without degrading general quality. In short, it's a big boost for visual quality, capable of working miracles.
An OLED screen for the Nintendo Switch 2?
LCD or OLED? Today, the Switch range offers both options, with OLED being the more expensive and better quality. Regarding the Switch 2, Nintendo could… go back. At a time when even affordable smartphones are opting for OLED, the Switch 2 could unfortunately make do with an LCD panel. As is the case for: the Steam Deck, the Asus Rog Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go… It would be a shame to see this rumor confirmed: once you have tasted OLED, you don't have want to go back to LCD.
On the size side, on the other hand, we would move to a diagonal of 8 inches, greater than that of the Switch OLED (7 inches), according to a Bloomberg article published in January 2024. Which portends a larger console.
What will the Nintendo Switch 2 controller look like?
Considering that the Switch 2 will be an evolution of the Switch, it should be associated with Joy-Con 2. These small controllers are technological jewels, capable of offering HD vibrations and compatible with motion gaming. But they are best known for their lack of reliability, which Nintendo ended up assuming due to the drift phenomenon (stick which ends up doing anything because of wear). To avoid falling into this trap again, the Joy-Con 2 could be equipped with “hall effect” joysticksdesigned to eliminate the risk of drift.
In an article published on April 26, 2024, the Spanish site Vandal, which was correct regarding several elements of the Switch OLED, evokes an interesting development for the Joy-Con. Larger, they would be magnetic and would detach more easily than current versions (which rest on a rail). Another point: the Switch 2 would be compatible with the Pro Controller. On the other hand, it is not certain that it is completely true with the Joy-Con of the first Switch.
What will the console catalog be?
Zelda, Mario, Pikmin, Pokémon… It's still too early to talk about the Switch 2 catalog, but we should find some sure values and some well-thought-out ports (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild For example ?). Note that Nintendo should still rely on cartridges.
Will Nintendo Switch 2 play Nintendo Switch games?
Nothing is confirmed about this, but it's getting there. Nintendo even appears obliged to ensure backward compatibility between the Switch 2 and the Switch, as Sony and Microsoft have done. In addition, the Japanese firm is known for these smooth transitions: the Wii played GameCube games (at least some versions).
When comes out the Switch 2?
Nintendo has announced that it will not release any consoles during the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2024. Anything is possible, however, beyond April 1, 2024. But the most recent rumors lean towards a launch in 2025.
How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
We don't expect the Switch 2 to cost more than €400, especially with an LCD screen.