by The Nintendo Switch 2 has a lot to live up to. As the successor to one of the best-selling consoles of all time, expectations are high for the new gaming device.
Nintendo has been here before. When he was under pressure to follow up the hit Wii system, he released the disappointing Wii U. However, the Japanese firm bounced back at the one-handed resurrection of handheld devices with the launch of the beloved Switch in 2017.
And, thank God, the buzz around the Switch 2 sounds positive. Word is that the console will bring a significant leap in graphics power, support for tons of new games, and older titles to boot.
Here’s what you need to know about the new device, including its rumored release date, price and features.
Nintendo Switch 2 features
With Nintendo expecting an upgraded Switch Pro in 2019, some thought the company was shifting its focus to a next-generation console.
For its part, Nintendo announced last May that it did not plan to release any new hardware in 2023. Notably, it has yet to officially announce its next video game system. However, the rumor mill went into hyperdrive over the summer with a flurry of news that all but confirmed the existence of the Switch 2.
Design
In July, VGC cited people in the know claiming that Nintendo was sticking with the Switch’s highly successful design formula with a new fully portable device.
A games industry analyst recently agreed with his prediction that “the next Switch will likely be an iteration rather than a revolution.”
Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told Gameindustry.biz that while Nintendo may add some “bells and whistles” to the new device, it would be similar to the current Switch.
Display
However, the Switch 2’s display may initially seem like a downgrade in some ways. It will likely use an LCD panel similar to the original Nintendo Switch. The Switch OLED from 2021 has much deeper blacks, higher brightness, and much greater contrast.
Graphics
Behind closed doors, Nintendo has revealed that the new Switch is running some impressive technology usually reserved for the latest consoles and PCs. According to VGC, the device packs Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology, which allows it to boost a game’s visual resolution using AI, meaning it could upscale full HD to 4K quality. It also enabled ray tracing to allow it to produce extremely realistic lighting effects.
Games for Nintendo Switch 2
With Nintendo keeping its new console under wraps, there is no word on what games it will be offering. However, VGC said in July that developers began receiving special hardware to test Switch 2 titles and software. This is called a development kit, and is usually nothing like the finished product released to the general public.
Additionally, Microsoft has previously stated that it will release Call of Duty games on Nintendo consoles if its deal to buy Activision goes through, so we might see Modern Warfare 3 on the Switch 2 .
As part of the secret demo in August, Nintendo seems to have put up a demo of The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 technology – originally released to show off the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2021. Before you get too excited, it is important to note that it is not. That doesn’t mean the new Switch will compete with those machines in terms of performance.
For its part, Nintendo has vaguely hinted that it might allow players to access older games. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in June that the company wants to ensure a “smooth transition” to its next-generation hardware by allowing players to use the same Nintendo account.
In the demo in August, Nintendo also revealed that the new console is running an enhanced version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This could indicate that it will offer next-gen editions of some games according to the PS5.
Price
VGC sources also said that the console would use cartridges as well as digital downloads, which could increase the cost of Nintendo console games. Similar price increases are already underway on Xbox and PS5.
Speaking of which, the analyst Serkan Toto suggested that the console will be slightly more expensive than the current Switch, at $ 400, which could be equivalent to the UK pricing of £ 349.99-379.99.
In comparison, the Nintendo Switch OLED costs £309.99 direct from Nintendo today.
When is the Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
Nintendo’s next console may arrive in 2024, but not before spring at the earliest, according to separate reports from VGC and Nikkei Asia.
Should I buy a Nintendo Switch?
Since Nintendo’s next-generation device could be less than six months away, you might be wondering if it’s still worth buying a Switch for yourself or the kids.
Well, the good news is that the hybrid gaming plant still has plenty of steam left in the tank. A new batch of Switch games should keep you entertained for the rest of the year and well into 2024.
Upcoming releases include Detective Pikachu Returns, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Princess Peach Showtime, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, and Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD.
You also have three versions of the Switch to choose from: the original Switch, the OLED Switch with a sharper display, and the handheld-only Switch Lite. The last of those would make a great stocking stuffer for the tykes this Christmas, while kids and even older families can find oodles of entertainment from the other editions.
When will the Nintendo Switch be discontinued?
For its part, Nintendo has confirmed that it will continue to support the Switch with new games until the end of March 2025.
Due to the huge popularity of the console, it is safe to say that it will continue to operate after that date. After all, the 12.5-year-old Nintendo 3DS game handheld is set to lose online features next year.
