Nintendo has finally lifted the veil on its long-awaited new console. After months of rumors and speculation, the Switch 2 is revealed as the worthy heir to the original Switch, which has sold more than 146 million copies. An announcement which marks a strategic turning point for Nintendo, traditionally a fan of technological breakthroughs between its generations of consoles.
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The latest information on the Switch 2
When will the Switch 2 be released?
The precise release date is still a mystery, but Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will arrive in our homes in 2025. The calendar is gradually taking shape with several major meetings. The first important step will be the meeting with investors on February 8, 2025, which could provide a lot of details on Nintendo’s commercial strategy. A special Nintendo Direct for Switch 2 will then follow on April 2, 2025, where the company promises to reveal the essential details of its new console.
To complete this system, Nintendo will organize “Switch 2 Experience” events throughout the month of April, allowing players around the world to preview the console. It is therefore a safe bet that the Switch will be released this summer, starting in June. This window would allow Nintendo to avoid component shortages and ensure a solid catalog of games from launch. The Japanese manufacturer seems to have learned lessons from the supply difficulties encountered by Sony and Microsoft with their latest consoles.
What are the design changes of the Switch 2 compared to the Switch 1?
The Switch 2 retains the hybrid DNA of its big sister. We find the concept of a portable console that can be transformed into a home console using a docking station. But the developments are numerous and demonstrate in-depth consideration of the ergonomics of the device.
The console itself is growing with a screen that would increase to 8 inches according to leaks, compared to 6.2 inches for the classic Switch and 7 inches for the OLED model. This increase in display area should considerably improve gaming comfort in portable mode, while maintaining a sufficiently compact format to remain transportable.
Ergonomics is not left out since a second USB-C port appears on the upper edge. This new feature, which might seem innocuous, will greatly facilitate recharging in portable mode since it will now be possible to hold the console on its support while recharging it. The support has been completely redesigned with a more stable U-shape, thus responding to numerous criticisms of the fragility of the original support.
Revolutionary Joy-Con with mouse-style controls
One of the most intriguing innovations of the Switch 2 is hidden in the new Joy-Cons. The mysterious optical sensor integrated into their interior edge could well revolutionize the way we interact with our games. This technology would be inspired by computer mice, opening up a particularly exciting field of possibilities for gamers.
The principle is ingenious: by placing the Joy-Con flat on a surfaceits optical sensor detects movements with precision comparable to that of a gaming mouse. Nintendo has also provided specific accessories with the straps to stabilize the Joy-Con in a horizontal position. Footage from the announcement video clearly shows these accessories in action, with the Joy-Cons sliding fluidly across a table making them look like real mice.
How powerful is the Switch 2?
If Nintendo traditionally remains discreet about the technical specifications of its consoles, the information circulating paints the portrait of a machine that is significantly more muscular than its predecessor. The RAM would be increased to 12 GB, three times more than the 4 GB of the current Switch. This substantial increase should allow for better multitasking management and reduced loading times.
Internal storage would also see a significant jump to 256GB, up from just 32GB on the current base model. A necessary development given the increasing size of modern games and which should limit the systematic use of microSD cards.
In terms of pure performance, the Switch 2 would be positioned somewhere between the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox Series S. Nintendo would have opted for a custom Nvidia chip integrating modern technologies like ray tracing and DLSS for upscaling. This last technology is particularly interesting since it makes it possible to improve visual quality without major impact on performance. Moreover, rumors suggest that Nintendo will fully enter the 4K era with the Switch 2.
Technical demonstrations would have impressed the developers, notably with a version of the Unreal Engine 5 demo “The Matrix Awakens” running smoothly. A technical feat which suggests great possibilities for future games on the console.
The only notable technical compromise concerns the screen. Nintendo would have chosen to return to an LCD panelthus abandoning the OLED technology of the current premium model. A decision probably dictated by cost constraints, but which could disappoint gamers accustomed to the deep contrasts of OLED.
The Switch 2 will be backwards compatible
Nintendo has confirmed excellent news that will delight owners of the current Switch: the Switch 2 will be compatible with almost all Switch games, whether in physical or digital version. Incompatible games should be those using the IR sensor, as well as Nintendo Labo. The Nintendo Switch Online service will also be available from launch, ensuring perfect continuity for subscribers.
-This decision marks a major paradigm shift for Nintendo, which until now favored clear breaks between console generations. This strategic shift can be explained by several converging factors. First, the phenomenal success of the Switch with its 146 million consoles sold has created an ecosystem that it would be counterproductive to abandon. Then, gamers’ expectations evolved, notably under the influence of Sony and Microsoft who made backwards compatibility a major selling point for their latest consoles. Finally, the impressive catalog of more than 7,000 games represents a considerable asset that must be preserved.
What will be the games catalog when the Switch 2 launches?
If Nintendo has been relatively stingy with game announcements, content to show a brief overview of a new Mario Kart in his announcement videoseveral major titles are already expected to accompany the launch of the Switch 2.
The new Mario Kart glimpsed seems particularly ambitious. Indeed, the video seems to feature at least 17 players, and the starting grid for the race indicates a potential of 24 drivers!
Even though he probably won’t be part of the lineup, a new 3D Super Mario game must be advanced in its development. Six years after the excellent Super Mario Odysseythe time seems to have come for a new adventure for the mustachioed plumber.
Metroid Prime 4 : Beyond could also be one of the first titles available. This project, in development for several years, could be released on both generations of consoles, like what was done The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild between the Wii U and the Switch.
On the side of third-party publishers, several major ports are insistently mentioned. Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its sequel Rebirth could thus make their debut on a Nintendo console. Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Metal Gear Solid Delta and even Red Dead Redemption 2 are also cited by several reliable sources.
The price of the Switch 2, the last big unknown
Nintendo has not yet revealed the price positioning of its new console, but several factors suggest that it will be more expensive than the original Switch, launched at €299. General inflation in the electronic components market, which has affected the entire industry for several years, should mechanically impact the final price.
The positioning of direct competitors also influences Nintendo’s thinking. The Steam Deck, sold from €419, and the Asus ROG Ally at €699 have accustomed consumers to higher prices for high-end hybrid consoles. The significant technical improvements of the Switch 2 would also justify a price increase.
In this context, analysts agree on a price of €399. This positioning would allow Nintendo to remain competitive while absorbing rising production costs, without moving away from its family and accessible brand image.
The Switch 2, a case to follow
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The coming months promise to be full of revelations about this new console which could well redefine the future of portable gaming. The Nintendo Direct on April 2 will be particularly scrutinized by players from all over the world, eager to learn more about the games that will accompany the launch of the machine.
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