That Was... Something? Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed: Everything We Know
Nintendo has (FINALLY) officially unveiled the successor to the wildly successful Nintendo Switch—Aptly naming it the Nintendo Switch 2. I know... I know, a lot of folks wanted a "Super Switch" (count me as one of them), but hey, at least its not "The Wii X". No release date has been announced yet, but 2025 stated at the end of the trailer let us know it's coming, and most likely, very soon. As soon as April or May of this year.
The announcement came out of nowhere, shadow-dropping a surprise teaser video without any warning. I can't help but think that the hasty reveal was prompted directly in reaction to the leaks at CES 2025, where Genki showcased a mockup of what the Switch 2 could look like and then Nintendo's Ninja's appeared out of nowhere trying to shut them down. The mockup included a tablet, redesigned Joy-Cons, and a new dock, potentially forcing Nintendo’s hand to go public sooner than planned.
Nintendo was reportedly PISSED. Former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang shared their thoughts on the potential fallout from the Switch 2 leaks in a recent video on their YouTube channel. Drawing directly from their own extensive experience of over a decade at Nintendo, they discussed how the company might be handling this situation right now, given their familiarity with addressing leaks during their tenure:
“I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level,” Yang said. “We joke around about the hot exclamation mark emails. They are hot hot hot. How many exclamation marks could be at the end of this? They are very, very, very upset by this.”
They went on to say it was a “high stress situation” and:
“It’s a highly chaotic situation in there right now and a real pressure cooker... They do have very good people who investigate these things... They will eventually get to the bottom of it.”
Here’s what we know so far about the Nintendo Switch 2:
Larger Size, Bigger Screen
The Switch 2 is visibly bigger, boasting a much larger screen to enhance gameplay visuals. This marks a significant upgrade from the OG Switch, likely aiming to compete with current-gen handhelds in terms of display quality... Not to mention, a lot more curvy. It looks way sleeker, and I'd have to imagine feels more comfortable to hold as well, judging by the looks of it.
Dual USB-C Ports
One of the standout features is the inclusion of now having dual USB-C ports—one on the top, and one on the bottom. This opens up new possibilities for accessories, like VR glasses or additional peripherals I haven't even thought of, signaling a potential expansion of the Switch’s already pretty extensive functionalities.
Headphone Jack Stays
Nintendo has kept the headphone jack intact, ensuring support for wired headphones—a relief for gamers who prefer the reliability of wired audio. Not something I use, nor would have cared if they swapped it out for Bluetooth only, but for kids and ease of flexibility, I can see why they kept it.
Redesigned Kickstand
The kickstand has undergone a major redesign. It now features a handle-like “U” shape and can recline fully, providing added flexibility and stability for tabletop gaming.
Newly Designed 'Dock'
Redesigned Joy-Cons
The Joy-Cons retain their iconic shape, but now feature two sets of shoulder buttons when detached.
Additionally, they also now include a new docking pin connector and magnetically snap onto the console or accessories, improving both form and function. This was rumored to be the case as far back as early 2024, and now here we are, seeing it come true.
Potential New Mario Kart Game
A new installment in the Mario Kart series looks to be in the works from the looks of it. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe being one of Nintendo’s best-selling games ever, and coming out originally on the Wii U over a decade ago, a new entry could serve as a launch title to drive excitement for the Switch 2. It would make a ton of sense.
Physical Carts & Game Compatibility
The Switch 2 continues to support physical cartridges, ensuring backward compatibility for many existing titles. However, Nintendo has stated that not all previous Switch games will work on the new system, which caught me a bit off guard. I can't imagine what games would not work, and the reasons as to why but here we are - leaving some ambiguity around compatibility.
Public Showcase Events
Nintendo will be showcasing the Switch 2 at the following locations:
North America
New York: April 4-6, 2025
Los Angeles: April 11-13, 2025
Dallas: April 25-27, 2025
Toronto: April 25-27, 2025
Europe
Paris: April 4-6, 2025
London: April 11-13, 2025
Milan: April 25-27, 2025
Berlin: April 25-27, 2025
Madrid: May 9-11, 2025
Amsterdam: May 9-11, 2025
Oceania
Melbourne: May 10-11, 2025
Asia
Tokyo (Makuhari): April 26-27, 2025
Seoul: May 31-June 1, 2025
Hong Kong: To be announced
Taipei: To be announced
Exciting Tech Rumors
This is speculation so take it all with a grain of salt here, but rumors suggest that the Switch 2 will leverage advanced upscaler technology to ensure games run smoothly and efficiently, even in handheld mode. This could be a game-changer, allowing the console to maintain high performance without sacrificing portability and battery life.
Nintendo states on their Website:
"Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 will air on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, offering a closer look at Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to Nintendo Switch releasing in 2025.
The broadcast time will be announced on this website and on our social media accounts at a later date."
Final Thoughts
While Nintendo has yet to release the specific technical details publicly, the Switch 2 already looks poised to build on the success of its predecessor. With its larger screen, redesigned features, and potential new Mario Kart title, it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated gaming consoles of 2025 - if not ever. The question now is how Nintendo will handle the transition, especially with some compatibility concerns looming over the launch. Regardless, excitement is already mounting as we all prepare to see the Switch 2 in action at public showcases worldwide.
~Smash
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