Nintendo has been tight-lipped about the potential successor to its highly successful Nintendo Switch console. With its seven-year anniversary coming up in March, the Switch is nearing the end of its console life cycle — and talks about a replacement have been stirring in the rumor mill.
While the suits at the top of Nintendo are refusing to say anything, leaks have revealed some interesting information about what is tentatively called the "Switch 2," including backward compatibility, a downgraded LCD screen, and even the release of a much-anticipated Metroid sequel. Here’s a compilation of everything we know so far about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Nintendo Switch 2 release date and price
There aren't any concrete details on a potential release date for the Switch 2. Considering that March 2024 marks the seven-year anniversary of the Nintendo Switch, it's possible an announcement could be made about its successor then. Generally, a console generation is about 7-8 years, and the tech powering the Switch is outdated by several console generations. The company already confirmed that sales for the Switch have been falling fast, but it's in no rush to release new hardware anytime soon. The plan for Nintendo at the moment, according to the company, is to boost Switch sales with "new titles and add-on content."
Rumors from Video Games Chronicle suggest that Nintendo could release new hardware in the back half of next year, with the holiday season being an excellent time to release a new console. That's a large window comprising July to December, however, if a leaker is to be believed, the Switch 2 could see a September 24, 2024, release date.
That same leaker also says that the new console will be released with two versions: a digital-only Switch priced at $400, and a cartridge version priced at $449. If true, Nintendo would be following the same path as Microsoft and Sony, with those companies taking the steps to embrace a digital-only hardware future.
Nintendo Switch 2 design
As mentioned above, the presumed rumor is that Nintendo will be releasing two versions of the Switch 2. It will also remain a hybrid-handheld console as well — so if that's one of the main things you liked about the original Switch, there's no need to worry.
The biggest rumor in terms of design could be a downgraded screen to save on cost. The current Switch, which is an upgraded model of the version released in 2017, uses an OLED screen. Rumors from Bloomberg suggest that Nintendo will downgrade the new console to LED instead.
Nintendo Switch 2 specs
One of the biggest complaints about the current Switch is that it kind of runs like shit. It's not actually that bad, but for a console that's competing with the heavy-hitters of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, it's disappointing that the Switch is so underpowered compared to its contemporaries.
This might change if recent reports are true. Rumors spread in September say that Nintendo was showing off tech demos of its new hardware to developers at Gamescom. Speaking to VGC, the source said that the company was showing its new hardware with tech demos utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and that the performance was comparable to Gen 8 consoles. One source told VGC that one of the tech demos showed was The Matrix Awakens, the incredibly impressive demo that wowed gamers back in 2021.
Other known hardware specs for the Switch 2 include potential raytracing capabilities, 12GB RAM, and DLSS 3.1. VGC's report indicated that the hardware won't be as powerful as a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, but that Nintendo is using the help of AI upscaling to optimize the performance of its console.
Nintendo Switch launch titles
Launch titles are very important for the release of a new console and, hopefully, Nintendo will spare no expense to give customers some excellent first-party titles to play for the Switch 2. That said, there isn't much to chew on in terms of potential launch title rumors.
Nintendo has gone on record saying that it will support the Switch up until 2025, and that part of that plan was releasing new titles and add-ons to drum up sales of its current console. However, rumors suggest that the biggest candidate for a Switch 2 launch title will be Metroid Prime 4. Beyond that, the most we could find about potential launch titles were either "dream lists" or "what we want" articles on the internet.
As always with these rumors, it's best to take everything with an extreme grain of salt, as nothing is confirmed until Nintendo itself confirms it. Nevertheless, from what we have seen and heard, it's still worth getting a little excited over the potential improved performance and hardware specs of the Switch 2, at a decent cost.
