We’ve been hearing theories about the Nintendo Switch 2 for years now. Here are the improvements we think Nintendo needs to make with its next console.
Rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 have been circulating for years. Whispers of the next-gen Nintendo console first started when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was initially teased in 2019, then gained steam when the Switch OLED launched in 2021. Now that Nintendo has properly confirmed that it’s working on a new console, rumors have only gotten more frequent. We’ve even hit the point where we’re seeing more credible photos and spec leaks trickle out.
There’s no doubt that the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console — it has a unique and impressive game library (with more upcoming games slated for this year), the number of features included with Nintendo Switch Online is constantly improving, and it’s still our favorite portable console — but it isn’t without its flaws. There’s enough room for improvement to warrant an entirely new console in the near future.
Looking at the Switch’s lifespan and the current gaming landscape, here’s what we think the Nintendo Switch 2 needs to bring to the table to be a worthwhile upgrade and compete with other platforms.Switch 2 release date speculation
After years of rumors, Nintendo has finally confirmed the existence of its Switch successor and that we’ll learn more about it before the end of the company’s fiscal year in March 2025.
It’s unclear if the new console will launch soon after in spring 2025 or if it will simply be unveiled and released later. The latest leak from the GamesIndustry.Biz Podcast suggests that developers are being told the system will not be released this fiscal year. If true, that means the Switch 2 will not come out before April 2025. Tokyo Security analyst Hideki Yasuda released a report that could narrow that window down. He claims the Switch 2 will launch in the first half of 2025 between April and June.Switch 2 rumors and news
Aside from the release date, a few other credible rumors about this new system are floating around. Take everything here with a grain of salt, of course, because Nintendo has yet to acknowledge that a new console is in the works. These may also contradict the features we want, but since they are still just rumors, our wishlist can still be answered.Design
A massive Switch 2 leak appeared on the GamingLeaksAndRumors Reddit that featured images of what the Switch 2 prototype apparently looks like. It mostly appears identical to the current Switch model, but does show a noticeably larger screen and the previously leaked magnetic Joy-Con controllers. The only other notable change we can glean from these mock-ups is what looks like a much more sturdy kickstand. Note that while some users have debated the validity of the CAD renders of the systems, real photos of the console also leaked, which seem a bit more plausible.Price
Coming from the same report by Hideki Yasuda mentioned earlier, it is claimed that the Switch 2 will cost $500 at launch.Internal specs
According to Centro Leaks, a popular source for Pokemon-related rumors, the next-gen Switch will have 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
That same leak we got the supposed design images from corroborates those prior specs, but also provides many more details. Besides the 12GB of RAM (over the original’s 4GB) and 256GB of storage (the original had only 32GB), this leak outlined that the Switch 2 will come with an 8-inch display, HDMI 2.1 support, two USB-C ports, magnetic controller attachments, upgraded SL/SR buttons, dual cooling fans, a SoCL CPU + GPU model GMLX30-R-A1, MT62F768M64D4EK-026 (6GX2 dual channel, LPDDR5X, 7500 MT/s) memory, Ruiwu ALC5658-CG audio chip, built-in microphone, and Gigabit Ethernet chip.Screen quality
In terms of tech, the biggest disappointment is regarding a Bloomberg report stating the Switch 2 will launch with an 8-inch LCD screen rather than OLED.
