Introducing the Nintendo Switch 2: Features and Release Details

Nintendo has shared initial details about the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in a recent video. Although no specific release date has been announced, the console is expected to launch in 2025.

The design of the console resembles the original, but it is larger. The new Joy-Con controllers, depicted in the video, feature a black color with vibrant accents. Unlike the original model, these controllers now attach to the console’s sides instead of sliding on and off, seemingly using a magnetic mechanism for easy attachment.

A new button has been introduced beneath the home button on the right Joy-Con, which has been highlighted in previous leaks. The video also hints at the Joy-Cons being utilized similarly to a mouse. Additionally, the SL and SR buttons on the Joy-Cons are noticeably larger compared to the original Switch.

On the top of the Switch 2, a new USB-C port is conveniently located next to the 3.5mm headphone jack. The kickstand has been redesigned to a U-shape, providing better stability. The dock for the Switch 2 sports a more rounded design, complementing the separate controller grip that allows users to snap the Joy-Cons into place.

The only game featured in the video is a new installment of Mario Kart. Thankfully, the console will support backward compatibility with both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, although the video cautions that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.”

Nintendo promises to unveil more details during a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2nd, 2025, with the exact timing to be announced later.
Your opportunity to experience the console firsthand could occur at several events in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, scheduled for several days in April. Registration for tickets will open on Nintendo’s website starting January 17th at 3 PM ET.

The original Nintendo Switch set a high standard as a hybrid of home console and handheld gaming, leading it to become one of the best-selling consoles of all time. A significant part of its success stemmed from being home to some of Nintendo’s best titles, including classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Metroid Prime Remastered, and the immensely popular Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Fortunately, all these titles will be available for play on the new console, as Nintendo confirmed in November that the successor will support Switch games and offer Nintendo Switch Online.

With impressive sales figures, the first Switch has become a monumental success, with Nintendo reporting 146.04 million units sold, making it the second-highest-selling video game system after the original Nintendo DS. The Switch has outperformed the Nintendo Wii (101.63 million units), Game Boy (118.69 million units), and Nintendo 3DS (75.94 million units).

While gaming enthusiasts awaited a true successor to the Switch, there were mid-cycle hardware refreshes, such as the Nintendo Switch Lite and the Nintendo Switch OLED, which enhanced the gaming experience with improved displays and features.

Beginning in December, information regarding Nintendo’s next console started to emerge from accessory manufacturers. Notably, Dbrand revealed speculated dimensions and insights suggesting that the Joy-Con controllers would feature magnetic attachments. At CES 2025, Genki showcased a 3D-printed mockup purportedly representing the Switch’s successor.

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