TechGamingGaming ConsolesNintendo Switch 2: rumoured release date and news about Nintendo’s next consoleWhat will Nintendo bring to its next ‘Switch 2’ or ‘Switch Pro’ console? Here are the rumours on what to expectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingGaming ConsolesNintendo Switch 2: rumoured release date and news about Nintendo’s next consoleWhat will Nintendo bring to its next ‘Switch 2’ or ‘Switch Pro’ console? Here are the rumours on what to expectWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What will Nintendo bring to its next ‘Switch 2’ or ‘Switch Pro’ console? Here are the rumours on what to expect
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Jump to category:Release dateDesign
Jump to category:Release dateDesign
I’m as surprised as you are that we are over halfway through 2023 (eek) and Nintendo still hasn’t officially announced a successor to the now 7-year-oldNintendo Switch. Despite that, there has been plenty of rumour and speculation around the successor to a console that has sold over 125 million units.
For years there has been talk of aSwitch Pro, a mid-generation update to the console, but unless Nintendo plans to keep the Switch until 2030 I think we are now past that point. Surely the next Nintendo hardware release will be a Switch 2 or perhaps something completely different? Here’s the latest.
Nintendo Switch 2 release date
(Image credit: Honson)
(Image credit: Honson)
Theevidence for 2024 seems to be stronger, especially considering we have heard so little from Nintendo itself about the Switch 2. One report claims that Nintendo President, Shuntaro Furukawa, hasn’t considered any new or upgraded hardware in financial reports until at least April 2024 – and withThe Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4 on shelves now and Mario Wonder coming in October - it would be a strange time to kill the Switch’s momentum. Heck, it’s even gettingRed Dead Redemption.
Industry insiders also claim that some key developers have already got their hands on dev kits, but that a release in the latter part of 2024 looks most likely. A shame, but as Shigeru Miyamoto famously is quoted as saying “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.” and the same can be said for consoles.
What we do know is that Nintendo has committed to avoiding any stock shortages of its next console which it hopes will alsostop scalpersand prevent the scarcity of the likes of the PS5. This could make Christmas 2024 quite the event.
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Nintendo Switch 2 design
(Image credit: Honson)
(Image credit: Honson)
In terms of the design of the Switch 2, there’s little so far to go on (the pictures in this article are just concepts). It’s widely expected Nintendo will keep the portable console design but there are some features we would like to see and that we think Nintendo should definitely aim to implement. For starters, a 4K display is nearly essential at this point… although there is an argument against it for the sake of battery life. Personally, I’d give absolutely anything for a 4K Pokémon.
There has been talk that the new console couldditch the OLED displayof theSwitch OLEDfor an LCD screen instead, which would bring costs down but be a pretty significant downgrade.Under the hood, the Switch is well behind thePS5andXbox Series Xand a significant processing power boost needs to make its way to the Switch 2. For too long now Switch ports of third-party games have been a poor relation. Some reports have suggested the Switch’s successor will be equivalent to a PS4 in power, which is worryingly behind the times. It does at least seem like it will have moreinternal memorythan the stingy 64GB original Switch with up to 512GB of flash memory.
As for backward compatibility? There has been no word on that yet, but Nintendo has hinted that you will be able to use your Switch account on the Switch 2. Nintendo has had a pretty good record in the past for backward compatibility with the Wii, Wii U and 3DS all having it in some form although many classic games are now sold on the eShop instead.
With the likes of theSteam Deck,Asus ROG Allyand a possibleLenovo machine, Nintendo also has competition for portable gaming from some powerful and beautiful machines, so an increased battery life when not docked would be very welcome.
And the Joycons? Just lose the drifting please. Althoughthat was partly fixedin the not-too-distant past.
Today’s best Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite deals
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all pricesNintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED
$329.99View
$329.99
$329.99
See all prices
Nintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch$59.99$53.98ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch
$59.99$53.98View
$59.99$53.98
$53.98
See all prices
Nintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch Lite$199.99$166.83ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite
$199.99$166.83View
$199.99$166.83
$166.83
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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