As anticipation drives stock prices to record highs, Nintendo has finally released the first promotional video for the next-generation Switch, officially named Nintendo Switch 2. A direct presentation is scheduled for April 2, 2025, where details about the console, game lineup, and pricing will be revealed.
The two-and-a-half-minute video primarily showcases the design of the Switch 2 and the new magnetic Joy-Con controllers.
After an eight-year gap, the Switch 2’s appearance initially seems almost identical to its predecessor: a rectangular screen with Joy-Con controllers on each side. However, the Switch 2 features a larger screen, reportedly upgraded from 6.2 inches to 8 inches, and the Joy-Con controllers are slightly bigger. The console now has a matte finish.
A new Type-C port has been added to the top of the Switch 2, potentially for connecting more peripherals.
The video reveals that the Joy-Con controllers have transitioned from the previous slide rail design to a more convenient magnetic attachment with a conductive slot, making it easier to attach to the console or grip.
The trailer highlights the joystick on the controller, speculated to be upgraded to a more precise “Hall effect joystick,” potentially resolving drift issues.
According to previous leaks, this brand-new Joy-Con might be equipped with an optical sensor, potentially enabling more diverse operations.
In the video, the Joy-Con controller features a new “dock” accessory. When combined, it can slide on a flat surface, possibly becoming the “mouse” for Switch 2, offering more varied gaming operations.
You can notice that the right Joy-Con has an additional square button below the home button. The trailer doesn’t reveal its specific function. Since there’s no label above the button and rumors suggest it might be called the “C” button, it’s speculated to be a “customizable” button.
Currently, there is limited information about the performance specs of Switch 2. However, there have been rumors that the second generation will continue using NVIDIA’s Tegra series processors with Samsung’s 8 nm process, offering a significant performance boost compared to the previous 16 nm generation.
Of course, those familiar with the Switch know that what’s important isn’t the specs but the games you can play.
The launch game lineup still awaits official announcement, but we can make some reasonable predictions.
In 2025, the officially announced game release schedule for the Switch is still sparse, with only four first-party Nintendo games:
- Donkey Kong Returns HD (an HD remaster of the 2010 Wii game)
- Xenoblade Chronicles X Ultimate Edition (an HD remaster of the 2015 Wii U game)
- Metroid Ultimate 4: Beyond the Unknown (a spin-off of the Metroid series)
- Pokémon Legends Z-A (a spin-off of the Pokémon series)
It’s almost certain that several “Mario” games will debut alongside Switch 2. It’s been seven years since the last Mario title, “Odyssey,” so the next major release is likely to appear within a year of Switch 2’s launch, possibly featuring both Mario and Donkey Kong.
As for the staple launch title for every Nintendo console, “Mario Kart,” it appears as the only game footage in this trailer. The new installment is likely to be a launch title for Switch 2.
Nintendo is planning to expand the “Donkey Kong” IP starting in 2024, with the release of the remastered version “Donkey Kong Returns HD” on July 30, 2024. We might also see a brand new 3D Donkey Kong game on the Switch 2.
Additionally, other well-known Nintendo IPs like “Splatoon,” “Animal Crossing,” “Xenoblade Chronicles,” and “Fire Emblem” have been quiet for over a year, so new installments are likely not far off.
In a recent fiscal policy briefing, Nintendo highlighted its partnerships with dozens of third-party game developers. Besides well-known companies like Epic, EA, and Ubisoft, there are also unique brands like Cygames and FROM SOFTWARE. This suggests that we might be able to play classic PC games like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Elden Ring” on the Switch 2.
The video also revealed that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with games from the previous generation, meaning there will be a vast library of games available at launch. However, Nintendo noted that some games might not be compatible.
When the Switch was launched, smartphones were already ubiquitous, and many questioned whether a console with lower specs than a phone would sell.
The result? The Switch sold nearly 150 million units worldwide, almost becoming the best-selling console in history, proving that it has an irreplaceable charm that smart devices can’t match.
However, after eight years, the console’s value has been almost fully tapped. Nintendo’s net profit dropped 69% year-over-year last fiscal quarter, indicating that the console’s sales have nearly saturated, and the market is eagerly awaiting a successor.
From this brief 2-minute video, we get a glimpse of the Switch 2, which seems to retain the familiar design: no ultra-thin body, still with large black bezels, seemingly ignoring eight years of technological advancements. But with more powerful performance and new Joy-Con controllers, we can foresee another exciting eight years in gaming history.
Nintendo also announced that a Nintendo Switch 2 experience event will be held in Japan from April 26 to April 27, with participation determined by lottery. The event will also gradually take place in cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Dallas, Milan, Toronto, Amsterdam, Madrid, Melbourne, Seoul, and more. Since the event schedule extends to June, it likely means the Switch 2 will be released after June.
Source from ifanr
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