Nintendo Switch 2 – Here’s everything we know
The beloved gaming console from Nintendo, Switch, is getting an upgrade. What will it be priced at and what novelties does it bring?
The enduring popularity of the Nintendo Switch remains evident. It is celebrating its seventh year on the market, a notable feat in the fast-paced world of video games. With a staggering total of 139.36 million units sold, Nintendo’s family-friendly console continues to captivate consumers worldwide.
However, despite its ongoing success, the Nintendo Switch faces the challenge of aging hardware. Sadly, the faults are becoming increasingly apparent. During an earnings call last May, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining sales momentum for the aging console in its seventh year.
Nevertheless, the anticipation for a successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, is tangible. Recent positive sales figures prompted Nintendo to revise its 2024 hardware sales forecast upward by half a million units.
When’s the release date going to be?
Speculation surrounding the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has persisted for years. Almost immediately after the debut of the original Nintendo Switch, discussions among leakers commenced regarding a potential successor. Many anticipated a new console, dubbed the Nintendo Switch Pro. They hoped it would come with boasting upgraded hardware, with initial expectations pointing towards a 2021 release.
However, Nintendo’s announcement that year didn’t unveil the long-awaited Switch Pro. Instead, on July 6, 2021, they introduced the revised Switch OLED console. Thus, offering a modest enhancement over the original model with a slightly larger OLED display. As of now, the pursuit of the elusive Switch Pro continues.
Throughout 2023, numerous reports surfaced hinting at Nintendo’s preparations for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
According to a news report, the delay of the console is attributed to Nintendo’s focus on developing stronger first-party software. The outlet speculates that the release timeline for the Switch 2 might align with that of the original Switch, which was announced a year before its March 2017 release. If this holds true, we might get a glimpse of the Nintendo Switch 2 this year. However, it won’t be available for purchase until early 2025.
Price of Nintendo Switch 2
Leaker Zippo, along with his “numerous sources” at Nintendo, suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 might come with a considerably higher price tag compared to the original Nintendo Switch at launch. They speculate that the Switch 2 could be priced at $399. This aligns with the launch price of the Nintendo Switch OLED, which was £309.
All of the upgrades we’ll see in Nintendo Switch 2
In the latter part of 2021, just prior to the release of the Switch OLED, a significant stir was caused by a report from Bloomberg. This report hinted at the existence of a 4K Switch kit possessed by certain developers. However, Nintendo promptly refuted these claims, affirming its sole focus on the impending Switch OLED release. This denial led to speculation among enthusiasts and observers alike. They wondered if Nintendo intended to shield the Switch OLED’s potential sales from any overshadowing by rumors of a more powerful variant. However, such theories remain purely speculative and lack concrete evidence.
Currently, the Nintendo Switch relies on Nvidia’s Tegra X1 chip, which, while serviceable, is considered somewhat dated by today’s standards. Nevertheless, rumors abound that Nintendo intends to maintain its partnership with Nvidia for the development of the Switch 2. Seemingly Nintendo is ignoring the growing competition from AMD, which notably powered Valve’s ambitious Steam Deck.
Nvidia vs AMD
Further fueling speculation about the Switch 2, a notable data leak from Nvidia in March 2022. It unveiled files containing references to “NVN2,” the graphics API used in the Nintendo Switch. This discovery sparked speculation that a second-generation Switch, possibly dubbed the Switch Pro, had been in active development. The validity of these rumors gained some credence from the fact that the leaked files dated back to 2019, suggesting ongoing efforts to enhance the Switch’s capabilities.
As the rumors persisted, an Nvidia employee in September 2022 hinted at the potential utilization of a new Nvidia Tegra chip, specifically the Tegra T239. This revelation further fueled speculation about the Switch 2’s hardware upgrades and potential performance improvements over its predecessor.
More recently, reports from July 2023 revealed that development kits for the Switch 2 had made their way into the hands of Nintendo’s key development studios. These reports indicated that the upcoming console would retain its hallmark portability, a feature that has been central to the Switch’s success thus far.
In summary, while rumors and speculation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 continue to swirl, concrete details remain elusive. However, each new development only serves to heighten anticipation for Nintendo’s next-generation console and the potential innovations it may bring to the gaming landscape
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the anticipation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to grow. While concrete details remain scarce, the prospect of upgraded hardware, enhanced performance, and potential innovations such as OLED displays and multiple editions has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide. As we await official confirmation from Nintendo, one thing is certain: the gaming community eagerly anticipates the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the exciting possibilities it may bring to the gaming landscape.
