Nintendo Switch 2 is launching nearly six years after the latest version came out. For now, there are many speculations and rumors about the console’s specifications. Nonetheless, the third-best-selling console of all time after Nintendo DS and PS2 is still creating significant hype.
News has leaked that there might be an all-new game library, including Mario Kart X, Final Fantasy 7 remake, a new Zelda game, and Bayonetta Trilogy. Find out more details below.
Announcement for Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Window
In February 2024, Nikkei, a Japanese publication, suggested a later launch date for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, speculating it wouldn’t hit the market until at least March 2025, contradicting earlier reports.
Nikkei suggested that the Nintendo Switch 2 release window will be pushed forward to 2025 to avoid console scalping and stock shortages.
According to Tom’s Guide, prominent leaker “Moore’s Law is Dead” has added to the chorus of sources suggesting that the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been postponed until at least 2025 for the reasons mentioned above.
Securing a new Nintendo console has historically been challenging for devoted fans. This evokes memories of the difficulties in obtaining the original console, Nintendo Switch, upon its 2017 launch, when it faced inflated prices in the secondary market due to opportunistic resellers.
Nintendo Switch 2 Rumored Specifications – Magnetic Side Controllers
The latest rumors regarding potential specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 stem from a spec sheet according to YouTube content creator Paul Eccleston, also known as “RedGamingTech” are covered in this video:
Eccleston apparently compiled the spec sheet using information from his sources and a Korean United Daily News report.
The biggest change has been the rumored addition of magnetic side controllers. The reported use of magnets in the Nintendo Switch 2 would allow the Joy-Con controllers to attach directly to the device, eliminating the need for the rail-attachment system used in the current Switch since its launch in 2016.
Moreover, according to the spec sheet indicates that the Nintendo Switch 2 could come equipped with:
- an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor
- 8GB of RAM
- 64GB of eMMC internal storage
- boost in battery life
- a 120 Hz refresh rate
- 7-inch OLED display or an 8-inch LCD screen
Rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro have surfaced, partly due to a leaked Nvidia email hinting at the existence of the Tegra239 SoC (system on a chip). According to reports, this SoC was purportedly being developed specifically for a forthcoming Nintendo Switch model, potentially indicating the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Moreover, in June 2023, a Nintendo executive hinted at the potential for backward compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2. During a shareholder Q&A session, which was translated from Japanese, the executive expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for customers when new hardware is introduced, stating that Nintendo will strive to make the transition as seamless as possible.
It is also rumored that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible with its digital games, as confirmed by Universo Nintendo.
On the other hand, we are sure that Nintendo Switch 2 won’t have any VR systems or 4K graphics. It shall also have the same handheld mode and cartridge slot.
In an interview, Philippe Lavoué, the General Manager of Nintendo France, dismissed the importance of 4K technology, stating that it has “not been adopted by the majority.” Consequently, Lavoué suggested that it would be premature for Nintendo to embrace 4K at this time.
Nintendo Switch 2 Expected Price in Comparison to Older Models
Various Nintendo Switch models are currently available for consideration, with prices varying significantly based on the specific version you’re interested in. The console manufacturers have not disclosed the price yet.
Hence, as we anticipate a potential Switch 2 release in the future, factors like inflation and internal specifications are expected to influence the launch price of the new console.
While it’s difficult to predict the pricing of this upcoming device, we can use the recommended retail prices (RRP) of the current Nintendo Switch models as a point of reference:
- Nintendo Switch Lite: $199.99
- Nintendo Switch: $299.99
- Nintendo OLED Switch: $349.99
Considering these price points, we can only expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to be more expensive.
Moreover, the PS5 and Xbox Series S are priced at $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.95 and $499 / £449 / AU$749 respectively. Nintendo has a history of undercutting its competitors by offering lower-spec hardware at more affordable prices.
Considering this trend, it wouldn’t be unexpected for the Nintendo Switch 2 to be priced around $399.99 / £399.99 / AU$699.95 to maintain its competitive advantage. However, it’s important to note that this estimate is purely speculative.
Check this space for more updates on Nintendo Switch 2.
