The Nintendo Switch 2: A Sneak Peek

The surprise January 16th, 2025 YouTube reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer, accurately predicted by NateTheHate, sent shockwaves through the gaming community. While release date rumors had circulated for months, the official announcement, devoid of prior fanfare, heightened anticipation.

Let's dive into the details gleaned from the trailer and subsequent insider reports:

Table of Contents

• Size
• Design
• Internal Specifications
• Release Date
• Price
• Launch Titles

Size

The Switch 2 boasts a noticeably larger form factor than its predecessor. The screen, Joy-Cons, and even the thumbsticks are all slightly bigger. While precise dimensions weren't explicitly stated, insiders suggest a height of 116 mm, width of 270 mm, and thickness of 14 mm—a significant increase over the original Switch. An 8-inch screen is rumored, compared to the 7-inch OLED model.

Image: x.com

Design

The Joy-Cons undergo a significant redesign. They now feature magnetic connections secured by recessed contacts within the console's frame, eliminating the fragility concerns of previous iterations. The SL and SR buttons are larger and metallic, contributing to the magnetic attachment strength. This design, however, necessitates screen bezels.

Image: youtube.com

The Joy-Con grip is also redesigned, with a flatter top and side insertion of the controllers. Larger buttons and Hall effect sensors in the thumbsticks aim to address joystick drift. The absence of an IR camera, however, suggests potential backward compatibility issues for games like Ring Fit Adventure.

A USB Type-C port and microphone are visible on the top bezel, hinting at potential wired controller support and voice chat capabilities.

Image: youtube.com

Internal Specifications

While full specifications await the April 2nd Nintendo Direct, leaks suggest a powerful console. Comparisons to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in terms of processing power are circulating, with potential for Quad HD resolution in docked mode.

Image: youtube.com

Predicted Specifications:

• Processor: Custom Nvidia Tegra T239
• RAM: 12 GB
• Storage: 256 GB
• Memory Card Support: microSDHC, microSDXC, microSD Express
• Screen: LCD, 8 inches

The absence of an OLED model at launch is noteworthy.

Release Date

NateTheHate predicts a May launch at the earliest, with June being a more likely timeframe. The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience tour, starting April 4th, allows hands-on experience with the console. Registration closes January 26th.

Image: nintendo.com

Tour Dates:

• New York — 04/04-06/04
• Paris — 04/04-06/04
• Los Angeles — 11/04-13/04
• London — 11/04-13/04
• Berlin — 25/04-27/04
• Dallas — 25/04-27/04
• Milan — 25/04-27/04
• Toronto — 25/04-27/04
• Tokyo — 26/04-27/04
• Amsterdam — 09/05-11/05
• Madrid — 09/05-11/05
• Melbourne — 09/05-11/05
• Seoul — 31/05-01/06
• Hong Kong — To be announced
• Taipei — To be announced

Price

Speculation points to a starting price between €349 and €399, but confirmation awaits the Nintendo Direct.

Image: stuff.tv

Launch Titles

Mario Kart 9, featuring 24-player online support and redesigned item boxes, is confirmed as a launch exclusive. Further announcements are expected during the Nintendo Direct. Speculation includes titles such as Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more.

Image: youtube.com

Stay tuned for the April Nintendo Direct for official confirmation on pricing, release date, and a more comprehensive game lineup.