New pocket flagship: Exploring the Nintendo Switch 2

The official trailer for the console was released on January 16, 2025. It was not announced in advance; instead, videos presenting the new form factor of the console suddenly appeared on Nintendo's YouTube channels. However, information about the release date had been circulating for a long time, albeit constantly changing. NateTheHate guessed it correctly—he was the one who announced that the Switch 2 would be revealed on January 16.

If you haven't seen it yet, watch below:

Size

From the video above, it becomes clear that the new console will be larger than the standard version in every aspect. The screen, Joy-Cons, and even the sticks have become slightly bigger.

Exact specifications have not been provided, but insiders have reported that the Switch 2 will have the following dimensions: height — 116 mm, width — 270 mm, thickness — 14 mm. Compared to the standard Nintendo Switch body, the second version will be 3.1 cm wider and 1.4 cm taller. Additionally, rumors promise an 8-inch screen diagonal. For comparison, the OLED version of the first Switch has a 7-inch screen.

Image: x.com

Design

The video presentation shows a new format for the Joy-Cons—they are now magnetic, and the connection to the console in portable mode is secured by two recessed contacts in the body. If you were worried that this solution might be too fragile, insiders are quick to reassure you. The contacts cannot be broken easily as they are completely enclosed by the console’s frame, and forcibly removing the Joy-Cons without damaging the console itself is not possible.

Magnetic connections are provided by the SL and SR buttons—in Switch 2, they have become larger and will be metallic. NextHandheld says that the magnets will be strong enough to prevent accidental detachment of the controllers, meaning you can also say goodbye to any play. However, due to this design, there will be bezels on the sides of the screen, which is unavoidable.

Image: youtube.com

The video shows that the controllers seem to "slide" to the side after pressing a button, so the holder that turns them into a full-fledged joystick has also been changed. The upper part of its grips has become flat, and the Joy-Cons now insert from the sides rather than the top, as in the previous version.

Small changes have also affected the buttons on the Joy-Cons. They have become slightly larger. According to rumors, the sticks will now use Hall effect sensors, which are less prone to drift, solving another user issue. However, the IR camera has been removed; it does not appear in the concept art in the video. Therefore, games like Ring Fit Adventure that use this feature may not have backward compatibility.

Image: youtube.com

Additionally, on the top bezel of the console, you can see a microphone and a USB Type-C port. There is no information about their intended use, but it is possible that this allows the console to work directly with wired joysticks and enables voice chat in games. We await further information.

What's inside?

Again, here we can only wait, speculate, and hope. The Nintendo Direct will take place on April 2, and the full specifications of the console will be announced during the presentation. However, we can speculate on this topic. For example, there is information suggesting that the Switch 2 will be comparable in power to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. There is also a chance that in docked mode, the console will support, if not 4K, then full Quad HD resolution.

Image: youtube.com

Thus, most insiders agree on the following specifications for the Switch 2:

Yes, rumors suggest that we will not receive an OLED version at launch, as many expected, but the console's specifications are quite decent. It is expected that many AAA projects from previous years will be released for it, and we might even see Genshin Impact, whose port was announced back in 2020.

Release Date

The same NateTheHate says that the console's release will be no earlier than May. The official date will only be announced at the Nintendo Direct in April, but we predict that the release should be expected in June.

Why? Because starting April 4, the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience tour will begin, during which you can hold the console in your hands and try it out as one of the first. Anyone can register for it on the official Nintendo website until January 26.

Image: nintendo.com

Here is the list of cities and dates where the console will be showcased:

Price

Again, nothing is confirmed yet. Fans speculate that the console might be released at a starting price of €399. Some believe the price could be slightly lower, around €349. We advise not to set expectations yet and to wait for the Nintendo Direct.

Image: stuff.tv

What are we going to play?

In the announcement video, the first game that will become an exclusive for the console was shown—Mario Kart 9. It will support online play for up to 24 players, add new types of tracks, and change the boxes that previously dropped items: they will now be yellow and more noticeable.

Image: youtube.com

Other official announcements will also be awaited at the Nintendo Direct. However, users are actively sharing their speculations about what to expect on the Switch 2.

We have gathered the most interesting suggestions:

This is all the information currently available about the Nintendo Switch 2. We will share more news about the console when the Nintendo Direct is released, so see you in April!

Main image: ensigame.com