New pocket flagship: Exploring the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2: A Sneak Peek at the Next-Gen Console

The surprise January 16th, 2025 YouTube reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer sent shockwaves through the gaming community. While release date rumors had circulated for months, the official announcement, accurately predicted by NateTheHate, caught everyone off guard. If you missed it, check out the trailer below:

[Table of Contents]

• Size
• Design
• Internal Specifications
• Release Date
• Price
• Game Lineup

Size

The trailer clearly showcases a larger console than its predecessor. The screen, Joy-Cons, and even the thumbsticks are noticeably bigger. While precise dimensions weren't given, leaked specifications point to a height of 116 mm, width of 270 mm, and thickness of 14 mm. This represents a 3.1 cm increase in width and 1.4 cm in height compared to the standard Switch. An 8-inch screen is also rumored, a significant upgrade from the OLED Switch's 7-inch display.

Image: x.com

Design

The Joy-Cons sport a magnetic attachment system, secured by recessed contacts within the console body. Insiders assure us this is a robust design, preventing accidental detachment and damage. The SL and SR buttons are larger and metallic, contributing to the magnetic connection strength. This design, however, necessitates screen bezels.

Image: youtube.com

The Joy-Con holder has been redesigned, with flat grips and side insertion. The buttons are larger, and the thumbsticks are rumored to utilize Hall effect sensors, mitigating joystick drift. However, the IR camera is absent, potentially impacting backward compatibility 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 functionality.

Image: youtube.com

Internal Specifications

Details remain scarce until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct. However, speculation points towards PlayStation 4/Xbox One-level performance, with potential for full Quad HD resolution in docked mode. Currently, the most anticipated specs are:

• 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 unexpected, but the overall specifications are impressive. Many AAA titles from previous years are anticipated, including a potential port of Genshin Impact.

Image: youtube.com

Release Date

NateTheHate predicts a May release at the earliest, with June being more likely. The official date will be revealed in April's Nintendo Direct. The "Nintendo Switch 2 Experience" tour, starting April 4th, allows hands-on demos. Registration is open until January 26th on the official Nintendo website.

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

Pricing remains unconfirmed, with speculation ranging from €349 to €399. It's best to await the official announcement.

Image: stuff.tv

Game Lineup

Mario Kart 9, featuring 24-player online support and redesigned item boxes, was showcased as a launch title. Further announcements are expected at the Nintendo Direct. However, fan speculation includes titles like Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, Tekken 8, and many more.

Image: youtube.com

Stay tuned for more updates following the April Nintendo Direct!