The Nintendo Switch has been an enormous success to say the least, selling over 154 million units, making it the second best-selling video game console of all time. The immensely popular system was first released in 2017, and with the average console lifespan being roughly 7 years, the rumor mill has been churning about a potential successor as of late. There’s no doubt in our minds, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a surefire thing. Now, thanks to various insider sources and reliable leaks, we know a slathering of new details, including the Nintendo Switch 2 release date, system specs, and much more.
Switch 2 Release Date Delayed to 2025
First and foremost, it’s important to note that Nintendo has not made any official announcements regarding their next home console. The company has a reputation for being tight-lipped, but that hasn’t stopped various leaks and rumors from cropping up. For starters, don’t expect to purchase a new Nintendo home console this year. According to sources backed by VideoGameChronicle, the Switch 2 has been delayed to 2025. Earlier reports suggested that Nintendo was aiming for a global holiday 2024 release, but has since pushed that date forward to roughly March 2025.
However, it seems like this delay is not necessarily a bad one. Supposedly, the Switch 2 is being held back to ensure that there is enough stock to meet initial market demand. Additionally, the delay will also provide developers with a few extra months to polish their games for launch. While no games have been officially announced, titles like Super Mario Odyssey 2, Metroid Prime 4, and an updated version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom could be early first-party releases.
Apart from first-party software, Nintendo is also aiming to supplement the Switch 2 launch with plenty of third-party support. According to EuroGamer, the company first showed off the Switch 2 prototype to developers at the Gamescom trade show in August 2023. These private demonstrations reportedly featured several tech demos, including a beefed-up version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. At this point, development kits for the Switch 2 are likely possessed by trusted studios, granting at least a year’s worth of hands-on time for game makers before launch.
Switch 2 System Specs Reveal Gen 8 Experience
If the leaks and rumors are to be believed, it seems like Nintendo is treating the Switch 2 as an updated version of its existing hybrid model. The console will be playable both at home on modern televisions and as a portable device, thanks to a rumored 8-inch LCD screen. While Nintendo did release a Switch model with an OLED screen several years ago, the working theory is that the company is returning to the LCD standard to keep the new system affordable. Currently, industry analysts predict that the Switch 2 will cost between $350 and $450, depending on the final hardware design.
When it comes to hardware specs, it seems like the bulk of the Switch 2 power will come from a brand new custom Nvidia ARM SoC, codenamed the DRAKE, according to Reuters. It will also likely use an Nvidia Ampere-based GPU unit, granting more graphical power than the original, but underclocked to ensure proper performance. To fall in line with modern competitors, the Switch 2 will likely have 8GB of RAM and hold roughly 64GB of internal storage, and feature updated controllers with better analog sticks. Generally speaking, it seems like the Switch 2 will be targeting an experience similar to eighth-generation systems like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but with the expected Nintendo flair.
Overall, the successor to the Switch has been a hotly discussed topic as of late, as gamers eagerly await the next big thing from Nintendo. It’s clear that the company’s signature secrecy is good at churning up conversation, leading to much debate over the Switch 2. Luckily, we should get our first official look at the Switch 2 before 2024 is over, barring any additional delays. Either way, as long as Nintendo doesn’t have a Wii U-style blunder, their next system should be a major breadwinner. We look forward to getting our hands on the Switch 2 sometime next year.
Short author bio:
Matt Owen
As a lifelong gamer and overall media fiend, Matt gets his hands on every new game and watches an unhealthy amount of movies and TV: action, horror, mystery, and sci-fi in particular. When not bingeing on entertainment, he enjoys reading and writing short stories, cooking, and producing video and podcast content.