What will the Nintendo Switch 2 look like? A closer look at its design and features

Nintendo At The TV Insider Lounge At Comic-Con International 2017
Nintendo At The TV Insider Lounge At Comic-Con International 2017 | Michael Kovac/GettyImages

After years of speculation, Nintendo has officially confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 is in development and will launch in 2025. The announcement came via a post on Nintendo’s website, which included a first-look trailer showcasing glimpses of the new console. Nintendo has also scheduled a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, where fans can expect more details about the next-generation Switch.

Here’s everything we know so far about the Nintendo Switch 2.

A sleek new design with a bigger display

Nintendo has refined the hybrid console design, and while it looks similar to the original Nintendo Switch, especially in video, it has several upgrades. It keeps the handheld and docked functionality that made the original Switch so popular, but the handheld screen has a larger screen and a slimmer bezel, which will give you more screen space. The slightly larger size also looks a little more ergonomic.

Enhanced performance with a new chipset

One of the biggest complaints about the original Switch was its aging hardware, which struggled with newer games and was noticeably underpowered compared to other next-gen systems like the PlayStation and Xbox. The Nintendo Switch 2 will address this with a more powerful custom chipset, rumored to be a significant upgrade over the original Tegra X1 processor.

While Nintendo hasn’t officially revealed the full specs, reports indicate the Switch 2 will support NVIDIA’s DLSS technology, potentially allowing for 4K resolution when docked.

Improved battery life, cooling system, and Joy-cons

Insiders expect the Switch 2 to deliver better battery life than its predecessor, and there are also rumors of an improved cooling system that will allow the system to handle more challenging games.

Rumors suggest that new magnetic Joy-Cons could replace the current rail-based attachment system, offering better durability and reliability. We may also see adaptive triggers and improved haptic feedback, similar to the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. Nintendo has confirmed that some existing Switch accessories will be compatible with the Switch 2, but it remains unclear whether that includes Joy-Cons.

Backward compatibility

One of the biggest questions surrounding Switch 2 is backward compatibility. Nintendo has confirmed that Switch 2 will support some existing Switch games, but there is no word on which titles won’t be available.

As for new titles, Nintendo will likely launch major first-party exclusives to accompany the system, and there was a quick look at a new Mario Kart in the Switch 2 reveal.

Nintendo has scheduled a special Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, which will showcase more details about Switch 2’s hardware, games, and features. We should get more answers then.

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