Nintendo has announced the release of a new game console, set to debut in 2025. A first-look video reveals a device that closely mirrors the design of its highly successful Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a larger screen than its predecessor while maintaining the compact tablet form that allows for handheld play or docking to connect to a TV. The updated Joy-Con controllers are designed to attach magnetically to the sides of the console, rather than sliding onto a rail.
Details in the trailer are limited, with a full reveal scheduled for April 2. Global hands-on events, including one in Melbourne on May 10, suggest that the release date will follow shortly after. The new system will support exclusive Switch 2 software as well as original Switch titles, although some older software may not function fully on the new console, indicating that certain hardware features from the original may not be supported. However, many new games are expected to be compatible with both systems.
The trailer raises questions about certain features of the new console. It includes the standard USB-C port for charging and docking, along with an additional USB-C port on the top edge, potentially for accessories. A new, unlabelled button appears on the right Joy-Con beneath the Home button. The Joy-Con are shown gliding across a surface before attaching to the console, supporting rumors that they may have optical sensors for mouse-like functionality.
The trailer also showcases the Switch 2 running an unannounced Mario Kart game, which is expected given that Mario Kart 8 is Nintendo’s second-best-selling game, now over a decade old. Since its launch in 2017, the original Switch has sold 146 million units, making it the second-best-selling home console ever, following Sony’s PlayStation 2. While the Switch 2 seems to be a direct successor, it may still hold unexpected features.
Nintendo has a history of innovating in surprising ways with its hardware, often diverging from industry norms. This approach has led to both commercial successes and failures, but its successful products, like the Wii and DS, have significantly influenced the gaming landscape, encouraging a surge in casual gaming across various platforms, including smartphones. The remarkable success of the Switch has similarly impacted the industry.
