The Nintendo Switch 2 is around the corner, and the leaks suggest it will be significantly more powerful than its predecessor, leading to even more impressive games and experiences. But, just when is the Switch 2 release date? What games can we expect?
The Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, took the gaming world by storm, allowing players to seamlessly transition from playing on their TV to playing on the go. It is arguably the best gaming handheld out there, yet the Switch 2 is primed to trump it.
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Estimate
The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be released in early 2025, supported by a recent report and Nintendo confirming the announcement will take place before March 2025.
While there have yet to be any official statements regarding its release, Nintendo has confirmed that the official reveal of the Switch 2 will be before the end of the fiscal year. In other words, this means the Switch 2 will be revealed before March 31, 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2 Leaked Specs
The Switch 2 is expected to have the following specs:
- CPU: Custom Nvidia ARM SoC “DRAKE” (T239)
- GPU: Nvidia Ampere architecture
- CUDA cores: 1280
- Tensor Cores: 48
- Ray-Tracing Cores: 12
- Display: 8-inch LCD
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 256 GB
The Nintendo Switch 2 reportedly comes equipped with 12GB of RAM, which is triple the size of the original model. This memory is split into two 6GB LPDDR5 modules, each operating at a speed of 7500 MT/s.
For storage, the Switch 2 is rumoured to include 256GB of built-in storage using UFS 3.1 technology. This contradicts earlier rumours that suggested the console might include 512 GB of storage.
Reuters sources confirm that the Nintendo Switch 2 will operate on a custom Nvidia chip. This Nvidia SoC, named the T239, is an ARM-based chip featuring 1280 Ampere CUDA cores.
The GPU in the Switch 2 is based on Nvidia's Ampere architecture, enabling access to advanced rendering techniques such as DLSS 2 super-resolution and DLSS 3.5 ray reconstruction.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games
Although Nintendo has yet to reveal any Switch 2 games, let alone the console, there have been various leaks and educated guesses of what we can expect to see on the updated hardware.
- Bayonetta Trilogy - Leaker Nash Weedle suggests a remastered collection of the three main Bayonetta games will arrive on the Switch 2.
- Mario Kart X - Leaker Zippo suggests Mario Kart X is planned for the Switch 2, which they claim will be released in 2025.
- New Mario Party - Mario Party is a Nintendo staple, so there will no doubt be a new one on the cards for the Switch 2.
- New Zelda - We can expect at least one new Zelda game and possible remasters during the Switch 2's lifecycle.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Estimate
The original Nintendo Switch retails for $259.99 / £259.99, while the newer Nintendo Switch OLED costs $349.99 / £309.99. As the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to feature significantly improved hardware, a better display, and longer battery life over its predecessor, it will likely be a substantially more expensive handheld. We estimate that the asking price for the Nintendo Switch 2 will be around $399.99 / £399.99.
The prices of its competitors can impact the price of the new Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch's competitors PS5 and Xbox Series X sell for $499.99 / £479.99 and $499 / £449 respectively.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 Have Backwards Compatibility?
While there are no confirmed details on whether the console will feature backwards compatibility, it's very likely that the Nintendo Switch 2 will let you play the previous console's games.
Firstly, leaker tvPH on YouTube shared the fact that the console will feature backwards compatibility, both physically and digitally. Additionally, it's rumored that Nintendo believes it's the "next model", instead of a full sequel or new console entirely.
Considering Nintendo has made backwards compatibility within console families fairly accessible, like the DS handhelds, we imagine the same will happen with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Expandable Storage
We expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to continue to allow MicroSD cards to expand the storage, much like other handhelds, including the original Switch.
Other handhelds like the Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally feature MicroSD slots as a way of expanding storage easily, despite the fact they come with SSDs and a way of upgrading the internal storage. We doubt that Nintendo would opt against MicroSD in the Switch 2, especially after marketing the Nintendo Switch-specific MicroSD cards with SanDisk.
And that covers everything about the potential Nintendo Switch 2. We will update you with the exact Nintendo Switch 2 release date once we have it. In the meantime, check out the news on other handheld consoles such as Steam Deck 2 and ASUS Rog Ally.