Nintendo Switch 2: What to Expect from Nintendo’s Next-Gen Console

I still remember when the original Nintendo Switch launched in 2017. It felt like magic—a console that could instantly switch from handheld to docked mode, with a lineup of games that just worked. I took that thing everywhere—on flights, to cafes, even to places where I definitely should have been paying attention instead of grinding through Breath of the Wild.

Now, after years of speculation, leaks, and Nintendo dragging their feet, the Switch 2 is finally happening.

And if Nintendo doesn’t screw this up, it could be the biggest console launch of the decade.

When Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Coming Out?

Nintendo hasn’t officially revealed the Switch 2 yet, but we know it’s coming in 2025.

• Developers have already received dev kits, meaning studios are actively working on games for the new hardware.
• Reports suggest a March 2025 launch window, which would line up with Nintendo’s typical strategy of releasing new hardware in the spring.
• Some rumors suggest a late 2024 reveal, meaning we could see the first official look at the Switch 2 before the end of the year.

Nintendo has been weirdly quiet about the Switch 2, but given how long the current Switch has lasted, they’re in no rush to kill off a console that’s still printing money.

How Powerful Will It Be?

This is the biggest question: how much of an upgrade is the Switch 2 actually going to be?

We’re not expecting PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X levels of power—Nintendo has never tried to compete in the graphics race. But based on leaks and insider reports, here’s what we can expect:

• A custom NVIDIA chip with DLSS upscaling, meaning it could run games at 4K when docked while still keeping a portable form factor.
• Better battery life and a more efficient cooling system—something the current Switch struggles with in high-performance games.
• Faster storage (likely SSD-based), meaning shorter load times and smoother performance in open-world games.
• A larger, improved screen—potentially OLED standard instead of LCD.

If these rumors are true, this would make the Switch 2 Nintendo’s most powerful handheld ever, while still keeping the hybrid design that made the original Switch a hit.

Backward Compatibility—Will Your Switch Games Work on the Switch 2?

Nintendo hasn’t confirmed backward compatibility, but if they don’t include it, they’re making a huge mistake.

• The Switch has a massive library of games, and cutting off access to them would be a disaster for longtime fans.
• Backward compatibility would help people transition to the new console without feeling like they have to start over.
• Leaks suggest the Switch 2 will support existing Switch cartridges, meaning you might be able to bring your library with you.

If Nintendo pulls a 3DS to Switch move—forcing people to rebuy digital games or leaving the old library behind entirely—it’s going to piss off a lot of people.

Will It Have Exclusive Games at Launch?

Nintendo doesn’t launch new consoles without a killer game lineup, so the big question is: what’s going to sell the Switch 2 on day one?

Here’s what’s rumored (and what makes sense):

• A new 3D Mario game—possibly Super Mario Odyssey 2.
• Metroid Prime 4—which has been stuck in development hell for years but could finally launch as a next-gen title.
• A new Pokémon game—because Nintendo isn’t launching a new console without a Pokémon game to move hardware.
• A new Zelda game—maybe not a full sequel to Tears of the Kingdom, but something smaller in the franchise.
• More third-party support—with Capcom, Ubisoft, and Square Enix all rumored to be working on Switch 2 titles.

If Nintendo really wants to sell the Switch 2, they need to launch with a heavy hitter. The original Switch had Breath of the Wild—the sequel needs something just as big.

What Nintendo Needs to Get Right

Nintendo has a history of doing things their own way, and that’s both why they succeed and why they screw up.

If the Switch 2 is going to be a real next-gen upgrade, they need to avoid these mistakes:

1. Enough storage space. The original Switch launched with 32GB of internal storage, which was laughable. The Switch 2 needs at least 256GB, preferably more.
2. No stupid online policies. Nintendo’s online service is still stuck in 2005. Better online infrastructure, cloud saves that don’t disappear if you stop paying for them, and a more modern eShop should be non-negotiable.
3. No Joy-Con drift. If they release another console with drifting analog sticks, people will riot.
4. Backward compatibility. The Switch has a fantastic library, and cutting off those games from the new console would be a massive mistake.

Is the Switch 2 Worth the Hype?

Right now, the Switch 2 is shaping up to be the biggest Nintendo release since the original Switch—but it all depends on how much of an upgrade it actually is.

• If it’s just a slightly stronger Switch with no real innovations, people might not care.
• If it’s a true generational leap with better performance, a great launch lineup, and backward compatibility, it could dominate the handheld market for another decade.

Nintendo has one shot to get this right.

And if they do?

The Switch 2 could be their best console yet.