Nintendo Switch 2: 9 Key Questions Answered

After months of being the gaming industry's worst-kept secret, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been unveiled. We've been treated to our first official glimpse of the new console through a trailer from Nintendo, which confirms many of the leaks that had been circulating about the successor to the original Nintendo Switch.

Unfortunately, the new footage was tantalizingly brief, leaving us with a lot of unanswered questions about the Nintendo Switch 2. What's the exact release date? How much will it cost? Why isn't it backwards-compatible with every original Switch game? Let's delve into the biggest questions surrounding the new console as we eagerly await the next Nintendo Direct in April 2025.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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What's the Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date?

There's been plenty of speculation about when in 2025 Nintendo plans to release the Switch 2. The trailer offers no new insights on this subject, only confirming what we already knew - the system will hit stores at some point this year. So, when in 2025 can we expect the Switch 2 to launch?

The original Switch launched on March 3, 2017, after being revealed in October 2016. Will Nintendo follow a similar timetable this time around? If so, that would put the release of the Switch 2 around May or June 2025, which aligns with recent rumors.

Currently, all we know for sure is that the system won’t release before April 2025. Nintendo has scheduled a new Direct livestream on April 2, where we'll get more details about the console and see footage of the Switch 2’s launch games. We also know that Nintendo will be running a series of hands-on fan preview events from April until early June. It would make sense to release the console once those events have concluded. However, we probably won’t get a firm release date until the Direct in April.

What Is the Price of the Switch 2?

The price tag might be the biggest mystery surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 at the moment. How much will the new console cost? Will it be in line with the original Switch, or should gamers brace themselves for a price hike?

The original Switch launched in 2017 at $300, while the Switch OLED is currently priced at $350. Given that the Switch 2 appears to be an upgraded version with superior hardware, it's reasonable to expect Nintendo to increase the price by $50 or $100. Current rumors suggest the Switch 2 will launch at $400, aligning it with the baseline OLED Steam Deck. Industry analysts largely agree that $400 is the sweet spot for the new console.

The final price may depend on how advanced the hardware is in the new console. Rumors indicate the Switch 2 is roughly on par with the Xbox One X, representing a significant upgrade over its predecessor, though not at the cutting edge of portable tech. The hardware capabilities of the Switch 2, and whether it uses an OLED screen (more on that later), will determine how much more expensive it is compared to the original.

What New Games Will the Switch 2 Launch With?

A new console is only as good as its library of launch games. The original Switch's success was partly due to its impressive lineup at launch, including a new open-world Legend of Zelda game, the popular Mario Kart 8, and Super Mario Odyssey later that year.

Will the Switch 2 have an equally impressive arsenal? At this point, we can only speculate. The trailer teases one new game for the Switch 2, offering footage of what we assume is Mario Kart 9. If Nintendo has a new Zelda or Mario game planned for launch, they’re keeping it under wraps until April.

We do have a fairly comprehensive list of all the games rumored to launch with the Nintendo Switch 2. We're expecting increased third-party support this time around, now that there won't be such a wide gulf in technical power between Nintendo’s console and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox.

What Is the Switch 2’s Exact Size?

One of the biggest takeaways from the Switch 2 trailer is that the new console is not only more powerful than its predecessor but also larger. Both the console and the Joy-Cons are physically taller, though their width appears unchanged, and the screen is larger and takes up more of the front of the unit. All signs point to this being a more substantial piece of hardware than the original Switch.

But just how big is the Switch 2? Based on the trailer, we estimate the Switch 2 is around 15% larger than the original. Is this accurate? How much of a difference does that make to the overall experience? Will the new Switch be as comfortable to hold and manipulate? Again, we’ll have to wait until April for more concrete details.

What Type of Screen Does It Have?

The original Switch underwent one major hardware refresh with the Switch OLED, a clear improvement over the original model. The OLED screen is brighter and more vibrant, and it also improves battery life, a significant advantage for a portable system.

Nintendo fans are eager to know whether the Switch 2 will follow suit and use an OLED display. While we'd certainly like to see an OLED panel again, it's possible Nintendo might downgrade to an LED or even LCD panel to keep costs down. The trailer provides no indication of what tech the Switch 2 is using, so we'll have to wait until the next Nintendo Direct to find out more.

Which Games Aren’t Backwards Compatible?

Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be backwards-compatible with most original Switch games, whether they're physical cartridges or digital downloads, making it easier to transition to the new console.

However, the trailer includes a disclaimer that not all Switch games will be compatible with the new console. Which games won’t work on the new system? Are we talking about games that require the original Joy-Con controller, like Ring Fit Adventure or Nintendo LABO? Or are there other hardware limitations we don’t know about that will prevent certain games from being playable on the new system?

Will Original Switch Games Be Enhanced?

It’s reassuring to know that most original Switch games will work on the new console. Yet, this raises the question of how exactly Switch games will perform on the Switch 2. Will the experience be identical, or will Nintendo leverage the upgraded hardware to boost framerates and enhance graphics?

Given the demand for more horsepower in graphically intensive games like Tears of the Kingdom, we assume Nintendo has plans to offer improved versions of original Switch games. But will it be as simple as loading up an old Switch cart on the Switch 2, or will gamers have to pay for an upgraded, remastered version? And if it's the latter, will that take the form of a paid download, or will they have to buy a completely new version of the game? Essentially, what investment are we looking at if we want to play a Tears of the Kingdom remaster?

What New Functions Does the Joy-Con Have?

Rumors suggested the new Joy-Con controllers would receive a few upgrades on the Switch 2. The trailer confirms that the new Joy-Con has an extra button and will attach to the console magnetically rather than via rails. It also seems to confirm the rumor that the Joy-Con can be manipulated like a computer mouse, opening up new gameplay opportunities.

How exactly will the Switch 2 take advantage of these new features? Will the mouse-style functionality open up new doors for first-person shooters or strategy games on the Switch 2? And what exactly does the new button do?

We expect the new Joy-Con to be a major focus at the Direct event in April, where we’ll see new games that showcase the opportunities provided by these added features.

Mario Kart 9 - First Look

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Will Joy-Con Drift Be Fixed?

Gaming on the original Switch wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Many owners faced the dreaded problem of Joy-Con drift, where joysticks would begin to register movement on their own. While Nintendo was proactive in offering repair and replacement solutions, it remained a frustrating issue throughout the Switch's life cycle.

We can only hope that drift is an issue Nintendo has solved this time around. Are the new Joy-Cons drift-proof? Will the combination of new joystick sensors and the magnetic attachments ensure that this problem is a thing of the past? We hope so, but we'll see whether Nintendo addresses the subject at the Direct event in April.