Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially announced
In an out-of-nowhere reveal, Nintendo has finally unveiled the first look at the Nintendo Switch 2- nearly eight years after the original Switch launched. The brief trailer showed off a new magnetic controller system that looks quite a bit sleeker than the original slide-in/out controllers alongside some new features. One new feature is an improved kickstand that covers the entire back of the Switch 2- which seems to be a massive upgrade to the flimsy kickstand seen in the first model
Image by Nintendo
Alongside these changes comes a new black colour scheme, with the iconic red and blue joycons taking up less of the design, resulting in a cleaner overall look. In fact, this overall console design looks quite similar to the Steam Deck- which has been heralded as one of the best handheld gaming devices. Considering this, it would make sense for Nintendo to take some inspiration here (minus the detachable joy cons and hybrid console design of course).
Image by Nintendo
Speaking of hybrid, as you may expect, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be fully playable both as a handheld and home console. When showing this off, we also got a brief glimpse of a new Mario Kart which is expected to release alongside the Switch 2 later this year. With a 2025 release window being set, we could be getting our hands on this much-anticipated console within the next few months. We also know that the Switch 2 will be fully backward compatible with the original Switch so most older games can be played on the new hardware (with some likely very specific exceptions).
Image by Nintendo
In terms of release date and price point, nothing concrete is known as of yet but we do know that the console is not likely to launch until early June at the latest. This is because Nintendo will be holding several Switch 2 experience events across the world- with the final being held in Seoul between 31 May-1 June. Logically, it makes sense for the console to be released after this point. Still, it being a hybrid console, releasing it sometime before August to meet the Summer demand would make a lot of sense. You can find out more on April 2nd when Nintendo have announced a Nintendo Direct showing off much more of the console including a price, release date and hopefully some new games.
