Nintendo shared the first images of the Nintendo Switch 2 in a video posted on YouTube. The successor to the widely popular gaming console will simply be called the Switch 2. As the name suggests, it shares the same design philosophy with a modular form factor.
Right out of the gate, the video shows the main difference with the Switch – the Switch 2 will be a bigger console with a bigger screen. There is still a substantial bezel around the screen.
The Joy-Con controllers are also getting a massive update. Due to the larger screen size, they are also larger and have a more rounded design. They attach magnetically to the sides of the tablet.
Nintendo will have a less colorful design with this new console. This time around, the Switch 2 is almost entirely black with some pops of color below the controller sticks and on top of the Joy-Cons.
The console will be connected so you can play on your TV too. In that case, you can detach the controllers and use them as two separate controllers, or switch them to a separate controller handle.
And if you’re gaming on the go, the stand on the back of the device has been redesigned. It seems much stronger than the original key support. There’s also a new USB-C port on the top of the device – this is a better place if you want to charge and play at the same time as using the Switch 2 as a handheld device.
Nintendo Switch owners will be happy to hear that Nintendo Switch 2 will support original Switch games. There will be a physical cartridge slot on the top of the device. Digital games originally created for the Switch will also run on the new console.
The only game featured in the video is a Mario Kart game. It looks similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but it’s unclear if it’s just the existing Nintendo Switch game or a brand new Mario Kart game.
The most significant difference with the Nintendo Switch will be inside the device. The company is likely to upgrade the internal components so that the console can support more demanding games. But we’ll have to wait to learn more on that front.
Details are still scarce when it comes to pricing and availability as well. The company plans to share more details in a Nintendo Direct live stream video on April 2, 2025. So it looks like the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is still a few months away.
