After months, actually years of waiting, Nintendo has finally announced the successor console to the incredibly successful Nintendo Switch with a trailer. It actually has the simple nameNintendo Switch 2and is similar to the original in many respects.
The Nintendo Switch 2 also has a screen as a base, to which the Joy-Con controllers are attached on the left and right sides. The controls can also be removed from the housing so that you can play freely using motion control.
However, they are no longer pushed onto the display using a metal rail, but rather snapped into place using a magnetic connector. Both on the handheld itself and on the connector with which you can use the Joy-Cons as a large controller.
All information about the Nintendo Switch 2 at a glance:
- Nintendo Switch 2 will once again be a hybrid of handheld and console
- The Nintendo Switch 2 is a lot bigger than the original Switch
- The kickstand looks quite a bit narrower
- There is a new, rounded docking station to match the new Joy-Cons
- There are two USB-C ports
- In the future, Joy-Cons will be plugged in and no longer pushed onto the console
- The Switch 2 is backwards compatible with all previous Switch 1 games
- Mario Kart 9 was shown and will probably be the launch title
- There will be a direct on April 2nd with more information about handhelds and games
- Hands-on events will take place
- No price has been announced yet
Significantly larger than the first Switch
In the video, Nintendo indicates what we already expected: the console and the display will probably grow to 8 inches. The new Mario Kart offshoot shown gets a lot of display space to show its improved graphics:
The Joy-Cons also make it clear that they have grown quite a bit and have a really stylish design. A sort of matte cobalt gray has been decorated with blue and red accents, depending on whether you're looking at the right or left side.
They are also stylishly rounded and the sticks also appear slightly higher. All controls could be larger and therefore a little easier to grip.
Loops can probably be attached to the Joy-Cons and the mini controllers can then race... across a table!? It's not entirely clear what Nintendo wants to achieve with this, but it could be a small confirmation that the Joy-Cons are like a kind ofcan be used via an optical sensor.
Further innovations on the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Joy-Cons
In addition to the obvious innovations on the Switch 2, Nintendo has also hidden a few small details in the trailer that you can discover on the handheld and the accessories:
- Additional switch on the back of the Joy-Cons:Its function is still unknown, but it could be used to control the connection mechanism of the controller.
- Two USB-C ports:In addition to the connection on the bottom, the Nintendo Switch 2 has an additional port on the top to make gaming more comfortable while charging.
- Fold-out stand on the back:Like the previous models, the Switch 2 has a kickstand, but this is significantly narrower than the OLED Switch, but even wider.
- Additional button on the right Joy-Con:A square button can be seen under the home button, but its function is not yet clear. This could be used to control a microphone or activate new social functions.
Since Nintendo shows the TV dock with the controller connection and the handheld at the very end, it can be assumed that the accessories are included in the package again, just like the loops for the Joy-Cons.
Backwards compatibility is confirmed for almost all Nintendo Switch games
Towards the end of the trailer it is once again clearly stated that almost all Nintendo Switch games will also work on the Switch 2. It doesn't matter whether you own them physically or digitally - cartridges can simply be pushed back into a slot on the console and versions can be downloaded from the eShop as before.Pretty exemplary!
Switch 2 is backwards compatible:
Then where does the “almost” come from?Nintendo notes that "certain" games will not be compatible with the Switch 2. This should primarily mean titles with special peripherals, including Nintendo Labo or Ring Fit Adventure.
For example, the fitness game uses - as the name suggests - a training ring onto which the Joy-Cons are pushed. However, the rail is no longer present on the new controller models and the game cannot therefore be operated.
No information on the price
Unfortunately, Nintendo owes us a price. Rumors are currently circulating that it will probably be between 400 and 500 euros, but some insiders have already suggested that the price could cause a "controversy" and perhaps rise to over 500 euros. So we'll have to wait and see, but there will be a more extensive presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2 soon.
More details in April
There is no exact release date yet, only an indication that the Switch 2 will be released this year. However, in addition to the Switch 2, Nintendo has announced a direct presentation, where there will probably be more information and a lot about the games.
The final release date and price for the handheld console hybrid will probably also be communicated there, and pre-orders should then go online:
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is scheduled to go live on April 2nd, so we'll probably have to wait a while for more details.
There will also be several hands-on presentations during the “Nintendo Switch 2 Experience” in many cities around the world. Among other things in Berlin on April 25th to 27th,You can find all the registration details here:
At least the cat is out of the bag now.The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming later this year and probably soon. So we're excited to see what else the Japanese console giant will present to us. After all, we hardly know anything about the games and how the great technology is ultimately used.
What do you think of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal?
