It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Nintendo has officially (and rather casually) announced the Nintendo Switch 2. The successor to one of Nintendo’s best consoles of all time will release later this year in 2025.
The announcement includes a first-look at the hardware in a new video.
The Switch 2 features the same hybrid handheld-console design that made the Switch such a unique success. The new console features a larger screen and Joy-Con controller. The new Joy-Con connect to the screen via magnetic plug rather than the slide rail of the original design (which could be a bit finicky).
The new dock has also been redesigned with rounded corners, and looks much sleeker. And the kickstand is far bigger and sturdier, encompassing the entire screen for easier tabletop gaming.
The First-look trailer ends with a tease for a new Switch 2 Mario Kart game.
The Switch 2 is also the first Nintendo console to use a subsequent number, forever tying it to its predecessor.
The other important news is backwards comparability. The Switch 2 will support physical and digital Switch games (as well as games exclusive to the Switch 2). The press release warns that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.”
The announcement only included the teaser trailer. For more details on the Switch 2, including release date, pricing, and technical specs, tune into the Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2, which streams on Wednesday, April 2.
Following the April Nintendo Direct, Nintendo will host Switch 2 Experience events, with hands-on gaming at certain locations around the world. The US tour includes New York (April 4-6), Los Angeles (April 11-13), and Dallas (April 25-27).
