Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors: What to Expect in 2025

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Emily ChenPublished December 18, 2024

Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors: What to Expect

Nintendo has kept silent about its next console, but industry insiders and leakers have painted a picture of what to expect. Here's our comprehensive roundup of Switch 2 rumors.

Expected Specifications

Display

  • 8-inch LCD or OLED screen (up from 6.2/7 inches)
  • 1080p resolution in handheld (up from 720p)
  • 4K output when docked via upscaling
  • Higher refresh rate (possibly 120Hz)

Processing Power

  • Custom NVIDIA chip (rumored T239)
  • DLSS support for AI upscaling
  • Ray tracing capabilities
  • Significantly more powerful than original Switch

Storage and Memory

  • 64GB or 128GB internal storage
  • MicroSD Express support
  • 8GB or more RAM

Design Changes

Form Factor

According to leaks, the Switch 2 will:

  • Be slightly larger than the current Switch
  • Feature magnetic Joy-Con attachment
  • Have improved Joy-Con design (no drift!)
  • Include a wider kickstand

Controllers

  • Hall effect joysticks (drift-resistant)
  • Improved HD Rumble
  • Better ergonomics
  • Possible additional buttons

Backward Compatibility

Nintendo has reportedly prioritized full backward compatibility:

  • Play all Switch cartridges
  • Digital library transfers
  • Save data migration
  • Enhanced performance for older games

Launch Titles

Rumored First-Party Games

  1. 3D Mario - New adventure in development
  2. Mario Kart 9 - Brand new entry, not another port
  3. The Legend of Zelda - New title or TotK-enhanced
  4. Metroid Prime 4 - Finally launching
  5. Pokémon - Next generation

Third-Party Support

With increased power, expect ports of:

  • Red Dead Redemption 2
  • Current Assassin's Creed titles
  • Modern Call of Duty games
  • AAA third-party releases

Price Predictions

Based on production costs and market positioning:

  • Base model: $399-$449
  • OLED/Premium model: $449-$499
  • Competitive with PS5 Digital/Xbox Series S

Release Timeline

Expected Announcement

  • January-March 2025 Nintendo Direct

Launch Window

  • Holiday 2025 (October-November)
  • Strong Mario/Zelda launch title

What Nintendo Has Confirmed

As of now, Nintendo has only confirmed:

  • A successor to Switch is in development
  • Announcement expected before April 2025
  • Will maintain hybrid concept

Our Analysis

Nintendo's strategy seems focused on:

  1. Evolution, not revolution - Building on Switch success
  2. Power catch-up - Closing gap with PS5/Xbox
  3. Seamless transition - Strong backward compatibility
  4. Value proposition - Competitive pricing

What feature do you want most in Switch 2? Let us know in the comments!