Nintendo Switch 2 release date speculation: Latest news and expected specs
Everything we know about Nintendo's next console, such as the expected price and when it might arrive.
After months of leaks, speculation, straw clutching and tinfoil hat-wearing, Nintendo has finally unveiled the Switch 2, as well as a release window ahead of a Nintendo Direct happening later this year.
It's certainly been a long road for Nintendo fans, with over eight years having passed since the original Switch was unveiled to the world.
Details are relatively light for the time being, and much of the design was leaked far ahead of the official reveal, but that has done little to abate our excitement.
For the time being, we will continue to pour over every last little detail in the "update from Nintendo" that showed off in the first-look trailer as well as look back to all the leaks and rumours to see what what bore out in the end.
If you haven't already watched it, here's the Switch 2 trailer!
Not much has been said specs-wise either, so until the Nintendo Direct, that's what fate awaits us!
With all that said, read on for all things Nintendo Switch 2!
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 release?
The Nintendo Switch 2 release date is some time in 2025.
With a Nintendo Direct taking place in April, between then and June looks like a decent estimate at this point.
In terms of the official channels, Nintendo has all but confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will not be released before April 2025.
Speaking to investors in May 2024 as part of an earnings call (translated by GamesIndustry.biz), Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that its forecast for the current financial year (April 2024 to March 2025) does not include sales of any new console.
Nintendo Switch 2 features confirmed by the first trailer
In terms of features, the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer confirmed that the new console will have a larger screen, improved Joy-Cons and a wider tabletop stand than the original Switch.
The Joy-Cons have gotten a little bigger, too, and they now click into place from the side (rather than sliding on from the top, as per the original Switch).
The new console will also have an extra USB-C cable port on the top of its handheld body. The Switch dock has a more curved look now, as well, and it looks a fair bit thinner than the original one.
Also spotted on the official reveal are optical sensors in the Joy-Cons, which many believe will be used to utilise mouse-like controls — this is something that the first-look trailer seems to suggest, as the Joy-Cons are at one point attached to rails that allow it to slide across a flat surface.
It should be said, however, that such sensors can also be used to measure pulse rates as well, but we could see the tech being utilised in any number of ways.
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Nintendo Switch 2 specs teased by leaks and rumours
But what's under the hood? The general assumption is that the Nintendo Switch 2 will work better and faster than its predecessor, whichever mode you choose to play your games in.
Some fans are hoping that extra-speedy SSD storage might be included, allowing the console to cut down dramatically on loading times.
It was reported by Bloomberg in January 2024 that the new console will possess an LCD display at launch, rather than an OLED display.
Rumours suggest that the Switch 2 could support 1080p in handheld mode and 4K resolution when docked.
One report from Android Authority in May 2024 put together all of the supposed leaks surrounding the Switch 2's specs at the time. This includes one from Famiboards user LIC that analysed the shipments and data between Nintendo, NVIDIA and other companies.
Based on all this stuff in the rumour mill, the following potential specifications were then reported:
- 12GB RAM - 7,500MT/s transfer (up from 4GB RAM on the Switch OLED)
- 6GB LPDDR5X modules x2
- 256GB UFS 3.1 Storage (up from 64GB on the Switch OLED)
Without claiming to be tech geniuses, those uplifts from the Switch OLED specs — with the new console reportedly more than doubling the RAM and the storage space of its predecessor — sound like seriously juicy upgrades to us.
If we assume that there are similar uplifts happening across the board, it's easy to fantasise that the Switch 2 will be able to run much more powerful games with better graphics than the previous Switch. That is, of course, if these rumours are proven right and our hopes all come true.
Backwards compatibility extends to physical cartridges
Nintendo has announced that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with software and original Switch cartridges.
Software compatibility was confirmed by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa in November 2024 with physical backwards compatibility only being confirmed by the first-look trailer..
How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
With no official release date, there's no confirmed price for the Nintendo Switch 2 either. You cannot pre-order the console yet.
The best way to figure out the future is often to look to the past. Nintendo's latest model is the Nintendo Switch OLED, which arrived for £309.99/$349.99 in October 2021. This was an increase from the standard Nintendo Switch's price of £279.99/$299.99 back in March 2017.
With at least three years passing before the Nintendo Switch 2 arrives, it's fair to assume another price increase will take place.
A prediction from analyst Matthew Kanterman (via Bloomberg) in 2021 pointed to the Nintendo Switch 2 being closer to the $400 mark. "I still think Nintendo can drive strong demand even at $399.99," he said at the time.
Considering a PlayStation 5 costs £479.99/$499.99 and Sony recently released the souped-up PS5 Pro for £699.99/$699.99, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for Nintendo to enter the £400 bracket.
While the hardware will certainly be less powerful than any type of PS5, it will still be an upgrade from the current Nintendo Switch models, and this always means higher manufacturing prices which then go on to the consumer.
So, with that, we could see a Nintendo Switch 2 for £399.99/$399.99. Still, until anything is announced, this is purely speculation.
What games will be available on Switch 2?
No official games have been announced by Nintendo for its next console yet, though there's plenty to speculate about. For instance, we'd expect previously announced titles like Metroid Prime 4, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam to be available on Switch 2.
We also potentially caught a quick glimpse of an upcoming Mario Kart in the first-look trailer, so this could be another one to expect as well.
Considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling game on the system at 64-plus million sales, it's another strong bet to arrive in the launch window of Switch 2.
Veering more into speculation, the first Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so fans will be expecting something of that quality.
Nintendo will also need something big to help sell the console. And since Tears of the Kingdom arrived in May 2023, we don't expect any more Zelda. Instead, Nintendo's mascot Mario is surely the one to take the limelight this time.
The reasoning for this is that a new 3D Mario game hasn't been launched since 2017's Super Mario Odyssey – the first year of the Switch. That's almost eight years, so the Mario team has no doubt been working on the follow-up. There's arguably nothing better Nintendo could use to help promote the Switch 2.
Other games that could be teased include a new Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Fire Emblem and plenty of third-party titles and indies. Elden Ring is one that keeps doing the rounds, and Hollow Knight: Silksong is another that many are desperate to see. The Switch 2 announcement would be a great place for the latter to show up.
One thing we know for sure is that the next Nintendo console will make use of the Nintendo Account, with president Shuntaro Furukawa aiming "to make a smooth transition for customers from Nintendo Switch to the next-generation console by using the Nintendo Account" (via Genki_JPN).
Fingers crossed this means the list of retro games on Switch Online carry on over to the new console and continue to expand.
Should I wait to buy a Nintendo Switch 2?
Should you buy a Nintendo Switch today, or wait for the Switch 2? Well, that depends on how soon you want to start playing the best Nintendo Switch games that the console has to offer.
With the Switch 2 likely launching sometime from April 2025 onwards, are you happy waiting until then? There, Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with almost all Switch games, so if that's true, you won't be missing out.
It's also worth noting that Nintendo doesn't drop the price of its hardware, like, ever – so you won't be saving any major money if you buy the Switch 2 on launch or in three years. This goes for the current Switch, which is still available for £279.99/$299.99, as it was in 2017.
Thankfully, some decent offers do throw in a game or two. And some retailers occasionally do knock the price down a little bit. If you are itching to play Tears of the Kingdom or you can't hold out to play Princess Peach Showtime, you may be better off just picking up a current-gen Switch now.
If not, there's probably less than a year until the Switch 2 hits store shelves.
When was the Switch 2 announced?
The Nintendo Switch 2 was announced on Thursday 16th January 2025.
Nintendo did so by posting a "first-look trailer", which showed off the upcoming console from every angle, highlighting the new design.
We first caught wind of this date from YouTuber and regular 'leaker' NateTheHate, and as it happens, it came to be.
A variety of games industry outlets like Eurogamer and VGC also threw their support behind this prediction, as did Tom Warren of The Verge.
We'll keep updating this page as more Switch 2 news comes to light! In the meantime, you've can always keep playing the best Switch games, safe in the knowledge that your cartridges will still be useful later.
Check out more of our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage:
- Nintendo Switch 2 price - how much does it cost?
- Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders - where to buy
- Nintendo Switch 2 vs original Switch - what are the differences?
- Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer - see the console here
- Nintendo Switch 2 Experience - how to try out the new console in person
- Do Switch 2 games work on Switch 1? - are there Switch 2 exclusives?
- Switch 2 backwards compatibility explained - can you play OG Switch games on Switch 2?
- Switch 2 games - confirmed and predicted games
- Mario Kart 9 - everything we know!
Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Matt Poskitt is a freelance journalist who specialises in arts and culture – be that movies, TV, video games, tech or otherwise. Matt headed up the games and entertainment section at T3 (Future Publishing), alongside being found across The Guardian, CNET, PC Gamer Mag, GamesIndustry.biz, Insider, iNews, IGN, TechRadar, PC Gamer Mag, NME and many more.
Jon Nicholson is a Freelance Gaming Writer, specialising in the Call of Duty franchise. He previously worked for Gfinity, GGRecon and Red Bull writing a variety of gaming news and guides. Alongside his previous work, he's a Freelance News Writer for Esports Insider.
Cole Luke is a freelance journalist and video producer who contributes to RadioTimes.com's Gaming section. He also has bylines for Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, Network N and more.
