Nintendo Switch 2 release date speculation: Latest news and rumours

Despite the company's penchant for innovation, the Switch 2 continues the Switch lineage, improving on the console rather than switching things up like they have with previous consoles.

But while we do now know that the Switch 2 is on the way, Nintendo is playing coy (as usual) and keeping its cards close to its chest vis-a-vis initial price, release games and more.

So what do we actually know about the Switch 2?

If you're struggling to parse official news from rumours and speculation, we've put together a guide to explain what we know, what we don't and what we can probably expect from the Switch 2.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 release?

All we know at the time of writing is that The Nintendo Switch 2 release date is some time in 2025.

We expect to know more after the Nintendo Direct in April, an event in which the Switch 2 will surely get a full reveal.

However, in the world of leaks and rumours, a former member of the sales and retail department, at Nintendo‘s American base, has predicted a June release date for the Switch 2.

He had the following to say: "They’re going to want the system to be out before the end of the summer. I would say at the start of the summer, at the end of the school year, so you have kids talking about what they’re excited for... I think we’ll see a June launch. I’m thinking maybe mid-June, or a little bit later than that..." (via videogameschronicle).

Read more about when we think pre-orders will start here.

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.

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 also 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.

In March 2025, Nintendo began to make filings with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in preparation for the launch later this year, inadvertently confirming a few more features.

The console will feature NFC support in the right Joy-Con, enabling Amiibo support just as with the Switch 1, and an upgrade from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 providing the console with up to 80MHz of bandwidth.

Furthermore, the filings confirm that the console can be charged with both the top and bottom USB-C ports. Though the console will also ship with a 20V AC adapter compared to the Switch 1's 15V, it's unclear whether or not this will be reflected in faster charging when docked.

It does, however, suggest that the console will be more powerful when docked, a feature that is also present on the original Nintendo Switch.

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 between £379.99 and £449.99. 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.

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 you're worried about missing out on any Switch 1 games, there's no need to.

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.

Is there a Nintendo Switch 2 trailer?

There is indeed a trailer for the new console! Check it out below:

Read more on the Nintendo Switch 2:

• 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!

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