Every new feature and change we expect to see

Main points

• The Nintendo Switch 2 may launch with new exclusive games and upgraded graphics.
• New Joy-Cons and an improved 4K graphics dock are a no-brainer.
• Other expected upgrades include custom themes, better online functionality, improved hardware and DLSS technology.
• It is expected to sell for $400 and may be released in 2025.

The Nintendo Switch has been a huge success for both Nintendo and gamers. After the Wii U’s huge misstep, it reinvigorated the company and its intellectual property, and reminded us why Nintendo was a pioneer in the industry. By integrating its handheld and console efforts into a unified system, it’s been able to outperform its competitors despite the huge power gap.

No matter how many great games the Switch has, it can only run for so long before the internal technology needs to be upgraded. In terms of technology, the Switch was already lagging behind when it was first launched, and it is now difficult to run its own games well. While Nintendo fans are excited at the prospect of a new, more powerful piece of hardware from Nintendo, all we have right now are second-hand reports and rumors. I’m taking it all with a grain of salt, but based on everything I’ve heard, I believe the Nintendo Switch 2 will have the following 7 features when it launches.

backward compatibility

Let’s ditch the old Switch

Every other player in the console space knows that backwards compatibility is pretty much required in order to retain an audience. Nintendo got away with it on the Switch, mostly because so few people bought the Wii U and because the new console represents a significant change in direction, but that’s about it. Too many Switch units have been sold, and too many people have built up vast physical and digital libraries, leaving it to Nintendo to give us all a fresh start. I believe it knows this and will be sure to emphasize that the Switch 2 is capable of playing all of our current games. I’d also like these games to look and run better on the new hardware, but that’s probably asking too much of Nintendo.

New and improved Switch dock

Watch 4K at home

The base is the key to what makes the Switch a Switch. Portability is great, but it also needs to prioritize being a home console with an improved docking station. Beyond the obvious, like making sure your dock doesn’t damage the Switch’s screen, I’d like to see it provide a more substantial boost to the system’s performance. It’s not too much to ask that the game runs in some form of 4K when docked, even if it’s not native. This time it also needs to come with an Ethernet port by default. It’s 2024, online gaming is the standard, but Wi-Fi is no longer sufficient for most people.

Modern online features

Keep pace with the times

I know Nintendo is all about letting people play together and likes to push split-screen and local co-op, but it’s time to face reality. Online capabilities are critical to keeping audiences happy, and what we offer on Switch is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough. If Nintendo were to charge us for online subscriptions, I’d want us to retain our digital library, keep pumping out classic games, and most importantly, have a streamlined online multiplayer interface. At this point, using friend codes and separate apps for voice chat is outdated.

Better Joy-Con

No more drift

The Joy-Cons are a great idea, but the execution isn’t perfect. The main drawback is that they are prone to stick drift, which makes them essentially useless. This should be the first priority for your hardware setup, but updating the design would also be a nice improvement. I love the technology inside, but we have to admit, these little controllers are too small for some people to use comfortably. I’m sure there will be new Pro controllers coming, but I don’t want to be forced to buy an additional controller just to play the system. New and improved Joy-Con are a must.

Custom theme

Light and darkness are not mutually exclusive

Remember the good old days of 3DS? There are dozens of backgrounds you can choose from? Nintendo, what happened? Why do we only have two basic themes for Switch? Let’s unlock new themes for the games we buy or download cool new designs online. Heck, let’s make our own and share it with our friends! Just don’t make me stare at a boring dark background for the next six to eight years.

More power!

Rumored Impressive Internal Specs

While both the Nintendo Switch Lite and Switch OLED feature similar internal hardware to the existing Switch, the Switch 2 is expected to be a huge leap forward. Back in 2019, Japanese website Gamepedia claimed it would have some impressive internal specs.

It is said that the RAM will be 8GB, double that of current game consoles, while the onboard storage will be significantly increased to 128GB. The standard Switch only has 32GB of storage, almost requiring you to buy a microSD card if you want to store multiple games, and the Switch OLED upgrades that to 64GB.

However, while the Switch 2 was previously rumored to use an upgraded Tegra X1+ processor (as seen in the Switch Lite), it’s now thought to be a new Nvidia chipset with DLSS technology. This is in line with a detailed February 2021 data mine on Reddit, which revealed that the Switch 2 will be able to deliver native 1440p resolution and upscale to 4K via Nvidia’s DLSS 2.0 technology.

Later, details emerged indicating that it would be a customized version of Nvidia Tegra Orin, called T239. A Nvidia details leaked in March 2022 There are further hints that the manufacturer is developing new hardware for the new Switch models.

This is further confirmed by a job listing from May 2022, which suggests that the company is working on a new GPU that will be perfect for the upgraded Switch.

According to reports, Switch 2 will definitely not have a built-in 4K display. It’s expected to have a similar 720p display resolution, and will likely feature the exact same upgraded OLED display that debuted on the Switch OLED. VGC’s release date report does claim that in order to keep the cost of the console down, it may come with an LCD screen instead of an OLED option.

Contradicting these rumors is another unconfirmed spec sheet provided by Paul Eccleston. The report claims that the Switch 2 will feature an 8-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 10 streaming multi-processors, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. This will bring the console’s power somewhat in line with the PS4’s when docked. One potentially positive change compared to past reports is the claim that it will feature a 7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, rather than an LCD screen as previously reported.

Switch 2 release date

When will we make changes?

We’ve been hearing rumors about the Switch 2 release date for years, but the latest rumor (reported by Nikkei and translated by VGC) suggests that it was originally planned for release in late 2024, but was internally delayed to early 2025. Allowing Nintendo to ensure it can produce enough systems to meet demand. Considering how difficult it will be to get the Switch when it launches, and the rise of scalpers who will no doubt be looking to take advantage of the new system’s launch, buying as much as they can and selling it for well above retail, this delay will hopefully alleviate the problem .

Other sources say the delay to 2025 is to give Nintendo more time to develop a stronger lineup of launch games. Whichever reason proves to be correct, if any, the delay should serve two purposes.

It’s time to save money

The new system will initially sell for $400

It’s very challenging to predict the price of the Switch 2 when we lack specific details about its specs. Still, some have tried to estimate its cost based on rumors and reported specs.

A leaker named Zippo claims that the new system will have an initial price of $400. This price is only $50 more than the current OLED model. According to their anonymous source, “This is what they have in mind as the ‘golden number.’ It’s a price that is consistent with the capabilities of their new system, a price that allows them to make a substantial profit, and a price that they feel is right.” They aim to retain their audience. No more, no less. ” It’s worth noting that this price prediction is based on rumors that the Switch 2 will use an LCD screen instead of an OLED screen. If it is equipped with OLED, or there are different versions that include OLED, consider that the standard Switch will cost $300 and the OLED model will cost $350. spread, the price could go up by about $50.

It’s hard to predict the Switch 2’s price when we don’t have exact spec details yet. That said, some have tried to estimate its cost based on rumors and reported specs.