Nintendo Switch 2 Finally Announced

Well here we are, after months of speculation, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been formally announced in a decision that was almost certainly made because the thing had almost entirely leaked online. Check out the reveal trailer above.

I like the design, especially the black-on-black with the highlights around the control sticks. The addition of the second USB-C is also welcome since the location of the one charger on the bottom of the console for the original Switch made playing while charging a bit of an annoyance. The larger screen and Joy-Cons are also helpful since using the Joy-Cons without the controller peripheral or while attached was not the most comfortable with the smaller model. The backward compatibility is also not a shock at this point but it is good they confirmed it at this stage rather than waiting until later.

Calling it the Switch 2 is probably the smarter way to market this. It will help them avoid the Wii->Wii U confusion since general consumers know number changes tend to indicate new generations.

What will make or break this console is the launch line-up. We do know that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A are both slated for release later this year but we do not know if one, both, or neither of these titles will bridge the Switch to the Switch 2. The trailer does showcase a new Mario Kart game, but we will not know until April 2nd if this is coming this year. I don't think Z-A is coming to the Switch 2 though because Nintendo probably would not want that announced in February before their own direct in April to reveal the full launch window slate.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for release in 2025.