Overwatch 2 Season 15 begins on February 18, and it's working overtime to finally bring in some sequel-worthy features. Top of the list is the introduction of upgradeable perks coming to almost every game mode. The way it works is that every hero starts the match at level one; once you upgrade to level two, you choose between two minor perks, and once you hit level three, you choose a more game-changing major perk. As you might expect, minor perks give a hero a pretty small stat buff or cooldown reduction or passive boost, but it's those major perks that remind me of that roguelike Halloween mode that absolutely slapped.

Hanzo's old Scatter Arrows, for example? They're back as an optional major perk, as is a Protective Barrier for Orisa if you give up the Javelin Spin instead. Other major perks include a secondary fire option for Winston that lets you chain lightning damage to multiple foes and a passive ability for Baptiste that'll finally activate the little turret that's been idly sitting on his shoulder for years, turning it into an automated healer whenever you use his ultimate. Most of the perks sound like a chaotic good time, while others, like Orisa's barrier, seem like situational boons for certain maps and a disaster for others.

Season 15 is also bringing back 6v6 competitive queues, and if you're not a fan of the new changes, you can reminisce with Overwatch Classic: GOATS, which is another mode throwing it back to "one of the most notorious and memorable periods from Overwatch's history" - namely, the meta that often had three supports sweating to keep three tanks alive.

And, finally, Season 15's list of changes ends with the return of loot boxes, once controversial, now missed because of how damn extortionate microtransactions have gotten in almost every live service. Refreshingly, this time around, Blizzard is being very transparent about loot box drop rates, though. "We are guaranteeing that a Rare or better item will drop in every single box," Blizzard says via a press release, "with an Epic item within five consecutive boxes and a Legendary item within twenty consecutive boxes."

Overwatch 2's most aggressive (or aggressive against Marvel Rivals) addition is coming in April with Season 16's new Stadium mode. Stadium is a best-of-seven mode that has each player gaining in-game currency via eliminations, before spending it on stat buffs and ability upgrades at the start of every round. Also a bit like the Halloween event, then - which itself was a bit like the scrapped co-op mode - but this time without the random, roguelike-ish elements. What makes Stadium particularly dramatic is that it's a third-person mode by default. You can switch to first-person if you wish, I should add, but it's a pretty blatant attempt to kneecap one of Marvel Rivals' most distinguishing features while letting players actually see the cosmetics they've sunk money into during matches.

Season 16 also sees the introduction of a new, crossbow-wielding DPS called Freja who you'll be able to try out soon one weekend and a Hero Ban feature, while a water-bending 44th hero and a handy Map Voting feature are both coming later in the year.

Twitch star Shroud said Overwatch 2 is “absolutely a much better game” than Marvel Rivals, and people forget how “that game took over the world.”

VGC reports that a new patent Nintendo filed suggests you can rotate the Switch 2 screen and still attach its bigger-than-before controllers. Of course, the OG Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons slid into place via a rail that made a satisfying snapping sound, but the hybrid-handheld's successor is using a slightly different method.

The Nintendo Switch 2's controllers instead hold onto the console's sides magnetically, and all you seemingly need to do is push them in. The funky new feature also has a more practical use. Nintendo's new patent seems to show the console's display rotated 180 degrees, with the Joy-Con's still connected on the "wrong" side up.

For anyone too forgetful to remember their lefts and rights, this seems like an easy fix to avoid mistakes. Since the Switch 2 only has one port for headphones and two for USBs, this also means you can have the ports on whichever side you prefer to avoid twisting your earphone wires and whatnot. I'm guessing the Switch 2's screen will be adapt to whatever you decide and rejig itself. (Knowing The Big N, there might even be an upcoming Switch 2 game or two that takes advantage of the feature, as well.)

"For example, the user can use the game system so that the upper and lower sides of the main body device are opposite to each other, such that the voice input/output connector on the upper surface of the main body device is located below the main body device," the patent says. "That is, the user can insert the earphone into the voice input/output connector from the preferred direction."

Another recent patent also confirmed what we've all suspected: Nintendo is straight-up calling that new Joy-Con thing a "mouse," which has me so, so excited for the potential comeback of DS/3DS games and PC-to-console ports that don't suck. Seriously, a handheld where I can play Baldur's Gate 3 or city-builders with mouse controls? Sounds like a dream.

Nintendo is making “preparations” to beat scalpers on the Switch 2’s launch.

Speaking to the Limit Break Network in a recent interview, Piscatella explains why Rockstar Games' long-awaited title and Nintendo's new handheld console releasing in the same year could be huge for the video game market. "If those two things do happen this year," says the analyst, "and they do meet the expectations going into this year, I think you're looking at low to mid-single-digit percentage growth in overall market spending on video game products."

It might not sound like much to those of us less well-versed in the financial side of games, but it'd actually be quite a major jump for the market. "Now, that doesn't sound like a lot but it would result in record spending on the consumer side, it would get the industry back to growth over that 2021 peak that we've previously seen," Piscatella continues, "and most importantly … it gets investment flowing back into the game space."

Such growth would be especially monumental as the market has only "held relatively stable" since that 2021 peak, according to Piscatella. "We had a market that had been growing for decades all of a sudden peak and wasn't growing anymore after 2021 – and while the market's held relatively stable to those highs, it hasn't exceeded them." He points out that it's not only consumers who would benefit from the market's potential growth but also investors and developers.

"These are a couple of things that will help that market get back on a growth trajectory and [there's] nothing investors love more than the line going up and to the right. If your line is not going up and to the right, as an industry, it's really tough to get those dollars flowing in – because once those dollars start flowing in, all of a sudden you have more games coming out, you have more teams supported, and then that kind of self-sustains into another growth trajectory – which is what I'm hoping to see."

It sounds like GTA 6 and the Switch 2 could have quite an impact on the video game market should they both release in 2025. There's no telling what will happen just yet, however, but analysts in Japan previously speculated that a possible June launch is in the cards for the Switch 2, and a trailer confirming a 2025 release for GTA 6 dropped at the tail end of 2023 with confirmation of a fall window dropping later on.

Need more to look forward to? Here are the biggest new games for 2025 and beyond.

It boils down to one fact: console exclusivity as we once knew it is well on its way out. I suppose it also helps that I happen to be patient, perfectly content to have waited it out for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's eventual PC launches last month before cashing in on the hype experienced by PS5-goers over a year ago. But that's just it. Almost every PlayStation game I've ever wanted to play – bar Bloodborne, of course – has eventually made its way to one of my other platforms-of-choice. Staggered PC releases allow for a period of console exclusivity rather than a lifetime of it, benefitting not only developers and publishers keen to rake in more audiences, but those of us less urgent to play the newest games as soon as they hit shelves. It speaks to a change in how publishers are approaching sales, no longer relying on exclusives to sell consoles, but prestige points instead. Maybe that's why Nintendo is hanging in there – what would the Switch 2 be without its exclusives, after all?

Levelling up the playing field

The "console wars" are well and truly dead, but I'm still waiting for lingering bad attitudes to follow suit. It stands to reason that console exclusivity, while still intrinsic to the existence of separate publishers at all, can be taken as more of a punishment than a privilege when they encourage us to "pick a side." Thanks to eventual PC launches, I never feel the need to.

It hasn't always been this way. Historically speaking, exclusives encouraged gamers to purchase specific consoles or forego entire game franchises completely – take my favorite PS2-exclusive Resident Evil game, for example. There's always been a degree of brand loyalty about it, but at the end of the day, we knew what we were missing. With each new console came a meaningful technical improvement – and many people might've bought a PS2 just to have a DVD player. But as tech leaps become far less dramatic from generation to generation, it's hard to argue against the fact that this divide between platforms has morphed into all-out bullying in recent years, separating fans into camps of unquestionable allegiance to companies over the actual games they publish. Personally, I'm over it, and you should be too.

PC gaming offers a peaceful reprieve. There seems to be very little value in permanent console exclusivity in 2025 because there are simply so many games to choose from. The competition for our attention is rife, incentivizing publishers to cast wider nets than ever by way of delayed (yet much appreciated) PC ports. As a result, I never feel punished by not being able to play the latest PS5 game, and nor do I feel that Sony is trying to punish me for not buying its console. I can simply go through my Steam backlog, or make use of Xbox Game Pass, or replay Baldur's Gate 3 for the billionth time while I wait. Meanwhile, the once Xbox-exclusive Forza Horizon 5 is coming to PS5. Square Enix is looking to broaden its platform horizons with Octopath Traveler. This paradigm shift indicates that publishers have recognized the largely hit-and-miss return investment of targeting new players through exclusives; it's just not as lucrative as simply giving the people what they want, when they want it.

I'd sooner pay $60 for a PC game than shell out $500 for a console I'll use once a year. But I have two big exceptions to that rule in mind here: GTA 6 and Nintendo. With GTA 6 reported to be a console exclusive for PS5 and Xbox Series X, its status as a global phenomenon is likely to give PC stalwarts a nudge in the gamepad direction – even if it does end up "normalizing" the $100 price tag. Similarly, the humble Switch is the only way to get your hands on Nintendo-exclusive IPs like Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and the best Mario games. With many upcoming Switch 2 games almost certain to follow that trend, the hybrid handheld's popularity seems to be here to stay. These two outliers don't change my views on how permanent platform exclusivity is less necessary than ever. Rather, it provides some variety – and in Nintendo's case, tradition.

Variety really is the crux of it all. That, and player choice. Gamers don't lose anything when their favorite games launch on other platforms. It shouldn't devalue your love of the PS5 to know that Death Stranding finally made its way to Xbox four years later. The industry's moneymaking moves are constantly evolving – and if it allows more people to play more games, the slow death of console exclusivity could benefit the many and the few.

Check out all the upcoming PS5 games I won't be playing for at least one year - though I'm keen for you to.

There's still much to learn about the Nintendo Switch 2, but it's safe to say it'll pair nicely with the best gaming TVs out there. The OG gaming handheld will look stunning on those same OLED and mini LED screens too, but since the console is set to feature 4K capabilities and new AI upscaling tricks, there's now more reason to aim for a screen with enhanced clarity and sharpness.

Technically speaking, you don't need a TV at all to play Switch 2. Sure, the handheld comes with a dock that boasts HDMI output, but you could simply treat it like a portable console and avoid external screens altogether. That said, if you're planning some big Mario Kart nights in the future or just want to kick back on the couch and enjoy the next Zelda game in 4K, you'll want to start thinking about whether your trusty old television is up to the task.

Do you need a 4K TV for Switch 2?

It might be 2025, but you don't need a 4K TV to play Switch 2. Using a UHD display with new consoles naturally comes with benefits, but if you're still rocking a old HD display, you'll be able to use Nintendo's latest console with those screens thanks to HDMI compatibility. Simply put, you won't be forced to use handheld mode upon freeing Ninty's new gadget from its cardboard prison, as even TVs from two decades ago should work just fine.

Will the Switch 2 look good on a 1080p TV? Well, it all depends on the size of your display. Smaller screens can get away with using higher resolutions since the pixels will be less visible at a distance, and even the PS5 Pro looks fairly nice on full HD gaming monitors if you stick to under 27-inch.

The situation changes once you reach over 32-inches, as 1080p starts to looks soft. Provided the Switch 2 does end up supporting 4K resolutions, the experience could end up feeling underwhelming in terms of sharpness since new game textures will be designed with UHD displays in mind. It won't look terrible, but visuals may lack the that extra punch you'd expect from a Switch successor.

Ultimately, you don't need a 4K TV for the Switch 2, but using one makes a lot of sense. Resolution isn't going to make or break your experience alone, and picking up a cheap UHD screen isn't always a fidelity silver bullet. That said, the jump from Switch to Switch 2 should be big enough to justify using a native 4K screen, especially if you're currently using a larger 1080p panel.

Will Switch 2 work with 120Hz TVs?

Now that consoles are able to boost fps to new heights, 120Hz gaming TVs are becoming all the rage. That's not to say support extends to every release, but shooters like Overwatch 2 can run at 4K 120fps on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. In theory, the Nintendo Switch 2 could also take advantage of high refresh rates, but I'm not convinced you should buy an 120Hz specifically for the handheld.

The Switch 2 will work just fine with 120Hz TVs since faster panels will happily receive a 60Hz signal. For those of you not in the know, that's the standard refresh rate that has been traditionally used by televisions in the US for decades, and even the UK has since switched from its 50Hz standard.

Whether or not it's worth playing Switch 2 at 120Hz fully depends on frame rates, as you'll ideally want to hit near 120fps to make use of the faster refresh rate. Considering Overwatch 2 on the OG Switch runs at 30fps, it feels like 4K 120Hz could be a stretch for the handheld. But Blizzard could, in theory, add downscale things to 1080p to accommodate faster visuals, in turn providing players with a reason to use an 120Hz screen.

In that scenario, using a 120Hz TV makes a lot of sense, and if the new Joy-Cons end up providing gaming mouse functionality, we could be looking at a new way to play high frame rate shooters. However, faster refresh rate panels can cost a pretty penny compared to their 60Hz counterparts, and since most games will likely end up running at 60fps max, it's not worth prioritizing a faster display just for Nintendo's new console.

Should you use an OLED TV with Switch 2?

I'm a huge fan of OLED gaming TVs, and the panel-type would feature in my dream Switch 2 setup. Since most of Ninty's own adventures are cartoon capers with vibrant fantastic worlds to explore, aiming for elevated contrast and colors makes a lot of sense. The only problem is that some of the best options out there, like the LG OLED G4, will run you well over $2,000 for a 55-inch model, and even the cheapest panels come in at around the grand mark.

If you've been using an older LED TV up till now, I'd argue that you could upgrade to mini LED and still give Switch 2 visuals a glow-up. Features like local dimming will help improve contrast tenfold, not to mention colors will look notably nicer compared to yesteryear's LCD setups. I had a blast playing Mario Kart 8 on the OG Switch using the 65-inch Hisense U7N, and I can only imagine the Switch 2 would look even more striking on the affordable display.

Of course, if you've been rocking a Switch OLED all this time, you might be used to exploring Nintendo's wonderful worlds on a screen with elevated vibrancy. That could lead you to thinking things look a bit meh in handheld mode, and using an external screen with the same panel capabilities could make up for the console's integrated display shortcomings. That's not to say the Switch 2's screen will be inherently bad, but you might miss those inky blacks and richer color pallets.

Do you really need to upgrade your TV for the Switch 2?

As I've already touched on, you don't need to upgrade your TV if you pick up a Switch 2. There are various reasons why you might want a new display, especially if you've yet to invest in a 4K display. But, as long as you've got a screen with an HDMI input, Nintendo's new console should work just fine.

If you do decide to grab a new gaming TV for your Switch 2, I'd start off by looking at mini LED screens with an affordable price tag. Chances are that you're currently using an aging LCD model if you've not upgraded your panel in a few years, and even the shorter leap to QLED will provide you with an evenly lit screen, improved colors, and better sharpness overall.

Opting for an OLED display will ultimately take your Switch 2 visuals to the next level, effectively helping the new hardware look its best with tremendous colors, contrast, and even tricks like micro lens array (MLA) tech if you go for a premium LG model. It's a bit too early to tell if the inherent faster refresh rates of expensive displays will come in handy too, but picking up a 120Hz or even 144Hz screen will futureproof your setup overall.

Looking for more displays? Swing by the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X and the best 4K TV for gaming. Alternatively, check out the best 120Hz 4K TVs for a selection of faster panels.

Nintendo's latest announcement feels different because, by its own standards, it is. Clinical hardware dissections are more reminiscent of Apple than the company that habitually thanks viewers for watching its trailers, and vanishingly few mainline Nintendo console trailers fail to include human beings. That puts the Switch 2 in rare air, marketing-wise, shared mostly by iterative handheld releases like the Game Boy Advance.

Throwback

What defines a typical Nintendo console trailer is an obsession with answering two questions: how to use it, and who it's for. The former makes a ton of sense for Nintendo, a company known for taking big swings with its hardware. The Wii U's launch trailer imagines a huge range of, shall we say, creative use cases for the console's central gimmick, some of which I wouldn't have believed if they weren't coming directly from the horse's mouth. (You want me to set my $100 tablet controller on the ground and tee a golf ball off of it?) By contrast, Microsoft's recent "This is an Xbox" campaign practically begs users to approach its platform in any way but the most conventional.

As for the "Who is it for?" question, families, radical teenagers, older folks, and esports professionals have all been answers at one time or another. Even in more theatrical launches like the Virtual Boy, you could intuit that the person being hunted by an evil robot console represents the adventurous consumer, someone willing to try out a new and strange way to play games. Where the console wars forced manufacturers into an exhausting race to claim the most teraflops, Nintendo frequently finds itself in a position to target new audiences.

But a total hardware focus isn't completely unprecedented for Nintendo, as seen with the release of the Game Boy Advance. One of its launch trailers, archived by NeoKoopa, looks like the result of feeding the Switch 2 announcement through a 2001 hacker movie filter. The system zips around before a field of rapidly increasing numbers and a thumping techno beat. Specs loudly whoosh across the screen – 32-bit processor, 32,000 colors, L and R buttons, octopean link cables – all direct hardware improvements over the Game Boy Color. It's even shown playing a new Mario Kart.

That might tell us everything there is to know about how the Switch 2 is to be positioned. Both the original Game Boy and the original Switch (which themselves had similar launches) sold consumers on the idea of handheld gaming, though in completely different contexts. The Game Boy Advance simply incorporated hardware improvements into a device that everyone had already been persuaded by.

As a business strategy, that might be all the Switch 2 needs to do. The Game Boy Advance didn't approach the commercial heights of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, but it maintains a comfortable place as the tenth best-selling system of all time, beating out every current gen console besides the Switch itself.

Besides a few form factor improvements like the Game Boy Advance SP and New Nintendo 3DS XL, the only other Nintendo launch trailer without any people in it is the original DS. This makes it an interesting point of comparison to the Switch 2, although since Nintendo was preoccupied with differentiating the DS from its GameCube and GameBoy lines, it was exceptional in a whole bunch of ways.

Early DS marketing placed the touchscreen at the forefront with its bizarre "touching is good" campaign. Its goal (like the iPhone, which made touchscreens ubiquitous three years later) was to make gaming more intuitive. This, along with featured titles like Nintendogs and Brain Age, drew new people into the world of gaming as a whole. Years later, Nintendo's strategy of "Gaming Population Expansion" contributed to the success of the Wii, as well.

Whatever your read on the Switch 2 announcement, it clearly isn't aimed at expanding the population of people playing video games. Its sleek black design and rumored Joy-Con mice may even have the reverse goal of courting core gaming audiences.

Switch hardware has had plenty of time to decay, so its intended audience seems to be those already bought in on the Switch and looking to upgrade. After all, the trailer does literally show a Switch turning into a Switch 2. Any surprise features announced in the coming months seem unlikely to be as central as the DS's touch screen or Wii's motion controls. Like the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo's messaging is clear: if you liked the previous generation, you'll have the chance to relive it in higher fidelity.

Our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight has everything you need to know about the upcoming console, but we're really just glad it's coming with a headphone jack

Speaking to GamesRadar+, Takaya Imamura says the original Switch is a success no matter how you view it. Mind you, that's not to say Nintendo isn't likely to switch things up for the console's successor.

"The Switch has had a really long lifespan, and it sold really well, which must mean that this is something that is a global success," he says. "It's got supporters all around the world, and I was thinking it would be difficult to really change that. But having said that, I think they've still got something up their sleeves."

As for what Nintendo might be cooking, we don't have too long to wait and see. While the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal teased more than it did reveal, we've got a full-fat Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to look forward to in April. New Mario Kart? Mouse-like Joy-Cons? We need only wait and see.

Elsewhere in our interview, Imamura also sheds some light on the issues facing developers in Japan. They don't really get the budgets to compete with the likes of Europe and America, though that doesn't mean you can't make a good game, which will be a relief for Nintendo, I'm sure.

"So compared to EU and the US, the budget for a so-called AAA game over here in comparison, is a lot smaller," he says. "The same for films as well. But I don't think that necessarily having a big, huge budget means that you can make a great game.

"I really do think that games, the best games, are down to the best ideas, and I think Japanese game creators are able to work within those restraints as they were, but they can come to play, so to speak, with ideas that can trump the bigger budgets."

Following a 32-year stint at Nintendo, Imamura has struck out on his own with a 16-bit retro adventure game called Omega 6 The Triangle Stars, due to release next month.

Nintendo relying on owning popular series would be "a big mistake" says Zelda, Star Fox veteran: "It's crucial not to forget the talented individuals who uphold the value of those IPs."

In the Drawings tab of the patent's webpage, you can see a bunch of sketches of the Switch 2 and its new magnetically docking Joy-Cons. A handful of those show the Joy-Cons being used like you would a normal PC mouse, and in some cases, with one Joy-Con in each hand.

The patent abstract says the Joy-Cons have "a front surface, an upper surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a direction input unit, a first upper surface button, and a sensor for mouse operation."

In the same description, Nintendo says "the sensor for mouse operation detects reflected light from a detected surface," which, yes, is exactly how a PC mouse works. I still fully expect for Nintendo to come up with some cute, quirky, Nintendo-y name for the Joy-Con's mouse function, but it's good to have full confirmation of Nintendo's intent behind the thing.

Of course, the larger question still looming is how exactly Nintendo wants us to use the Joy-Con mouses. You can safely expect it'll be used in a gimmicky way in conjunction with motion controls in various games, but I'm curious if it'll have more practical applications. If anything, I could see it making the process of typing stuff out a little quicker.

Hopefully we'll learn more during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct in April.

Speaking in a Q&A following Nintendo's latest financial results (translated via DeepL and Google), company president Shuntaro Furukawa explains that Nintendo is preparing to "meet as much demand as possible" with the Switch 2. He explains that the company plans to gauge consumers' interest in the console based on reactions to the information that's set to be revealed during the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, as well as those observed from the hands-on Switch 2 Experience events, which will be held worldwide.

Furukawa concludes that, as was the case with the original Switch, it "will not be easy" to quickly "increase production capacity" of the console – but Nintendo's past experience is making preparations for the release a bit less daunting. For now, the company plans to continue with its preparations in order to "respond as quickly as possible" to the demand.

It's sure to be a massive launch for Nintendo if the first console's release offers anything to go by. The Switch recently cleared more than 150 million sales in total, putting it right behind the best-selling consoles of all time – Nintendo's own DS and the PlayStation 2 from Sony. Only time can tell for certain how the Switch 2 will slot into the list itself, however, but it's safe to say that countless fans globally are waiting for the device.

Explore some of the best upcoming Switch games to look forward to.

Company president Shuntaro Furukawa said as much in a recent Q&A after its latest financial results, reconfirming that Pokemon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are still slated to come out on the OG Nintendo Switch sometime this year. Of course, the Nintendo Switch 2 is backwards compatible, so you should still be able to play that duo on the shiny new handheld-hybrid.

Per machine translation, Furakawa explains that because so many people play on the Switch, the company wants to release software for it, but he reassures fans that other big games will only be playable on the console's successor. "On the other hand, dedicated software is very important when launching new hardware," he adds.

That's not unsurprising news since the best Nintendo Switch exclusives have seen unprecedented success - Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are some of the best-selling games of all time, and even Nintendo's B-tier series have managed to sell well over 10 million copies on the console, like Luigi's Mansion 3 and Ring Fit Adventure.

The publisher hasn't formally announced a single exclusive for its new system, nor have any third-party developers, though it did briefly tease the next Mario Kart game that looks to have 24-racers on a single track. We'll need to wait for the next Nintendo Direct in April to hear more about what games and exclusives might be coming to the system - I have my fingers crossed for a new Kid Icarus, personally.

Check out all the upcoming Nintendo Switch games to see what the console has left in store.

Before, we only knew what day the Switch 2 Direct would be. Now we know the date and the time. Exciting stuff, I know, but at least it gives us more information than watching the brief Switch 2 trailer over and over again for more Mario Kart 9 easter eggs, or a sign from God.

Though that first-look trailer introduced us to some of the Switch 2's original features – like the next-gen console's updated Joy-Cons with their rumored mouse sensor – it's ultimately a withholding preview. Nintendo has not yet revealed the names of any of the Switch 2's launch titles, for example, though the aforementioned Mario Kart 9 (if that is its real name!) is certainly a contender.

We also don't know how much the console will cost, though company president Shuntaro Furukawa promises its price will match "the affordability that our customers expect from Nintendo products" once the Switch 2 actually hits store shelves later this year. That is, assuming it doesn't get blasted by possible US tariffs, which could substantially inflate its price tag, or decomposed by another chip shortage, which limited some of the original Switch's availability in 2022.

Without more news from Nintendo itself, we're basically scrying with a clouded crystal ball. It helps, then, that once the Switch 2 Direct starts broadcasting at 9 AM ET on April 2, the handheld console floodgates are open. The same week of its Direct, Nintendo will begin hosting its global hands-on preview events, and we'll all have a lot more clarity.

Mario Kart 9 appears to take the Switch 2 back in time, swapping out Princess Peach’s sleek racing suit for the outfit she wore when she debuted in the kart racing series.

Nintendo has finally and properly shown off its next console, with only a few more bits of information attached. We know it's still a hybrid handheld system, playable on-the-go or on the big screen. We know it'll play existing Nintendo Switch games. We know joy-cons latch on magnetically (and they might even have mouse-like functionality.) And we know a Mario Kart sequel is speeding onto the console.

But we don't know much else, including the console's price or launch lineup that'll probably be revealed in the upcoming Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.

During a Q&A call after Nintendo's latest financial results, company president Shuntaro Furukawa thankfully offered some insight. When asked about the publisher's stance on hardware pricing, Furukawa replied that the company is still focused on "the affordability that our customers expect from Nintendo products," but also needs to consider the increased inflation in Japan as well as other economic factors abroad, notably including potential impact from US tariffs. (Thanks, VGC.)

It wouldn't be too surprising to see the console launch at a price point comfortably under Sony and Microsoft's new-gen offerings. The Nintendo Switch retailed for $300 at launch - $100 less than what the PS4 cost on release day. And the Nintendo 3DS was reduced to $170 less than six months after its release, seemingly to undercut the PS Vita. A $400 price point wouldn't be too outlandish a guess, serving as a sweet middle ground between the PS5 and Xbox Series X's $500 RRP and the OG Switch's launch price.

What we know of the Nintendo Switch 2 specs would also back up this estimate. Rumors and leaks suggest the console sits somewhere between the PS4 and PS5 in terms of raw power, and much closer to the PS4. Furthermore, according to a patent discovered by Laura Kate Dale, the console's also using an LCD screen rather than a shiny OLED to keep costs reasonable. And, at least in my view, any machine that costs more than $400 can't really be argued as an "affordable" buy. We'll need to wait until April to find out how everything shakes out this time around, however.

For more information about the future, check out all of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games that we know about.

During a Q&A following EA's Q3 FY25 report, Wilson was asked to comment on the recent reveal of the Switch 2 and what implications it carries for the Madden, FC, and Dragon Age publisher. Wilson, expectedly, stayed in character as the CEO of a massive public company and stuck to vague, non-committal, investor-friendly language, but, well, he's the CEO of EA talking about the Switch 2, and that's something.

"Any time a new console comes into the marketplace that's of a benefit to us," Wilson said. "It gives us the ability to access and acquire new players. Typically, we've had franchises perform very well on Nintendo platforms. Certainly, our expectation is that, you know, products like FC and Madden and others might might find real energy on the platform, as they have done in the past."

Again, I'm not really sure what, if anything, can be gleaned from this. The CEO of EA is always going to say he expects EA to thrive when asked about a new console. I suppose what's mildly interesting to me is that he wants to expand into new player bases on the Switch 2. EA has always been pretty good about porting games to Nintendo consoles, but there are plenty of exceptions with its more technically demanding titles. Maybe with the Switch 2's beefier internals we'll see that change.

"Our expectation is that anytime a great new console comes in the marketplace that gives us access to new players and new communities that we have the IP that will benefit from that," Wilson added.

We'll learn much more about the new console when the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct happens in April.

In an interview with Nikkei (translated by VGC), Furukawa says: "We will take all possible measures based on the experience we have accumulated to date (regarding scalpers and the like). We are making preparations."

It was reported back in July last year that Furukawa had said the company would simply ensure it made enough hardware so scalpers won't even have the opportunity to overcharge people.

This seems like a smart move. If people can't play Switch 2 games then they won't sell well, and all the time and money spent marketing them will be wasted. It also means scalpers can get their hands on stocks and drive the price up for genuine fans who just want to play Mario Kart 9 and whatever else is going to launch on the console.

CEO and analyst Dr. Serkan Toto from Japan games industry consultancy Kantan Games believes the Switch 2 could shift 14 million to 20 million units in its first year alone, so it's good that Nintendo is making preparations to ensure they get into the hands of fans. The specifics aren't known just yet, but after the chaos that was trying to buy a PS5 (scalpers even targeted the disc drive once the PS5 Pro came out), I'm just glad a plan is in place.

If you want to know more about the upcoming console, you'll have to wait until the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April.

"Although Nintendo Switch hardware and software sales through the third quarter were below expectations, Nintendo Switch continues to be enjoyed by many people," Nintendo says in its report. "Going forward, we will continue to release new offerings so even more consumers keep playing Nintendo Switch."

Furukawa echoed the point to Japanese newspaper The Sankei Shimbun, saying, according to a DeepL translation, that Nintendo will keep the Switch on the market "as long as there is demand." So you'll be able to purchase the console even after the Switch 2 releases some time this year.

That is, if you aren't already facing Switch fatigue, which Nintendo's recent financial results reveal many people are coming down with. The company specifies in additional financial material that its net sales are down 31.4% from the end of 2024, and that its net profit has likewise sunk 41.9%. Switch sales – including Switch Lite and OLED models – have dropped from 13.7 million units sold to 9.5 million year-on-year.

But The Sankei Shimbun reports that Furukawa doesn't think that the Switch 2's looming release is to blame or, at least, "we don't think the impact of reluctance to buy [the Switch because of the Switch 2] is that great." After nearly eight years on the market – earning it the honor of being Nintendo's longest-lasting console – the Switch was always bound to face a sales slump.

Ex-PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida says Switch 2 "could have been a larger reveal" and "the only surprise to me was that mice thing that they showed."

In an interview with MinnMax (timestamped here), Yoshida shared his reaction to Nintendo's long-awaited announcement of the Switch 2, which happened a couple of weeks ago after many months of rumors and leaks. Nintendo fully revealed the new console, as well as what looks like a brand-new Mario Kart game, but didn't anything that makes it particularly unique from the original Switch.

"I thought the Switch 2 announcement could have been a larger reveal," Yoshida said. "It turned out to be kind of a reveal or just confirmation of, yeah, you know this is Switch 2 and this is Switch 2. I was surprised there were not many surprises. The only surprise to me was that mice thing that they showed."

With a Switch 2-focused Direct coming on April 2, Nintendo definitely still has time to hit us with that classic Nintendo charm. I'm personally really hoping the new console is more than just a bigger, more powerful Switch, and it sounds like Yoshida feels the same.

"Hopefully, because it's Nintendo, they'll use it in some weird, amazing way, something that people wouldn't anticipate. I hope in the next show in the beginning of April they'll reveal something that is still hidden to us about Switch 2."

Yoshida retired from Sony in January after 31 years with the company, and he's been pretty outspoken on a variety of topics since then. Right after his retirement, he voiced his surprise at Horizon Forbidden West's sales underperformance compared to Horizon Zero Dawn, and more recently he shared his take on the failure of the PS Vita. Just a few days ago, he said a normal publisher would've canceled The Last Guardian.

If Nintendo wants Switch 2 to beat Switch 1, all it needs to do is stop pretending the Wii U wasn't its best console and bring back its most defining feature.

Imamura – who designed multiple iconic characters including Captain Falcon, Fox McCloud, and Tingle, supervised multiple F-Zero games, and served as The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's art director amongst other roles – has now shared a blog post explaining his thought process behind leaving Nintendo. In it, he talks about the "back-and-forth of emotions" he faced when weighing up the decision, but also mentions that it's "no easy task" to manage a company "with many creators." He adds: "Rather than just a 'good-natured boss,' a charismatic leader is essential to keeping things running smoothly."

Clearly though, he has no concerns about that when it comes to Nintendo. "Nintendo is still in good hands, thanks to the many charismatic developers who have created major hits," he continues. "But the idea that 'as long as we have popular IPs, we'll be fine!' is a big mistake. It's crucial not to forget the talented individuals who uphold the value of those IPs."

While Imamura doesn't point to any series in particular here, it's a statement I'm sure fans of, well, pretty much anything can agree with. Watching a game series fall off is heartbreaking, and it's certainly fair to say that sticking a popular name on the front of something doesn't guarantee it'll be good. The devs are – literally and figuratively – the people who make brilliant games happen, and at a time where the industry is constantly being hit with layoffs, Imamura's message feels more important than ever. 

Legendary Zelda dev "wasn't too pleased" about working on A Link to the Past as it robbed his enjoyment of playing the finished game: "I still really don't want to play that game."

I still hold the Switch as one of the best gaming handhelds due to the amount of Nintendo Switch accessories and bizarre controllers that released alongside it. First-party games from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to Super Smash Bros Ultimate did enough to make me fall in love with the Ninty hardware, but if it weren’t for the Pokeball Plus or the Ring Fit Adventure Ring-Con, it would be a different story.

Using the Pokeball Plus was such an integral part of my love for the Switch that it still sits at my desk within my line of sight so I can play with it at a moment's notice. The adorable official Pokemon controller came packaged with Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu back in 2018. The game allowed you to swing the Pokeball and use its onboard stick and buttons to catch your favorite Gen 1 Pokemon in what was essentially a remake of Yellow with Go mechanics. The controller could store the data of a single Pokemon and could shake and sound off its cries to add that extra layer of Poke-filled immersion.

The compact peripheral didn’t spontaneously enlarge like the real thing, but it was (and remains to be) the Pokemon accessory of my dreams. An upgraded version of it would feel right at home on the Switch 2. We haven't yet got any official confirmation of its launch lineup, but Pokemon Legends Z-A is on its way to "Nintendo Switch systems" this year, which could include the Switch successor. A straight-up Pokeball replica wouldn't have suited the previous Pokemon Legends game which explored the world's steampunk-like origins. But a new iteration of the Pokeball with a new look, updated features, and continued compatibility with Pokemon Go would carry on Ninty's hardware tradition of creating fun, immersive, and memorable experiences.

Nintendo has long since wanted to associate their consoles with ‘family fun’ and childlike wonder, and that’s exactly what I experienced playing through Let’s Go Pikachu. The controller not only brought out that feeling I had when the Pokemon craze first landed in the 90s but harkened back to previous Ninty generations, like the GameCube era, where Ninty's unique peripherals heightened my adoration of their first-party games.

Just like the Switch, the Gamecube had a strong library of games that keep it amongst my favorite consoles to date. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is still up there with my favorite horror titles, and I’m holding out hope the GameCube port of Skies of Arcadia Legends will see a remaster. But what instantly comes to mind when I think of Nintendo’s purple box is the barrel-shaped Donkey Kong Konga controllers and banging my life away along to Blink 182’s All the Small Things.

The Donkey Kong Kongas were released alongside the aptly named Donkey Konga, for the GameCube in 2003. I was, for some reason or another, the only one of my friends with the plastic kongas and so every weekend we’d flock to my run-down bedroom and take turns clapping and slapping the bizarre controller. The resounding noise didn’t go down well with my mom, but to this day they sit proudly amongst my many other bits of Nintendo hardware and are the main to this day, why I love the red-tie-wearing gorilla.

Not to be a gamer stereotype, but I’m not a huge fan of exercise. However, the Ring Fit Adventure Ring-Con remains one of my favorite gaming memories to conjure up in my head when thinking of the original Switch. Initially, I was blown away by the level of ingenuity involved, which included attaching the right Joy-Con to the ring’s high-sensitivity force sensor to detect pushing and pulling movements. When paired with the tech of the right Joy-Con, the controller’s built-in accelerometer, and gyroscope could also detect my clumsy Scottish body tilting and moving around, while the left Joy-Con slipped into the leg strap and measured when I ran, bent my knees, and moved around.

The tech didn’t feel especially advanced for 2019, but I was taken aback by how the Switch seamlessly registered my movements. From pretending to jog in my living room, to pushing in the ring with all my might, the on-screen version of myself matched my inputs perfectly. There's ample opportunity to continue these excruciatingly exhausting, but memorable experiences on the Switch 2. Especially with existing Switch franchises like the Fitness Boxing game series, releasing games as late as July last year with 'Fitness Boxing featuring Hatsune Miku'.

Clever and unique accessories could be instrumental in ensuring the Switch 2 stands out from the crowd. The first official look at the console confirmed that it's almost identical to the current Switch in design, with some key differences. While there may yet be a signifying gimmick that we're currently unaware of, having a lineup of stand-out first-party games, with interactive experiences exclusive to the coming generation could help further set it apart from its predecessor.

The handheld market has also changed dramatically in the eight years since the original Switch launched. It had the benefit of being unique for its time, as hybrid console handhelds weren't as commonplace as they are today. Now, there's a myriad of PC gaming handhelds, from the Steam Deck OLED to the Asus ROG Ally, which can be played portably or connected to a gaming monitor or smart TV. Other than Nintendo's exclusive games, establishing brand-new peripherals unique to the Switch 2 would help further separate it from the growing handheld market.

It's worked well for Nintendo in the past. The NES introduced the world to R.O.B the robot and even my mom still associates the console with using the NES Zapper to shoot down ducks in Duck Hunt in the 80s. It's been 19 years since the Nintendo Wii launched, and even with its iconic lineup of games, I still have old friends recounting memories of using the official Mario Kart Wheel with my Wiimote to race through Mario Kart Wii's Moo Moo Meadows.

Swinging a real-life Pokeball around to catch Pokemon, or using squats and sit-ups to attack monsters in an exercise-driven RPG brought back happy memories of Nintendo consoles of the past. From exhausting my body through non-stop sessions of Wii Bowling on the Nintendo Wii to getting the palms of my hands red raw from banging on the Donkey Kong Kongas, the accessories are integral to the Nintendo console experience.

The games will always be the main pull, of course. When I think 'Nintendo Switch' I don't just think Pokeball Plus. I think about my adventures with Mario and friends, and Link and the Princes in its many games the handheld bestowed upon me. But the long tradition of weird and wonderful accessories played a vital part in making some of those experiences cemented in my mind. I only hope this continues with the Nintendo Switch 2, and that come April, we have a future of bizarre but equally fun accessories to exhaust ourselves with.

Check our Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch 2 guide to see how the current handheld matches up to its brand-new rival, or find out everything we already know about Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

For the young'uns, the Wii U is a Nintendo console that was announced in 2011 and released in 2012. It looks a lot like the Wii that came before it, but with a peripheral screen you can use as a controller in tandem with your TV. While your TV acts as the traditional display, reacting to input from the directional pad and buttons and displaying the view of the player character, the GamePad's gyroscope enables motion controls to display what you're actually aiming at with your real-life hands. I still vividly remember watching its reveal and thinking, "that's going to be great in horror games," and I was right. More on that in a minute.

In a way, the Wii U opens up a new dimension that exists only on the GamePad screen. If you want to quickly look behind you, you can do so by physically turning around in the real world and seeing what's behind you in the game, as if it acts as a portal into a parallel universe. Nevermind the convenience of quick-touch inventory management and map access, as well as the cleaner main screen due to HUD elements being on the GamePad, when utilized cleverly the Wii U's second screen simply means more immersive, and by default, scarier games.

The Switch could never

Nintendo tried with the Wii U, it really did. Nintendo Land was essentially designed to be a showcase for the GamePad's unique capabilities, and it does so well, but pretty much every first-party Nintendo game released for the Wii U utilizes it in some way. Without even digging too deep, I can think of a bunch of examples of the GamePad either being instrumental to a game's functionality or simply making it more fun, immersive, and convenient.

The golfing game bundled in with Wii U Sports Club lets you place the GamePad on the ground and visualize your golf club hitting the ball as you swung. Mario Maker is infinitely easier to navigate and interact with thanks to the touchscreen, which you can use to create maps while actually playing them on the TV. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE turns the GamePad into a fully functioning smartphone, letting you receive calls, texts, and messages in separate group chats you can simply tap to expand. Pikmin 3 lets you send off captains to complete tasks by just drawing a line on the GamePad, which is really freeing.

I could go on and on, but the longer I do, the more I delay the ace in my sleeve: Zombi mother-effin' U. Not Zombi, the mid-to-good horror game you can play on PlayStation and Xbox. No, Zombi U, the original version of the game that was a launch title for the Wii U and is made exponentially better and scarier thanks exclusively to the GamePad. Zombi U's second-screen functionality is the best use of the Wii U GamePad there ever was, a sad reminder of the missed potential in the middle-child of Nintendo's console family, and the crux of my plea for Nintendo to bring it back in the Switch 2.

Tension u can touch

Like I said before, I've had the pleasure of playing many games that benefit from the Wii U GamePad, but Zombi U is the only one where I felt the second screen was integral to the experience. Its gimmick is simple but incredibly effective, and I don't think it's been done anywhere else. First of all, the UI is almost entirely displayed on the GamePad, making the action on the big screen all that much more immersive. But if you've been reading this article you already know that's nothing special.

What's special about Zombi U is the backpack. It's just a little icon on your GamePad screen alongside your map and equipped items, but if you touch it and slide down it opens up your inventory. When that happens, the first-person camera on the big screen turns into third-person and you lose control of your character, who's crouched down looking through your inventory.

The thing is, the action doesn't pause when you access your inventory, which means if you want to equip something or just ruffle through your bag, you have to physically look down at your GamePad with your real-life eyeballs while your character is completely vulnerable to attack. It's incredibly tense, and the same sort of thing happens any time you have to scan your environment, loot a corpse, look through a cabinet, tap in the code to a keypad, and pick a lock.

The most stressful moments in Zombi U, which to this day rival the scariest games I've ever played, are when I'm surrounded by a horde of encroaching zombies, running low on ammo, and struggling to find space to open up my inventory and swap weapons. If I don't have a weapon loaded up in one of the six quick access slots the game gives you, I have to avert my eyes from the main screen and drag one out of my inventory manually while my character is completely defenseless.

Do I try to buy myself a few seconds by tossing a molotov cocktail or flare in the direction of the zombies? Do I try to run far enough away that I can quickly swap weapons, or do I flail around with my cricket bat and stubbornly fight the inevitable? More often than not it's the latter, simply because I'm paralyzed with anxiety. Unfortunately for me, it's a decision with a lot of stakes, as when you die in Zombi U, you lose that character permanently, and the only way to retrieve your items is to go find your body and loot it.

Warp pipe dream

I still remember thinking the Wii U was a revolutionary moment for horror, but even more broadly, I still think there's a lot of untapped potential in its gimmick, largely because the console failed so spectacularly that Nintendo ditched it entirely with the Switch. Think of the possibilities! Nintendo seemingly revealed a new Mario Kart with the announcement of Switch 2 - a second screen could be used as a rear-view mirror or backup camera. I remember thinking the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild would've really benefited from making the GamePad the Sheikah Slate, which would've made switching between runes and accessing the map a lot more seamless.

Of course, it'll come as no surprise by now that my happy chemicals are most activated when I think of the potential for second screen horror on the Switch 2. Imagine using the GamePad, or whatever weird name Nintendo could come up with for it, to scan environments and reveal specters you can't see on the main screen, kind of like how Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water turns the Wii U GamePad into the Camera Obscura. Think of the tension in a survival horror game with no safe rooms where you have to use the second screen as a crafting bench in real-time, all while vulnerable to attack. And I'm just riffing off the top of the dome here! I shudder to think of what the brilliant engineers and developers under Nintendo's leadership could conjure up.

That said, I'm also not naive. Regardless of its innovations, the Wii U was one of the biggest failures in terms of console sales of all time, while the Switch, which completely abandoned second-screen gameplay, is the second bestselling console of all time worldwide and the first in the US. Even I can admit it makes zero sense for Nintendo to make the Switch more like the Wii U, and I can just about guarantee that it won't. I'm not even sure it would be technically possible, since the Switch 2 presumably has to be plugged into the dock to project its image to a TV. Maybe there's something that could be done there with Bluetooth, but yeah, not likely.

So why even make the argument that it should? Well, to be quite candid with y'all, I've been looking for a topical way to get on my soapbox about this for literal years now, and as soon as the Switch 2 was officially announced, I knew my opportunity had arrived. The Wii U was and still is my weird, awkward, but ultimately underappreciated horror companion, and I'd like to think in some alternate reality there's a Wii U 2 sitting under my TV.

Nintendo's own FAQ page about the events, which kick off in New York and Paris on April 4 before touring across multiple cities in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia over the course of the following two months, state that you can't give away your tickets to anyone else. "No - event tickets are non-transferrable and one-time use only."

To no one's surprise, that hasn't stopped scalpers from trying to make a pretty penny from the digital tickets anyway as hype for the Switch 2 builds. On resale websites like eBay, tickets for the New York event are being 'sold' for the affordable price of $900. Other second-hand tickets for the Milan and New York events are still online, though some listings for the London event have been removed from the site. (I do find it funny that none of these scalpers accept returns, though, because, of course, they don't.)

Either way, Nintendo has started contacting those selected to attend the event today, so if your inbox is empty, chances are you weren't one of the lucky ones. Thankfully, should there be enough cancellations, you'll get another chance to attend the preview with a waitlist that goes live later today on January 29 at 2pm ET and 1pm PT.

The next time any of us gets a look at the hybrid handheld console will be in the Nintendo Direct, scheduled to air on April 2, where we'll likely dive deeper into that new Mario Kart game, the console's mysterious new features, and a potential launch line-up.

Mario Kart 9 should step it up a gear by celebrating more of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. 

"Have you heard these references in the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer?" Elesky says in a recent video, according to our translation with help from DeepL. "[Nintendo] showed us a little bit of music, and at the beginning of the trailer, this is what happened." Elesky plays a snippet of the Switch 2 trailer, where what sounds like a marimba trills.

"This wasn't chosen by chance," Elesky continues. "This sound appears in many Super Mario games when you press pause. They are the notes E, C. These notes are also iconic because they are the first notes played in the main theme of Super Mario Bros."

Though, the warble in the Switch 2 trailer is both deeper than Super Mario's recognizable chirrup, and it's missing that motif's triumphant ending Sol, or the note G.

But Elesky wonders if the missing G could be a secret, too. She notices that the Switch 2 trailer includes the sound of a piano key being hit in reverse, so she reverses it again, and finds a sparkly C major chord – the notes C, E, and G. After, the Switch 2 clicks into place in a G-like way.

"If you're not convinced by this," Elesky continues, "the So is the first note that plays in the trailer. Now we have all the notes."

What do you think – is the Super Mario theme camouflaged by the clacks, snaps, and happy flourishes of the Nintendo Switch 2 trailer? Personally, I believe Nintendo needs to give us all some more to work with.

Nintendo Switch 2 may be getting more Xbox titles as Phil Spencer is "really looking forward to supporting them with the games that we have."

Speaking on GamerTagRadio, Spencer says he exchanged some emails with Shuntaro Furukawa and "gave him a big congrats and said my old eyes appreciate the larger screen. I know how simple that is, but it's not always true that I can read all the text."

Most excitingly, Spencer added he was "really looking forward to supporting them with the games that we have." This seems to confirm Xbox will be looking to port its games over to the Switch 2 once it comes out. 

Xbox has already been putting its exclusives on other platforms for some time, like Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be coming to PS5 and PC sometime this spring, and Spencer even says there's no guarantee Starfield remains an exclusive.

While the Switch has many great games, it's the least powerful console out of the big three, but the Switch 2 should be closing that gap somewhat, so even more PlayStation and Xbox games could be making the move.

As for why Xbox would want its games on a rival platform, "I just think they're such an important part of this industry," Spencer says of Nintendo. "Who would ever bet against the success of that team? They're masterful at what they do. Switch is a massive success and I think Switch 2 will be as well."

Given Xbox's recent 'This is an Xbox' marketing strategy and the company's push into cloud gaming over the last several years, it makes sense that Spencer would want the company's games on as many devices as possible, even rival platforms.

While you're here, check out the best Xbox Series X games you can play right now.

To everyone who doubted my (not financial) advice to buy the dip, bet you wish you did now. Nintendo's stick took an unexpected tumble following the Switch 2 reveal last week, and one analyst believes this was due to a lack of information on things like price, launch date, and software plans. "Without these details you can't establish earnings forecasts," Tomoichiro Kubota, a senior market analyst at Matsui Securities says.

However, as reported by Automaton, the company's stock hit a record high of 9,775 yen, 371 yen higher than its previous best. It could climb even higher, as Toyo Securities increased its recommendation of Nintendo stock from 'buy' to 'strong buy' and forecasts it could hit 12,300 yen – more than a 20% increase.

Even though we don't know much about the Switch 2, Nintendo has a strong track record with its consoles. "I don't believe launch pricing will really matter," Circana games lead Mat Piscatella tells us. "Early adopters of new Nintendo hardware aren't very price-sensitive, so as long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount it'll sell." Analysis like this is likely very attractive to investors.

It will also undoubtedly have some strong launch titles. We saw footage of the next Mario Kart game, and we know that the original Switch sold over a billion games, so it's likely this will sell incredibly well, too.

Toyo Securities actually revised its Switch 2 sales forecast from 14 million to 16 million units shipped, assuming the console will launch in early July. Game publisher and accessory maker Nacon states the console will launch by September this year, and writes it "already has compatible games and a full range of accessories" for it.

In the meantime, check out the best Nintendo Switch games you can play right now ahead of the Switch 2 launch.

"I can imagine 'normies' being a bit confused," gaming industry consultant Serkan Toto tells GamesRadar+. "The device is bigger than the original Switch, but not comically large. The form factor, button layout, and overall design are very similar to Switch 1, so I can imagine issues arising when potential mainstream buyers look at the new device."

Even I, as someone whose job it is to care about the Switch 2, find myself observing its long black screen, petite Joy-Con controllers, and matte joysticks and thinking, wow… that looks just like the Nintendo Switch…

The Wii U – essentially a Wii that used a primitive Switch as a GamePad – faced similar prejudice when it debuted in 2012 and sold poorly. Casual gamers didn't understand what made the device a worthwhile replacement to the perfectly good Wii consoles they already owned to play golf in Koopa Park.

Others thought, as a younger GamesRadar+ put it in 2011, the console "might well be a pimp-daddy polygon-processing motherf*cker from the future right now, but if it gets superseded by new Microsoft and Sony consoles in two years, it'll suddenly stop being exciting as a pure gaming machine." You know?

Nintendo officially shut down the Wii U's online service last April. Maybe Nintendo, now being older and wiser, has learned its lesson. Its reveal trailer, at least, seems to make a point of distinguishing the Switch 2's otherwise indistinguishable features from the original Switch, showing off the console's extra USB-C port and demonstrating what seem to be mouse sensors with a magician's flourish.

And we can't forget all those hungry Nintendo fans who have wanted this for so long. Sameness is titillating to some people. So Circana gaming industry analyst Mat Piscatella thinks the Switch 2 will be a "massive success," and he tells us he predicts Nintendo will sell approximately 16 million Switch 2 consoles worldwide by the end of 2025.

Even so, "it looks to be a bigger, more powerful Switch," Piscatella says. "Exactly what people wanted and expected. But also, it looks to be primarily a bigger, more powerful Switch, which may not be enough to attract an audience outside of buyers of the original Switch." Well, you can never win everyone over.

Veteran analyst expects Switch 2 to be "a massive success," but doesn't see it matching the "outlier" that was the Switch 1: "It could happen, but it's not likely."

As highlighted by @Stealth40k on Twitter, if you go onto Newegg's website looking to buy a Nintendo eShop gift card, the product's description greets you with a short list of "2025 games," presumably as inspiration for what you or the gift card's recipient might want to spend the balance on. Other than the existing Switch releases we already knew about, like Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, there's also mention of a "new Mario Kart." We saw this game during the Switch 2 reveal trailer, but it wasn't actually given a release date (or even a title yet, for that matter, so it might not actually be called Mario Kart 9). However, that's not the strangest thing listed here.

At the time of writing, Newegg also has a "new 3D Mario" and "Legend of Zelda Remake/Remaster" on its 2025 games list. These, uh, haven't been announced. Newegg doesn't offer any further details on these, so it's not clear if they're supposed to be Switch 2 titles, even if the timing appears to line up. Importantly, we also can't guarantee that this isn't just a mistake on the retailer's end – perhaps someone's list of predictions accidentally got published by mistake. Its apparent uncertainty over what the supposed Zelda game is actually supposed to be would match this tone.

Hypothetically, though, these two games would make solid choices to bolster the Switch 2's library, especially at or around launch. Not counting the expanded re-release of 2013's Super Mario 3D World, we've not had a brand new 3D Mario game since Super Mario Odyssey in 2017, a few months after the Switch's launch. As for Zelda, you can never go wrong with that – there's no doubt that some are still hoping for ports of the Wii U versions of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, so those would be immediate winners.

We'll just have to wait to see what Nintendo reveals later this year – perhaps it might give us more game details during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April.

Nintendo says Switch 2 backwards compatibility exists because it's "the best direction" for consumers.

I'm no game dev, but to me, Tears of the Kingdom feels as close to magic as you could possibly get with a video game. I can't even fathom the technical wizardry that went into it – from the endlessly innovative Ultrahand ability to the massive open world that allows you to seamlessly travel between three enormous layers of the map on what's now (comparatively to its competition) a very underpowered console. It's this latter point that fans are highlighting now that the debate about the Switch 2's potential power is in full swing. 

For context, leaks and rumors up to this point have suggested that the Switch 2 could be about as powerful as the PS4 – an internal Activision email which surfaced in 2023 suggested it'd be "closer" to this mark in terms of its performance. Some rumors have claimed it could be about as powerful as the PS4 Pro, although it's worth noting that The Verge's Tom Warren recently referred to this as "the funniest" rumor of them all, so if he knows something we don't, it strongly suggests that might not be true. Regardless, not everyone is immediately impressed by these claims, but others think this would still give Nintendo plenty of extra power to work with, especially considering what it's been able to pull off on the Switch. 

"People complaining that the 'Switch 2 is merely as powerful as a PS4 Pro' is so funny to me because if the Switch, underpowered as it is, could do THIS without glitching, imagine what the Switch 2 can do," one fan writes on Twitter, sharing a clip of Link diving through the sky and into the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom. 

Another player has taken things a step further: "Here's the best example of this," they say. "From the highest possible point in the game down to nearly the deepest. Three layers of open-world map seamlessly loading on the Switch. People are underestimating what Nintendo will be able to do with this new hardware." 

While no concrete specs have been revealed yet, one indie dev who made the last eShop games to release on the Wii U and 3DS has shared an analysis of the apparent Mario Kart 9 footage in the reveal trailer, and his thoughts are promising. Amongst other things, he believes the unique textures visible in it are "extremely telling that this system is significantly more powerful" than the Switch 1 – here's hoping that that's the case. 

The Switch 2 Joy-Cons snap onto the console in a whole new way, but Nintendo has been considering using magnets since the OG Switch, as its producer confirmed almost 8 years ago.

Given that we got Mario Kart 7 for the 3DS and Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U, you'd think Mario Kart 9 comes next. That's mainly because we don't have a game with the same name, though fans have taken to the name as easy shorthand in the absence of confirmation – much like plenty did with the Switch 2 and, say, The Witcher 4 before Nintendo and CDPR respectively confirmed that, yes, those are the names we're going with.

But with Mario Kart, it's complicated. We don't have Mario Kart 9, but we do have Mario Kart Tour for mobile phones that came after MK8. You could say that doesn't count, as it's not called Mario Kart 9, but that doesn't totally hold up. Mario Kart 7 was the first actual numbered entry in the series, with plenty of games beforehand opting to go with the name of their respective consoles – Mario Kart 2, confirmed? – or something else like Super Circuit or Double Dash.

Why the next mario kart game wont be called "Mario kart 9" (or 10) from r/Mario

"STOP calling Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart "Mario Kart 9" because Tour IS Mario Kart 9!" from r/mariokart

To every people calling the next game "Mario Kart 9" YOU ARE WRONG from r/mariokart

Could this confirm the name "Mario Kart 9"? from r/mariokart

Mario Kart 10 – or X, if you're more Final Fantasy inclined – then? Maybe, but we wouldn't want to forget about the mixed reality 'em up Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. There's also the Mario Kart Arcade GP sub-series, but that's broadly accepted as its own thing.

So, are we closer to agreeing on what we're naming the thing? Not really, but I'll stick to Mario Kart 9 for now. It's just easier, man.

Mario Kart 9 should step it up a gear by celebrating more of Nintendo's biggest franchises.

I'm actually a late adopter. My girlfriend grabbed a regular Switch in late 2021, and it was the first time I paid serious attention to Nintendo's hybrid console. I decided I only cared about its portable capabilities, so I snatched a yellow Switch Lite in early 2022 to grab and play through those universally acclaimed best Nintendo Switch games I was missing out on. Little did I know, my shelves were about to get much heavier.

We've been here before. With PS5 and Xbox Series X/S promising a better, renewed focus on the thorny matter of backwards compatibility, their launch seemed like a good opportunity to revisit (or finally play) eighth-gen staples as well as the overlooked darlings we learned about too late. I know this worked out fine for me, but will the same happen once the Switch 2 finally releases?

Collectathon

Among my first Switch purchases were The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Out of those big four that I bought initially, I've only truly beaten Link's first modern open-world adventure, and it happened only because Tears of the Kingdom was around the corner. Needless to say, I haven't finished the sequel yet.

My main problem? I began looking into too many third-party ports because "I'd like to have this great game I already played on a portable device." For example, 2K's ports of the Borderlands series and the BioShock trilogy were pretty sweet and cheap. Have I fully finished those? Nay, but they were great to have. Fast-forward to late 2022 and I'm also grabbing a Steam Deck, rendering such ports kind of useless. FOMO is a bitch, and the fact I'm a big multiplatform guy constantly makes matters worse.

The list goes on and on. I continued to amass important first-party titles, mainly because I knew damn well that Nintendo refuses to make its games easily accessible at reasonable prices in the long run, and the second-hand market takes advantage of that too. At the same time, I kept adding new releases to the mound as my rising freelance writing gigs justified me doubling down on game purchases. The funny thing is that I've actually played most of what I've bought for the console. I simply keep getting sidetracked before rolling credits, and it's not entirely my job's fault. Too much of a good thing might indeed be bad.

A new hope

Somehow, we find ourselves in early 2025 and the Switch is still trucking along even with its successor right around the corner. I'm now at the point of "actually, give me some extra time to clear my Switch backlog a bit before 2 hits." I know I'm cooked. Our attention will turn to the Switch 2 and its shiny new games once it hits, but it also might be the answer to the problem at hand: I'll undoubtedly be all over the new piece of hardware, and with the early exclusive catalogue probably being on the slim side (I know this might age badly), it could be the perfect time to use the performance glow-up to hit that heap of aging titles.

Realistically, I'm not expecting Nintendo to pay much attention to 'next-gen' patches à la Xbox and PlayStation. It just doesn't sound like something the powers that be would green-light. However, the console's more powerful innards should get all of the Switch's wobbly games to a rock-solid framerate cap. Most players won't care, but as a performance sicko, I'm happy to revisit old games running on better hardware, regardless of the presence of extra improvements.

In the end, I know this is me trying to fool my brain. I've half-accepted I might just be into collecting works that I deem interesting in the age of companies mostly failing to preserve the medium's history. That's a good-enough excuse. I also know that I can't realistically play through all the relevant games I'm interested in which are released across all platforms every year. Being too curious and not picky enough (I just love video games, man) can be a problem.

So, am I doing something about this? I'll be honest: I don't know. An approach which seems to 'work' is to simply wait for that spontaneous burst of "ah, I feel like playing this specific game" and hoping it's an unplayed or unfinished one. Option B is to simply wait for the announcement of a new installment in a series and going back to the last one to be up-to-date. It might not be perfect, but it's a process that gives me a bit of mental peace. That should be enough. I'm just riding the vibes at this point.

Our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight contains everything we've seen from the upcoming handheld so far

While Nintendo hasn't given a direct 'yes' on whether the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers are definitely magnetic, the way they attach to the system with a snap in the reveal trailer certainly suggests so, and again, this follows multiple other accurate leaks. It makes even more sense when you consider that the producer of the Nintendo Switch, Yoshiaki Koizumi, said back in February 2017 that he was "particularly excited" about using that idea on the original console, but it just didn't work well enough back then.

This comes from a now-deleted Nintendo Minute video hosted by Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang (Nintendo's former director of social media marketing and original content, and senior manager of creator relations and original content, respectively), which was highlighted by @Nintendeal and reshared in a new video from Yang on social media. In the old clip, Koizumi explains that Nintendo "tried a lot of different things in terms of connecting the Joy-Con to the console," but "one I was particularly excited about at the time was using magnets, where you could just, like, snap it right to the console." There was a fundamental flaw, though: "As you would play, sometimes it would just fall into your lap."

Nintendo wanted to make "something that was sturdy enough for you to hold onto the console, but also gave you that kind of satisfying snap that the magnets did," which is how it ended up coming up with the idea of the Switch's clicking mechanical rails. Reacting to the video now, all these years on, Yang says: "It just goes to show you that Nintendo is a company that never lets a good idea die, they kind of store it away, and when the technology catches up, they use it in something else."

It really makes you wonder how many other ideas Nintendo could have tucked away for when the time is right – maybe even more of them could be implemented in the Switch 2 in some way. For now, we'll probably have to wait until the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April for more concrete details. 

"June sounds a lot more realistic" for the Nintendo Switch 2 release date, analyst says, as hands-on event dates suggest the console is skipping spring.

However, a video does show off the large button on the back of the new Joy-Cons on the official Nintendo Switch 2 website. Originally discovered and shared on r/NintendoSwitch2, the looping clip reveals that pressing this button down is what disengages either Joy-Con from the handheld. While we did get a glimpse of the new controllers in the original reveal, this button's functionality wasn't shown off in any detail and instead has been hiding on the official site for anyone who took the time to have a look for themselves.

So far, all we actually know about the brand-new Joy-Con controllers is that they're bigger, and bigger is better. However, the Switch 2 rumor mill has long circulated that the new console relies on the use of a magnetic connection to keep the controllers connected. This rumor was initially sparked by Vandal, a Spanish website on which one reporter spoke to accessory and peripheral manufacturers for the new console.

It was then, during April last year, that we first heard that Ninty may be ditching the rail system. With that in mind, it's plausible that this new button is what allows players to disrupt the magnetic connection, so you can play in tabletop or docked mode with ease.

With no official word from Nintendo itself, we don't exactly know what hardware magic is involved to get this working. However, it looks to be a much-improved change from the system that came before. My original Switch was plagued with rail problems since the first day I got it, even after being sent to the official Nintendo Repair center on multiple occasions. So I more than welcome any changes, especially if it also makes switching between modes a less tedious process.

There isn't that much longer to wait until the upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2 (hopefully with Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders to follow), where Nintendo will bear all there is to know about the Switch 2 - and their new Joy-Cons too.

Our Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch vs Steam Deck guides also provide the lowdown on how the upcoming console will compete against its portable gaming rivals.

Some context is perhaps necessary to understand that this is not some unusual perversion or fetish of mine, though there is an argument to be made that it is an unhealthy obsession. Most importantly, and in case you somehow weren't already aware, Nintendo Switch cartridges – the physical units that games come on that you actually insert into a Switch – are coated in a bittering agent. Specifically, every single one of them bad boys has a healthy helping of denatonium benzoate, according to Nintendo.

This is not news and was widely reported back in the early days of the Switch circa March 2017. The intention, broadly speaking, appears to be avoiding ingestion by anyone, but most obviously children. When it became public knowledge, a broad swath of folks just had to try it for themselves – myself included. The difference between me and them is that I, for one, never stopped.

Keeps on ticking

As a cool gamer, I still regularly purchase physical Nintendo Switch games, and the knowledge that there's that nasty chemical (and trust me, it is nasty) coated on them is always front of mind. When I buy a new Nintendo Switch game, my first inevitable thought upon opening it is not, "I sure am excited to play this," but instead, "I should lick this, just in case." I won't keep you in suspense: every single one of them has continued to taste bad.

Which brings us to the Nintendo Switch 2. We've known for some months now that "the successor to Nintendo Switch" would include the ability to play Nintendo Switch games, and the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 seemingly confirmed that physical cartridges are continuing and that Nintendo Switch (OG) carts will also work in the Nintendo Switch 2, with some exceptions.

What the reveal didn't show is what, exactly, a Nintendo Switch 2 cartridge might look like. My assumption, given the backwards compatibility, would be some sort of extrusion that prevents them from being used in an original model Nintendo Switch while still allowing Nintendo Switch games through the same slot on the Nintendo Switch 2. This is the route the Nintendo 3DS went with when it came to being backwards compatible with the Nintendo DS, and it's reasonable to assume something similar will be in place here. If it ain't broke, after all.

All of this is to say, the particular flavoring of the Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges (the sheer existence of which doesn't feel like too much of an assumption despite not yet having seen one) has not been touched on yet. With Nintendo having continued the bitter agent on the original Nintendo Switch games all through this point and, it seems, into the future, there's every reason to believe that it will continue with the Nintendo Switch 2.

But not knowing is what gets me. Will the taste be slightly different in some way to differentiate them? Will it be the exact same, because who cares? Will Nintendo use more or less denatonium benzoate this time around for a stronger or weaker aversion? Maybe the Nintendo Switch 2 will use an altogether different chemical compound. Maybe it won't!

I guess I'll just need to lick one to find out.

We're set to learn even more about the Switch 2 on April 2, but be sure to check out everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2 if you want to know more.

Video game analyst MauroNL shared an excerpt from Nacon's third quarter of 2024/25 sales press release, which states that "business levels in the first half of [fiscal year] 2025/26 will be supported by several positive factors," and one of these is "the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 console, for which Nacon "already has compatible games and a full range of accessories."

The Switch 2 was officially announced last week after months of leaks and rumors, and there's a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct confirmed for April 2, so it makes sense that the console would launch shortly after. Pre-orders will likely go live first once a few games have been announced, such as Mario Kart 9 - the as of yet unofficial name for the game shown in the console's reveal trailer. Another analyst recently suggested that "June sounds a lot more realistic" for the console's launch, considering that the hands-on Nintendo Switch 2 Experience dates suggest it'll be skipping spring.

The Switch 2 is a good console for publishers to bet on, as one analyst predicts it will sell between 14 million and 20 million units in its first year on the market. Another doesn't believe the price will matter: "As long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount it'll sell."

Nacon is a huge publisher that puts out a wide-range of games, so there's no telling what it could have up its sleeve for the Switch 2. It put out Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown last year, as well as the soulslike Steelrising in 2022, and it also does lots of simulator games. So, there are a lot of things it could be bringing to the Switch 2, and that's on top of accessories and peripherals for the upcoming console.

In the meantime, check out all the confirmed video game release dates so you know what to look forward to this year.

Now that the Switch 2 feels more real after an official reveal, some chatter has turned to how well we can expect it to do compared to the original Switch. After all, it's not something the Wii U quite managed to do when following the Wii.

According to a Bloomberg report, Nintendo is ready to shift 20 million units within the Switch 2's first year, which would eclipse the 15 million units that the Switch managed. While analysts agree that the Switch 2 could sell that many units, going on to match Switch's success in the long term is a rather tall order. That's not to say the Switch 2 won't be a success – it's likely it will be – it's more that the Switch is up on the Mount Rushmore of console MVPs like the PS2.

If the Switch 2 was to pull that off, however, what would that look like? As per one analyst who spoke to GamesRadar+, "some surprises" to help it leave a big mark on countries the Switch managed would certainly help.

"Growth in countries and regions where Switch did not have as large a presence as in, say, Japan or the US is very important," Circana analyst Mat Piscatella says. "A strong first-party content slate is critical, and additional 3rd party support sure wouldn't hurt (although folks generally buy Nintendo hardware to play Nintendo games).

"But to match or exceed the success of Switch, there have to be some surprises, and a little luck sure wouldn't hurt as well."

It's all but confirmed that a new Mario Kart game is coming, which is certainly a start. However, we'll have to wait for a special Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April to find out more. Hopefully, some surprises lie ahead.

When will Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders go live? Here's everything you need to know ahead of April.

Jerrel Dulay is the solo indie developer behind Sungrand Studios and its unique game series Silver Falls, and is credited as being the last developer working on games to release on the Wii U and 3DS eShops (thanks, DualShockers). After racing to release multiple games on the Wii U and 3DS before their eShops shut down, not to mention his Nintendo Switch releases, it's fair to say he knows his stuff, making his analysis of what the apparent Mario Kart 9 footage shows compared to what we're used to on the regular Switch particularly interesting.

That includes things like the presence of "physically-based shaders," which can "take into account reflections from the environment" and generally give games more complex lighting. Although the original Switch required developers to "be very careful with the complexity of your shader," since a higher level of complexity means more demand placed on the system, Dulay believes "everything is physically based" in the new footage.

Similarly, he points out how high-resolution the ground textures are compared to the Switch's Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is notable as, since they take up so much space, "can consume your available RAM very quickly." While the Switch 1 only boasts around 4GB of RAM, Dulay says he "would not be surprised if the RAM for the Switch 2 was between 12 to 16 GBs because this is significantly more detailed."

The thing that Dulay thinks is the "most important" however is the presence of what he believes is "true volumetric lighting." This is an advanced lighting technique that can "create a sense of density in the atmosphere," making games appear both more realistic and more interesting. Think things like fog, clouds, and dustiness – Dulay says that this sort of effect was previously created on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe by utilizing "a basic distance fog" and a lot of bloom to apply "a soft halo" effect. 

On the regular Switch, volumetric lighting would take "a huge bite out of performance," with Dulay suggesting that, at a 1080p resolution, it would probably "force your game to run at like 15 frames a second," just accounting for the lighting and nothing else. The developer speculates Nintendo would want Mario Kart 9 to run at 60fps, so the use of that lighting technique here would be a massive deal when you consider the power required. 

There's also the fact that so many unique textures are present, which can be an issue on the original Switch since "they take up memory so fast that they will just crash your game." The fact that this doesn't appear to be a concern here is "extremely telling that this system is significantly more powerful," the developer explains. 

Dulay's whole video offers some fascinating insight into the system from a developer's perspective – hopefully Nintendo itself will be able to give us more details on its actual specs when the Switch 2 Direct rolls around in April.

Nintendo says Switch 2 backwards compatibility exists because it's "the best direction" for consumers.

As a quick refresher, the Nintendo Switch sold around 15 million units globally during its first year in 2017 before reaching around 150 million consoles in the following years. It's interesting, then, to see reports that Nintendo has readied itself to shift 20 million Switch 2 units during the console's first year.

Nintendo likely has high hopes for the console, though other elements we've seen from the likes of the PS5 launch, like scalping, could also contribute to the number of units ready to go. To better understand whether Nintendo can ship that many, though, we've reached out to some veteran analysts to see what the year ahead may bring.

For Japanese games industry consultancy company Kantan Games CEO and analyst Dr. Serkan Toto, shifting 20 million units is "certainly possible" if Nintendo can ship that many in year one. "There is pent-up demand especially from Nintendo hardcore users that have been waiting for such an upgrade for years now," he adds.

Circana games lead Mat Piscatella estimates are more conservative, though largely also see the Nintendo Switch 2 outdoing its predecessor.

"Right now, I have Switch 2 selling around 4.3 million units US in the 2025 calendar year," he says. "Call it ballpark 14-17 million worldwide in calendar 2025. Of course, first calendar year sales are traditionally limited to the number of units that are made and where those units are sent, so we'll have to see how production is ramped up for Switch 2."

In the long term, Piscatella expects Switch 2 to be a "massive success," though he doesn't expect it to reach the heights of Nintendo's first Switch console. "It's tough to forecast for an outlier," he says. "It could happen, but it's not likely."

As both allude to, however, the Switch 2 can certainly be a huge win for Nintendo without reaching the heights of its famous sibling. Given that the Nintendo Switch is up there with some of the best-selling consoles ever made, though, that's hardly a bad thing at all.

When will Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders go live? Here's everything you need to know ahead of April.

Between the OG Nintendo Switch and its OLED and Lite variants, the current-gen Switch family has sold a lot. To be precise, as of last September, over 146 million consoles and 1.3 billion pieces of software had been sold. That's an enormous amount of existing players with even more existing games, something which a Nintendo representative acknowledges in a statement sent to Game File. 

"Nintendo Switch is played by many consumers, and we decided that the best direction to take would be for consumers to be able to play their already purchased Nintendo Switch software on the successor to Nintendo Switch," Nintendo explains. "As a result of that thinking, Nintendo Switch 2 plays Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games, as well as both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games."

That latter point about digital and physical Switch 1 games was confirmed during the Switch 2's reveal trailer, so we now know for sure that the current cartridges will fit into the new console. However, in this latest statement, Nintendo also acknowledges a different point made in the trailer – "certain" Switch 1 games "may not be supported on or fully compatible." The company hasn't given any further insight into this, reiterating that more details will be available at a later date, so it's not entirely clear how many games this could affect. 

As things stand, though, the Switch 2's backwards compatibility is a real winner of a feature, and Nintendo will know this well from its previous hardware. After all, we've seen this before with the 3DS, standard DS and DS Lite, and Game Boy Advance, which were all able to play games from their immediate predecessors. One industry analyst has even gone as far as to say that the feature "was almost unavoidable," pointing out the enormous number of game sales the Switch has already racked up. 

With such a strong Switch library, it's fantastic that the Switch 2 will be able to carry this forward, although I'm positive I'm not the only one keen to find out what Switch 2 exclusive games the company is cooking up alongside what certainly looks like Mario Kart 9.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch price won't "really matter," analyst says, because early Nintendo buyers "aren't very price-sensitive" anyway – if it's not "egregious," it will sell.

"I don't believe launch pricing will really matter," Circana games lead Mat Piscatella tells us. "Early adopters of new Nintendo hardware aren't very price-sensitive, so as long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount it'll sell. And, of course, prices can be lowered over time. But we'll see."

The original Nintendo Switch has sold almost 150 million units, and it was much cheaper than the PS5 or Xbox Series X when it launched, so the same may well be true of the Switch 2 and the eventual PS6 and Xbox-whatever-it-will-be-called-this-time.

"Right now, I have Switch 2 selling around 4.3 million units US in the 2025 calendar year," says Piscatella. "Call it ballpark 14-17 million worldwide in calendar 2025. Of course, first calendar year sales are traditionally limited to the number of units that are made and where those units are sent, so we'll have to see how production is ramped up for Switch 2."

If the launch titles are good, people will certainly buy the console just for those. It already looks like Mario Kart 9 will be ready day one. I bought a 3DS just to play Pokemon X & Y, so we shouldn't underestimate the power of a good exclusive.

That's a far cry from what the original Switch has managed to sell, but Piscatella doesn't believe its successor will do as well. "Switch 2 can (and I expect it to) be a massive success. But I also don't expect it to reach Switch. It's tough to forecast for an outlier. It could happen, but it's not likely," he tells us.

While Piscatella doesn't seem fazed by the lack of details surrounding the Switch 2 at the moment, Tomoichiro Kubota, a senior market analyst at Matsui Securities, believes this is part of the reason Nintendo's stock price fell after the announcement. "Without these details you can't establish earnings forecasts," Kubota says.

To keep up to date with all the latest on the upcoming console, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight.

"It was very unfortunate for Nintendo that so much of the design and even functions leaked in the last few days, so I felt there were no surprises and no real wow factor here," industry analyst Serkan Toto tells us.

Nintendo was probably "really mad" about the leaks, "to the most severe level," say former PR managers. "I think the leaks essentially ruined the reveal," continues Toto. "And they were also quiet about price, release date or future games. So in the end, we know almost nothing new about the device after the trailer."

This last point could be why Nintendo's stock price actually fell after the Switch 2 reveal. "Without these details you can't establish earnings forecasts," says Tomoichiro Kubota, a senior market analyst at Matsui Securities. Investors like to know how much something is going to cost, when it's going to come out, and exactly what it does. They'll know more after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April, but until then, they don't have much to go on.

One thing we do know is that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with a lot of original Switch games, something Toto says "was almost unavoidable" due to the fact "Nintendo sold 1 billion Switch 1 games, and it makes sense to let buyers of the new device carry over their library."

One nice surprise we got was footage of a game we all believe to be Mario Kart 9. It features a redesign for Donkey Kong that makes him look more like his film coutnerpart.

To keep up with all the latest news, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight.

An amiibo a day keeps the collector bug at bay

The first wave of amiibos dropped in November 2014. It wasn’t the first time we’d been subject to the ‘toys-to-life’ concept, as Skylanders was already four years old at that point. But it was the first time I personally felt the compulsion to buy one. Even the fact that you needed a Nintendo WiiU and a copy of ‘Super Smash Bros for WiiU’ to make proper use of Princess Peach, Yoshi, and other figures, didn’t stop me from pre-ordering the princess ASAP.

That single purchase has since spiraled into over a thousand pounds spent, and a collection of over 100 amiibo figures, cards, and official accessories. From my favorite squishy Metroid figure, which features the creature breaking out to cause Samus havoc, to the complete collection of every single Legend of Zelda figure to date, I went all in to Nintendo’s answer to Skylanders. Despite having no shelf space for more, I have the full intent to continue the collection, so long as the Switch 2 lets me.

When they first launched, the sculpts for the actual figures weren’t great. That first Princess Peach amiibo is still one of my favorite bits of Mario merch I own, but her face doesn’t look that close to her in-game model. At the beginning, that didn’t matter too much. It was all about their existence as affordable and accessible pieces of Nintendo merchandise that mattered - especially during a time before the Super Mario Lego sets and various bits of Mario movie merch were available across online retailers and in-store toy shops.

Backwards compatibility should include amiibos too

Most games on the current Nintendo Switch are fully enjoyable without amiibos. That said, I wouldn’t dive back into Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom without them. Using any of the Legend of Zelda amiibos results in chests dropping from the sky, full of rupees, fish, and weapons to make your journey throughout Hyrule far easier. Using the Wolf Link amiibo that came packaged with Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U even unlocks a hound homage that you can pet and feed throughout your adventures.

Some well-needed mechanics are even locked behind the purchase of an amiibo. When The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was ported to the Switch, buying the Zelda and Loftwing amiibo was required to unlock a form of fast travel in the game. Technically, you can still fast-travel from any shrine without the amiibo-shaped paywall, but returning to the world’s surface from anywhere at a moment's notice relies on having the adorable figure in your collection.

During the first Switch 2 reveal, we got official confirmation that physical games for the first Switch will be playable on its successor (with some as yet unknown limitations). However, if there’s no amiibo support on the Switch 2 these in-game mechanics could be rendered entirely inaccessible. It’s very likely these are the ‘limitations’ that Nintendo has yet to fully elaborate on, which would be disappointing. Not just from an amiibo fan standpoint, but if some of my favorite additions to Switch games are unplayable on the Switch 2, there’s less incentive to pick up the new handheld over the original.

The writing isn’t entirely on the wall for an end for support for these cute collectibles. A previous Switch 2 leak posted to the subreddit r/GamingLeaksAndRumors months ago included a reference to an NFC reader being integrated into the new handheld. And, while there was no mention of it in the first look at the console, there’s still a possibility it’s included in the Ninty hardware.

The current NFC reading tech is subtly tucked away on the right Joy-Con controller, and unlike the WiiU, there’s no icon to mark its presence. This could very much be the same case for the Switch 2. Nintendo, never shy of releasing an onslaught of accessories, could also have an NFC reader add-on up its sleeve, like what we saw with the original Nintendo 3DS, which didn’t have NFC tech built-in until the later New 3DS models.

Amiibos deserve a comeback

Last year, Nintendo produced some of the best-looking amiibo figures in the over 857 collection (number according to amiibo.life). 2024 saw the release of Sora, from Kingdom Hearts, making it the last of the Smash Bros lineup. It was also the year that we saw gorgeous Splatoon 3 figures, featuring the game’s trio of idols, Big Man, Shiver, and Frye. Not to mention the Princess Zelda and Ganondorf Tears of the Kingdom amiibo figures, which are some of the best of the bunch.

But the release of amiibo figures isn’t as it once was. Amiibo-dedicated aisles on my local gaming shops don’t exist anymore, and we’ve seen major first-party releases for the Switch come and go without so much of a hint of an amiibo in sight. I’m still disappointed that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom didn’t get a figure of its own, when the Links Awakening Remake which used the same style, did. From the Super Mario RPG Remake to Super Mario Jamboree and Mario & Luigi: Brothership, there were many missed amiibo opportunities.

If the Switch 2 has NFC support, through its newly upgraded Joy-Con controllers, or support for the existing right Joy-Con, it could open up a new era of figures. I already desperately want a figure of the new Donkey Kong model as seen in the alleged Mario Kart 9 footage. Pokemon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 are also likely on the cards for the new console, which are more than a great basis for a ton of cute figures - the current Metroid ones are some of the best Nintendo has ever produced.

If no amiibos are planned for the Nintendo Switch 2, it would at least save me some well-earned funds. Cash I could put towards the many games that we’ll soon learn about for the new system. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 is lauded as a new, improved, and ‘upgraded’ version of the existing console. Yet, no amiibo support would instead, be a major downgrade that would prevent the Switch 2 from fully replacing the Switch as my favorite Nintendo console.

Check our Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch 2 guide to see how the current handheld matches up to its brand-new rival, or find out everything we already know about Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

Before you reach for your trust pitchfork, I hear ya - comparing the Nintendo Switch 2 to the Wii U sounds like an insult. Ninty's oddball Wii-successor marks a dark period in the console giant's history, whereas the new Switch could be one of the best gaming handhelds yet. That said, there are specific features the portable could steal from the 2012 system that'll elevate it to true backwards compatibility greatness.

By that, I mean that the Switch 2 could fix one of my biggest issues with the OG console - a lack of dual-screen functionality. Even if NDS, 3DS, and Wii U games did end up on some sort of Virtual Console, revisiting those favorites would only really work in handheld mode since you'd need a touchscreen. However, I am convinced that the USB-C port on top of the sequel device is intended for more than just basic accessories, and it could transform it into a multi-display menace.

Wii (U) have the technology

I feel like I've been ranting about 3DS and Wii U games on the Switch 2 for years now, but Nintendo has finally given me a glimmer of hope. There is still a tiny portable gaming pessimist in me that says the new top USB-C port is merely for charging and standard accessories. However, the connector has come a long way since 2017, and its modern video output capabilities could help the system function as a Wii U gamepad.

My hardware hypothesis is this - players will be able to plug the Nintendo Switch 2 into its docking station using a USB-C cable. In turn, that will allow you to use the entire handheld as a controller while the main game screen is displayed on your TV. This will free up the console's built-in touchscreen for secondary elements like mini-maps and inventory shenanigans. Sounds familiar? That's exactly what the Wii U was all about.

Since USB-C has the bandwidth to deal with multi-monitor video output, and Power Delivery can sort out the charging side of things, using the Switch 2 in this manner is entirely possible. By placing the connector on the top of the system, Nintendo is signaling that there is some sort of intent behind the decision, and I'm not convinced it's just to make charging easier or facilitate earphones (the included headphone jack quashes the latter.)

The part that has me really excited is that being able to use the Switch 2's built-in screen and your TV at the same time isn't just for backwards compatibility. Yes, it will bridge that irritating hardware gap that makes playing Wii U and 3DS games impossible. But, it also means we could end up with the former console's functionality injected into new releases. I don't know about you, but I can see it being a really neat optional way to play the next Zelda game, especially if it lets you mess around with Hyrule maps and your inventory.

Nintendo Switch 2 Online 3DS foreshadowing?

Okay, perhaps the idea of Nintendo making the Switch 2 even slightly like a Wii U is a stretch. Instead, let's imagine that the company is planning to finally bring DS and 3DS games to its Online service. In that instance, it's entirely possible we'll end up with an attachable screen that harnesses the video output power of USB-C, once again creating a hardware solution to Ninty's backwards compatibility woes.

I'm already on record saying that the Switch 2 should be more like the 3DS, but the teaser smashed those dreams into bits. At the same time, I'm highly suspicious of the fact the trailer simply showed us the same device featured in leaks over the past few years, so I'm now wondering if it's only showing us half a console of sorts.

The basic idea is that a secondary screen could fit onto the top of the Switch 2 and connect via USB-C. That would allow the system to work pretty much like a 3DS, displaying gameplay on the top while reserving the bottom panel for touch features required for those original games. This would absolutely beat squeezing both windows onto just the handheld's display, and as someone who uses that layout via emulation on other handhelds, I've had quite enough of that.

It's an idea I've been holding onto since my Ayaneo Flip DS review since it demonstrated what a modern dual-screen device could achieve. Only rather than forcing a clamshell design upon players in 2025, Nintendo could instead implement something more modular using the top USB-C port. There's nothing stopping it enacting my makeshift Wii U gamepad desires too for when hooked up to a TV, but actually making an accessory resolves the handheld side of things.

Honestly, I'd rather Nintendo brought back the Virtual Console for Switch 2 rather than continuing its Online library service. Sadly, I think it'll be the latter that ends up happening, and its new launches will likely be supported controllers that belonged to its retro consoles. Of course, rather than giving us a 3DS related gamepad, it may instead offer up that aforementioned screen attachment, potentially as a subscriber exclusive.

Switch 2 backwards combability possibilities

It's needless to say I'll be disappointed if Nintendo doesn't do something fancy with its top USB-C port. Perhaps it's got more quirky accessories on its mind, or maybe it's simply being a grownup and trying to embrace charging versatility. What I will say is that I consider not being able to play previous console games on the OG Switch as its biggest pitfall, and the connector could easily remedy the issue.

Maybe I'm asking too much of the "new" Nintendo that has seemingly found a formula worth repeating twice. It'd have to be confident in its hybrid handheld format still being desirable, otherwise it risks repeating its attempts to keep the Wii brand momentum going. What I will say is that I don't think Ninty has forgotten its dual-screen golden years, and it's high time it started feeding into the nostalgia of aging gamers from the 3DS era.

Looking to bag Ninty's new handheld day one? Swing by Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders and prep for its arrival. Alternatively, check out our Switch 2 vs Steam Deck rundown if you're trying to decide between the two.

Headphone jacks still prominently feature in many of the best gaming handhelds, including modern devices like the Steam Deck OLED, as well as standard PS5 and Xbox Series controllers. But ever since 2016, when Apple declared its own "courage to move on" from analog audio output in favor of Bluetooth, I've been increasingly nervous that other tech companies would start to crawl in the same direction.

Nintendo does, of course, have a reputation for staying stuck in the past - but in this matter, that's absolutely a good thing. Even for those of you who haven't joined the analog audio train, having more options by default is always a good thing, and every device manufacturer that sticks with the tried-and-true here gives me a little more hope that we won't be stuck with technology just getting worse forever.

Tired: Bluetooth earbuds - Wired: Actual headphones

Wireless technology is fidgety at the best of times, but there are few modern tech experiences as annoying as managing Bluetooth connections. How do you put a device in sync mode? It probably involves holding a button down for a few seconds, but who knows which one or for how long. You want to use your wireless earbuds with your Switch? Sorry, they're now connected to your iPad and you're now hearing the YouTube video you fell asleep to last night.

Wired headphones just work - every time, all the time. I'm sure someone with a better ear than me could tell you that analog audio has better sound quality, but I'm not enough of an audiophile to back that up. All I know is that I like it when I can just plug a cable into something and immediately have it work exactly the way I expect it to, and I'll be able to do that with the Switch 2.

The biggest reason I find myself regressing away from wireless earbuds more and more is that I've had enough of dealing with constantly charging them. I already have too many lithium ion batteries in my life, and I want to have as few of these environmental nightmares on my conscience as I can manage - never mind the fact that they'll all eventually wear out and need replacement.

Meanwhile, I've got a set of nice open-ear Philips headphones that I fully expect to continue using for literally the rest of my life. Where Apple once struck fear into me that the tried, tested, and honestly perfected technology of 3.5mm audio jacks might get pushed away by the unending march of increasingly disposable consumer technology, Nintendo's at least giving me a bit of hope that we can take a few good parts of the past with us as that march continues.

Here's what you need to know about Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

"Switch 2 can (and I expect it to) be a massive success. But I also don't expect it to reach Switch. It's tough to forecast for an outlier. It could happen, but it's not likely," Mat Piscatella, Circana games lead, tells us.

"It's great that it looks to be a bigger, more powerful Switch. Fantastic. Exactly what people wanted and expected," he continues. "But also, it looks to be primarily a bigger, more powerful Switch, which may not be enough to attract an audience outside of buyers of the original Switch."

For fans of the Switch, the Switch 2 is great, but Piscatella is right in that there doesn't appear to be much to sway doubters over to it. Unless of course the Joy-Con's apparent mouse mode proves useful for genres like RTS and FPS.

"This announcement did not have much to it," Piscatella continues. "There may be more revelations that no one has thought of and that haven't leaked in some fashion. Looks like we'll have to wait until the Direct for that." It's a sentiment shared by another analyst who believes that to be the reason Nintendo's stock price fell after the reveal trailer.

So, what does Piscatella think of the new console? "In a word, it's fine," he tells us. "On paper the Switch 2 name, and the bigger/more powerful approach is all very smart and a low-risk way to bring it to market. The naming convention makes it clear that this is a successor to the Switch, and anyone looking at it will know what it is."

While Sony has opted for successive numbers for its consoles and Microsoft has gone for unique names, Nintendo has tended to do a mix. The GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, then GameBoy Advance SP, or the DS, DSi, and 3DS are all clearly iterations of each other, but this will be the first time the company has just gone for a standard number signifier.

"The bigger ('good problem to have') challenge is that the Switch has been a breakout success," Piscatella explains. "It is an outlier in many ways, including how much it has sold, and for how long it's been selling. Some of the games that were released for it are, years later, still among the best-selling games each and every month."

Nintendo sold over 1 billion games on the original Switch, which is an astronomical figure, and also why backwards compatibility for the Switch 2 was seen as "almost unavoidable" by another analyst.

"Can a successor that does not change the formula significantly really have a shot at repeating or expanding on that level of success," Piscatella asks? "Well, it's possible, but not probable. Growth in countries and regions where Switch did not have as large a presence as in, say, Japan or the US is very important. A strong first party content slate is critical, and additional 3rd party support sure wouldn't hurt (although folks generally buy Nintendo hardware to play Nintendo games). But to match or exceed the success of Switch, there have to be some surprises, and a little luck sure wouldn't hurt as well."

We saw gameplay footage of a new Mario Kart game in the Switch 2 reveal trailer, and we may also be getting some Hollow Knight: Silksong news in the Direct if some developer clues are anything to go by.

"Finding growth from the 2020-2021 video game market peak has been a tough go for everyone," Piscatella explains. "At that time the most people were playing for the most hours while spending the most money. Because of course they were. And Switch received a huge boost over that time period as well."

It's going to be a rough time for all consoles in the future, as growth in the industry has slowed since the COVID boom of 2020, so don't be surprised if the Switch 2 doesn't sell as many units as its predecessor.

For more news, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight which will keep you updated with all the latest goings on.

There were a lot of leaks and rumors before the Switch 2 was actually unveiled by Nintendo, but we all expected it to be able to play Switch games. Nintendo has always been fairly good at ensuring its consoles, even handhelds, can play games from the previous generation, and this time around is no different.

"I believe backwards compatibility was almost unavoidable, industry analyst Serkan Toto tells us. "Nintendo sold 1 billion Switch 1 games, and it makes sense to let buyers of the new device carry over their library."

I knew Nintendo had sold close to 150 million Switch consoles, but I never imagined the number of games people bought would be that high. But when you do the math, that's almost seven games per Switch player on average, so the figure makes a lot of sense.

Last year, a market research firm said Nintendo would be the "clear winner" of the next console generation, with Sony and Microsoft battling it out for second place, with whichever comes third likely struggling greatly. With the Switch 2 coming out before Sony or Microsoft's next projects, and now that we know it will allow us to keep all our games, that prediction looks right.

The first game officially revealed for the Switch 2 is a new Mario Kart. It features a redesigned Donkey Kong, who not everyone loves the look of. Hollow Knight: Silksong may also be a launch title, as one of the devs left us a lot of cryptic clues.

To keep up with all the news, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 spotlight that has all the latest.

The use of a relocated sensor on the top of the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con has been widely rumored for a few weeks now, with many positing that the controller could be used as a separate gaming mouse system - a la the Lenovo Legion Go. I was skeptical, but willing to bow to the rumors once those Joy-Con were sliding across the surface in front of my very eyes. Ninty lingered on this shot, imploring us to take note - and I was elated.

With all the design rumors pointing to a device that looked and functioned very similarly to the original Nintendo Switch, I was worried the system would lose its edge in its 2025 iteration. There are a lot more gaming handhelds on the scene now, and Ninty needed a move. On release, the Switch was a revolution - a handheld that could convert into a full home console while still offering motion controls, an IR sensor, and HD rumble features in its controllers. There’s just one problem with that. I use my Switch pretty much exclusively in handheld mode, and I’ve only ever used the IR sensor in Ring Fit Adventure. Very few games have made the most of the device’s full feature set - and so, neither have I. Even my recent Mario Party Jamboree exploits have all been limited to non-motion mini-games because one member of our group uses a third-party controller.

Nintendo is a software-first company - that’s why it doesn’t need the most powerful internals. But in a different way, it also leads with its hardware. Every Nintendo system has innovated with its form and functionality in one way or another, to a level Sony and Microsoft could only dream of. But it seems to launch a piece of functionality first and hope to find a reason to use it later.

I’ll bet that this mouse-like controller sensor will only be used in a handful of first-party titles - a 1-2-Switch equivalent, Switch Sports 2 (anyone for a game of pool?), and maybe Mario Party. Outside of these mini-game-focused exploits, I can’t see it being used by the majority of tentpoles - after all, Ninty wants to produce games you can play anywhere, and making this feature required in a single-player adventure might make me need to get up from where I’m sitting. Heaven forbid.

So no, I probably won’t ever use the mouse tracking functionality of the Nintendo Switch 2 - but I’m so relieved it’s in there. Without it, the Switch 2 lands Nintendo in the same iterative cycle as the rest of the console market. Yes, the PS5 is a good deal different to the PS4, but it does the same fundamental job. I look forward to new Nintendo hardware because of its brand reputation for experimenting with core functionality. I was worried the Nintendo Switch 2 would be another New 3DS, an updated system with nothing new to talk about.

This sensor may be a smaller addition, but it’s enough to tick the box for me. I might be moaning that not enough games support it in the coming years, but I’ll certainly be happy that Nintendo’s still got a creative bone in its system.

You can find out exactly where you might be able to pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 in our dedicated guide, or check out all the best Nintendo Switch accessories and best Nintendo Switch controllers in the meantime.

The original Nintendo Switch is currently the fifth best-selling video game console of all time, with the most recent figures reporting that around 146 million units had been sold as of November 2024 - which puts it above the PS4's 117 million. With the Switch 2, Nintendo is doubling down on that success, launching its first-ever numbered sequel to one of its consoles. From that alone, it's hard to see this new platform not following its parent's footsteps.

And yet here I am, a lifelong Nintendo fan who's unable to shake the thought that so much has changed since 2017. Regardless of whether you place it in the console market with PS5 and Xbox Series X, or the handheld market with the likes of the Steam Deck, the Switch 2 launches into a very different world than the first Switch did.

Nintendo's 2017 showstopper was the first console of its kind in the modern era, sparking a wave of demand for gaming handhelds that led to the arrival of mobile controllers, the Steam Deck, and now, too many portable gaming PCs to choose from. The Nintendo Switch had no on-the-go competition when it launched, but that isn't the case this time around.

A whole new world

The Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw, Lenovo Legion Go, Zotac Zone, Acer's upcoming 11-inch gaming handheld - they all appeal to the same on-the-go but dockable gaming needs the Switch invented. In many ways, by letting its console age to the extent that it has, Nintendo invited all that competition to swoop in and steal its USP.

Of course, its competition in the console space is PlayStation and Xbox. In my opinion, the Switch 2 can't even look to them as familiar foes in 2025, because they too, have changed, bro. Microsoft is adamant that everything is an Xbox, which tells you a lot. Its first-party games now arrive on PS5, and its flagship product is a streaming service, not a console. PS5 is the jack of all trades, with the PlayStation Portal, a Pro model, which is just a cheaper gaming PC, and first-party games that hit now launch on PC.

Nintendo has always been the most exclusive of the three console brands, and it'd be the biggest plot twist of 2025 for the company to open up its nostalgic franchises to other platforms. As much as I'd love to see the next 3D Mario game running at a high frame rate on a gaming PC, I think Nintendo realizes its consoles rely on those franchises to bring people back to them.

I think for that reason, there are going to be hordes upon hordes of gamers hunting down Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders. The first Switch targeted such a sweet spot in the market where nostalgic, lifelong Nintendo gamers would be able to afford it alongside their primary console or PC. At the same time, the more casual fans who only wanted to play Animal Crossing during the pandemic, or MarioKart every once in a while, could grab a Switch and play for only $299 / £279.

The latter is the sort of buyer that the Switch 2 will really hit home with. Not everyone wants the Steam Deck or cares about the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor inside the Asus ROG Ally X. In fact, a lot of people may not even know they exist. With the right games drawing people back in, the Switch 2 will feel a lot of love from the casual gamers out there, so long as its price isn't too much of a hurdle.

Another dust-gathering device?

But what about the gamers who already own a PS5, Xbox, PC, or Meta Quest headset? They're probably already focused on funding their upcoming RTX 5070 pre-order or a new gaming chair. Maybe they're trying to save up for a PS5 controller which can cost up to $200 on its own these days. If these gamers own a Switch, they probably look at it gathering dust and ask if it was really the necessary purchase they thought it would be.

Will the nostalgia of the Nintendo Switch 2's Mario and Zelda games be enough to draw those gamers back in 2025? This is now an age where game exclusivity is often viewed as an outdated tactic to force the consumer's hand, so I'm not so sure. Personally, I've always been a lover of Nintendo, but for the first time, I can't really see the space in my setup for its latest platform.

My first Switch really hasn't had the playtime I thought it would. Besides a few touchstones of the generation like Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and Smash Bros Ultimate, I've struggled to get use out of it. I love all of those games, and really want to play their inevitable sequels, but is the price of a new console going to outweigh the guilt of seeing it gather dust for a year between each of those games?

I think it's all going to come down to how viable the Switch 2 is as a mainstay gaming platform. The first Switch had third-party support, but why on earth would anyone want to play its lesser ports of Witcher 3, Mortal Kombat, or Doom when they could enjoy those games on the more powerful PlayStation they bought years before the Switch arrived? If the Switch 2 has the power to match modern gaming hardware like the Steam Deck, and docking it actually means it's capable of more than being a Nintendo arcade machine, then maybe I'll be swayed.

But modern processing power increases costs, so I think the Switch 2 has an exciting balancing act ahead of it. Appealing to both sides of the market in 2025 may not be possible, so I can't wait to see what Nintendo's got in its bright green pipeline.

For more on Nintendo''s hardware, check out the best Nintendo Switch accessories, the best Nintendo Switch controller, and the best case for Nintendo Switch.

As if it's news to anyone at this point (hi, grandma), Nintendo finally lifted the lid on the Switch 2 after months of heavy rumors, speculation, and leaks. It looks a lot like the current Switch, but bigger and a little more mature, and there's a Nintendo Direct planned for April where we'll learn about some of the upcoming Switch 2 games we have to look forward to.

We learned in October that Sakurai has been toying around with an idea for a new game since 2021, but we know virtually nothing about it. It's pretty safe to assume it'll be a Switch game, and with the Switch 2 due to release sometime this year, it's also fairly safe to say Sakurai's next game will launch on Switch 2 at some point. Whether it'll be cross-gen and also launch on the OG Switch is anyone's guess. Either way, the Nintendo veteran took to social media to share his very brief reaction to the new console's reveal.

"Ooooh!" he said in a machine-translated post.

As I said, there isn't a whole lot to go off here. Sakurai's reaction probably mirrors that of the majority of people who watched the reveal in real-time: just a general expression of amusement. It's also very possible that Sakurai has had access to the Switch 2's dev kit for some time, which would make his reaction even less meaningful, but there's also a very real chance that he learned about it for the first time with the rest of us since he's not actually employed by Nintendo. Either way, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot to say about the Switch 2 at the moment, and nor do I have anything else to say about this.

Why not spend your weekend playing the best Switch games?

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, despite a 26% gain in Nintendo's stock price ahead of the announcement, it seems the hype wasn't worth it for a lot of investors. According to Tomoichiro Kubota, a senior market analyst at Matsui Securities, the lack of specifics around price, software plans, or launch date are the issue. "Without these details you can't establish earnings forecasts," he says.

What we do know is that there's going to be a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025, so we should all know a lot more then. One analyst believes "June sounds a lot more realistic" for the console's launch date. Maybe once all the information is out there and pre-orders are live, Nintendo's stock price will go back up, but for now, it remains down by 4.26%.

The trailer showed off the console's sleek new design as well as Joy-Cons that look like they can transform into a computer mouse, which would really open up the possibilities for RTS and FPS games on the Switch 2. The video really lingered on the Joy-Cons sticks, too, which means hopefully the drift curse will be a thing of the past.

We also got a sneak peek at a new Mario Kart game, with Donkey Kong redesigned to look a lot more like his film counterpart. Not everyone is a fan, as one ResetEra user writes, "DK ain't look right."

We may also be getting news about Hollow Knight: Silksong on April 2, as one of its developers has left some clues for us to obsess over. There's a cake, some wine, and even Imagine Dragons – it's a ride.

To stay up to date with all the news, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will have a similar form factor to its predecessor (functioning as both a home and handheld console), albeit with some key improvements. There's a bigger screen, enhanced Joy-Con controllers, a wider kickstand, and some mysterious new buttons and ports. A Nintendo Direct is scheduled for April which will provide more detail and dive into the system specs, and Nintendo has already scheduled worldwide in-person events to allow some lucky players the opportunity to get hands-on the new system ahead of its release. 

Nintendo also confirmed that the Switch 2 will play original Switch games, although it stopped short of confirming any exceptions to its backwards compatibility plans. There's no word yet on whether the Switch 2 launch lineup will include anticipated new releases like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends Z-A, although the reveal did end with a few seconds of Mario Kart footage. 

While you could take this as confirmation of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe being backwards compatible, it's more likely that this is a sneaky tease for a currently-unannounced Mario Kart 9 – the footage seems to tease 25-player races, and a brand new look for classic characters like Donkey Kong and Princess Peach. 

We'll learn more about the system and its launch lineup in April, and hopefully receive a firm Switch 2 release date and pre-order details. While we wait, however, let's get you up-to-speed on all of our coverage so far with this special Nintendo Switch 2 Spotlight. 

Switch 2 reveal recap

Switch 2 hardware in detail

Switch 2 reveal trailer

Switch 2 games

Switch 2 opinions

Upcoming Switch 2 events

More Switch 2 News

In many ways, the Switch 2 is a souped-up version of Nintendo's 2017 console. Next-gen enhancements will narrow the gap between the new handheld and portable PCs like the Steam Deck OLED, but there's more to this fight than raw performance punches. In fact, the new Nvidia chip rumored to sit within the new Switch uses the same tricks as modern graphics cards to achieve higher resolutions and better performance.

With that in mind, let's see how the Switch 2 vs Steam Deck fight starts to unfold now that its existence is official. Both will no doubt continue to swing punches throughout 2025, but I can already talk you through how multiple rounds will play out.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Price

Nintendo sadly hasn't revealed a price for the Switch 2 yet, but there's a strong chance it'll cost under $400. While you'll want to avoid making any final spending plans until that MSRP is finally revealed, having a look at pricing history and trends from past generations can help provide a ballpark figure.

To get a feel for Nintendo's pricing, let's venture way back to the Wii. The seventh gen console launched for $249.99 / £179.99, making it one of the cheapest consoles from that generation. The Wii U eventually took to the stage with a $299.99 / £249.99 price tag in 2013, again, undercutting the likes of the PS4 and Xbox One. Ninty ended up retaining this same MSRP for the 2017 Switch, while the newer OLED model ramped things up to $349.99.

With those figures in mind, I'd predict that the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost at least $350 / £350. The company likes to retain previous gen pricing where possible, but external factors like inflation and increased manufacturing costs mean it may aim for a higher MSRP. Still, the biggest price leap that has happened over the past decade between consoles is around $50, and it makes more sense to target the same pricing as the OLED model than position itself higher in the market.

The one factor that could impact the Switch 2 price is whether Nintendo plans to keep the OG Switch and OLED model alive. If it does that, we could be looking at a handheld family tier system with different models catering to specific player types. I'm leaning towards that not being a thing since the enhanced capabilities and new games mean we are talking about an entirely new generation, unlike the 3DS iterative cycle. Nevertheless, it's still a possibility, one that would lead to higher than ever console pricing from Nintendo.

Of course, there are also rumors surfacing that the Nintendo Switch 2 could cost $449. That's according to Xbox Era co-founder Nick "Shpeshal" Baker, who claims an insider cited the MSRP alongside a Mario Kart bundle price of $499. In that scenario, the new handheld would end up more expensive than the Steam Deck LCD, but $50 cheaper than the OLED model. Is that a win for Ninty? Perhaps it will be by the time the Steam Deck 2 rolls into town, but it does mean the OG portable PC could be technically more affordable.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Controllers

The Switch 2 feels very much like a sequel handheld rather than something new, meaning it'll rival systems like the Steam Deck with a familiar hybrid setup. For those of you unacquainted, the format includes removable JoyCon controllers and a docking station for gaming TV play, playing into the whole idea of being able to switch from portable to big-screen play.

As you'd expect, Nintendo has revamped its Joy-Con tech for the Switch 2, replacing its old rail system with magnetic connectivity and adding a mysterious new IR sensor on the side. That will no doubt play into some new console features, but we'll have to wait for Ninty to delve into that next month. Other perks I'm expecting to remain are the gyroscope and the ability to use each Joy-Con as a separate gamepad.

The big difference between the Switch 2 and Steam Deck here is that Valve's gamepad isn't removable. For that sort of portable PC functionality, you'd have to look towards the Lenovo Legion Go instead, but it does offer up a solid set of controls with plenty of unique features. Those include a trackpad for enhanced desktop model usability, gyro functions that can be activated via thumbstick touch sensors, and haptic feedback. Nintendo's new handheld will no doubt feature a new version of its "HD rumble," so both devices are offering elevated vibrations compared to traditional controllers.

You could say Ninty's Joy-Con setup wins out against the Deck's traditional take on controls, but if you like full-sized thumbsticks and larger face buttons, you'll prefer the latter.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Docking

Valve's handheld rises to the hybrid challenge with Steam Deck dock compatibility. Rather than sliding the handheld into a cradle like the Switch 2, you'll instead place it down on a hub and attach a USB-C cable on top. The process is slightly less snazzy, but arguably more versatile since you'll have options in terms of dock design. At the same time, we'll no doubt see third-party Switch docking stations enter the fold once the system lands, so both should boast the same level of versatility.

I'm at risk of using the whole "apples and oranges" idiom when talking about Switch 2 and Steam Deck features. But, both handhelds do take an approach that suits their specific libraries, with Valve's system focusing on PC compatibility while Nintendo continues to innovate within the console space. There are arguments to be made for both types of docking station too, so until we learn if the new Switch has more up its sleeve, it's a draw between the two devices.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Games

Comparing Nintendo Switch 2 games to the Steam Deck library is tricky on multiple levels. Not least because Valve's handheld has access to a wealth of PC releases while the new Switch is backwards compatible with eight years worth of console favorites. Plus, there's technically only one place you'll be able to step into Mario's brown boots or make yourself dizzy as Link, meaning the Switch 2 already wins on the exclusive front.

What we're largely talking about here is two platforms that target two different groups of players. Yes, there is a Venn diagram that illustrates some crossover, as both systems can be used to access an abundance of indie games, but there's otherwise a divided interest. If you're looking to play the next Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, or any number of other iconic Nintendo franchises, focussing on the Switch 2 is a no-brainer. However, if you've been itching to play big blockbusters on the go, you're going to need a portable PC like the Steam Deck.

Could the Switch 2 end up with all those juicy third-party releases that are available to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X players? Potentially, the new handheld could have a better chance at running them using AI upscaling tech. However, I haven't seen those kinds of adventures released on all three systems since the glory days of the GameCube, so I'd still view the Switch 2 as a console for specific games for now.

Make sure to check out the Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch for comparisons between the old and new console. Alternatively, swing by the best Steam Deck accessories if you're sticking with Valve's handheld for now. We're also getting you prepped for all of this year's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

I wish I could say that I'm already setting some cash aside for its inevitable 2025 launch. Alas, that's never been my style. I've never purchased a new console generation as soon as one comes to market, preferring to stifle my magpie-like crows of "ooh, shiny" in favor of waiting out a sale and letting my bank account thank me later. In the case of the Switch 2, however, I might be willing to make an exception – but only if Nintendo can provide a game cartridge-shaped reason to attract us casual players.

Skin deep

I'll be frank with you: the new Switch 2 trailer practically screams iPhone. Bigger screen – check. Sleek new bod – check. Mysterious new button that has everyone stumped – check. It's certainly a looker, vastly improving on the original Switch in size, aesthetic, and (hopefully) durability as well thanks to its altogether more substantial stature. But much as I might love the idea of owning a handheld to match my black little heart, nothing about the Switch 2 design feels inherently dramatic, different, or new enough for me to commit to buying one right now.

The truth is that I'm just not ready to say goodbye. As my least-played platform by a long shot – I buy a maximum of two Switch games per year – my Switch does everything I need it to do. Yes, it's pretty underpowered compared to its current gen cohorts, but with lifetime unit sales in the US ever climbing and second only to the Nintendo DS in terms of best selling gaming consoles ever, the Switch clearly fills a particular, popular niche. That said, the technological setbacks mean that it could never be my only console. Enter: the Switch 2 and its promises of greatness and potential 4k resolution.

At least, that's what the rumors say. Word on the street is that the Switch 2 has covered an impressive amount of ground in Nintendo's bid to play catchup, allegedly putting its new console technologically on par with the PS4 or PS4 Pro. It's all still speculation at this point, and even if these rumors do hold true, that would still plant the Switch 2 at least half a generation behind the PS5 and Xbox Series X alike.

Nintendo has never been about being specced out to the nines, but if the price is right, I can see why a far more powerful Switch 2 would be a great choice for anyone looking for a do-it-all console. Being able to play Assassin's Creed Shadows and immediately swap over to Mario Kart 9 – or whatever the other upcoming Switch 2 games might be – is an attractive prospect to many. It just so happens that, if other options are available, playing all the latest third-party RPGs on a Nintendo Switch 2 might not be much of a draw for me.

The Switch 2 exclusives will be the real proving ground for moonlighting players like myself. It's the arena where Nintendo shines brightest, setting itself apart from the legions of other publishers for its extremely specific collection of in-house franchises which cannot be played anywhere else. That's why, even after we finally clap eyes on its specs and retail price, I'll need more from Nintendo on why I need to make the jump this year – if not for the co-op friendlier Joy-Cons, prettier packaging, or expectedly better engine alone. If backwards compatibility works both ways and I could play all the upcoming Switch games on either device, I might be less inclined to upgrade in 2025. But in the likely event that Metroid Prime 4 and the (prospective) sequel to Zelda Tears of the Kingdom turn out to be Switch 2 exclusives, I'd be all too happy to bite the sleek black bullet.

Whether or not I upgrade imminently, I'm putting the whole Switch 2 thing on mental pause until the full reveal in April. It's going to take a lot of careful consideration on my part, not to mention the stomach to give up the beautiful pastel Joy-Cons I bought only last year. Time will tell, but for now, I think I'm happy to save my old school Switch for long plane journeys and let my wallet have the year off.

Check out the best Switch games of all time to look back on the console's impressive library