Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Revealed—Here’s What We Know So Far

It’s happening: Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 hardware will be released in 2025, though the gaming giant stopped short of a comprehensive reveal. Here’s what we know so far.

On Thursday, a first-look trailer for the Nintendo Switch 2 was posted online that revealed some key details about the successor to one of the most popular consoles ever, 2017’s original Switch. The trailer showcases the new hardware, teases at what’s possibly a new Nintendo gimmick, and apparently showcases a new Mario Kart game.

First, it appears the screen and Joy-Con controllers will be bigger than on the original, although exactly how much larger is still unknown without detailed specs announced.

With that, the Joy-Cons are getting a slight makeover, going all-black other than some light blue and salmon accents on the joysticks and lining. It also appears that the button layout is more spread-out than on the original Switch, after the previous model’s layout led to cramped hands on the right controller.

The Joy-Cons also appear to have a hole for a potential new sensor, which has yet to be explained. A January leaker speculated that it may be part of a new quirky “gimmick,” in classic Nintendo fashion, potentially letting you use a Joy-Con flat on a table or surface like a computer mouse. That could potentially unlock more accurate control schemes for complete games.

Another much-anticipated change to the hardware includes an improved kickstand, with the original Switch’s stand receiving mass criticism.  

The trailer also appears to confirm a new Mario Kart game, more than 10 years since the latest title first released on the Wii U and later ported to and expanded for the Switch. Rumors of a new Mario Kart game for the Switch 2 have been circulating since at least 2023.

But if you don’t want to splash out on new games, no worries: Nintendo reaffirmed that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with physical and digital games from the original console. However, the company added that “certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.”

There is still so much more to learn about the upcoming handheld console. How powerful will the specs be? Will the screen be LCD or OLED? What resolution is it? What new games should we expect on launch?

A deeper presentation is set for April 2 during a Nintendo Direct event, where we can expect to get the answer to many of these questions. Additionally, people in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas will be able to get a hands-on demo of the Switch 2 at a number of events in April.

Edited by Andrew Hayward