The News: 01/16/25

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Nintendo Finally Reveals Its Next-Gen Console, Confirms Switch 2 Name

THE LAWYERS January 16, 2025 0

Nintendo has finally announced its successor to the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2.

In a video, below, Nintendo showed off the functionality of the next-gen console in vague terms, with a tease of more information to come via a Nintendo Direct dated April 2.

Unfortunately, Nintendo did not announce a Switch 2 release date, but did say the console will be available in 2025. Nintendo also failed to announce a price. In fact, there remain a number of details we still don't know yet, such as software launch line-up. However, the video showed a new Mario Kart.

Rumors about Nintendo's next system have been persistent for several years now, coming to a head in recent weeks as details about the console's physical form and even its motherboard began to leak via various accessory makers. In particular, this reveal confirms many of the details the leaks had recently converged on, including the console essentially being a slightly larger Nintendo Switch with magnetically connected Joy-Con and the apparent ability to use the Joy-Con as a mouse.

We also learned from Nintendo itself late last year that the Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible, and the video confirms the Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, as well as Switch 2 exclusive games. Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, however.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

Nintendo will also hold Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events, where consumers can go hands-on with Nintendo Switch 2 in cities around the world. A Nintendo Account is necessary to participate.