The seven-year wait is lastly over. Nintendo has formally revealed its subsequent console, the Swap 2. Now that the reveal has truly occurred, after months of hypothesis, we are able to all transfer onto one thing else, proper? Not so quick. The quick introduction video truly created extra questions than solutions. There’s a complete lot we don’t learn about Nintendo’s forthcoming hybrid console, so let’s get into it.
When will it come out?
We don’t know! Nintendo has a Direct livestream deliberate for April 2, during which we’ll in all probability get that info. It’ll be someday after that, however throughout 2025. Possibly they’ll do a fast turnaround and have it prepared on the market by the tip of April, however a summer time launch is much extra doubtless. It’s additionally attainable the corporate will wait till the start of the profitable vacation season. Of us will be capable to play it within the close to future, nonetheless, as Nintendo is holding in-person occasions all through the world in April by June.
What are the interior specs?
That is one other thriller. The introduction video merely confirmed the outside of the console, together with the up to date controllers. There was no point out of inside specs. In fact, there are many rumors concerning the ability of Nintendo’s subsequent console, however nothing concrete. Some analysts predict the console will embrace an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of inside eMMC storage, whereas others say it’ll be powered by an NVIDIA-produced Tegra239 SoC (system on a chip). Most individuals appear to agree that the system will embrace some model of NVIDIA’s DLSS “deep learning supersampling” upscaling tech.
What about the screen?
We’ve seen the screen in action, likely running some version of an upcoming Mario Kart game. The video gave us some insight into the size of the display, as it looks to be around 30 percent larger than the current model. This tracks with rumors indicating an 8-inch screen. However, we don’t know the type of display that accompanies the console. Rumors vary here. Some analysts predict a Mini-LED screen, while others expect a traditional LCD. It probably won’t be an OLED, as the company will likely save that for a future upgrade.
What’s the battery life?
There aren’t even any credible rumors on this one, but there was some speculation last year regarding the company’s adoption of a performance mode feature with the Switch 2. Nintendo likes to hit that mass market sweet spot, so I’d be very surprised if the battery life didn’t match the Switch OLED’s 4.5 to nine hours of playtime per charge. The console will be more powerful than the OG Switch, certainly, but it’s also bigger. That extra room can house a beefy battery.
How much will it cost?
This is yet another unknown. Nintendo will likely reveal pricing information on April 2. The original Switch launched at $300, as did the Wii U. However, inflation is real and supply chains are rickety. Rumors have been circulating that the price could shoot up to $400, or even higher. Nintendo does tend to increase base level console prices every couple of generations. The GameCube originally cost $200 and the Wii was $250.
Do the controllers feature optical sensors?
There’s been a long-standing rumor that the Switch 2 will incorporate mouse-like functionality via optical sensors on the Joy-Cons. We don’t have exact confirmation on that, but the introduction video sure seems to imply it. Eagle-eyed viewers probably spotted a segment that featured the Pixar-like controllers moving around a table like, well, two computer mice. If true, Nintendo will likely develop some wacky software that combines mouse and controller inputs. In any event, this addition will certainly make stuff like Civilization VI easier to play. It could also hint at a new Mario Paint.
What’s that unmarked button on the right side?
Viewers also likely spotted a new button on the bottom of the right Joy-Con. This was previously rumored to be a “C” button, but it surely’s unmarked within the introduction video. We don’t know what it does, so your guess is pretty much as good as ours. Possibly it calibrates controllers or initiates voice chat. We’ll in all probability discover out on April 2.
What’s the cope with backwards compatibility?
Yes, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible with original Switch games. This is fantastic news, but the intro video did note that “sure Nintendo Swap video games might not be supported on or absolutely suitable with Nintendo Swap 2.” We don’t exactly know what that means or how many titles it will impact. It’s a fair bet that it refers to some of the wackier stuff from the previous generation, like Nintendo Labo or Mario Kart: Home Circuit.
Will stick drift be a problem?
We’ll have to wait and see on that one, but the reveal video did take some time out to show a joystick doing cute little full circles. Previous leaks have indicated that Nintendo has learned its lesson regarding stick-drift and the new console will include Hall effect joysticks. We sure hope so.
What will the UI be like?
The Switch’s user interface, for better or worse, is extremely minimal and bare-bones. This carries over to the online shopping experience. We don’t know if the Switch 2 will incorporate some Nintendo-grade wackiness when it comes to the UI. My hope is that it brings back its long-forgotten social community Miiverse. It was foolish and enjoyable. Trendy social media apps are a variety of issues, however I wouldn’t precisely name them foolish or enjoyable.
Will there be any Nintendo weirdness?
From the headache-inducing 3DS to the, well, equally headache-inducing Virtual Boy, Nintendo has always marched to the beat of its own drum. The Switch 2, however, seems to be an extremely conservative release for the company. It’s a more powerful and slightly bigger Switch.
Will there be any of that Nintendo weirdness that saved the company in the age of the Wii and nearly ruined it during the Wii U era? We don’t know yet. It’s entirely possible the aforementioned optical sensors or “C” button could lead to wild and wacky gameplay experiences. It’s also possible that there are features yet to be announced. This is Nintendo we are talking about here.
What are the launch games?
This can be a complete unknown, although followers hoping for a brand new Mario Kart definitely bought a jolt by that reveal video. It included a good quantity of footage from what seemed to be a brand-new Mario Kart, full with revamped character designs and the potential for 24-person races.
