Nintendojust announced the Switch 2 in the most casual way possible. Tweeting on the Japanese account, Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed an announcement would arrive “within the fiscal year”, while also revealing a new Direct is due to take place in June. However, the Switch 2 will not be at this Direct, as it will focus only on the second half of 2024 for the original Switch - right now, Nintendo’s upcoming roster looks very empty, possibly due to the hole created by the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 was widely expected to launch this year up until rumblngs a few months ago.These rumours suggested the Switch 2 had been internally delayed,and would now launch in 2025. While Furukawa’s tweet only references the announcement, it now seems highly likely that 2025 is when the Switch 2 will be in our hands. The fiscal year does not follow the standard calendar, but runs until April, so it seems like the Switch 2 may be announced after Christmas and then in stores for summer.
We Still Don’t Know What The Switch 2 Is
This is the first concrete information we have on Nintendo’s direction, though again, some of this was widely expected. While the name is yet to be revealed, it has been referred to by insiders as the Switch 2 for some time, and is thought to be a continuation of the Switch’s design and philosophy, rather than a change in direction. The phrasing from Furukawa that this is “the successor to the Switch” rather than the next Nintendo console also implies this is building on the foundations of the Switch.
Reports previously suggested theSwitch 2 would have 1080p displayandmagnetic Joy-Con. However, there is no information or many credible rumours on its official name, looks, or specs beyond this.
Depending on when the console launches, we may already know one title destined for the Switch 2 -Pokemon Legends: Z-A. It was revealed at the most recent Pokemon Direct for a 2025 launch, and could be a launch title to kick off the Switch 2 with one of Nintendo’s biggest sellers.Super Mario,Mario Kart,Donkey Kong,Fire Emblem, andAnimal Crossinghave all faced speculation that they will have a game ready for the Switch 2 as well.
We’ll know more after the June Direct reveals what Nintendo has up its sleeve to fill what looked set to be a barren year.PlayStation has already confirmed it will have no major franchise titles until April 2025at the earliest, while all Nintendo has between now and the New Year isthe remake of Luigi’s Mansion 2andsome indie titles, many of which are ports. It will undoubtedly hold some titles back for the increased power of the Switch 2, but this announcement suggests there’s a little life left in the old dog yet.
Nintendo Switch
Launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch allows you to switch between console and handheld gaming easily.
