It's finally here. After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has unveiled its latest console, and it's called the Nintendo Switch 2. The name might seem understated, but don't let that fool you—this new console is packed with exciting features and enhancements. At first glance, it might resemble the original Switch, but a closer look reveals 30 fascinating details that showcase Nintendo's evolution of its beloved hybrid console. Let's dive into everything revealed in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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01 - The Switch 2 maintains a similar form factor to its predecessor but is slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con are both taller, making the entire console approximately 15% bigger than the original Switch.
02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the previous generation have been replaced with a sleek, uniform dark grey across the entire console, reminiscent of the Steam Deck's design.
03 - Color isn't completely absent, though. The Switch 2 pays homage to the original's red and blue controllers with a colorful ring around each analogue stick. This extends to the inner edges of both the console and Joy-Con, serving not only as a stylish feature but also as a color-coding system for easy assembly.
04 - The Joy-Con no longer slide into place using rails. Instead, they slot directly into the device via a protruding connector on the main unit that plugs into a port on the Joy-Con's inner edge. Rumors suggest that magnets, similar to Apple's Magsafe, may be used to secure the controllers.
05 - Each Joy-Con features a new trigger system on the rear that releases the controller from the main unit. A brief demonstration video on Nintendo.com shows that squeezing the trigger activates a piston-like mechanism, pushing the Joy-Con away from the console.
06 - The classic control layout on the front of the Joy-Con remains unchanged, with the left analogue stick above the direction buttons and the right stick below the A, B, X, and Y face buttons. The Plus and Minus buttons are at the top, while the capture and Home buttons are at the bottom.
07 - A mysterious, unlabelled button is located below the Home button. Its purpose remains unknown.
08 - The L and R shoulder buttons and ZL and ZR triggers are in their expected positions. The triggers appear deeper and more rounded, promising enhanced comfort and ease of use.
09 - The analogue sticks maintain their low-profile design but feature a smaller inner ring radius and thicker, taller rims for improved thumb grip.
10 - The NFC Amiibo interface on the right Joy-Con is not visible, though it may still be present as it was on the original Switch. The IR sensor on the bottom edge of the original right Joy-Con appears to be missing, likely due to its limited use in games.
11 - The internal edges of each Joy-Con still have SL and SR buttons, allowing individual use as controllers. These buttons are significantly larger—potentially up to four times the length of those on the original Switch—promising easier use.
12 - The strip of four green LEDs that indicate player assignment has moved to the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.
13 - Between the SL and SR buttons, the connector port links each Joy-Con to the main console unit. Below the connector, the Sync button pairs the Joy-Con with the console.
14 - Above the connector, a small, clear lens might be a laser sensor similar to those in computer mice, suggesting the Joy-Con could be used like a mouse. The trailer even shows the Joy-Con moving like scurrying mice with their wrist-strap accessories attached.
15 - The wrist-straps have been redesigned, matching the internal color splash of each Joy-Con with red and blue hues.
16 - The main console unit features a larger screen that, while not as edge-to-edge as the Switch OLED, significantly covers more of the unit than the original Switch's display. The display technology remains unspecified, but we hope for a bright OLED screen, though it might be a traditional LED panel.
17 - The top edge of the device remains largely unchanged, with slightly redesigned power and volume buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a ventilation grill split into three vents instead of five.
18 - The Game Card slot remains on the top edge, the only visible slot on the device. Given the console's backward compatibility, Switch 2 game cartridges will likely be the same size as those for the original Switch.
19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack on the top edge adds intrigue. With another USB C port on the bottom for docking and charging, this could be for new USB-based peripherals or perhaps even a nostalgic link cable for Pokémon trading.
20 - New downward-firing speakers replace the original Switch's rear-facing speakers, promising better sound quality.
21 - The rear of the console features a new kickstand that runs the entire length of the device. Though it appears somewhat flimsy, rubber feet on the console's edges may help stabilize it. The kickstand can lock into multiple angles, from upright to nearly flat.
22 - The Switch 2 can be plugged into a dock to connect to a TV. The dock looks similar to the original, but with rounded corners to match the Joy-Con's design and a prominent Switch 2 logo on the front.
23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Con slots into mirrors the original Switch, though it may still feel uncomfortable. Hopefully, hands-on experience will reveal improvements.
24 - The Switch 2 reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, featuring a starting line for 24 racers, doubling the 12 racers in Mario Kart 8.
25 - A new track called "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit" appears to be more expansive and American-themed, with open spaces and off-road sections.
26 - The trailer confirms ten characters in the roster: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario, who appears briefly as the screen flips.
27 - The Switch 2 supports backward compatibility with older Switch games, though "certain games may not be supported." This likely refers to games that used peripherals incompatible with the new Joy-Con design, such as Ring Fit Adventure.
28 - The Switch 2 is set to release in 2025, likely not before June.
29 - More details, including a potential release date, will be shared at a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2nd.
30 - Following the direct, fans can get hands-on with the console during the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a worldwide tour from April to June. Starting in New York and Paris on April 4th, it will visit cities like London, Berlin, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Seoul. The event is open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.
These are the 30 key details revealed by the Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more confirmed information and keep up with the latest Nintendo Switch 2 news.
