For ardent fans and everyday users alike, it’s a fact that the Nintendo Switch, despite its enduring charm, is aging. Introduced to the gaming world in 2017, the hybrid console crossed its sixth milestone in March 2023, and it’s inching towards a well-earned retirement. This begs the question: where does the Nintendo Switch’s journey lead next? Will there be a successor named Nintendo Switch 2?
We’re here to ponder the possibilities, discuss rumors, and share our wishlist for the future of Nintendo’s best-selling home console.
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Is a Nintendo Switch 2 On the Horizon?
The Nintendo Switch’s exceptional popularity, with over 125 million units dispatched worldwide, suggests a sequel is likely. The only Nintendo device to surpass the Switch’s staggering sales numbers is the Nintendo DS, which clocked 154 million units. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume a Nintendo Switch 2 is not far off.
Will the Sequel be named ‘Nintendo Switch 2’?
While Sony follows a predictable naming scheme for its consoles, Nintendo is known for its more creative approach. Since the original Nintendo Entertainment System’s debut in 1983, there’s been no numerical sequel to a Nintendo console. However, the unique combination of home console and handheld features in the Nintendo Switch has redefined Nintendo’s legacy and set a strong brand image with “Switch.” While a “Nintendo Switch 2” might seem logical, expect Nintendo to add a twist to the name. Possibilities include the Super Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo Switch, or even the unconventional Nintendo Switch Pro.
Release Date for Nintendo Switch 2
While Nintendo has not formally confirmed the development of a Switch 2, analyzing their release patterns gives us some insights. The Nintendo Switch Lite arrived 2.5 years after the original Switch, followed by the Nintendo Switch OLED Model less than two years later. Based on this pattern, one could speculate 2023 as a potential release year.
However, this seems unlikely as Nintendo executives, during a fiscal year ending March 2023 earnings call, disclosed no plans for new Switch hardware in the following fiscal year. This implies that a Switch 2 would not arrive before March 2024, barring the rare chance of a surprise reveal from the usually secretive company. They’ve also confirmed no new product launches for Nintendo Live 2023, their in-person event in September 2023.
Speculated Features and Specs for Nintendo Switch 2
Despite the need for change, Nintendo is unlikely to deviate drastically from the winning formula of the original Switch. It’s expected that the next-gen console will carry forward the core elements of the Switch and improve upon them, rather than attempting a complete overhaul.
A more powerful successor to the Switch is almost inevitable, given the evident need for enhanced CPU/GPU performance in games like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Consequently, an upgraded processor seems a sure bet for the sequel. Given the original’s reliance on NVIDIA’s Tegra X1 (launched in 2015), it’s likely that the Switch 2 will leverage a newer NVIDIA product. This similarity will ease backward compatibility and reduce the learning curve for third-party developers.
In terms of hardware, the Switch 2 might carry over upgrades from the Switch OLED Model, such as an OLED display, a dock with an Ethernet port, and a minimum of 64GB internal storage. However, Nintendo may reserve these for a future Switch 2 OLED Model. Interestingly, there’s speculation about LCD panels being developed by Sharp for an upcoming gaming console. Could these be destined for a Switch 2?
Nintendo Switch 2 Price: What to Expect?
The affordability of the original Switch, priced at $299, has been a driving factor in its wide acceptance, making it more accessible than the PlayStation 5 and comparably priced to the Xbox Series S. But this does not necessarily set a precedent for the Switch 2’s pricing.
Considering Nintendo’s continued support for the original Switch, the introduction of a higher-priced Switch 2 would be justifiable. A potential price tag could be around $399, placing it below the Xbox Series X and on par with the PlayStation 5’s digital version. Pricing the Switch 2 higher would align with its likely superior specs and performance.
Theoretically, the proposed $399 price would create a well-segmented product lineup. The Switch Lite would continue as an entry-level offering at $199, followed by the original Switch at $299, and the Switch OLED Model holding the mid-range at $349. The Switch 2 would then become the premium model in the family. Alternatively, Nintendo could phase out the original Switch, lowering the Switch OLED Model to $299 to make room for the more premium Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2: Features We’re Hoping For
We envisage the Nintendo Switch 2’s dock as more than just an adapter box. Imagine a dock that enhances the Switch’s performance when connected. Drawing from the concept of an external GPU (eGPU), the dock could boost the graphical capabilities of the Switch, enabling higher refresh rates, superior resolutions (4K, please!), and enhanced audio when playing on a TV. The increased cost this would add to the Switch 2 could be justified by a significantly improved gaming experience.
In terms of display, both handheld and TV modes on all current Switch models are capped at 60Hz. In comparison, the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5, both launched two years ago, support higher refresh rates. Even entry-level Android smartphones offer 90Hz displays. Nintendo could ensure the Switch 2’s relevance and future-proofing by embracing higher refresh rates – ideally, 90Hz in handheld mode and 120Hz when docked.
Lastly, we would love to see improved Joy-Con controllers. While innovative, the original Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, with their short sticks, questionable ergonomics, and small buttons, leave room for significant improvements. Nintendo should leverage this opportunity to enhance the user experience with the Switch 2, possibly introducing a design that avoids the infamous “Joy-Con drift” issue. This, too, could serve as a selling point for the Switch 2’s higher price.
In conclusion, while the future of the Nintendo Switch is ripe with rumors, the expectations are sky-high. From enhanced processing power to improved Joy-Cons and high refresh rates, there is a wishlist of features we hope to see in the Nintendo Switch 2. We eagerly await more news, keeping our fingers crossed that Nintendo will deliver a sequel that surpasses the success of the original Switch.
