It’s official: Nintendo has announced that the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will hit shelves this year. After weeks of rumors and speculation, the gaming giant revealed details about its next-generation console in a video released Thursday. While specifics like the exact release date and price remain under wraps, one thing is clear: this is bound to be the must-have gift for the holiday season.
A Fresh Look and Exciting Features
The Nintendo Switch 2 introduces a sleek new design while staying true to the hybrid gaming experience that made its predecessor so popular. The console features black controllers with striking blue and red accents. These controllers attach magnetically to a larger, enhanced screen that includes both a USB-C port and a headphone jack.
Fans of the original Switch will be pleased to hear that the new console offers backward compatibility, allowing players to enjoy many of their favorite games from the current system. However, Nintendo has noted that not all older titles will be fully compatible, leaving some uncertainty about which games might not make the cut. Alongside the hardware announcement, Nintendo teased a brand-new Mario Kart game, a franchise GamerKoala included as one of the best party games ever created, set to launch with the Switch 2, giving fans another reason to be excited.
Hands-On Previews and Upcoming Details
Nintendo plans to provide hands-on opportunities for fans to try the Switch 2 before its release. Starting in April, the console will be showcased at events in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, with additional demonstrations across Europe, Asia, and Australia in May. Meanwhile, more information about the console is expected on April 2, 2025, when Nintendo will hold a dedicated announcement to reveal further details.
Related: The 10 Best-Selling Nintendo Games Ever
A Legacy of Success
The original Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017, became a global sensation, selling more than 146 million units to date. This makes it Nintendo’s second-best-selling console of all time, trailing only the legendary Nintendo DS, which sold 154 million units. The Switch’s groundbreaking hybrid design — seamlessly transitioning between handheld and TV gaming — set a new standard for versatility and innovation.
Since its debut, Nintendo has expanded the Switch lineup with models like the Switch Lite and Switch OLED, each offering unique enhancements. The Switch 2 represents the next step in this evolution, promising to build on the legacy of one of the most beloved consoles in gaming history.
Nintendo has been a powerhouse player in the US since the original NES debut in the mid-1980s. Even back then, they released some of the best video games ever created and established massive franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda.
What to Expect This Holiday Season
While some details about the Nintendo Switch 2 remain under wraps, the excitement is already building. From its sleek new design to the promise of a new Mario Kart, the console is set to capture the hearts of gamers young and old. With its release set for 2025, expect it to top wish lists everywhere this Christmas season. Keep an eye out for updates in the coming months.