Nintendo Switch 2: release date rumors, features we want, and more

Rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 (or Switch Pro) have been circulating for years. Whispers of the next-gen Nintendo console first started when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomwas first teased in 2019, gained steam when the Switch OLED launched in 2021, and are increasing now that the standard Switch has been out for six years.

There’s no doubt that the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console — it has a unique and impressive game library (with more upcoming games slated for this year), the number of features included with Nintendo Switch Online is constantly improving, and it’s stillour favorite portable console — but it isn’t without its flaws. There’s enough room for improvement that would warrant an entirely new console in the near future. Nintendo recently announced that we won’t see a Switch upgrade in the next fiscal year, meaning the absolute earliest we get a look at a new Nintendo console would be in late 2024.

Looking at the Switch’s life span and the current gaming landscape, here’s what we think the Nintendo Switch 2 needs to bring to the table to be a worthwhile upgrade and compete with other platforms.

• How to transfer data from Nintendo Switch to Switch OLED
• Ahead of Dragon’s Dogma 2, you can get the first game for $5 right now
• All upcoming Switch games: 2024, and beyond

Switch 2 release date speculation

While the initial rumors pointed to a late 2024 release for Nintendo’s next console, new rumors have sprung up suggesting it has been pushed to the early part of 2025. The strongest source on this comes from Nikkei (translated via VGC), which states that the Switch 2 has been internally delayed to avoid hardware supply issues and strengthen the number of games it will have at launch.

Switch 2 rumors and news

Aside from the release date, a few other credible rumors about this new system are floating around. Take everything here with a grain of salt, of course, because Nintendo has yet to acknowledge that a new console is in the works.