# Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Pricing, Design, Games, and Additional Information
Since its debut in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has achieved remarkable success, ranking as the third best-selling video game console in history. Its hybrid architecture, which supports both portable and home console gaming, has won the affection of countless gamers around the globe. After seven years of leading the market, Nintendo is set to advance with the eagerly awaited **Nintendo Switch 2**. Here’s everything we currently know about the next-gen console, including its launch date, pricing, design, and more.
## Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
The launch date for the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked significant speculation. Initially, many anticipated that the console would arrive in the **second half of 2024**, with sources like *Video Games Chronicle* and *Nikkei Asia* pointing toward a late 2024 rollout. However, more recent information suggests that the release may have been pushed to **early 2025**.
In February 2024, Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe revealed on a podcast that Nintendo had postponed the launch to **Q1 2025**. This was later confirmed by *VGC*, *Eurogamer*, and *Bloomberg*, which reported that Nintendo had advised game developers not to expect the console until at least **March 2025**. The delay is believed to be intended to guarantee a robust launch game lineup.
Despite this postponement, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has assured that an announcement regarding the successor to the Switch will occur within the current fiscal year, ending on **March 31, 2025**.
## Nintendo Switch 2 Price
The official price for the Nintendo Switch 2 has yet to be unveiled, but several leaks and speculations have shed some light on the matter. The contentious leaker Zippo suggested that Nintendo aims for a price point of **$399** for the new console. This figure is believed to strike a balance between the system’s power, profitability, and consumer expectations.
Moreover, there are conjectures that Nintendo might launch two variants of the Switch 2: a **digital-only model** priced at **$399** and a model that accommodates physical game cartridges for **$449**. This would reflect the tactics used by Sony and Microsoft, both of which have released digital-only versions of their consoles at lower prices.
## Nintendo Switch 2 Design
The design of the Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated to be akin to that of the original Switch, retaining its hybrid functionality. However, there are several distinctive features based on patents and leaks.
One patent filed by Nintendo in late 2022 and published in October 2023 illustrates a console with a layout akin to the Switch but featuring **integrated controls**, indicating that removable Joy-Con controllers may become obsolete. The patent also alludes to a **pressure-sensitive touchscreen**.
Another patent reveals a **dual-screen, detachable unit**, reminiscent of the Nintendo DS and 3DS. This design could imply that Nintendo plans to integrate its extensive library of DS and 3DS games into the Switch 2 environment.
Regarding display, reports suggest that the Switch 2 will include an **8-inch LCD display**, a minor upgrade from the 7-inch OLED display found on the current Switch OLED model.
## Nintendo Switch 2 Specs and Performance
The Nintendo Switch 2 is projected to offer a significant enhancement in performance. According to leaks, the console will encompass an **8-core Cortex-A78 CPU**, a GPU featuring **12 streaming multiprocessors (SM)**, **12GB of LPDDR5 RAM**, and **256GB of flash storage**. The console will also support **Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling)**, potentially enabling higher-quality graphics without compromising performance.
In terms of raw computing power, the Switch 2 is estimated to be within **10-20% of the Xbox Series S**, presenting a competitive alternative for gamers in search of a portable console that delivers substantial performance.
Reports indicate that Nintendo showcased the Switch 2 to developers at **Gamescom 2023**, highlighting an enhanced version of *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* and **Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 tech demo** *The Matrix Awakens*. These demos imply that the Switch 2 will be capable of handling more graphically demanding games than its forerunner.
## Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility
One of the primary inquiries surrounding the Switch 2 pertains to whether it will feature **backward compatibility** with the original Switch’s game library. Although Nintendo has not definitively confirmed this capability, there are strong signs that backward compatibility will be a key focus.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has underscored the significance of the **Nintendo Account system**, which has enabled the company to sustain a direct relationship with customers across various platforms. Furukawa indicated that
