For the past eight years, gamers have eagerly awaited a successor to the Nintendo Switch, which was first launched in 2017. During this time, Nintendo has remained relatively silent on new console developments, focusing instead on retro releases and even launching a Nintendo alarm clock while fans waited for the next big hardware announcement.
Now, the long-anticipated successor has finally arrived, with the Nintendo Switch 2 making its debut in an official video broadcast by Nintendo. The new console is larger than the original Switch, sporting a dark gray color scheme, but it retains the same portable, handheld gaming experience that made the original so popular. Interestingly, Nintendo has chosen to stick with the "Switch 2" name, which is somewhat out of character for the company, as they typically introduce completely new names for each new console generation.
Perhaps the most exciting news for fans is that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with the original Switch. This means that games purchased digitally or physically for the first Switch will also work on the new console, a rare move in Nintendo's history when transitioning to a new system.
Here's the official announcement video:
While technical details remain scarce, the video did confirm a few features, such as a USB-C charging port and the return of the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack. Nintendo has promised to provide more information about the Switch 2 during their Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025.
Following April's announcement, the Switch 2 will be available for hands-on play at Nintendo events worldwide. Gamers with a Nintendo account will be able to try out the new system's games.
Perhaps the most exciting news for fans is that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with the original Switch. This means that games purchased digitally or physically for the first Switch will also work on the new console, a rare move in Nintendo's history when transitioning to a new system.
Here's the official announcement video:
While technical details remain scarce, the video did confirm a few features, such as a USB-C charging port and the return of the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack. Nintendo has promised to provide more information about the Switch 2 during their Nintendo Direct event on April 2, 2025.
Following April's announcement, the Switch 2 will be available for hands-on play at Nintendo events worldwide. Gamers with a Nintendo account will be able to try out the new system's games.
