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Nintendo announces Switch 2

(Image courtesy of Nintendo) “The Switch 2 features a new design.”

Aaron Preziosi
Connector Editor

With the original Nintendo Switch having released in 2016, gamers have been excitedly waiting for any news regarding a new Nintendo console. Thankfully, on Jan. 16, Nintendo debuted a first-look press release for the highly anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch; the Nintendo Switch 2.

Despite the on-the-nose name, the Switch 2 seemingly takes what worked best for the original console while making design and hardware improvements. The latter have yet to be officially disclosed, though some leaks have hit the internet, but the former can be seen by examining renders provided in the press release and first-look trailer. The Switch 2 sports a stronger, more flexible kickstand for better tabletop play, a larger screen, and features rounded edges on the console and dock for a sleeker design. Most prominent, however, are the new Joy-Con controllers. The original Switch’s Joy-Cons attached to the console and grips by using mechanical rails, allowing players to “switch” configurations and methods of play at their leisure. While the design of the original Joy-Cons was undoubtedly innovative and fun, many players experienced “stick drift” and found that the rails could easily wear down over time. Not only do the Switch 2 Joy-Cons sport a matte black finish with colorful joystick backings, in contrast to the bright colors of the original Switch’s, but they also utilize magnetic connections to snap into the console and grips.

Touching upon the player expectations, the Switch is nearly a decade old at this point, and it shows in many of the console’s big titles. The console struggles to run several AAA games at a stable frame rate, both in tabletop and docked modes. Furthermore, the issue of build quality has been a constant issue for the Switch’s lifespan. The kickstand was found to be flimsy and snapped easily, Joy-Con rails would degrade or lock up, and joysticks would drift to an unusable degree. Nintendo will have to deliver a high quality product to satisfy players and give them a reason to purchase the new console.

Additionally, the Switch 2 has been confirmed to have backwards compatibility with Switch titles. Players will be able to bring all their favorite games with them onto the new console. While Nintendo has not released anything regarding the Switch 2’s hardware, and information found in leaks is still unconfirmed, it is very likely that the new console’s specs will be on-par with modern consoles and be more than powerful enough to run beloved games at a stable framerate, old and new.

Players can expect new information regarding the Switch 2 to release alongside the Direct, a livestream planned for April 2. Information will be shared on the official Nintendo website as well. According to the press release, Nintendo is also holding a “world tour” of sorts for the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing players to experience the new console for themselves. The experience is coming to New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Toronto throughout the month of April, as well as several locations in Europe, Oceania, and Asia. For more information, visit the official Switch 2 press release here: https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-switch-2-to-be-released-in-2025/

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