Pictures Claim to Be Leaked Nintendo Switch 2 Images
Alex Gherzo | Sep 18, 2024 |
The Nintendo Switch debuted seven years ago in 2017, which means it’s time for its successor to arrive. The Switch is what’s called a hybrid console, meaning it can be plugged into a TV or used as a portable gaming system, and comes with detachable controllers called Joy-Con. It turned out to be more successful than the Wii U, its disappointing predecessor, having sold 143.42 million units as of this June, making the Switch the third best-selling video game console of all time, behind only the Nintendo DS and the reigning champ, the PlayStation 2. But regardless of success, the next console is always on the horizon, and fans have been anticipating what they’re calling the Switch 2 for some time. Today, leaked images purporting to be of the Switch 2 found their way online, first to Reddit via a Chinese social media site, then to X, courtesy of Video Games Chronicle journalist Andy Robinson:
A summary of today’s alleged Switch 2 images ‘leak’. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Z4rfSGz4WQ
— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) September 18, 2024
(2/3) pic.twitter.com/kca68h6WMF
— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) September 18, 2024
(3/3) pic.twitter.com/uHApHsgxeW
— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) September 18, 2024
The design is similar to the original Switch, which makes sense; Nintendo gamers seem to enjoy the layout and functionality of the Switch, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The main differences in the Switch 2 images, according to Robinson’s report on Video Games Chronicle (because hell if I’d know just by looking at it), are: a larger screen; 8 inches, compared to the original Switch’s 6.2; 12 gigs of RAM instead of the original’s 4 gigs; 256 gigs of internal storage, an upgrade from the old Switch’s 32 gigs; magnetic Joy-Con controllers to replace the older rail attachments; and USB-C ports on the top and bottom of the machine. There are some minor cosmetic differences in the images as well, including the placement of SL/SR buttons and front-facing LEDs.
According to Robinson, these details complement what sources have been telling Video Games Chronicle for a while, like the bigger screen and magnetic Joy-Con controllers. This also goes for what isn’t there, as Video Games Chronicle was told the screen would be an LCD at launch, not an OLED, as the latter would necessitate selling the Switch 2 at a higher cost due to the increased storage that would be needed for “higher fidelity games.”However, the Switch 2 will support 1080p resolution, and the new dock will support 4K, according to Mobapad, a Chinese peripheral company that makes hardware and software for the Switch, like controllers.
As for any official word, Nintendo has not answered Video Games Chronicle’s request for comment, and they haven’t been very forthcoming with details about the Switch 2 (including a name), but they have said that they plan to announce the Switch’s successor during the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025. Last month, developers told Chris Dring of GamesIndustry.biz that they were informed the Switch 2 would launch in April 2025 at the earliest, just after the fiscal year ends. Another issue Nintendo hasn’t discussed is backwards compatibility, but an X user commenting on Andy Robinson’s posts said he believes he sees it in the images:
It appears the bottom right of motherboard is where the backwards compatibility will go, and the top right be where the new cartridges will go in. Like the Nintendo DS originally had two ports. That’d be freaking incredible, especially if games are able to read both ports
— Mason (@pindermason) September 19, 2024
I’m not tech-savvy enough to agree or disagree with that, but take it for what you will. It looks like we’re in the season for new console rollouts, with PlayStation 5 Pro coming just in time for Christmas and the Switch 2 launching next year. I doubt I’ll get the Switch 2, as I’m not really a Nintendo guy anymore – although my favorite system is probably still the Nintendo 64 – and lean more towards PlayStation. (I’ll be damned if I’m paying $700 for a PS5 Pro, though.) I actually was tempted to buy a Switch just for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3; I’d been waiting years for that game, and it ended up being a Switch exclusive. Regardless, people seem to like the Switch, and unless it’s a complete disaster, I imagine the Switch 2, or whatever they end up naming it, will follow suit.
Let us know what you think of these supposed leaked Switch 2 images in the comments!
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