Nintendo Switch 2 leaks: New gaming console for your setup?

Curious about the Nintendo Switch 2? Leaks are hinting at some exciting upgrades that could take your gaming console experience to the next level.

Nintendo Switch 2

My younger brother and I love playing Mario games and other first-party releases on our Nintendo Switch. The games usually run smoothly and look great, from Mario Kart 8 to Crysis and Fortnite. However, some titles with high-spec requirements or poor optimization can be disappointing. With Nintendo Switch 2 leaks emerging, could we soon get a gaming console that fixes these issues?

Imagine improved graphics and performance that could completely transform your gaming experience. With all the Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, what if the next console truly lives up to the hype and addresses all those past frustrations? Check out the latest rumors to see if the Nintendo Switch 2 could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for!

Nintendo Switch 2 design

Nintendo dropped a flashy first-look trailer for the Switch 2 on January 16. It looked great, but it didn’t reveal much—especially about the console’s design and what’s new with the buttons. Here’s what we’ve figured out so far.

The Switch 2 has a sleeker, more mature look compared to the fun, colorful style of the original. The blue and red accents are still there, but they’re toned down, just outlining the Joy-Cons and thumbsticks. The rest of the console is black. I wish they changed the color a bit more. It still looks a lot like the first Switch. I wonder if some parents or grandparents will accidentally buy the wrong one—or maybe that’s not an issue anymore. Either way, I’m still excited.

The game cartridge slot hasn’t moved, and your Switch 1 games will work on the new system. That’s a relief because buying all new games and a whole new console would be ridiculous. I bet they’ve also found a way to boost read speeds without messing up backward compatibility. I mean, the GBA adjusted voltage depending on whether you used a GB or GBA game. If they managed that, they could probably speed up Switch 2 cartridges while keeping support for older games.

Up top, there’s a new USB-C port next to the 3.5mm headphone jack. The kickstand has a U-shaped design now. Honestly, it looks flimsy. They also made the controllers bigger, but they didn’t shift the joysticks away from the buttons, which might’ve made them more comfortable to hold. The new dock has a rounder design, and just like before, there’s a controller grip you can snap the Joy-Cons into.

Nintendo Switch 2 games at launch

The Switch’s success came down to one big thing—it had some of Nintendo’s best games ever. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe made it a must-have. Personally, Mario Kart 8 is my favorite in the series. It was my first Mario Kart, so nostalgia plays a role, but there’s a lot I love about it. The graphics and music are fantastic. When I first played, the track details blew me away. Sure, some of the BCP tracks don’t match that quality, but overall, it’s still the best-looking Mario Kart to me. And if you’re like me, you’ll want to keep an eye on what’s coming next.

Nintendo’s first Switch reveal trailer only showed one game—Mario Kart running on the system. As for the first 3D Mario game on Switch 2, reports say it’ll have levels inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. We might even get an official announcement in April 2025 during a special Nintendo Direct.

Personally, I’m hoping for a new Star Fox at launch. Not just because I’m a huge fan, but because it’d be the perfect way to showcase the Switch 2’s graphics. If the leaks are true and Nintendo wants to flex its power, a Star Fox game—especially a revamped Star Fox Adventures—would be an incredible pick.

Nintendo Switch 2 specs

The new game cards are said to use Samsung’s 5th generation V-NAND, which can read up to 1.4 GB/s. That’s some good news! The power boost seems to be just what we hoped for, even though 5th gen V-NAND is a bit behind the times with the 10th gen. But if this turns out to be true, it should still do the trick. And if it means physical game carts get cheaper to make, I’m all in.

The Switch has always had a problem with the cost of larger capacity carts. It’s why so many games ended up being download codes or having just one game on a cart. If these new cards help cut down manufacturing costs, it could be a game changer for physical games, making them more affordable and accessible, thanks to what we hear from Nintendo Switch 2 leaks.

In terms of handling demanding games, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will have 12 GB of RAM. While consoles usually get by with less RAM because they’re optimized to run smoothly, the Xbox Series S has shown us that having less RAM can be a real drawback. So, with the Switch packing more random-access memory, we can expect it to handle the latest games with fewer hiccups.

Performance

Nintendo has yet to release the full performance specs for the new console, but hints suggest it could rival the PS4 and Xbox One. Some speculation even points to it being comparable to the Steam Deck. That promises a significant power boost over current Switch models.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will match the Steam Deck’s performance with its advanced GPU and powerful CPU. While it might lag slightly in single-core tasks, the overall upgrade is likely to enhance graphics and gameplay, according to several Nintendo Switch 2 leaks.

If the rumors hold, the Switch 2 will offer better visuals and smoother performance than the current Switch. This potential leap in quality and game performance has Nintendo fans eagerly anticipating what’s next.

Nintendo Switch 2 release date

The original Switch launched in 2017, so an upgrade has been a long time coming. Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 is set to arrive in 2025, but it hasn’t shared a specific release date yet. Fans can expect more details during a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2.

Along with the announcement, Nintendo is giving customers a chance to try the Switch 2 before launch. Starting in April, hands-on events will take place in cities around the world for those with a Nintendo account. The full schedule is available in Nintendo’s press release.

Nintendo Switch 2 price

Nintendo hasn’t shared an official price yet, but rumors are everywhere. Some leaks suggest the Switch 2 could land between $399 and $499. I’d guess $399, though $449 wouldn’t shock me. There’s no way it’ll be cheaper than $399—they won’t price it lower than the original Switch, which would be about $385 today.

Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa has mentioned that affordability is always a factor, but the final price will depend on several things. Meanwhile, Italian retailer Gamesandmovies.it has already listed a pre-order price of €389.99, though an earlier listing showed €364.99.

Recap

As a longtime fan of Nintendo games, I’m excited about the potential of a new console that could tackle some of the issues we’ve faced with our current system. If the Nintendo Switch 2 leaks are accurate, we might see significant upgrades in graphics and performance. The idea of enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay has me eagerly awaiting what’s next.

Even though we might have to wait a bit longer for a release date, the potential improvements sound promising. Let’s stay tuned for updates—it looks like there’s a lot to look forward to! In the meantime, be sure to check out Gadget Flow’s compilation of the best gaming gadgets!