Nintendo Switch 2, the successor of Switch is rumored to be the best handheld console coming in 2024.
From 2012 to 2017, Nintendo worked hard to produce a console that would live up to its hype after the gaming community’s lackluster reception of the Wii U. Then, in March 2017, they launched the Nintendo Switch and it was a massive hit, compensating gamers for all that was lacking in the previous console. As of 2013, 130 million units of Switch have been sold with titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe garnering critical acclaim.
Nintendo, though, never rests on its successes. Rumors report that Switch 2 is currently in development. The Switch has set high expectations, so we can expect drastic upgrades to this upcoming handheld console. Let’s see what the leaks and rumors are saying about this.
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Nintendo Switch 2: Rumored Specifications
While most of the gaming community would have come to expect high performance from the rumored Nintendo Switch 2 given the great experience of its predecessor, some beg to differ. For example, GameIndustry.biz’s Dr. Serkan Toto said that the Switch 2 would only be an “iteration rather than a revolution.” Talk about pessimism.
The Nintendo Switch is powered by a Tegra X1 system-on-chip (SoC). Its successor, Switch 2, is rumored to sport an updated Nvidia SoC, which was in the limelight a few months back, and will bring substantial drive to the console. This console will then be able to support Nvidia graphical features like DLSS. This entails 4K gaming by enlarging the visuals via Nvidia’s algorithms. That means a much higher performance than the Switch.
DLSS features require tensor cores which the updated Nvidio SoC has, precisely. On a 3050-based laptop, substantial improvements are seen when using DLSS 2 or DLSS 3. While something like frame generation might be out of limits for a console like Switch 2 currently, a drastic improvement in image quality and gameplay is inevitable with hardware like this.
Along with this, the Switch 2 is rumored to sport DDR5 RAM. Normally, Nvidia SoCs use 8 GB, while NX versions use 16 GB. The quantity of RAM is debatable at the moment. Storage should be taken care of by an NVMe or eMMC as this is what popular consoles like Steam Deck use. An embedded storage solution is also a possibility.
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
While there is no official release date, Nash Weedle, a leaker, says that the Nintendo Switch 2 is almost ready, and a Spanish studio has its development kit. Well, regarding the release date of Switch 2, we have many sources. One is from China that says it’s going to be a big year for a tech outlet that creates the Joycons’ infrared camera. Another leak from VGC says much the same things as well as Switch 2 sporting an LCD screen over an OLED one.
While Nintendo is super fussy about keeping their secrets to themselves, Switch 2 seems like it is pretty far down the pipeline and on the cusp of launch. Key hardware specifications like the RAM, chipset, and graphic components have been finalized definitely.
Best Buy recently released a new subscription service that offers a buy-two-get-one-free discount on all Nintendo Switch games for the foreseeable future. From this, YouTube Doctre81 speculated that the Switch 2 is nearing its release.
While there is no definite release date, Nintendo’s current CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, stated that no hardware will be released until April 2024. It could be that Nintendo has plans to include the hardware sales in the next quarter. But there is always a possibility for delays. Remember, Nintendo Switch was announced to be released in October 2016 but was launched in March 2017.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price
With all the hardware upgrades, we should be expecting a price hike for Nintendo Switch 2 as compared to its predecessor. However, the philosophy of Sony and Nintendo has always been to sell their consoles at a loss to set up the necessary hardware in households. Later, the loss is covered up by the eventual purchase of games, software, and accessories. A notable competitor of Nintendo is Valve’s Steam Deck which has a starting price of $399. Switch 2 ought to have a similar starting price, although Nintendo is not famous for competing amongst prices.
However, one leading variable for price is whether or not Nintendo keeps the OLED panel. If they do, the price could well go above $400. If not, then it could drop below. But it’s more likely that they’ll keep this technology for the sake of remaining current.
Another pointer is that Sharp deleted every shred of evidence of them working on a new LCD panel for an upcoming console. Could this be for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Backward Compatibility in Nintendo Switch 2
The trend with Nintendo has been that they’ve always included backward compatibility in their consoles. With the Switch, they are aware of how many copies of games have been sold and will surely take this into account as they develop the Switch 2. The backend of this console is presumably akin to that of its current predecessor. The cartridge technology could receive an upgrade with bigger titles on the horizon. Cartridges have a maximum storage of 32 GB, space that is scarcely adequate for the huge games of today.
We’ve listed out all the information that is on the internet right now regarding the Nintendo Switch 2. We will find out more as official updates come out.
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