Nintendo has at last unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to its wildly popular hybrid console. The announcement, accompanied by a teaser trailer showcasing the new hardware, signals a significant step forward in Nintendo’s gaming landscape.
The trailer, available on the official Nintendo of America YouTube channel, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the Switch 2’s capabilities. For a deeper dive into the initial details, visit the official Nintendo Switch 2 website.
The most important element for retro gaming fans is that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with the Nintendo Switch. There is no statement yet concerning the Online Expansion Pack, but this is believed to be largely compatible with the Switch 2. Some titles may have limitations not seen in the original Nintendo Switch, just as some Switch titles may not work quite right on the Switch 2.
It isn’t unreasonable to expect these issues to be resolved, either with an update, or a new edition of the game in question.
On a more general note, the current cartridge format of the Nintendo Switch is confirmed as being compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct
A dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation focused solely on the Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. This event will provide a comprehensive overview of the console’s features, specifications, and launch lineup.
Meanwhile, to further engage with the fans, Nintendo will host “Nintendo Switch 2 Experience” events in major cities worldwide. These hands-on events will allow attendees to directly interact with the console and gain a firsthand experience of its capabilities.
The list of cities taking part in this are as follows:
North America:
- New York: April 4-6, 2025
- Los Angeles: April 11-13, 20254
- Dallas: April 25-27, 20255
- Toronto: April 25-27, 20256
Europe:
- Paris: April 4-6, 20257
- London: April 11-13, 20258
- Milan: April 25-27, 20259
- Berlin: April 25-27, 202510
- Madrid: May 9-11, 202511
- Amsterdam: May 9-11, 202512
Oceania:
- Melbourne: May 10-11, 202513
Asia:
- Tokyo (Makuhari): April 26-27, 202514
- Seoul: May 31-June 1, 202515
- Hong Kong: To be announced
- Taipei: To be announced
A Nintendo Account will be required to participate in the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events. Details regarding consumer ticket registration will be made available soon. For the latest information, please visit the official Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event page.
We’ll update you with the hardware specification details following the Direct event on Wednesday, April 2. What we have noticed, however, is that not only is the Switch 2 bigger than the original, it also seems to be bigger than any of the handheld gaming PC consoles (e.g. the Steam Deck). Based on the video, it curiously seems to be closer in dimensions to the Atari My Arcade Gamestation Go!
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
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