Nintendo revealed its next-generation gaming console yesterday, confirming backwards compatibility with existing Switch games and announcing a worldwide tour of hands-on preview events starting in April.
Why it matters: Nintendo’s first official reveal of the Switch 2 transforms the gaming landscape by promising enhanced capabilities while maintaining compatibility with the 140-million-unit Switch ecosystem, marking the company’s most significant hardware launch since 2017.
Hardware Evolution: The new system represents a significant upgrade while maintaining the hybrid design that made the original Switch successful. The most notable changes include a larger display with enhanced resolution and a completely redesigned controller attachment system that uses magnetics instead of rails. Nintendo has also added an additional USB-C port and improved the built-in kickstand for better stability.
- Magnetic Joy-Con attachment system
- Built-in kickstand improvements
- Backwards compatibility with Switch games
Preview Plans: Nintendo has organized an ambitious worldwide promotional tour to showcase the new system, spanning four continents and fourteen major cities. The events will run from April through June, with registration opening January 17 through a lottery system that requires a Nintendo Account for entry.
- 14 cities across four continents
- Events run April through June
- Random lottery for attendance
Launch Strategy: Nintendo’s carefully orchestrated rollout begins with an April 2 Direct presentation that promises to reveal full system specifications and launch titles. While the company has confirmed a 2025 release window, the timing of the hands-on events running through June suggests a launch in the latter half of the year.
- Full reveal Direct on April 2
- Global launch planned for 2025
- Hands-on events follow Direct
Looking Forward: Just when you have the best monitor for Nintendo Switch all picked out, we have a new console. While Nintendo has revealed initial details about the Switch 2, the April 2 Direct presentation promises to showcase the full system specifications, launch titles, and pricing. The extensive hands-on preview events running through June suggest Nintendo is confident in the hardware’s capabilities and wants to build anticipation for its release later in 2025.
