Alleged Switch 2 leaks have solely intensified as Nintendo stays silent heading into 2025. We’ve had rumors in regards to the timing of the reveal and elaborate mockups of what the console purportedly seems to be like floating round on-line, plus infinite photographs of accent producers claiming to have instances, display protectors, and kickstands all constructed to spec for the upcoming {hardware}. Now a Redditor has claimed to have really come into contact with a real Switch 2, and the latest potential data all traces up with what we’ve been listening to for months now: the Switch 2 is a much bigger, higher model of the console that followers already love.
Posting on the NintendoSwitch2 subreddit underneath the title “NextHandheld,” one person claimed to have precise contact with Nintendo’s subsequent system and revealed to The Verge that the brand new Joy-Con may have Hall impact joysticks to stop drift, use a dock with considerably extra energy consumption, and be known as the “Nintendo Switch 2.”
Instead of a rail for clipping onto the edges of the display, the Joy-Con, NextHandheld claims, use magnetic strips as beforehand reported. They additionally say that the dock is rated for 60W and the Switch 2 itself is rated for 45W, each a lot increased than the mannequin that launched again in 2017. And lastly, the dock has two USB-A ports and one for USB-C, presumably the one which powers it, which is identical as the present mannequin.
“I spoke with [NextHandheld], and I’ve now heard and seen sufficient to suppose they could be legit,” wrote The Verge’s Seaon Hollister.
Whether it finally ends up being 100% correct or not, all the things shared by the most recent alleged Reddit leaker continues to line up with the remainder of what we’ve been listening to, in addition to with alleged CAD mockups of what the Switch 2 seems to be like which circulated again within the fall. Basically, the Switch 2 will look quite a bit like the present Switch, simply barely greater, with a extra rounded profile and plenty of spec upgrades and design tweaks to enhance dealing with and high quality of life.
That’s not shocking within the context of the remainder of the gaming {hardware} market. The Xbox Series X/S weren’t a significant departure from the Xbox One. The PlayStation 5 is principally simply a way more highly effective PS4 with two ugly white fins. No one expects the Steam Deck 2 to look dramatically completely different than the prevailing one, and most PC gaming handhelds at this level all principally look the identical: like a thick pill with controllers on the edges.
But it’s shocking given Nintendo’s personal historical past of continually attempting to innovate in areas the place nobody else is working. The firm clung to cartridges longer than anybody and now makes use of SD playing cards. The Wii chased movement controls as an alternative of HD graphics. The Wii U prioritized a second display as an alternative of beefier specs. And the Switch used smartphone specs to take gaming on the go. The notion of the corporate simply iterating on the prevailing Switch, already the second hottest gaming console ever and quick closing in on the primary PS2, each made a ton of sense and appeared prefer it may nonetheless be too un-Nintendo to be actual.
As we method an eventual reveal of the Switch 2, each new potential leak factors to Nintendo shocking followers by not doing the sudden and as an alternative doubling down on what already works. The solely official factor we all know in regards to the upcoming {hardware}—that it will likely be backwards suitable with present Switch video games—solely reinforces that seeming inevitability.
I’m certain the corporate may nonetheless have a couple of methods and surprises up its sleeve. We’ll discover out for certain each time Nintendo really pronounces the dang factor. It’s promised to take action earlier than April 2025.
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