It's finally here. After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has officially announced its new console, and it's called the Nintendo Switch 2. The name may be understated, but don't let that fool you—the console itself is anything but. At first glance, it might seem similar to the original Switch, but a closer look reveals a host of exciting new features and design changes. We've identified 30 of these details, and we're excited to walk you through them all.
From a brand new face button to innovative ways of using the Joy-Con, here's everything revealed in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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01 - The Switch 2's form factor is similar to its predecessor, but slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con are taller, making the entire console about 15% bigger than the original Switch.
02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the last generation are gone, replaced by a sleek, uniform dark grey that gives the console a more sophisticated, Steam Deck-like appearance.
03 - The console isn't entirely devoid of color, though. It pays homage to the original Switch's red and blue controllers with a colorful ring around each analog stick. This color extends to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con, serving as a stylish color-coding system.
04 - The Joy-Con no longer slide into place on rails. Instead, they directly slot into the device via a protruding connector on the main unit that plugs into a port on the Joy-Con's inner edge. Rumors suggest that magnets, similar to Apple's Magsafe, hold them in place.
05 - The rear of each Joy-Con features a newly-designed trigger system that releases the controller from the main unit. Squeezing the trigger causes a piston-like component inside the Joy-Con to push the controller away from the console.
06 - The front of the Joy-Con retains the classic control layout. The analog sticks remain offset, with the left stick above the four direction buttons and the right stick below the A, B, X, and Y face buttons. The Plus and Minus buttons are at the top, while the square capture button and circle Home button are at the bottom.
07 - Below the Home button, there's a new, unlabeled button. Its function remains a mystery.
08 - The L and R shoulder buttons are in their expected positions, with the ZL and ZR triggers beneath them. These triggers are deeper and more rounded than those on the original Switch, promising improved comfort and ease of use.
09 - The analog sticks feature a low-profile design with a smaller inside ring radius and thicker, taller rims, likely to enhance thumb grip and support.
10 - The NFC Amiibo interface isn't visible on the right Joy-Con, but it may still be present, as it was on the original Switch. The IR sensor from the bottom edge of the original right Joy-Con seems to be missing, which isn't surprising given its limited use in Switch games.
11 - The internal edges of each Joy-Con still have SL and SR buttons, indicating that the Switch 2 will support using each Joy-Con as a standalone controller. The SL and SR buttons are significantly larger, up to four times the length of those on the original Switch, promising easier use.
12 - The strip of four green LEDs indicating player assignment has returned, now positioned on the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.
13 - Between the SL and SR buttons is the connector port that links each Joy-Con to the main console unit, along with a Sync button for pairing the Joy-Con with the console.
14 - Above the connector, a small, clear lens suggests a laser sensor similar to those in computer mice, hinting that the Joy-Con could be used like a mouse. The trailer even shows Joy-Con with wrist-strap accessories moving like scurrying mice.
15 - The wrist-straps are back with a new design, matching the internal color splash of each Joy-Con.
16 - The main console unit features a larger screen, taking up more space than the original Switch's display but not quite reaching the edge-to-edge panel of the Switch OLED. The display technology is currently unclear, but it could be a traditional LED panel.
17 - The top edge of the device includes slightly redesigned power and volume buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a ventilation grill split into three vents instead of five.
18 - The Game Card slot remains on the top edge and is the only visible slot on the device, suggesting that Switch 2 game cartridges will be the same size as those for the original Switch.
19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack on the top edge raises questions about its purpose, as the Switch 2 also has a bottom-mounted USB C port for docking and charging. It might support new USB-based peripherals or even link cables for trading in games like Pokémon.
20 - New downward-firing speakers replace the original Switch's rear-facing speakers, potentially improving sound quality.
21 - The rear of the console features a new kickstand that runs the entire length of the device. While it looks a bit flimsy, rubber feet on the console's edges may provide additional support. The kickstand can lock into multiple angles, including an upright position and a nearly flat one.
22 - The Switch 2 can be docked and connected to a TV, with the dock appearing nearly identical to the original Switch's but with rounded corners to match the Joy-Con's radius. A large Switch 2 logo adorns the front.
23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Con slot into is included, looking similar to the original version, though hands-on experience will reveal any improvements.
24 - The reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, suggesting a bigger, more chaotic version with a starting line accommodating 24 racers, compared to Mario Kart 8's 12.
25 - A new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," appears to be American-flavored with more open space and off-road sections.
26 - The trailer confirms ten characters for the roster: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario, who appears briefly.
27 - The Switch 2 supports backwards compatibility with old Switch games, though the trailer notes that "certain games may not be supported," likely due to incompatible peripherals like those used in Ring Fit Adventure.
28 - The Switch 2 is set to release sometime in 2025, within the next 12 months, likely not before June.
29 - More details, including a possible release date, will be revealed during a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2nd.
30 - Following the Direct, you can get hands-on with the console at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a worldwide tour from April to June. Starting on April 4th in New York and Paris, the tour will visit cities like London, Berlin, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Seoul. It's open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free-to-enter ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.
These are the 30 key details revealed by the Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the Nintendo Switch 2 as we continue to cover this exciting new console.
