Now, at the end. Is it time?
If the latest rumours are accurate, Nintendo will FINALLY reveal the successor to the Nintendo Switch tomorrow. I’ve been vocal in my disappointment over Nintendo’s 2024. Outside of the incredible Emio: The Smiling Man, I had little to get excited about. I’ve been waiting for new hardware for a long time. Do I think Nintendo could’ve thrown us a bone late last year? Yes. Does it matter now? Not really! It’s water under the bridge. However, Nintendo’s hesitancy to reveal the console before it entered mass production does mean a lot of leaked information is out there already. There are still quite a few mysteries left to uncover, though.
Hardware Predictions
We have a good idea of the Switch 2’s appearance, and it’s no surprise that it’s very similar to the original Switch. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Not everything is a 1:1 copy, though. The larger screen will likely mean a bump in resolution for handheld mode, and Hall Effect sticks should eliminate the Nintendo Switch’s greatest nemesis: joy-con drift.
The new “C” Button under the Home button is perhaps the biggest mystery. There are many theories about what pressing C does: casting the display on the TV, controlling a camera, or connecting with players in a new social menu. I’d rule out anything camera-related, but apart from that, who knows?
I’m keeping my expectations low–it could just be a settings button– but I’d be lying if I said the casting theory didn’t interest me. It would make NSO DS games possible on the big screen! I’d also settle for more social features, as these would enhance multiplayer titles like Splatoon, Mario Kart and Animal Crossing.
There’s also the question of the two additional buttons on the back of the console. Evidently, these are for detaching the joy-cons—the buttons are angled in a way that wouldn’t make sense for gameplay purposes—but their size has perplexed me since they first leaked. Why would Nintendo take the pea-sized buttons from the Switch 1 and blow them up?
There are growing whispers that the Switch 2’s joycons will have a mouse mode. Could the size of the release buttons give players a better grip when using the joycon as a mouse? Other than an ugly design choice, it’s my only answer.
I’m hopeful that mouse mode exists. In theory, it would make PC ports of some games straightforward for developers while ensuring the best experience for players. Buttons and sticks get the job done in games like The Case of the Golden Idol and Civilisation 6, but having a mouse would enhance both experiences. Nintendo likes to tie new hardware gimmicks with software, so I can only imagine what it cooks up with a mouse.
Portability was pivotal to the Switch’s success, so I’m not expecting a powerhouse system. That doesn’t mean we won’t see some great-looking games and unexpected third-party ports. I’m not a massive spec-head, so I’m comfortable with whatever Nintendo and NVIDIA have created. I don’t need the Switch 2 to play the next blockbuster multi-platform hit at 4k 60fps; I’ll be satisfied if I can play Nintendo’s first-party games at a stable framerate—particularly in handheld mode!
I hope the operating system has more meat on the bone this time. I like the simplicity of the Switch OS, but a few extra bells and whistles, like themes and tile customisation, wouldn’t go amiss. I am praying for an overhaul of the eShop. It is a chore to browse, and the discoverability is rotten.
Software Predictions
Although industry whispers have suggested that hardware will be the focus of the reveal, I reckon we’ll see a glimpse of a few games. What use is showing off a new generation of hardware if it looks like there are no games to play on it? A trailer similar to the original Switch reveal makes the most sense here. It allows Nintendo to show off the new hardware features of the Switch 2 while giving eagle-eyed fans a glimpse at some of the software coming to the console at launch and beyond.
Maybe I’m overthinking things or being too bold, but… I think Mario will be on Switch 2. I can’t decide whether it’s a new 3D outing, a Mario Kart, or both. I expect both to launch within the first six months of the Switch 2’s launch, but it’ll be interesting to see which title takes the lead. Wahoo.
Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, previously confirmed that players can take their libraries with them into the next generation of Switch. However, the last thing he wants is a Wii U situation where the general audience is confused and doesn’t realise the Switch 2 is a next-gen device. First impressions are everything; Nintendo has to showcase backward compatibility while convincing people to upgrade.
Additionally, Nintendo has to explain if there are any cross-generation games like Metroid Prime 4. Enthusiasts can understand the Switch 2 version of MP4 will differ from the experience on a Switch 1, but the casual market may not. I see Nintendo opting for two separate SKUs for cross-gen titles, but maybe it follows Xbox’s path with a Smart Delivery system. There’s always the possibility that Metroid Prime 4 is now a Switch 2 exclusive, but I think Nintendo will honour the version originally announced for Switch.
I’d wager we see a third party or two. It’s Nintendo’s moment to show it is serious about collaborating with as many publishers as possible. If “Mousecon” is, in fact, one of the quirks of the new console, I’d expect Civilisation 7 to appear. It’s a popular third-party title, and 2K has been a strong partner throughout the Switch’s life. That said, Nintendo may have its own whacky software that takes advantage of the potential new joycon form.
If Microsoft keeps its promise of Call of Duty on Nintendo consoles, it’s hard not to envision Black Ops 6 turning up. A Switch 2 port may not be the best way to play the shooter, but I’d throw money at modern Zombies on the go. There will, of course, be a mandatory sports title. Madden, EA FC or NBA 2K: take your pick.
When Xbox changed its software strategy from exclusives to multiplatform releases, I pencilled in Hi-Fi Rush as a Switch 2 launch title. The dream looked dead after the absurd closure of its developer, Tango Gameworks, but the studio was saved at the eleventh hour by Krafton, which now owns the IP, so it’s game on! Hi-Fi Rush on Switch 2 has smash-hit potential and would work well in a reveal trailer.
I don’t think the Switch 2 needs a “Skyrim moment” where viewers pop with excitement at a massive third-party title coming to the console. Nevertheless, it’s an easy victory for Nintendo that can rest any potential fears of lacklustre third-party support. Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption 2, or Cyberpunk 2077 would fit the criteria nicely.
Up the Hill, Down the Hill
Tomorrow’s reveal is only half the story. I’d be shocked if we learned the exact release date and price. A Nintendo Direct focused on Switch 2 in a month or two is a better venue for pre-order details.
Nintendo will always have its critics and diehards who will never be happy. I’m unsure if Switch 2 will satiate them, but most of us should be pleased. All I need from the successor is a device that surpasses the original hardware. It doesn’t have to compete with the Xbox Series X and the PS5. Every third-party title that makes Switch 2 will be a bonus rather than a necessity.
The unintended benefit of Nintendo breaking away from the traffic of its competitors after the Wii U flop is that Switch 2 will have a massive catalogue of PS4 and Xbox One ports available. Publishers will want to put their games on the Switch 2. I’d double-dip for titles like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Resident Evil 4, or Elden Ring again on Switch 2, and I’m sure I’m not alone!
As for my final hopes, I’d love a new Animal Crossing, but I doubt we’ll see one until 2026. Unfortunately, it’s the perfect title to launch alongside Switch 2 Lite. I’d be thrilled with an Achievements or Trophies system, but I’m not sure Nintendo is interested.
If tomorrow comes and goes without news, I’ll laugh and move on with my day. If it’s not now, it’s soon. Many of us have yearned for a more powerful Switch. At long last, it is coming to fruition. The Switch 2 is inevitable.