Held annually That's right, folks—Nintendo is introducing a new generation of home consoles just four years after its last major release. However, rather than being a revolutionary leap for the entire home console market, this is an evolution within Nintendo’s own ecosystem. Before diving into what to expect from this console, let’s take a brief look at Nintendo’s unique approach to hardware over the years. If you prefer to skip the history lesson, feel free to scroll down to the section titled "Switch 2 Details"—no judgment here.

A Brief History of Nintendo’s Hardware Evolution

The Long Story

The 1990s were a revolutionary period for home entertainment, particularly in graphics for video games and films. Early in the decade, home consoles transitioned from 8-bit to 16-bit systems, significantly improving detail and graphical fidelity. Nintendo was a strong competitor in this era, with its Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) offering graphical capabilities on par with the Sega Genesis. Most games were still rooted in 2D or quasi-3D, using visual tricks to simulate depth.

Then came the 3D revolution of the mid-1990s. The PlayStation and Sega Saturn—both 32-bit consoles—introduced true 3D graphics using polygons instead of pixels. In 1996, Nintendo raised the bar with the Nintendo 64, boasting 64-bit graphics (as the name suggests) and significantly more detailed 3D models. For a brief moment, Nintendo led the industry in technical innovation.

Nintendo continued to prioritize power with its GameCube in the early 2000s. Though slightly more powerful than Sony’s PlayStation 2 (the best-selling console of all time), it was outclassed by Microsoft’s Xbox, which had hardware closer to PC-level performance at the time.

The seventh generation of consoles marked a turning point. Instead of focusing on graphical advancements, Nintendo opted for innovation in user experience. The Nintendo Wii (2006) repackaged the GameCube's internal hardware in a new design and introduced motion controls. This shift prioritized broad market appeal over raw processing power, making the Wii a massive commercial success. However, it also placed Nintendo’s home consoles a generation behind its competitors in terms of technical capabilities.

This disparity became more apparent in 2012 with the release of the Wii U, Nintendo’s first HD console. Unfortunately, the arrival of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One just a year later rendered the Wii U outdated almost immediately. Third-party developers, who were creating increasingly complex and demanding games, largely ignored the Wii U due to its weaker hardware. Unlike the Wii, which had mass-market appeal, the Wii U failed to gain traction. Facing declining stock prices, Nintendo’s executives famously took pay cuts to help stabilize the company. The need for a successful console became urgent.

For the solution to this crisis, refer to the second paragraph of the "Short Story" section below.

The Short Story

Once a leader in graphical prowess during the 3D graphics revolution of the 1990s, Nintendo shifted its focus toward innovation rather than raw power with the Wii in 2006. Since then, its consoles have generally remained a generation behind in terms of technical specifications. However, the Wii U's commercial failure forced Nintendo to break its usual eight-year console cycle and release a new device just five years later—three years earlier than usual.

Enter the Nintendo Switch (2017), a hybrid console that took the world by storm. Though technically just a slightly upgraded Android tablet from 2015, the Switch’s versatility and strong game library propelled it to massive success. Even at launch, the Switch was considered underpowered compared to other eighth-generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, yet it managed to support many third-party titles thanks to skilled developers, improved hardware (compared to the Wii U), and accessible development tools.

However, the Switch's aging technology became increasingly apparent with the launch of ninth-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2020. These devices introduced features like ray tracing and near-instant load times, making the Switch feel even more outdated. Fans eagerly awaited a new system, not only to support modern third-party titles but also to allow Nintendo’s own developers to push the boundaries of their beloved franchises.

Finally, on January 16, 2025, after months of leaks and speculation, Nintendo officially acknowledged its next-generation console through a brief YouTube teaser. While the video provided few technical details, leaks and patents have given us valuable insights into what to expect.

Nintendo Switch 2 Details

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to be significantly larger than its predecessor, featuring an 8-inch display (compared to the original Switch’s 7-inch screen) and larger Joy-Con controllers designed for improved comfort. However, it appears that Nintendo is opting for an LCD display rather than the OLED screen used in the high-end version of the original Switch, likely as a cost-saving measure. The console will also include dual USB-C ports, one at the top and one at the bottom, allowing users to charge the device while using wired peripherals simultaneously.

One welcome improvement is the redesigned kickstand. Unlike the flimsy, one-sided kickstand of the original Switch, which often felt unstable, the new model features a full-length, sturdier hinge, providing greater durability and multiple viewing angles. Another significant upgrade is the increase in screen resolution, which is expected to jump from 720p to 1080p HD, offering sharper visuals.

The Joy-Con controllers have also received notable enhancements. They are now magnetically attached rather than sliding onto rails, making them easier to detach and reattach. Their design is also more ergonomic, making them more comfortable to hold, particularly for users with larger hands. Perhaps the most intriguing addition is their mouse-like functionality. The controllers appear to feature optical sensors that allow them to be used on a flat surface, similar to a computer mouse. This was briefly hinted at in Nintendo’s teaser video, where the controllers were seen sliding across a surface while attached to a base resembling mouse feet. Additionally, a patent filing from Nintendo confirms this feature. Given Nintendo’s history of hardware innovation, this addition is both surprising and in line with their unconventional approach to design.

While details about the technical specifications remain scarce, industry reports suggest that the Switch 2’s performance will fall somewhere between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro. The console is also rumored to incorporate Nvidia’s DLSS 3 technology, an AI-powered upscaling feature that can generate frames in real-time, enhancing visual quality and improving frame rates without overloading the GPU.

That’s all for now, but fans won’t have to wait long for more details. The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is scheduled for April 2, 2025, where Nintendo is expected to reveal more concrete information about the console’s specifications, availability, and pricing.