Everything We Know About the Switch 2’s Design and Specs
Nintendo just completed the release of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct , and it was almost surreal. The company has avoided talking about the console for years, and even after sharing an early sneak peek a few months ago , it’s still strange to see Nintendo giving us such a detailed look at the console.
Mind games aside, it’s finally official, and we now know a lot about Nintendo’s upcoming console. The Direct hasn’t answered all the questions about its capabilities, but if you’re wondering about the hardware specs, here’s everything you need to know right now.
How powerful is the Switch 2?
From games to accessories, there’s a lot to be excited about when any new console launches, but the biggest unknown for the Switch 2 has always been the hardware capabilities, or lack thereof: the Switch 1 may have already been underpowered when it launched in 2017, although that didn’t stop Nintendo from running it for eight years to great success .
If you were hoping that the Switch 2 would go in a different direction and offer a more powerful and modern gaming experience, you’ll probably be disappointed, although we don’t really know anything about the hardware itself just yet. Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 uses a chip based on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series released in 2020, but we probably won’t know for sure until someone takes the console apart.
New design
We now know that the Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch display – 0.9 inches larger than the Switch OLED and 1.7 inches larger than the standard Switch screen. This display has a 1080p resolution, as opposed to the OG Switch’s 720p, but like the latter, the Switch 2 features an LCD screen. While rumors suggest this is what I’m personally a little upset about as I love the OLED display on my current Switch. However, I might get over this once I see the display in action with my own eyes—the Switch 2 supports HDR, which the first Switch didn’t, as well as a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
The console has a redesigned stand that we already knew about; It supports a greater variety of angles, which should provide more flexibility when playing in tabletop mode. Speaking of which, you can finally charge the Switch in desktop mode, as the second USB-C port on the top of the console is indeed also a charging port. You can also use it to connect to the new Switch 2 camera. (Oh yeah, Nintendo will now sell you a camera for your Switch 2.)
There’s also a microphone built into the console itself that can be used for GameChat (more on that later). It’s noise canceling, which should help when used in noisy environments. The Switch 2 supports “3D Audio,” which promises to make sounds seem like they’re coming from wherever they are in the game world. (If a monster is roaring behind you, you will hear it “behind you.”)
The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD Express cards. These are different from the microSD cards supported on Switch 1, so you won’t be able to use existing Switch cards on the new console. Bummer.
Mower dock mode supports 4K
The OG Switch runs at 720p in handheld mode, but can upscale to 1080p when connected. The Switch 2 will also look better on a larger screen: the console runs at 1080p and up to 120fps in handheld mode, but can run at 4K and 60fps when docked. The docking station also features a built-in fan to keep the console cool while outputting data at higher resolutions.
Joy-Cons can do more
The Switch 2 joy-cons are very different from the OG controllers. These things are larger and rounder, which I think will make for a more comfortable gaming experience. They also look different, with the updated Joy-Cons almost entirely black, save for some bright accents.
We finally know what that new C button is for: a new feature called GameChat that lets you chat with friends directly through the Switch 2. When you press the button, you open the GameChat menu, which lets you control the chat experience, including turning the microphone on or off and turning the camera on or off.
Unlike the original Switch, you don’t connect these Joy-Cons to the Switch 2 by slotting them into guides. Instead, they pair magnetically. Nintendo says the magnets are strong enough to not come off with force. To release them, you need to first press a button on the Joy-Cons, similar to how you need to press a button on existing Joy-Cons before you can slide them out of the guides.
Perhaps the biggest change to the Switch 2 controllers is that they support mouse mode . This is a rumored feature that some may have discounted at first glance, but it’s true: both left and right Joy-Cons can be used on a tabletop to provide mouse control in compatible games. For example, the new Super Mario Party Jamboree expansion for Switch 2 has mini-games that use these motion controls.
New Pro Controller and GameCube controllers are on the way
While not a component of the Switch 2 itself, there will be a new Pro controller optimized for the Switch 2. It’s similar to the Switch 1 Pro controller, but you’ll notice a new C button at the bottom, white buttons at the top, an audio jack, and new GR and GL buttons on the rear grips for remapping controls.
Likewise, Nintendo is releasing a GameCube controller for the Switch 2, as the new console supports GameCube games as part of its retro online library. This controller looks almost identical to the original GameCube controller except for some small features, including a new C button on the top, a tiny ZL button on the left, a screenshot button, a pairing button, a Home button, and a USB port on the top. You’ll also notice the player number indicator on the top of the controller.
Switch 2 still uses game cards
Switch 2 game maps are similar to the OG Switch maps, with some minor differences. Although they are the same size and shape, the new carts are red, not black. They also read faster. Breathtaking!
When will Nintendo Switch 2 be released?
The new console will be released on June 5 this year. You can buy it as is or as a bundle with a digital copy of Mario Kart World , the newest game in the Mario Kart line.
We don’t know how much this thing will cost yet, but we’ll update this article once Nintendo officially reveals that information.