Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled: 30 Key Details Revealed

It's finally here! After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has unveiled its latest innovation: the Nintendo Switch 2. This new console might look similar to its predecessor at a glance, but a closer look reveals a wealth of exciting updates and enhancements. In this article, we'll delve into 30 key details showcased in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, exploring the evolution of this beloved hybrid console.

From innovative new features on the Joy-Con controllers to a fresh lineup of games, here's everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

28 Images

01 - The Nintendo Switch 2 retains a similar form factor to its predecessor, though it's slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con controllers are both taller, making the entire console about 15% bigger.

02 - Say goodbye to the vibrant Joy-Con colors of the past. The Switch 2 opts for a sleek, uniform dark grey aesthetic, reminiscent of the Steam Deck, giving it a more mature look.

03 - While the console may be more subdued in color, it still nods to the original with rings of red and blue around each analogue stick. This color-coding system extends to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

04 - The Joy-Con attachment mechanism has been revamped; they now slot directly into the console with a protruding connector, potentially using magnets similar to Apple’s Magsafe technology, according to rumors.

05 - A new trigger system on the rear of each Joy-Con allows for easy detachment. A brief demonstration video on Nintendo.com shows a piston-like component inside the Joy-Con that pushes it away from the console when the trigger is squeezed.

06 - The classic control layout remains intact on the Joy-Cons. The analogue sticks are offset, with the left stick above the directional buttons and the right below the A, B, X, and Y buttons. The Plus and Minus buttons are at the top, and the capture and Home buttons are at the bottom.

07 - Below the Home button, a new, mysterious button has appeared. Its purpose remains a secret known only to Nintendo at this point.

08 - The L and R shoulder buttons are in their expected positions, with deeper and more rounded ZL and ZR triggers beneath them, promising improved comfort and usability.

09 - The analogue sticks feature a low-profile design with a smaller inner ring and taller rims, designed to offer better thumb grip and support.

10 - The NFC Amiibo interface might be hidden, similar to the original Switch, but the IR sensor from the original right Joy-Con seems to be absent, which isn't surprising given its limited use.

11 - The internal edges of the Joy-Con still house the SL and SR buttons, ensuring individual use as standalone controllers. These buttons are now much larger, up to four times the size of the originals, for easier use.

12 - The player assignment indicator LEDs have moved to the forward-facing edge of the connector strip, a slight but notable change from the original.

13 - The connector port between the SL and SR buttons includes a Sync button below it for pairing with the console, and above it, a new component that might be a laser sensor, suggesting mouse-like functionality for the Joy-Con.

14 - This potential laser sensor could allow the Joy-Con to be used like a computer mouse, as hinted in the trailer where Joy-Con with wrist-straps move like scurrying mice.

15 - The wrist-straps return with a new design, featuring red and blue colors to match the internal color scheme of each Joy-Con.

16 - The main console boasts a larger screen, not as edge-to-edge as the Switch OLED, but still significantly larger than the original. The display technology remains unspecified, possibly a traditional LED panel.

17 - The top edge of the console remains mostly unchanged, featuring slightly redesigned power and volume buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a ventilation grill split into three vents.

18 - The Game Card slot is still on the top edge, indicating backward compatibility and the same cartridge form factor as the original Switch.

19 - A new USB-C port next to the headphone jack on the top edge adds intrigue. Its purpose is unclear, especially since the bottom-mounted USB-C port remains for docking and charging.

20 - New downward-firing speakers replace the original rear-facing ones, potentially improving sound quality.

21 - A new kickstand system runs the entire length of the console's rear, with multiple locking angles and rubber feet for added stability.

22 - The Switch 2 can still be docked to a TV, with a dock design similar to the original but with rounded corners and a prominent Switch 2 logo.

23 - A controller peripheral for the Joy-Con is included, mirroring the original but hopefully with improved comfort.

24 - The reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, featuring a starting line for 24 racers, doubling the original's capacity.

25 - A new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," appears to be set in an American-style environment with more open and off-road sections.

26 - The trailer confirms ten characters in the roster: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario.

27 - Backward compatibility is confirmed, though some games may not be supported, likely those requiring specific peripherals incompatible with the new Joy-Con design.

28 - The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in 2025, with no specific date given yet.

29 - More details, including a potential release date, will be shared during a Nintendo Direct on April 2nd.

30 - Following the Direct, fans can experience the console firsthand at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a global tour from April to June. Starting in New York and Paris on April 4th, it will visit cities like London, Berlin, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Seoul. Entry is open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.

These are the 30 key details unveiled in the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage as we approach the console's release.