Nintendo offers new Switch 2 details
The new device comes with a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen, 1080p resolution with HDR support, and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a significant visual upgrade over the original Switch.
At the heart of the updated portable gaming console is a new “C” button on the Joy-Con controller, which activates “GameChat.” This feature enables players to communicate with friends and family while gaming and even share their screen with others. Additionally, a built-in microphone at the top of the system allows voice chat with fellow gamers.
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The new console will support backward compatibility, allowing users to play both physical and digital Switch games. However, Nintendo noted that some titles may not be fully supported on the Switch 2. In its March 27 Nintendo Direct, the company confirmed that games will continue to be developed for the first-generation Switch, which originally launched in 2017, well into 2025.
Nintendo plans to host “Switch 2 Experience” events in several countries, where gamers can get a hands-on experience with the new system. Those events are planned for cities such as Los Angeles, New York, London and Paris beginning this month.
The Switch has sold more than 150 million units, with hardware refreshes and hit games from franchises such as “Super Mario” and “The Legend of Zelda” extending its lifecycle, according to Reuters.
Nintendo’s fortunes were revitalized with the launch of the Switch in March 2017, following the poor sales of the Wii U. Priced at $299.99, the console became a major success.
The company is set to reveal details about the Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct event. Investors are closely watching the upcoming games lineup, which will play a crucial role in driving consumer interest, as well as the stability of hardware supply, given past disruptions that affected the original Switch.
Goldman Sachs analyst Minami Munakata noted that, based on Nintendo’s balance sheet and work-in-progress figures, the company is likely targeting shipments of over 10 million units in the first year.
The launch of the Switch 2 comes amid rising trade tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump implements new tariffs. Nintendo’s shares hit a high in February and are up more than 10% year-to-date. “We think it is unlikely that the new hardware will be big enough to justify its current share price,” Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors, wrote in a note.
(With inputs from agencies)
