As we get closer to the holiday season and 2025, the industry is abuzz with new insider information about the upcoming console generation. First, Sony is said to keep its partnership with AMD for PlayStation 6’s architecture. Now, a leak claims that Nintendo’s home-handheld-console hybrid successor will be called “Nintendo Switch 2” and has begun production.
fwd-bwd, a leaker on the Famiboard forum, claimed that the Chinese factory they’re working for had started manufacturing Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. The new console is being manufactured at a rate of “1,000 units per day” by a single worker, hinting at a larger-scale operation.
According to the specs fwd-bwd leaked, the handheld console’s design will be refreshed but still stay close to its predecessor. It will have a “slightly larger” form factor, a more “streamlined bezel,” and a retro twist in terms of aesthetic. Somewhat reminiscence of an NES controller or the OLED model, the leaker wrote Nintendo Switch 2 will have “black and white” joy-cons.
The logo, too, is said to have undergone a subtle transformation. A “2” now adorns the old logo, hinting that Nintendo might simply call its next console “Nintendo Switch 2.” Perhaps this is a sign that the Kyoto-based company has learned from the marketing disaster that was WiiU. Non-gamers and gamers alike thought it would be an accessory to the hit waggle console— not its successor.
Although not part of the Nintendo Switch 2 leak from fwd-bwd, many rumors also stressed that the successor console will be bigger. Industry hearsay claimed that this new handheld will get an “8-inch screen” compared to the original’s 6.2-inch. While OLED proved to be a popular choice amongst enthusiasts, some said that Nintendo might opt for an LCD panel to manage production costs instead.
In terms of storage options, other leaks suggest a substantial upgrade in internal storage; potentially offering 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This will be a massive upgrade from 32GB on the original Switch and 64GB on the OLED model. Additionally, it’s expected that the Switch 2 will maintain support for microSD and microSDXC cards, allowing users to expand their storage up to 2TB.
Lastly, backward compatibility has been a consistent point of discussion, and many Nintendo Switch 2 leak points to it supporting both physical and digital games.
Nevertheless, note that the source’s credibility is yet to be established. User fwd-bwd was not a familiar name amongst Famiboard and the insider community. While users claimed that the account also posted a photo of their official factory nametag, it has been deleted at the time of writing.
For that reason, approach these Nintendo Switch 2 specification leaks with cautious optimism and a bunch of salt. Nintendo, always known for its tight-lipped approach to product announcements, has not confirmed any of these details. Still, the company’s president Shuntaro Furukawa has previously hinted at a March 2025 deadline for unveiling the next iteration of the Switch.
On one hand, such a schedule should align with the traditional fiscal year-end for many corporations. On the other hand, some industry experts anticipate an earlier announcement, potentially before the end of 2024, thanks to recent leaks. What do you think about the rumored specs? And is the holiday of 2024 a perfect moment to reveal Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the hit gaming device?
