The Nintendo Switch 2 was announced just a few days ago. I was happy to confirm that this actually exists, but I also had a lot of questions. The introductory trailer only highlighted a few points about the design, including a new stand, larger screen, and updated Joy-Cons.
A mix of rumors and additional information from Nintendo has highlighted some features and facts about the upcoming console, but let’s cut to the chase and provide some information about Nintendo based on additional research and notable rumors. We’ll answer your biggest burning questions. Switch 2.
Is it backward compatible?
Yes and no. This is included at the end of the reveal trailer, stating that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be compatible with the majority of original Nintendo Switch games.
It says some games won’t be supported, but this is due to differences in the new Joy-Cons, and some older games may not work. The list is unknown at the moment, but we’re sure Nintendo will reveal it in the future.
What’s that weird new button on the right Joy-Con?
I did get a good look at the mysterious button on the right Joy-Con, but I’m not sure what its purpose is. Rumors suggested that this was the C button on the GameCube controller. This is a pretty solid answer, but the button doesn’t seem to have a label, number, letter, etc. to suggest its function.
The original C button on the GameCube controller usually controlled the camera, for example resetting it to the center position, but it’s unclear what it does here. No doubt, the home button will be back and placed directly above it, but the capture button will still be on the left Joy-Con.
Can I use one or both Joy-Cons as a mouse?
Again, multiple rumors speculated that the Joy-Cons would be used as a traditional computer mouse when placed on their side. The official announcement trailer seems to confirm this rumor, as some sort of IR sensor can be seen on the side of each Joy-Con.
That IR sensor can be used for several purposes, but it makes sense from a gameplay perspective when it comes to certain games like Pikmin and Sid Meier’s Civilization VI.
Can original Nintendo Switch accessories be used with Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons may be large, but they also utilize magnetic snap-on attachments, as opposed to the original Nintendo Switch’s sliding rails. There was no effort made to include rails on the sides of the console in the unveiling trailer, so we’ll take an educated guess and say that the original Joy-Cons won’t work with the Nintendo Switch 2. I’d also like to say that since we don’t have those new mystery buttons, we had no plans to utilize them in future Nintendo Switch 2 games.
That being said, the original Joy-Cons didn’t need to be connected to the Switch to work. These can be connected to a plastic controller grip and used like a standard wireless controller, so it’s quite possible that they’ll be supported that way, but even more so if you want to play original Nintendo Switch games . I think this also applies to other accessories, like the Pro Controller for example. Because there’s no new mystery button.
What are the specifications of Nintendo Switch 2?
I’ve included this question here because it qualifies as one of the “burning” questions, but unfortunately I have to admit that I don’t have a concrete answer. Even rumors are tearing up the conversation with contradictory statements. Some rumors say OLED screens will return as standard, while others say LED screens will return. There are rumors that it will feature a 1080p display in handheld mode, while others say it will be 4K.
Again, based on rumors and prior knowledge, all we know is that the Nintendo Switch 2 will not compete with new consoles and platforms in terms of complete dissatisfaction. In reality, that never happened. After all, the original Nintendo Switch was already behind the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One when it launched in that generation.
Rumors suggest it will feature hardware similar to the PlayStation 4 Pro, which isn’t such a bad comparison considering this console is technically capable of 4K resolution and 60 FPS gameplay.
What games will be released on Nintendo Switch 2?
Again, this is one of our “burning” questions, but again there is no official answer. We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that the Mario Kart shown off in the reveal trailer is indeed the new Mario Kart, and it’s set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Rumors are rampant here as well, stating that instead of focusing solely on Nintendo titles, Nintendo will focus on really showcasing the console’s hardware with games like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. .
Other rumors suggest that Metroid Prime 4 is set to launch on Switch 2, which is sure to be a big shocker among fans. Either way, it feels like Nintendo went to great lengths to develop this with a lot of launch titles in mind, considering it took this long to get here in the first place.
When will it come out?
The release trailer mentions 2025, but the exact date is not known at this time. However, there is some information that can help you narrow it down further.
At the end of the reveal trailer, Nintendo had decided to release a Nintendo Direct showcase exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on April 2, 2025. I don’t think we’ll know the release date until then. That seems like a while away, but we can imagine they’ll not only show off some specs there, but also decide on an official worldwide release date.
Nintendo plans to hold Nintendo Switch Experiences in select counties and states, including Australia, to give players an early chance to try out the Switch 2. Registration is currently open, but please visit Nintendo’s official website for more information. For example, the Melbourne event will be held from May 10th to 11th, so it could be ready immediately after this event.
Stay tuned for the latest news on Nintendo Switch 2 development.
