On January 16th, Nintendo suddenly revealed a first-look trailer on their YouTube Channel about their brand-new console: Switch 2. This was released with little to no prior information stated whatsoever. It was dropped at a seemingly random Thursday morning, but is that really the case? However, first, let’s talk about what this “Switch 2” really is.
At first glance, the next generation console seems as simple as its title, the Switch but bigger and better! The screen looks much larger alongside the Joy-Con controllers and a heavily improved kickstand that’s able to bend nearly all the way down a flat surface. The colors are also inverted, with the iconic red-and-blue pattern now inside the grooves and edges of the hybrid handheld. Another fun detail is that the Joy-Cons don’t slide into place anymore, but rather “snap” in sideways like magnets. The dock also bears a new curved shape rather than the boxy style of its predecessor. Best part of all is that the new console is confirmed to be backwards compatible digitally and physically for select games, meaning your old Switch titles can be played on the Switch 2!
Overall, this might seem like very minimal, obvious changes, however, keep in mind that this is only a tiny teaser before the full showcase is revealed on April 2nd, 2025. I respect the direction Nintendo has taken with the new console as well, improving upon a well-beloved system by incorporating more modern graphics. This means we continue to enjoy the Switch on a bigger, better scale. I’m hoping this will also fix issues such as the infamous “Joy-Con Drift,” a terrible hardware defect that caused the controllers to drift the cursor and interfere with gameplay.
Now for the big question: why the sudden reveal? Although not confirmed, the most likely reason is due to the ridiculous amount of leaks spiraling around the Switch 2. This was information from hardware specs, the look of the console, and so on. To gain control of the situation, Nintendo most likely released the trailer quickly to halt the rumors. Keep an eye out for April 4th’s publication for an update!
Zachary Bayers
Sports Editor
