Everyone is eagerly awaiting news about Nintendo’s follow-up to the Switch hybrid console. The expectation was that Nintendo would be releasing a potential Switch 2 by the end of 2024, but now it seems likely that we won’t have our hands on the new console until March 2025 at the earliest. In a report from the Japanese publication Nikkei, the outlet claims that Nintendo’s latest device will be launching towards the end of Q1 2025.
That follows on from previous reports stating that Nintendo delayed the Switch 2 from a late 2024 launch. As Nikkei writes, the reasoning for this delay was so Nintendo could prioritize producing enough stock of the device to avoid supply shortages. The company also wanted a stable of games available on launch day so that players have something to buy with the system. Nikkei also says it expects the new console to retain the Switch’s hybrid philosophy as well as come sporting a larger screen.
While March 2025 is now the target for the Switch 2, Nikkei stresses that manufacturing could delay the system even further into the year. Microchip shortages aren’t as prevalent as during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but anything can happen between now and launch.
When will we see the Switch 2?
More surprising than any delays for potential launch dates is that Nintendo has revealed exactly zero information about its Switch successor. We obviously know one is coming and Nintendo did famously reveal an image stating a new device would release within 20xx, but that doesn’t give us anything to go on. For all we know, the reason for these delays is that Nintendo is revolutionizing the industry yet again with a console that hooks directly into your brain.
With the original Switch, however, Nintendo didn’t have an extensive marketing campaign before its launch. The console was revealed roughly seven months before release and another stream two months ahead of launch confirmed the launch titles. Nintendo has absolutely mastered the art of the “shadow drop” for games and is one of the best in the industry when it comes to capitalizing on hype by not revealing games too early. Maybe we won’t finally see Switch 2 until it’s practically in our hands.
Leave a Comment
Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
