They built the NES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, GameCube, DS, and the Wii. But for NintendoNTDOY

, the last decade has been all about the Switch. Since its launch in 2017, the Switch has grown to become the third-most-sold gaming console of all time, selling over 146M units. And after eight years of success, Nintendo is ready to turn the page on its hybrid device — which can be played on the go or on a TV with the help of a dock.

Switching it up: On Thursday, the company showed off the Nintendo Switch 2, successor to their modern blockbuster, which boasts a larger, high-quality screen, a faster processor, and better battery life. The announcement trailer left much up to speculation, only providing a glimpse of rumored features like magnetic Joy-Con controllers, a U-shaped kickstand, and new buttons — while leaving absent mention of new social features or a revamped UI. To find out more, Nintendo is making fans wait.

• The gaming powerhouse said it would announce finer points about the new product at a Direct Keynote on Apr. 2, 2025, which will likely detail pricing and a release date in the summer.
• In the meantime, Nintendo is planning to take the Switch 2 on the road, with hands-on exhibitions planned across North America, Europe, and Asia between April and June.

Super Handheld Galaxy

According to reports from one retailer, the new Switch 2 could cost up to $100 more than its predecessor, at $400. That pricing risks alienating buyers who loved the first-gen Switch for its value and novelty. But today, there are dozens of handhelds, and as PC Gamer’s Andy Edser notes, that price point might make PC gaming portables like the Steam Deck OLED or Lenovo Legion Go more attractive.

• Still, Nintendo holds an edge over other handheld and hybrid consoles thanks to exclusives like Mario Kart or Legend of Zelda, which you need the Switch to play.
• However, Nintendo says that the Switch and Switch 2 will have backwards compatibility, meaning old Switch users won’t get left behind, and the refreshed console will be able to play old games.

The spiky blue shell in the room: With backwards compatibility and a suite of new cosmetic features, early indications have the Switch 2 making strides over its generational predecessor — but until the April keynote, it’s hard to speculate whether they’re glossy and aesthetic, or hold heft for fans considering an upgrade. In any case, Nintendo is preparing to sell over 20M consoles in its first year, which could no doubt help the company as it looks to blunt a 29% decline in year-over-year revenue.