Nintendo has finally revealed its new console, debuting the Switch 2 with a short video that was heavy on visuals but light on information. The video was accompanied by a brief press release from Nintendo also I didn’t go into too much detail, with the company supposedly saving all the juicy stuff for the Switch 2 Direct set to take place on April 2nd. While we wait for official word, here are the burning questions we still have about the Nintendo Switch 2.
What are the Switch 2 specs?
Perhaps the most glaring omission at the Switch 2 reveal was the fact that Nintendo didn’t say anything about how powerful the new console is. We can see that the keyboard is bigger, but what is the screen size? Is it OLED or LCD? Is the screen resolution still 720p? Is 4K resolution supported?
Although visible for a few brief moments, the reveal video showed off the new dock of the Switch 2. What is the docked resolution? Is it just a charging shell, or is it still required for TV play? Can you dock the Switch 2 into the original Switch dock, or will it support all 3rd party super portable docks?
The Switch 2 also features a second USB-C port on top. It’s likely there to offer a way to connect USB-C headphones without sacrificing a charging port. But perhaps it may have some other mysterious function. Has native Bluetooth support been improved? It would be nice to connect more than two wireless controllers if a Bluetooth headset is used. What about the UI? Can we expect to see a home screen similar to the original Switch? What about the user interface for the eShop? Can you still post screenshots and clips directly to Facebook? Will Nintendo add the ability to post to other social media or streaming platforms?
How exactly do the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers work?
Much of the reveal trailer focused on the new Joy-Cons, and while there’s some information we can glean, there’s still more we don’t know. Do they connect with magnets? Do they still have 3D noise? Will the Switch 2 support the original Switch Pro controller or the original Switch Joy-Cons in wireless mode?
Prior to the reveal, there were rumors that the Joy-Cons would have Hall-effect magnetic joysticks that would supposedly combat Joy-Con movement. So what improvements has Nintendo made to protect against drift? Will Nintendo continue to offer repairs for new Joy-Cons if they drift? Will the new Joy-Cons be sold separately at launch and do they come in any new colors?
What does that new button do?
There’s a new button on the Switch 2 directly below the Home button on the right Joy-Con. Does it have something to do with a new chat functionality, as the rumors suggest?
Does the new Joy-Con work like a mouse?
The leaked video featured a Joy-Con that attaches to a lid and zooms around a surface like a mouse. Is mouse functionality one of Switch 2’s new gimmicks? Speaking of gimmicks, is there still an IR camera for games like 1-2-Switch? I also hope the Switch 2 will still support original Switch peripherals like Ring Fit Adventure Ring-Con.
Image: The Verge, Nintendo
What games will be playable on the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 reveal showed just one game: a new one Mario Kart. Beyond that, we have no idea what kind of launch titles to expect or if they’re new Mario Kart it will even be among them. So what kind of games can we expect for the Switch 2? Will there be Switch 2 exclusives at launch, or will we get cross-gen launch games like Wild spirit? One of the original Switch’s biggest complaints was that newer, bigger games often didn’t run or look as good. Can the console run more technically intensive games? If so, will they work natively on the console, or will they be playable via cloud streaming like Kingdom Hearts AND control?
Speaking of Mario Kartthe glimpse we saw in the trailer featured what appeared to be 15 concurrent runners with 24 spots behind the starting line. Does this mean the Switch 2 will have enhanced multiplayer capabilities, such as larger player lobbies, and will the console natively support communication with them? What about Amiibos? Will the Switch 2 still support them, or are there plans to do more?
Which Switch 2 games will be backwards compatible?
In today’s video, Nintendo reaffirmed that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible, playing original physical and digital Switch games, but with the important caveat that it won’t all of them games would be supported. Which original Switch games won’t be compatible? Will the original Switch games that run on the console get some kind of graphical or performance upgrade like some PlayStation and Xbox games?
How much does the Switch 2 cost?
There’s also the question of how much the Switch 2 will cost. The original Switch retailed for $299.99 in 2017. Since then, the cost of everything has gone up, especially the computer chips. The OLED Switch, the only significant console refresh offered by Nintendo, was only $50 more than the base model. But without knowing its internal specs, it’s hard to guess how much the Switch 2 might cost.
When will Switch 2 launch?
The most important unanswered question we have about the Switch 2 is the simplest: when can we buy it? Nintendo didn’t share much beyond saying it will launch in 2025. As with the original Switch, it will take the Switch 2 on a world tour starting in April. It’s likely that the console’s release date will follow the conclusion of the tournament, which appears to be in June. Here’s hoping Nintendo shares that critical information, along with answers to at least some of these questions during the Switch 2 Direct on April 2nd.
What do the pellets taste like?
Oh wait, there’s one more burning question… what flavors can we expect for the Switch 2 cartridges? I’m hoping for something better than “insecticide”.
