Nintendo finally reveals its next-gen console, confirms the Switch 2 name

Nintendo has finally announced its successor to the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2.

In a video uploaded to YouTubeNintendo showed off the functionality of the next-gen console in vague terms, with a tease of more information coming via a Nintendo Direct dated April 2.

Unfortunately, Nintendo did not announce a Switch 2 release date, but did say that the console will be released in 2025. Nintendo also failed to announce a price. In fact, there are still a number of details we still don’t know yet, such as the software launch.

Rumors about Nintendo’s next system have been persistent for several years now, and have come to a head in recent weeks as details about the console’s physical form and even its motherboard began to leak via various accessory manufacturers. Notably, this reveal confirms many of the details that leaks had recently converged on, including that the console is essentially a slightly larger Nintendo Switch with magnetically attached Joy-Con and an optical sensor within the Joy-Con itself.

We also learned from Nintendo itself late last year that the Nintendo Switch 2 is backwards compatible, and the video confirms that the Switch 2 will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, as well as Switch 2 exclusive games. Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo will also hold Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events, where consumers can go hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2, in cities around the world.

Nintendo Switch 2 Discover host cities and schedule. All dates are local.

North America:

• New York, 4-6 April 2025
• Los Angeles, 11.-13. April 2025
• Dallas, 25-27 April 2025
• Toronto, 25-27 April 2025

Europe:

• Paris, 4-6 April 2025
• London, 11.-13. April 2025
• Milan, 25-27 April 2025
• Berlin, 25-27 April 2025
• Madrid, 9-11 May 2025
• Amsterdam, 9-11 May 2025

Oceania:

• Melbourne, 10-11 May 2025

Asia:

• Tokyo (Makuhari), 26-27 April 2025
• Seoul, 31 May-1 June 2025
• Hong Kong, to be announced
• Taipei, announced

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].