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Investigating the Switch 2 Leaks, Nintendo’s Response, and What Players Can Expect for the Console’s Launch in 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 hardware mockup

Investigating the Switch 2 Leaks, Nintendo’s Response, and What Players Can Expect for the Console’s Launch in 2025

Despite knowing that the console is in development and that Nintendo is planning for a release sometime in 2025, official details on the Switch 2 are basically non-existent. As is typical for the industry, though, that has done little to slow down the rumor mill regarding what players can expect from the Switch 2 in terms of its features, its specifications, and its release date and launch library, with plenty of leaks related to the Switch 2 popping up with regular cadence. The Switch 2’s mere existence is one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry, leading to Nintendo confirming that it’s planning to release a successor to the Switch sometime in 2025, and even going so far as to confirm the console’s backward compatibility with Switch software in an official tweet.

But despite a steady trickle of new information from reliable insiders, nothing could have prepared us for the deluge of Switch 2 leaks that have arrived in the wake of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. CES 2025 just concluded, and it was a veritable treasure trove of information on the Switch 2, despite none of that intel coming directly from Nintendo itself. Instead, it was third-party peripheral maker Genki who brazenly displayed peripherals the company was designing for the Switch 2 at its CES booth, even going so far as to openly admit that it had acquired the hardware through illegal means and had not obtained the new console with Nintendo’s consent. In the wake of Genki’s unofficial reveal, it seems that the rapid onslaught of leaks could be forcing Nintendo’s hand.

Dissecting the Switch 2 Leaks So Far

Despite the fact that we know the Switch 2 exists, we don’t have any official details on the console from Nintendo. However, insiders continue to share information about Nintendo’s upcoming new hardware, with several major leaks occurring over the last few years related to the Switch’s successor. The Nintendo Switch is a twofold win for Nintendo. Not only is it the company’s longest-lasting piece of hardware, quickly approaching its 8th year in production, but it’s also the best-selling console of all time. This was an honor previously held by the PlayStation 2, but the Nintendo Switch ultimately surpassed the PS2 late last year to become the most successful video game console in history. Given the Switch’s long lifespan and its large user base, it’s understandable that there would be millions of players hungry for new information.

For the most part, these leaks have pertained to a few general categories:

  • The Switch 2’s release window and pricing
  • The form factor, features, and accessories for the console
  • The hardware specs for the Switch 2
  • The launch library of titles
  • Whether the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with both physical and digital Switch games

Why the Switch 2 Leaks Are Important

Prior to Genki’s leak at CES, most of the “reveals” about the Switch 2 in leaks was purely speculation. But what’s most interesting is how Genki’s purported mock-ups of the Switch 2 hardware line up with much of that previously leaked info. But more important than the physical form factor of the Switch 2 is its hardware specs, and the recent leak of what is purportedly the Switch 2’s motherboard tells an interesting story regarding the console’s capabilities. Combined with the confirmation from Nintendo’s president that the Switch 2 will indeed be backward compatible with Switch software, there’s a lot to look forward to if these leaks prove to have even a shred of validity.

What the Switch 2 Leaks May Indicate About the Final Product

Switch 2 leak from Genki's CES 2025 booth

Looking at all of the leaks so far, including the purported 3D renders and physical mock-ups of Switch 2 hardware, players can likely expect the following from Nintendo’s next console. As a reminder, every one of these items comes from a leak. As such, players should take them with a considerable grain of salt:

Hardware Specs & Console Performance

The images claiming to show off the Switch 2 motherboard indicate that Nintendo’s next console will have a substantial power boost over its predecessor. In addition to utilizing the Nvidia SoC (System on Chip) framework that combines the CPU and GPU into a single unit to keep the form factor small, the Switch 2 motherboard will supposedly feature 12GB of onboard RAM, 3 times the amount of the Switch. Additionally, the next iteration of the Switch will come with significantly more storage, with a purported 256GB SSD.

What this means in terms of the Switch’s graphical capabilities is anyone’s best guess, though it’s worth mentioning that the Switch 2 is shaping up to be a substantial leap over its predecessor. In addition to the leaks claiming to show off the new motherboard, several rumors point to the Switch 2 supporting 1920x1080p resolution while in handheld mode, scaling up to 1440p when in the dock.

Form Factor and Features

Most of the Switch 2 leaks thus far have primarily focused on the console’s physical form factor and features. Surprisingly, Genki’s Switch 2 mockups at its CES 2025 booth seem to corroborate much of what the leaks have suggested, including the following new features:

  • Newly designed JoyCon controllers featuring magnetic connectors and Hall-effect joysticks
  • Larger screen
  • Slight adjustments to the console’s shape, including rounded edges
  • A new kickstand with a “U-shaped” form factor and wider base

Release Date & Pricing

Nintendo itself has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be arriving sometime in 2025. But as far as an exact release date, we still don’t have one, which has given way to wild speculation. Recent leaks claiming to outline the console’s price and exact launch window have all been debunked, but they could still hold a kernel of truth. The original Switch launched at $299.99. Adjusted for inflation, that comes to just over $400. It’s safe to assume that, given the console’s new features and improvements to performance, the Switch 2 should launch at roughly $399.99. It’s also possible that Nintendo could release multiple SKUs of the console, including a cheaper entry-level model and a more expensive “Pro” model.

Launch Library

One of the biggest questions, and perhaps the most important question, surrounding the Switch 2 relates to the games. Nintendo consoles traditionally have stellar launch libraries, with most of the company’s hardware launching with at least one flagship first-party title (usually a new game in either the Mario or Zelda franchises) and several noteworthy third-party games. Everything from Elden Ring to Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has been rumored to arrive as a launch title for the Switch. But until we get official confirmation of the games that will be available at launch, this is all purely speculation.

That said, one thing players can likely expect is cross-gen titles, and there’s already a prime candidate. After years in development, Nintendo finally revealed Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and announced it was arriving in 2025, which happens to line up perfectly with the launch of the Switch 2. While the game is still set to launch as a title on the original Switch, there’s every reason to believe it will arrive with enhanced Switch 2 functionality, especially with Nintendo’s confirmation that the console will be backward compatible.

Nintendo’s Official Response Only Raises More Questions

In typical Nintendo fashion, the company was coy when it came to the Genki leaks. Rather than outright disputing that the physical mockups were fake, Nintendo instead chose to highlight that the physical mockups were derived from hardware that Genki had acquired through unofficial means. Nintendo’s choice to neither confirm nor deny the validity of the leaks only raises more questions, and it’s also had the unintentional side effect of causing a rapid deluge of leaks in the days following its official response.

The dump of sensitive info on the Switch 2 may be forcing Nintendo’s hand to make an official announcement, with new rumors pointing to this Thursday, January 16, 2025, being set for Nintendo to finally reveal the console.

What We Know About the Switch 2, As Told By Nintendo

Nintendo Switch OLED

Ultimately, information from third-party sources will never stack up to what the Big N has to say about its new hardware, and on that front, we at least know a little bit of 100% verified info. For starters, we know that the Switch will launch sometime in 2025. Additionally, we have confirmation from Nintendo that the console will be compatible with Switch software. We know that Nintendo commissioned Samsung to produce the Switch 2’s motherboard and chipset, even if we don’t have official confirmation of the specs. So while we don’t know much, we do at least know some, and that’s all that players can bank on for the moment. Only time will tell whether the leaks over the last 6 months hold any water.

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