The highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch successor, reportedly dubbed the Switch 2, might not arrive until March 2025, according to industry insiders. Information from Bloomberg points to a delay from the initially speculated late 2024 release, with the decision aimed at ensuring a strong lineup of exclusive games at launch.
Nintendo has been hinting at the development of a new gaming console, with rumors intensifying since a prototype was believed to have been showcased in a closed event at Gamescom the previous year. Despite the buzz surrounding a late 2024 launch, game publishers have been advised to prepare for a shift to 2025, likely in March, as per recent reports.
The postponement is ostensibly not due to hardware development issues but is a strategic move by Nintendo to bolster the new console with a compelling array of first-party titles right out of the gate. The hardware specifications for the Switch 2 are rumored to be significant, which includes the integration of a Tegra T239 System on Chip (SoC). This SoC is said to feature an Ampere-based GPU with 1536 CUDA cores.
Additional specifications suggested include the presence of 8 ARM A78C cores, a 128-bit memory interface, a max memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and between 8-12 GB of total system RAM. Tech analysts posit that the new hardware could support features like DLSS and possibly even ray tracing, due to the GPU’s lineage tracing back to RTX 3000 series capabilities.
It is speculated that the new Tegra chip might power demanding tech demos with DLSS. There is also conjecture that the Switch 2’s dock may have additional processing power to support a 4K DLSS output when connected to a larger external screen. The performance capabilities suggest that even demanding games such as Death Stranding could potentially run at more than 30 fps on default quality settings if the handheld’s screen resolution is limited to 1080p. An additional NPU (Neural Processing Unit) might also be included in the dock to bolster deep learning computations and assist the GPU.
Gamers and industry watchers may be keenly anticipating Nintendo’s upcoming earnings report in March for any hints regarding the new console, but with the suggested delay, an official unveiling of the Switch 2 might not be on the agenda for this quarter.
For those eager to get their hands on the current Nintendo technology, the Nintendo Switch OLED Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Bundle is available for purchase.
The gaming community will undoubtedly be looking forward to additional news and confirmations from Nintendo regarding the anticipated successor to their popular handheld gaming console.
