Exciting Nintendo Switch 2 release date conjecture sparked by unexpected mixture of Hogwarts Legacy, GamesCom, and Sharp news

New Nintendo Switch 2 leaks are thin on the ground at the moment but that hasn’t stopped hardcore fans and industry watchers from scrutinizing developments in the tech world that could be linked to a Switch 2 reveal or even a Switch 2 release date. Three separate events have led some commenters to speculate that there is even a specific release date now available for the next-gen Switch, although it’s worth reminding that this is all conjecture. Nintendo’s infamous ninjas (aka the legal department) will already be busy making sure no secrets are shared in regard to new hardware.

The first sign that a Nintendo Switch 2 might be on the way in 2023 was in late April, when GamesCom announced that Nintendo would be an exhibitor at an upcoming event. GamesCom 2023 is taking place in Cologne (Köln) from 23 to 27 August, which ties in nicely with other presumptions made about the Nintendo Switch 2 release date (see below). The Big N won’t want to turn up empty-handed, and undoubtedly the unveiling of a new console would be a major talking point at the renowned exhibition.

An alleged blunder by Sharp further heightened chatter about a Nintendo Switch 2 appearing this year. It was originally reported that slides produced by the Japanese company featured the phrase “new game console” in regard to major initiatives that Sharp was involved in in 2023. If you immediately discount the possibility that Sharp could be working with Sony on a PlayStation Portable (“Q Lite”) or with Tencent on its long-rumored handheld console, then eventually you will arrive to the conclusion that Sharp must be working on a panel for Nintendo’s next-gen handheld console.

This immediately led to some dismay and confusion: Some fans were convinced this meant a downgraded panel for the Switch 2 while others questioned the convenient translation. However, Sharp is not only involved in producing LCD panels, it also works with OLED panels, so if Sharp is working with Nintendo again it could be on a Switch 2 device or even a Switch 2 Lite if the Big N wants to charge more for a next-gen console with an OLED panel. As for the leaked slides mentioning a “new game console”, the actual machine translation for the original slide reads “launch of new models for VR and games”, which was later altered to “expanding business for VR”.

Last but not least, there has been some speculation that the Nintendo Switch 2 release date could actually be on 14 November, 2023. This is solely down to the fact that Hogwarts Legacy has been delayed for the Nintendo Switch until that specific date. The Wizarding World game is already out on other platforms, but it seems Switch owners are in for a protracted wait until they can play it. But, if Nintendo did officially announce or reveal the Switch 2 at GamesCom in late August, that would help build up plenty of hype before the company actually released the console in November, with a specially reworked version of Hogwarts Legacy as a grand launch title.

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