Nintendo Switch 2: Alleged next-generation Switch specs, unproven Nintendo Switch Next details, and supposed Joy-Con 2 sketches fuel the rumor mill
Three separate Twitter (now “X”) accounts have been spewing out information about the Nintendo Switch 2, and a pinch of salt is required for each post. All three accounts have seemingly sprung up from nowhere, which while some could argue helps avoid strikes from Nintendo’s “ninjas”, others would claim it meant they are completely fake. But it is interesting to see what specs, price tags, console names, and even renders have been offered by these sources, as it is not unknown for random people to leak huge tech product releases.
First up are even more images shared by @NintendogsBS, with the Joy-Con 2 supposedly appearing in sketches with conveniently blurred-out post-it notes and in a short clip showing the controller locking onto the Nintendo Switch 2 console. This source has provided numerous decent concept renders of the console and its UI lately and even made the effort to correct a mistake where "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" was labeled as "Super Mario Wonder" in a previous “leak”. Fans have frequently praised the effort this source has made, despite the perceived mistakes and corrections made.
Next up, is an account calling itself @NintendoLeaks1 that claims to have knowledge of the next-generation Switch design and specifications. While the Switch 2 specs listed appear to be what has already been rumored (see screenshot below), there are some leftfield inclusions such as 8 GB of RAM and potential for DLSS 3 capability. The OG Switch has 4 GB of RAM so it wouldn’t be a huge shakeup for a next-generation console to double that. DLSS 3 capability seems unlikely, but with Nvidia working with Nintendo on the Switch 2 chip, which most believe will be the T239, there might be some special limited support just for the Big N coming from Team Green.
This same source also provides a Photoshopped mock-up of the next-generation Switch, which shows few changes to the current model. Curved edges and a metal shell are mentioned (the current Switch is made out of plastic although the OLED Model does have some metal parts), with the posts claiming that the main changes are on the inside of the Nintendo Switch 2. However, another source even reckons that the name won’t be "Switch 2" but will be "Nintendo Switch Next" instead. This is arguably the least believable rumor out of the three but still produces some intriguing tidbits.
There are a couple of images, one supposedly of the console and another of the logo, but the “Next” part looks too skewed, especially in the picture of the Nintendo Switch Next device itself. There is a quick look at the Joy-Con controller before reaching a purported Switch Next/Switch 2 release date and even a price barrier. According to this poster, an announcement will be made between September and December 2023 with the console arriving after March 2024. The price ceiling is purportedly US$499.99, which seems like a safe bet as Nintendo crossing the US$500-mark for a next-generation Switch would be surprising.
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