Nine years after its predecessor’s release, one of the most hyped gaming consoles, the Nintendo Switch 2, is finally making a return in 2025. The original Switch took the gaming community for an unforgettable ride, as its intricate design allowed for a portable yet powerful gaming machine. To many, it was a miracle that it didn’t sacrifice processing power and graphics-heavy games for its travel-friendly size. This time around, the Nintendo Switch 2 adds more than just the number “2” to its name, redefining portable power to the entire gaming community.
To start, the iconic red and blue Joy-Cons—the two bright wireless controllers that slide onto the side of the Switch—are receiving a significant overhaul. Originally, the Joy-Cons were removable by simply sliding on and off the railing, securing itself through a simple click. However, not only would the railing have mechanical issues like frequent jamming, but they would easily wear down from everyday use. But with the Switch 2, they now attach by snapping onto the screen directly. Hopefully, this new magnetic attachment will slide these problems away.
Another shortcoming of the Switch was the quality of the screen’s resolution. While the handheld screen was a huge upgrade from previous Nintendo handhelds like the DS, its TV graphics felt lacking in comparison to the 4K experience ushered in by the PS5 and the XBox X. The official hardware specs still remain unknown, but many analysts are predicting a more fluid, crisp performance. We’ll have to wait and see until the next Nintendo Direct event in April to discover some more features.
The Switch is a device that flipped the tech community upside down, switching up the way people view gaming by blurring the lines between handheld gaming and the high-res console experience. And with a new Switch comes exciting new games to play with friends and family, with leaks of an updated Mario Kart 9 game and a new iteration of Call of Duty. After nearly a decade in the making, Nintendo CEO Furukawa gave the Switch a much-needed upgrade, all while managing to keep the spirit of the console that people love perfectly intact.