Nintendo Unveils the Switch 2: Magnetic Joy-Cons, Optical Sensor, and a New Mario Kart! (Plus, Backward Compatibility and a Nintendo Direct Date!)

Summary

  • Nintendo finally unveils the Switch 2 console confirming features like magnetic Joy-Cons and an optical sensor.
  • The official trailer also confirms backward compatibility with Switch games and teases a new Mario Kart.
  • Fans can expect more details in April 2025 through a dedicated Nintendo Direct.

After months of speculation and leaks, Nintendo officially unveils its successor to the popular Switch console – the Switch 2. This new model showcases updated hardware and design, with a sneak peek at an upcoming Mario Kart game and a scheduled Direct for further details. The news about the Switch 2 has been one of Nintendo’s most anticipated secrets due to numerous rumors circulating within the gaming community.

At CES 2025, Genki’s unveiling of a supposed prototype of the Switch 2 console stirred up quite a debate. The design, featuring magnetically attached Joy-Cons and an optical sensor, sparked excitement among fans and even caught the eye of Nintendo’s legal team, who reportedly spoke with the company during the event. Following much anticipation, Nintendo has officially revealed details about its upcoming console.

Via social media, Nintendo has made an official declaration about the Switch 2, unveiling a new trailer and website where fans can gather additional details. The trailer corroborates various leaks concerning the Switch 2, such as the optical sensor and magnetic Joy-Cons, which seem to attach securely instead of requiring a slide along a track. The device itself is slightly larger than its predecessor, and the traditional red and blue hues are now less vibrant, emphasizing the control sticks and the magnetic attachment points.

Nintendo Officially Reveals the Switch 2 Console

Enthusiasts eager to learn more will need to be patient, as a specific Nintendo Direct broadcast for the Switch 2 is scheduled for April 2, 2025. The console is slated for a broad release in the same year, and Nintendo is planning to give fans the chance to test the new system at various locations, much like the initial Nintendo Switch Tour in 2016. Just remember that a Nintendo Account is necessary to sign up for these events.

North America:

  • New York, April 4-6, 2025
  • Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025
  • Dallas, April 25-27, 2025
  • Toronto, April 25-27, 2025

Europe:

  • Paris, April 4-6, 2025
  • London, April 11-13, 2025
  • Milan, April 25-27, 2025
  • Berlin, April 25-27, 2025
  • Madrid, May 9-11, 2025
  • Amsterdam, May 9-11, 2025

Oceania:

  • Melbourne, May 10-11, 2025

Asia:

  • Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025
  • Seoul, May 31-June 1, 2025
  • Hong Kong, To be announced
  • Taipei, To be announced

Although the announcement didn’t provide hardware details or console specifics, it appears to hint at a new installment in the widely recognized Mario Kart series, as characters were seen racing along a Route 66-like track. Additionally, the reveal verified a rumor that the upcoming console is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, enabling both physical and digital games from the original Switch to be played on the new model.

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2025-01-16 16:54