5 big improvements expected for Nintendo Switch 2

When the Nintendo Switch launched eight years ago, it marked a sea change for the games industry. Suddenly, pocket-sized games can come with a console-like interface wherever you go.

Since then, we've seen the likes of Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and many other handheld systems looking to bring that experience to PC gaming.

The Nintendo Switch launched in early 2017, and eBy then the hardware was outdated. The Nvidia Tegra X1 chip that powers the console was released in 2010. It debuted in 2015, and Nintendo decided long ago to stop fighting its console rivals on pure firepower. That was fine for a while, but after all these years, the Switch is showing its age.

Now, a successor seems imminent, and we expect the Switch 2—pending an official announcement—to be a more robust system overall.

But what can we expect when it is released? Here's what we can expect based on the latest details reported by popular publications and trusted insiders. However, keep in mind that they are not confirmations of exact hardware specifications. Nintendo is notoriously secretive about its hardware and hasn't officially confirmed much about the console yet.

Control improvements

The Joy-Con controllers have been one of the most divisive parts of the Nintendo Switch since its release. They are slimmer and lighter with much smaller analog sticks than other controllers.

Analog stick slippage has been a consistent issue with Joy-Con controllers for years. The attachment system is very strong, but if the system is created improperly, the rails can bend.

Nintendo is rumored to be fixing at least some of the issues.

Magnetic connection

The Switch successor is said to use a magnetic attachment system for the new controllers.

As he says PolygonThis can be done with strong electropermanent magnets that can be turned on or off by an electric current. A button on the back of the system can release the controls from the handle.

Hall effect wood

Current first-party game controllers use potentiometers to determine position, and the analog sticks must connect to that object to directly sense that position. Over time, the connection between the rod and the potentiometer can be broken by dust and dirt or by corroding the metals involved in the connection.

The new switch controllers are said to use Hall Effect technology, which senses position using magnets and has no contact between the stick and the sensor.

They are more expensive to manufacture, but avoiding class charges on a stick float can be cheaper.

What is that sensor?

Leaked images of the Switch 2 controller show some sort of sensor between the SL and SR buttons—buttons that act as shoulder buttons when holding the Joy-Con as a standalone mini controller.

The sensor is similar to those found on the underside of optical mice, allowing the controller to act as a mouse.

Alternatively, it can be used to establish an actual connection to the Switch 2 console or serve another purpose. However, the possibility of a Switch-compatible mouse raises the prospect of a new Mario Color game—nostalgia for the Super Nintendo era—or online shooters, strategy games, and other more control options.

Big screen, high resolution

Reports suggest that we will also get a bigger screen. The screen will reportedly be LCD instead of OLED—certainly disappointing for fans looking to convert OLED owners and upgrade to an OLED screen with the Switch 2.

however, Those reports They also point out that the screen will be a wider 8 inches compared to the original 6.2 inch Switch screen. The Switch OLED display is 7 inches. This screen is said to feature 1080p resolution compared to the current model's 720p.

to speak TechRadar“The console is 270mm wide, 116mm tall and 14mm thick, compared to the Switch's dimensions of 242mm x 102mm x 13.9mm,” says Adam Ijaz, CEO of Dbrand, a company that makes skins and accessories for various electronic devices. is not.

Reports suggest that when installed, the Switch 2 will offer significantly more power and will even be capable of 4K graphics; We doubt the end, but crossing our fingers it's the same.

Backward compatibility

Nintendo itself has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with the original Switch games.

The company says that in X it is “playable on a successor to the Switch software.” Post It was presented to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa last November. “Nintendo Switch Online is also available for Nintendo Switch replacement.”

This means that the system will have a cartridge slot that will accept Switch cartridges, and digital games will be carried as well.

Nintendo has struggled with backwards compatibility in the past, in part because the company has changed storage formats and sizes with each console release. The desire to play older games is higher now than ever, but Nintendo can feel that pressure.

Details of beef

The exact details are something we know very little about the system, partly because you can't glean hardware details by taking a secret photo of the system.

Digital Foundry Nintendo believes the Switch 2 will use Nvidia's T239 processor. This could also open up the Nintendo Switch 2 to a feature that makes PC gaming great at displaying advanced graphics on mid-range or slightly older systems: DLSS.

DLSS allows the GPU to render a game at a lower resolution, and resample the image for a more convincing result at a higher resolution.

This technology has become increasingly common in games over the past few years, and its presence on the Nintendo Switch 2 could mean much better visuals in games without having to rely on pure horsepower.

Reports put the total system power around PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. That seems a bit low, but DLSS makes that somewhat worthwhile.

Better battery life

Via Broken Silicone Podcast TechRadarthe Nintendo Switch 2 supposedly docks more punctually than we'd expect when plugged in, but docks “crazy low” when unplugged.

This hampers the system's visual capabilities when gaming on the road, but the clock speed reduction can significantly improve battery life—one of the most requested features by Switch owners.

All of this is rumours, leaks and speculation right now, so take it with enough of a grain of salt to make a lamp.

Nintendo plans to fight the system scandal Making enough consoles to satisfy the needs of consumers. The company hasn't officially confirmed the console's name, and hasn't even hinted at a price or release date, so we're just as excited to hear about these items as you are.

But the scale of the recent leak — enough to prompt Nintendo to comment on the leak — suggests that revelation could be just around the corner. Follow it.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair.