Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Heat Up as Dev Kits Reportedly Sent to Studios

The gaming world is buzzing with anticipation as fresh reports surface claiming that Nintendo has started shipping development kits for the highly speculated Nintendo Switch 2 to third-party studios. While Nintendo has yet to officially confirm its next-generation console, mounting leaks suggest that a follow-up to the wildly successful Switch is closer to becoming a reality than ever.

According to a report by VGC (Video Games Chronicle), multiple key development partners across major markets have already received the upgraded hardware, indicating that game development for the system is underway. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Nintendo is aiming for a release window in the second half of 2024, giving studios ample time to prepare launch titles.

The Nintendo Switch industry has remained strong since its launch in 2017, with over 130 million units sold as of mid-2023. However, with advancements from Sony and Microsoft in the form of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, fans have been eagerly awaiting news of Nintendo’s next move. The Switch’s aging hardware — based on mobile tech from 2015 — has increasingly limited third-party developers looking to push graphical boundaries.

Leakers suggest that the Switch 2 will retain the hybrid home-and-handheld structure but feature significant performance improvements, including a new NVIDIA chipset capable of supporting features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing. Rumors also point to a larger LCD screen and backward compatibility with existing Switch titles, though these details remain unconfirmed.

Nintendo has a history of playing its cards close to the chest, often announcing new hardware with little advance notice. However, the timing of dev kits being dispatched — paired with a flurry of insider reports — adds credibility to growing speculation that a Nintendo Direct focused on hardware could surface later this year.

For now, fans will have to stay tuned and speculate, but momentum is clearly building. If the reports are accurate, Nintendo could be gearing up for a 2024 that rivals the seismic impact of the original Switch’s debut.