Nintendo Unveils New Console Codenamed “Switch 2,” Promises Backward Compatibility and 2025 Launch

In a surprise announcement during today’s shareholder meeting, Nintendo confirmed active development of its next-generation console, codenamed “Switch 2,” with a targeted global launch in early 2025. While details remain sparse, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa revealed two critical details that have fans and industry analysts buzzing: full backward compatibility with the original Switch library and a continued focus on hybrid gaming.

The confirmation ends months of speculation surrounding Nintendo’s hardware roadmap and sets the stage for a highly anticipated follow-up to the wildly successful Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 130 million units globally since its 2017 debut. “Our next hardware platform will build on the strengths of the Nintendo Switch experience while introducing new features designed to enhance how people play,” Furukawa said during the conference.

Backward compatibility — a feature often demanded by gamers but not always guaranteed by console makers — appears to be a priority. Nintendo affirmed that both physical cartridges and digital purchases from the Nintendo eShop will carry over, offering a seamless upgrade path for existing Switch owners.

Industry insiders are already speculating on potential hardware improvements. Analysts believe the Switch 2 will include a custom NVIDIA chipset successor to the Tegra X1, likely offering a significant boost in performance and graphical fidelity while maintaining the hybrid nature that defined the original system.

With Sony and Microsoft firmly entrenched in the traditional console arms race, Nintendo seems poised to continue carving its unique niche. “Nintendo is not just preparing a new piece of hardware — it’s signaling a vision for the next decade of its gaming ecosystem,” said Daniel Ahmad, gaming industry analyst at Niko Partners.

While the company remained tight-lipped about launch titles, many expect flagship franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Splatoon to launch alongside or shortly after the console’s release. More official details are expected to surface later this year, potentially during a dedicated Nintendo Direct showcase.

With the promise of backward compatibility and innovative hybrid gameplay once again at its core, the Switch 2 may well set Nintendo up for another generation of industry-defining success.