Anticipation for Nintendo’s anticipated “Switch 2” has been high, with many expecting its arrival sometime this year. However, a recent rumor has cast doubt on this timeline, suggesting a later release date. Sources, including VGC and Eurogamer, indicate that Nintendo has informed publishers of a new launch window, targeting the first quarter of 2025. This adjustment mirrors the original Switch’s trajectory, which was announced in October 2016 but released in March 2017.
Publishers were reportedly briefed on this change, shifting the expected release from late 2024 to early 2025. As a result, developers are now aligning their plans, preparing Switch 2 games for early 2025. Among these titles, the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4 stands out, though it remains on Nintendo’s release schedule without a specific date attached.
The news of the release delay has impacted Nintendo’s stock, causing a decline following the rumors. Despite this setback, the company recently adjusted its fiscal 2024 Switch sales forecast, slightly increasing it from 15 million to 15.5 million units. This figure, however, falls short of the 18 million and 23 million units sold in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Details about the forthcoming device, including its official name, remain scarce. Speculation suggests it may offer backward compatibility with the Switch and feature 4K capabilities, with visual quality comparable to that of the PS5 and Series X. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new console, Nintendo is poised for a busy year ahead. Should the Switch 2 indeed launch in the first quarter of 2025, an announcement is likely to occur during a Nintendo Direct showcase later in the year.