Nintendo has revealed its new portable console, the “Nintendo Switch 2.” This new release comes eight years after the initial unveiling of the original Nintendo Switch, which sold over 140 million units. The company aims to release the Switch 2 by the end of the year.
The Switch 2 maintains a similar design to its predecessor but features larger screens and controllers. It will continue to support playing games on a TV through a dock, and games from the original Nintendo Switch will be compatible with the new device.
The tech industry anticipates that Nintendo will disclose detailed specifications and a release schedule during the “Nintendo Direct” on April 2nd. Additionally, a hands-on event for the Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for May 31st in Goyang, South Korea, with similar events in New York and Paris in April.
The original Switch, launched in 2017, became a popular gaming platform in South Korea, largely because of the “Animal Crossing” series. However, South Korean game developers seldom create games for the Switch, as the device mainly supports lower-spec games. This has been a challenge for developers who usually focus on high-spec PC and console games. Despite the attempt by NCSoft to release “Battle Crush” on the Switch, the game struggled with success and was discontinued in November.
Internationally, other companies are also targeting the portable gaming market. Tencent introduced a development version of its portable console, “Sunday Dragon 3D One,” equipped with a glasses-free 3D display at “CES 2025.” Likewise, Valve, known for its Steam platform, offers “Steam Deck,” allowing users to enjoy PC games on a portable device.