Nintendo Switch 2 Leak: Release Date Revealed?

Summary

Rumors point to a Thursday, January 16th announcement for the Nintendo Switch 2, mirroring the original Switch's reveal day in 2016. This early 2025 unveiling suggests a potential first-half release.

The Switch 2's existence is hardly a secret; mass production reportedly began in late September or early October 2024, fueled by numerous hardware leaks. Nintendo itself committed to a pre-March 31st announcement, a promise seemingly fulfilled by leaker NateTheHate's January 13th podcast claim. He cited unnamed sources for the January 16th reveal date, a Thursday—a historically significant day for Nintendo announcements. This aligns with reporting from Tom Warren at The Verge.

Nintendo Switch 2: Leaks Galore

Whether Nintendo will follow the 2017 precedent of a pre-reveal social media teaser remains to be seen. However, the sheer volume of leaks—so extensive that Nintendo even commented on a replica—makes a surprise reveal unlikely. Rumors suggest a slightly larger console than the Switch OLED (270 x 116 x 14mm) with an 8-inch LCD screen and magnetically attaching Joy-Cons. The right Joy-Con may include a new "C" button, possibly related to a rumored mouse-like pointer function.

Launch Titles Remain Enigmatic

The Switch 2's launch lineup is far less clear. While My Time at Evershine and Bestiario are confirmed, neither is expected as a day-one title, assuming a first-half 2025 release. Nintendo will likely need at least one or two major first-party titles to drive initial sales.

Source: Nintendo of America