The successor to the Nintendo Switch, currently called the Switch 2 by fans, is apparently targeting a March 2025 release, according to a new report from Nikkei. Initial reports claimed that Nintendo’s next console would release by late 2024 with an official reveal seemingly planned for March. However, plans appeared to have changed internally. According to Nikkei, the hardware was delayed in order to avoid hardware shortages.
Nikkei corroborated reports from last week which broke the news that Nintendo had internally delayed the launch of the Switch 2 to early next year. According to the company’s sources, Nintendo is now reportedly targeting a March 2025 release in order to avoid any potential hardware shortages at launch. The report also mentions that “priority was given to ensure the initial inventory of the successor console and a lineup of software titles at the time of its launch” to avoid scalpers and widespread reselling.
Corroborating another previous report that the Switch 2 will be an iteration of the original Switch, Nikkei added that the next console will also be a hybrid-portable home device. It will also have a larger display than the original console’s 6.2 inch screen.
Nikkei finally notes that it’s possible for the Switch 2 to slip beyond March 2025 as that’s dependent on hardware manufacturing and how many games will be ready for its launch. As of writing, Nintendo has a handful of third-party releases planned for this year but nothing major in terms of exclusives. A new Pokemon Presents showcase is set to take place tomorrow which may reveal some late 2024 Pokemon releases, though it seems to be a pretty quiet year for Nintendo.
The original Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 with a variety of games including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (also released for Wii U) and 1-2-Switch. We’ll just have to wait and see what the company has planned for the Switch’s successor.
Source: Nikkei (via Video Games Chronicle)
