This publish was up to date 4/26/24 at 4:35 p.m. ET to incorporate new rumors concerning the measurement of the Change 2’s Joycons.
Nintendo Change sequel hypothesis has hit a fever pitch regardless of how lengthy we might have to attend for the long-expected replace to Nintendo’s hottest console ever created. In latest months, the ocean of disconnected rumors has began to coagulate into one thing that might be thought-about greater than a rumor. Whereas there’s been a bevy of preliminary rumors suggesting we are going to ultimately see a Change sequel launch this yr, a number of studies now supply a for much longer wait till 2025.
As for what the console will ultimately seem like, most studies point out it would have an even bigger display than the primary Change and price extra. They are going to have graphics capabilities equal to the earlier console technology.
What Sort of Specs Will the Nintendo Change 2 Have?
The Change sequel is rumored to have an even bigger display than the unique console had at launch, however new rumors recommend the following console may change up the scale of the Joycons, and even how they connect to the principle physique.
As first reported by the Spanish tech information website Vandal (through Eurogamer), the Change 2 will use magnets to connect its Joycons, fairly than the rails Change customers are used to. Vandal reported this primarily based on phrase from accent producers, who typically get particulars about console {hardware} previous to launch. The subsequent console will nonetheless assist present Change Professional controllers, which is a pleasant change of tempo for house owners who nonetheless need to get a number of extra years out of their present controllers as soon as the brand new console is available in.
The Spanish website didn’t say precisely how large the brand new Change might be, however famous it is going to be bigger than the present Change and nonetheless smaller than a Steam Deck.
When is the Change Sequel Presupposed to be Launched?
Anyone holding out hope the Change would nonetheless handle to squeeze itself into 2025’s launch schedule ought to most likely settle for the fact of an extended wait. Most not too long ago, Nikkei Asia reported, primarily based on a number of nameless sources with data of Nintendo’s plans, that the Japanese recreation maker will launch the Change sequel in March 2025 on the earliest. The corporate is reportedly attempting to offer publishers and recreation studios extra time to launch precise video games for launch day.
As an alternative, Nintendo will attempt to maintain pushing the primary Change as a lot as attainable, probably with new console tie-in variations with widespread franchises.
It confirms earlier studies that Nintendo has determined to push the Change 2 launch. Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe claimed on his podcast that 5 sources from inside the business say that Nintendo is now aiming for a Q1 2025 launch after preliminary expectations slipped from 2024. If that wasn’t sufficient to set your enamel on edge, Eurogamer additionally confirmed comparable rumors from separate sources inside the business.
Eurogamer talked about that the Change date is to make sure a full slate of launch titles to enrich the brand new console. All of it appears to point Nintendo has advised its associate builders concerning the new launch date, and these rumors have filtered right down to these with scarce business sources.
It appears Nintendo is remaining aloof of the complete {hardware} marketplace for 2024. Nintendo confirmed to Eurogamer April 15 it doesn’t plan to attend Gamescom, the annual convention held in Cologne, Germany that usually is a middle level for the world’s video games and {hardware} builders. The corporate advised Eurogamer “After cautious consideration from all views, we’ve made the choice to not be current at Gamescom 2024. Gamers can have alternatives to check out Nintendo Change video games at different occasions all year long.”
That’s an attention-grabbing transfer contemplating Nintendo usually attends the convention. Gamescom 2023 was additionally the place a number of the first concrete rumors reared their head, the place some publishers reportedly acquired growth kits.
If Nintendo does go for the primary half of the 2024 Change 2 announcement, it will be fairly untimely contemplating the anticipated launch date. Nintendo beforehand stated that the Change 2 wouldn’t debut in 2023. Nevertheless, the corporate had nothing to say concerning the upcoming console in its newest quarterly monetary report launched this previous Wednesday. As an alternative, the corporate famous how {hardware} gross sales have decreased by about 8% yearly. This was regardless of how the Change has grow to be the best-selling console of all time in its seven-year lifespan, with a complete of 139.36 million models bought as of the tip of final yr.
Most rumors have steered the Change sequel will see the sunshine of day within the second half of this yr. These rumors return to July of 2023, bolstered after information that some builders had an opportunity to demo the brand new console in a number of closed-door conferences at Gamescom.
This gained’t essentially have a Christmas launch, as hypothesis has persistently famous that it might be out there for pre-order in August or September. That would coincide with the rumored PlayStation 5 Professional mannequin, which might be a giant step up from the unique PS5’s internals with ray tracing upgrades and higher CPU and GPU specs.
Will the Change 2 Be Extra Highly effective Than the First Change?
All the present hypothesis factors to the Change 2 gaining access to its particular chip from Nvidia. It’s a rumor going again practically three years to early leakers hinting that Nintendo would get entry to a customized variant of the T234, scaled down drastically to suit inside a cell design. The present Change makes use of a modified Tegra X1 chip, however the subsequent Change might be way more succesful than Nintendo’s first handheld console. Paperwork proven publicly from the Microsoft buyout of Activision Blizzard trace that Nintendo’s console might be as highly effective, if not a bit extra succesful, than the final console technology—particularly the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Reuters then dumped numerous gas onto these rumors by citing one nameless supply who claimed that Nintendo was certainly getting a brand new, customized chip. Late final yr, Digital Foundry carried out a deep dive into the supposed chip structure and capabilities of this tradition Nvidia chipset dubbed the T239. They carried out benchmarks with comparable structure on the RTX 2050 operating at 750 Mhz. Nonetheless, it’s higher not to take a look at chip rumors and make assumptions concerning the subsequent console’s full capabilities.
As an alternative, we higher perceive what sort of show it would have. A few of the most concrete studies from business analysts famous that the Nintendo Change sequel can have an 8-inch LCD. Evaluate this to the common 6.2-inch Change LCD display, a big measurement bump. Nevertheless, a number of followers are seemingly upset that the following console gained’t keep the Change OLED’s stunning, 7-inch natural show.
The LCD display is probably going a strategy to maintain prices down, which served the first Change properly when consumers needed to think about spending upwards of $500 on a brand new Xbox Sequence X or PlayStation 5. Nonetheless, different handheld consoles just like the Steam Deck OLED can have an edge on no matter comes out of Nintendo.
The next console may nonetheless work together very like the previous one with the hybrid cartridge and on-line obtain system that served the primary Change so properly, at the least in line with retailers like VGC and Eurogamer. It hints at backward compatibility, which might be a giant incentive for present Change house owners.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply the Change 2 might be as low cost as its predecessor. Famous tipster Zippo has claimed it may price round $400, which is $100 greater than you may get the primary Change for. It’s nonetheless lower than the 2 most important, costly consoles, however it will now price greater than an Xbox Sequence S. As an alternative, it will price as a lot as a baseline LCD Steam Deck.
When Will Nintendo Lastly Reveal the Change 2?
Famous gaming rumormonger, Nate Drake of the ResetEra boards, advised Recreation & Speak podcast members that the Change 2 would lastly see the sunshine of day throughout a brand new Nintendo Direct set to premiere someday in March. It nonetheless appears free, although Nate Drake has been grinding on the rumor mill for some time now and has some correct previous predictions. Nonetheless, if we’re in for an extended wait, Nintendo seemingly gained’t announce its new console till properly into the yr.
“Every thing I’m listening to relationship again to Gamescom of final yr has indicated that one thing is going on in March,” he advised the podcast.
Nintendo would seemingly announce this console alongside some new Nintendo Direct broadcast or recreation launch. The newest Nintendo Direct on Feb. 21 was one in all its “associate showcases” that promotes third social gathering titles making their strategy to the Change. Whereas there have been a number of surprises, together with the unique two video games of the Star Wars: Battlefront collection making their strategy to the Change and bringing again the traditional 64-player on-line multiplayer, there was not even a morsel of reports concerning a brand new console.
Drake doubled down on that Direct date in a tweet. This is smart, particularly as Nintendo’s first Direct of 2023 additionally came about in February, however that doesn’t imply we’ll see a console announcement as early as this month. The Nintendo tipster hasn’t totally backed off his declare that Nintendo plans to announce the console in March, however at this level, it appears more and more unlikely.
The Mario father or mother may additionally announce its console throughout a media push for its subsequent large recreation launch. The one first-party title on the docket is Princess Peach: Showtime!, which is ready to launch on March 22. Although that’s a brand new title from a staple character within the firm’s most profitable franchise, it doesn’t have the complete international attraction of a brand new Mario platformer like final yr’s Tremendous Mario Bros. Surprise that will add any pomp to a latest console reveal or–hell–even a teaser.
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