Skip to main content

Nintendo Switch 2 specs and design reportedly leak thanks to prototype

An image of the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model Mario Red Edition.
Nintendo

A series of leaked images corroborated by Video Games Chronicle appear to have given us our first look at Nintendo’s next console.

That platform, which is colloquially known as the Nintendo Switch 2 , has been rumored for a long time and is going to be revealed before the end of this fiscal year . The Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be in full production now, and some images and specs of what appear to be a factory prototype of it appeared on a Chinese website, as spotted by r/gamingleaksandrumours . It features a mix of real-life photos and CAD mock-ups of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Recommended Videos

The leaked photos show hardware that looks quite similar to the original Nintendo Switch. The biggest differences are a larger screen, previously rumored magnetic Joy-Cons with large SL/SR buttons, and USB-C ports on the top and bottom of the console.

A summary of today's alleged Switch 2 images 'leak'. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Z4rfSGz4WQ

— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) September 18, 2024

A more in-depth specs leak also suggests that the console will have 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, both of which are notable improvements from the original. VGC claims it has a source who says this leak lines up with what Nintendo has told development partners to expect from the console. VGC also heard that the console could use a LCD screen rather than an OLED one to keep its price down, but that has not been confirmed by this leak or Nintendo yet.

As far as gaming leaks go, it does seem very plausible that this is an accurate representation of what the Nintendo Switch 2 will look like. Still, Nintendo has not revealed anything yet, so these images and information should be viewed with soime skepticism. Some people are already speculating that the CAD renders of the console, in particular, are fake.

Tomas Franzese
A former Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese now reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…
Donkey Kong Bananza drops frames, but that doesn’t mean the Switch 2 is weak
Donkey Kong does a fiery punch in Donkey Kong Bananza.

As I rip a chunk of rock out of the ground and use it to obliterate towers of golden roots or use an explosive rock to shatter an entire cliff face, spawning a cacophony of gold to collect raining down around me in Donkey Kong Bananza, it is impossible to ignore the hit the frame rate takes. In that moment, it almost feels good -- like in the days of the SNES when the game would chug when too many particles were on screen -- and yet in the back of my mind, I knew it would be used as a talking point for the power of the Switch 2.

The original Switch was underpowered from the start, and certainly pushed well beyond its limits in the eight long years it was on the market before the Switch 2. The early years weren't too bad, with Nintendo first party games typically running perfectly fine, but near the end even Tears of the Kingdom started to make the poor Switch buckle. And we don't even need to talk about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The last thing players want to see is the second major release for the system already pushing the console to the limits.

Read more
How long is Donkey Kong Bananza?
Donkey Kong and Pauline blast the enviornment in Donkey Kong Bananza.,

We only had to wait one month after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch to get our first shiny new 3D platformer. However, it isn't a new Mario game like you might've assumed, but DK taking center stage. Donkey Kong Bananza is all about smashing and digging your way with Pauline to the planet's core while facing off against a cast of villains. Being able to terraform the levels completely changes the pace of a normal platformer, but does it mean you can bypass everything and finish the game in a few hours? What if you are the type of person who wants to get every collectible there is? In either case, you might be surprised at how Donkey Kong Bananza actually is. After playing the game from start to finish, here's how long you can expect to spend playing Donkey Kong Bananza.

How long to beat Donkey Kong Bananza?

Read more
Donkey Kong Bananza review: breaking the 3D platformer mold
Donkey Kong punching through a crystallized banana in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Buy Now

Right from the title screen, Donkey Kong Bananza made it clear it wasn't going to play by normal 3D platformer rules. I'm not greeted with a traditional menu, but a rock wall and a single button prompting me to smash through. Bananza constantly rewarded me for keeping that mentality in mind and refusing to play by the rules.

Read more