Every little thing we all know thus far

Replace: January 14, 2025 (5:19 AM ET): We’ve up to date this Nintendo Change 2 rumor hub with info on the console’s attainable reveal date and contemporary design renders.

Unique article: Even if you happen to adore it and nonetheless use it every day, there’s no denying that the Nintendo Change is getting outdated. Launched in 2017, the hybrid console celebrated its seventh birthday in March, which suggests it’s getting near retirement. With this in thoughts, one can’t assist however marvel: the place is the sequel, presumably known as the Nintendo Change 2?

Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed {that a} successor is coming quickly. There have additionally been some rumors and leaks surrounding the sequel to Nintendo’s best-selling house console. We’ve rounded up probably the most reliable of them right here. In the direction of the tip of the article, we even have a couple of wishlist gadgets — issues we hope to see however don’t have any proof for fairly but.

The Nintendo Change is the corporate’s best-selling house console ever, with over 143 million items shipped to this point. The one {hardware} Nintendo has launched that has performed higher than the Change is the Nintendo DS, which offered 154 million items, making it attainable (even probably) that the Change may grow to be Nintendo’s best-selling {hardware} of all time. If you take this reputation under consideration, you may be comparatively assured there can be a Nintendo Change 2.

Nintendo has confirmed that it’ll announce a successor to the Nintendo Change inside this fiscal yr, which means that the Change 2 (or no matter it finally ends up being known as) can be revealed no later than March 31, 2025.

For the reason that announcement comes immediately from the corporate, that is utterly true and dependable so long as you imagine their phrase.

Eurogamer reported on September 7, 2023, that Nintendo showcased the Change 2 to builders behind closed doorways at Gamescom. The outlet claimed that the agency confirmed quite a few tech demos, together with a better decision and body fee model of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild. Nevertheless it pressured that there was no trace that this recreation could be re-released.

It was additionally reported by VGC that Nintendo confirmed off Epic’s The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 tech demo, which was initially launched to showcase the ability of the PS5 and Xbox Collection X. This doesn’t imply that the Change 2 is as highly effective as these consoles, nonetheless. The report says that the Change 2 was counting on NVIDIA’s DLSS expertise with superior ray tracing enabled to upscale the decision to the identical stage as current-gen consoles.

For the file, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa shot down these rumors in November 2023 whereas talking with the Japanese publication Mainichi. Particularly, Furukawa says the rumors are “inaccurate” and “unfaithful.” Take that as you’ll.

Nonetheless, Pokemon developer Sport Freak confirmed in the midst of October 2024 that it was hacked. The hack was a sizeable one that exposed particulars on not solely unannounced video games and tasks, but in addition the codename of the Change 2. Based on the stolen information, as reported by IGN, the Change 2’s inside codename is “Ounce.”

Will or not it’s known as ‘Nintendo Change 2’ or one thing else?

Sony sticks to a dependable naming scheme for its consoles. The primary PlayStation was adopted up by a PlayStation 2. After that, we noticed a PS3 and a PS4. Even in the present day, the most recent console is the Sony PlayStation 5. It’s all very logical and dependable.

Nintendo doesn’t go this route. In reality, for the reason that launch of the unique Nintendo Leisure System in 1983, there has by no means been a “2” in a Nintendo console’s identify. That features handheld consoles in addition to the 2DS, which isn’t a direct sequel to the DS however as a substitute a variant of the 3DS. So, the probability of a sequel to the Change touchdown with the official identify Nintendo Change 2 would appear comparatively low.

Then once more, the Nintendo Change is in contrast to something the corporate has performed earlier than. Its means to behave as each a house console and a handheld units it other than Nintendo’s historic roster, and its runaway success has created some severe model recognition for the phrase “Change.”

We even have to think about the Wii. Whereas the Wii offered effectively, including a “U” as a substitute of a “2” to the direct follow-up proved to be complicated and didn’t assist gross sales within the slightest. It’s attainable the corporate may preserve issues easy and name the sequel a Change 2.

Rising the percentages that the following console could also be known as the Change 2, a leaker revealed in December that the identify can be what we anticipate. The leaker additionally described what the brand could appear like, which was rapidly become the mock-up you see above.

Nonetheless, Nintendo tends to do its personal factor, and it’s absolutely attainable the Change successor will comply with these similar guidelines whereas nonetheless attempting to make clear that is certainly a brand new console. For what it’s price, there have been some attainable names thrown round, resembling Tremendous Nintendo Change, New Nintendo Change, and Nintendo Change Professional, amongst others. For now, although, we’ll simply use “Nintendo Change 2” as a shorthand.

As talked about, Nintendo has formally teased that the corporate will make an announcement in regards to the successor to the Nintendo Change “inside this fiscal yr.” The present fiscal yr ends on March 31, 2025, so the Change 2 will certainly be introduced between at times, as per the corporate’s personal phrases.

Nonetheless, needless to say simply because Nintendo will launch the brand new Change between now and April 2025, that doesn’t imply you’ll truly be capable to purchase one then. It is extremely attainable Nintendo may reveal the brand new console’s identify, design, launch titles, value, and extra, however not truly make it obtainable for buy till later. There have been quite a few examples of this technique in Nintendo’s previous and rivals resembling Sony and Microsoft.

The leaker talked about earlier, who revealed the identify, alleges that an announcement is scheduled for January. Nonetheless, they stopped wanting saying what day the announcement would occur.

On January 13, 2025, one other leaker claimed that the Nintendo Change 2 will get an official announcement on January 16, 2025. Meaning we could be very very near the announcement date. Though, we don’t anticipate availability to start immediately. Nintendo will probably generate a whole lot of buzz for the console and reserve a market launch near the vacation season.

It’s anybody’s guess as to once you’ll truly be capable to get one in every of these for your self. However, Nintendo will virtually actually reveal this info in the course of the launch, so that you don’t have lengthy to attend.

We don’t anticipate Nintendo to reinvent the wheel with a Change sequel. The unique Change is a large hit and a cultural touchstone. Hopefully, Nintendo received’t mess with this success. As with the soar from the Nintendo DS to the Nintendo 3DS, we anticipate the corporate to maintain the core of what the Change is and make it higher relatively than wildly revamping issues because it tried to do from the Wii to the Wii U.

A brand new design?

It is extremely unlikely that Nintendo would ship a Change 2 that appears and features identical to the unique Change. As such, we predict no less than minor adjustments to the design.

We now have seen some leaks, however we’d advise some skepticism about their accuracy. We’ve seen loads of conflicting info from varied sources, so we’re not fairly certain who to imagine. Regardless, listed here are the numerous leaks we’ve seen thus far.

The above CAD-based photographs allegedly present the Nintendo Change 2. The photographs have been discovered on Reddit, however are stated to originate from an unverified supply on a Chinese language social media web site.

Based on the Reddit publish, we’re coping with a console that has an 8-inch display, magnetic Pleasure-Cons, and USB-C ports on the highest and backside. Moreover, it’s claimed that the system can have 12GB of RAM, help for HDMI 2.1, and 256GB of inside storage. Notably, different rumors contradict these leaked specs.

Based mostly on the pictures, it seems to be just like the SL and SR buttons on the Pleasure-Cons could have been revised. As well as, it seems that the discharge button on the controllers have been modified as effectively.

Whilst you ought to stay skeptical of this leak, the pictures reportedly match what Nintendo’s companions have been instructed to anticipate, in keeping with VGC‘s supply who has not seen the Change 2 however has been briefed on the plans. The main points additionally seem to align with earlier leaks suggesting an 8-inch show.

In the meantime, a reshared leak from CentroLeaks, citing Famiboards group member “mjayer,” features a purported scale mockup of the Change 2’s dimension based mostly on leaked components, evaluating it to the unique Nintendo Change and the Steam Deck. Remember that it is a dimension mockup, not a design mockup. The ultimate product will virtually actually look considerably totally different from this mockup, nevertheless it may retain related dimensions:

December turned out to be a reasonably lively time for Change 2 leaks, particularly concerning the design. First got here a leak straight from dbrand CEO Adam Ijaz, who shared a 360-degree render of a journey case made with the Change 2’s dimensions in thoughts. You’ll be able to at present see the render, which is performing as a placeholder for the Nintendo Change 2 Killswitch case, on the firm’s web site. The journey case is semitransparent, so you may see a Change 2 sitting inside.

Not performed but, Ijaz supplied some further particulars in an interview with The Verge. He reveals the preliminary design of the case relies on “precise dimensions” of the gadget based mostly on a “3D scan of the actual {hardware}.” The CEO then said that the Nintendo Change 2 can be bigger and taller than the Change OLED at 10.6 inches large and 4.6 inches tall. It appears we will additionally anticipate the gadget to be simply as skinny, a brand new “C” button, magnetic Pleasure-Cons, and a kickstand that runs about midway up the again.

Not lengthy after we bought this info, we bought the leak from the tipster who revealed the console identify. Along with revealing the identify and brand, they corroborated a lot of what we’ve heard from Ijaz and different leaks. Nonetheless, in addition they shared some extra particular particulars just like the ZL and ZR buttons could also be barely bigger, the sticks could also be Corridor impact, the display might be LCD, and the gadget could help 4K at 30fps.

Additionally they declare that the dock is shorter and rounded so extra of the display exhibits, probably to let players see the time and battery proportion when the console is docked. The dock additionally could have the identical port setup as the primary console, with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and HDMI port, and an ethernet port. Reddit person u/stardew92 created mock-ups (above) based mostly on the knowledge from this leak.

If that wasn’t sufficient, we bought a have a look at a attainable dummy unit from YouTube channel NerdNest. The YouTuber says accent maker iVolver despatched it to him after asking if he needed hands-on time with it. Every little thing on the dummy unit seems to match up with the current leaks, together with the scale, “C” button, magnetic Pleasure-Cons, and so forth.

And at last, we bought our greatest have a look at the Nintendo Change 2’s design due to clear renders shared by dependable tipster OnLeaks. The renders present a bigger display, larger Pleasure-Cons, a U-shaped kickstand, a top-side USB-C port, a recreation card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Check out them under:

Excessive-quality photographs of the Nintendo Change 2 Pleasure-Con additionally appeared in a leak in January, exhibiting the internal facet and again of the controller. It seems the corporate could also be choosing extra muted colours this time round.

Change accounts

Every time Nintendo switches (pun supposed) to a brand new console, these consoles are inclined to have their very own account methods. So in contrast to PlayStation and Xbox, the place gamers carry their accounts over from era to era, Nintendo gamers sometimes have to create a brand new account. However that received’t be the case for the Change’s successor.

Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser spoke with Inverse in regards to the Change’s future in October. Whereas he didn’t verify or deny the existence of a Change 2, Bowser did speak about making the transition simpler by permitting accounts to hold over to no matter comes subsequent.

“Properly, first, I can’t remark — or I received’t remark, I ought to say — on the rumors which might be on the market,” Bowser instructed the publication. “However one factor we’ve performed with the Change to assist with that communication and transition is the formation of the Nintendo Account.” He then stated that the brand new overarching Nintendo Account would “enable us to speak with our gamers if and once we make a transition to a brand new platform, to assist ease that course of or transition.”

As for why Nintendo is embracing this alteration of strategy, Bowser said:

“Our purpose is to reduce the dip you sometimes see within the final yr of 1 cycle and the start of one other. I can’t communicate to the attainable options of a brand new platform, however the Nintendo Account is a robust foundation for having that communication as we make the transition.”

So, it seems each time the Change 2 — or regardless of the subsequent console is — comes out, you’ll nonetheless have the identical account as you probably did with the unique Change. This strongly suggests no less than some stage of backward compatibility.

A greater processor

Inevitably, the Nintendo Change 2 would should be extra highly effective than the unique. The necessity for higher CPU/GPU efficiency is painfully evident for Change video games like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and even The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These titles sap a lot from the Change’s meager processor that dropped frames, glitches, and even outright crashes are widespread.

As such, we’re assured Nintendo will embrace an upgraded processor with a Change sequel. The system on a chip (SoC) within the Change relies on the Tegra X1, which NVIDIA launched in 2015. Not too long ago YouTube content material creator Paul Eccleston put collectively a spec sheet that’s supposedly made out of data that mixes his personal sources with a report from the Korean United Each day Information. On this report it’s claimed the Change’s successor can have a Cortex-A78AE processor with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of inside eMMC. This can be a paltry quantity of built-in storage however not out of character for Nintendo within the slightest, as the corporate has all the time had comparatively low inside storage in comparison with its contemporaries.

Nintendo may even have to finely steadiness efficiency with energy consumption because of the ostensibly transportable nature of the Change 2. Although the identical spec sheet claims this received’t be a difficulty as the corporate will supply improved battery life which hints at a much bigger battery and a probably bulkier design.

Most lately, we’ve heard that the efficiency of the Nintendo Change 2 might be on par with a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This comes from an Activision worker with direct data of Nintendo’s plans, which got here to mild by closely redacted paperwork unearthed for the Activision-Microsoft litigation. This makes us really feel fairly assured that the Change 2 can be far more highly effective than the unique and it an improve to almost Xbox One high quality graphics feels cheap even for a system designed with portability in thoughts.

Launch video games

The rumor mill seems fairly assured that the Change successor may help backward compatibility with present Change titles. That might be terrific information, as it could allow you to proceed taking part in your favorites from the previous seven years while not having to maintain your authentic Change.

One “new” recreation we do suppose may launch with the Change 2 is Hello-Fi Rush. Per a report from Insider Gaming, the Xbox/Home windows-exclusive title is confirmed to be coming to different consoles, together with the PlayStation 5. Nonetheless, the Change was curiously disregarded of this announcement, and IG thinks it could be as a result of it’s truly coming to the Change 2. In that case, we probably wouldn’t hear affirmation till deep into 2024.

Whatever the standing of Hello-Fi Rush, it is best to anticipate no less than one launch title from Nintendo’s varied first-party franchises. This might be Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Metroid, or another, however it’s unlikely Nintendo would launch a brand new console with out a first-party unique hooked up.

Within the Sport Freak information breach talked about earlier, we realized that there’s a Tenth-generation mainline Pokemon recreation with the codename “Gaia.” There are reportedly two variations of the sport, one with the designation “Ok” and the opposite “N.” This implies Nintendo plans to launch one model for the Change and one other for the next-gen successor. It’s unknown if this recreation can be prepared by or across the time the Change 2 launches. In the meantime, it’s unknown if the already-announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A may even come to Change 2, however the leak says it has the codename “Ikkaku.” There was additionally point out of a recreation codenamed “Synapse,” which is alleged to be an MMO-like Pokemon recreation in co-development with one other studio.

One purpose for the runaway success of the unique Change is its value. At $299, it’s considerably inexpensive than a PlayStation 5 and the identical value as an Xbox Collection S. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply the Change 2 could be priced equally.

If Nintendo does preserve the unique Change in manufacturing when it launches a follow-up console — which could be very attainable contemplating Nintendo’s official statements on its persevering with help for the unique Change — it may simply justify charging extra for the Change 2. For instance, Nintendo may value a Change 2 at $399. In reality, a dependable supply, VGC, factors to that quantity in a current leak from January 2024.

That’s costly, sure, however nonetheless $100 lower than an Xbox Collection X and the identical value as the unique digital-only model of the PlayStation 5 (the slimmed-down model of the digital PS5 bought a value enhance in late 2023). The success of the Change has maybe earned Nintendo the precise to cost extra, particularly if it sees a ton of spec upgrades.

If you consider it, that hypothetical $399 value would make a whole lot of sense. On the low finish, you’d have the Change Lite at $199. The unique Change would stay at $299, and the Change OLED Mannequin could be an upsell at its present value of $349. The Change 2 may prime the checklist as the most recent and greatest mannequin at $399. In fact, Nintendo may make the Change 2 really feel extra premium by eliminating the unique Change and dropping the Change OLED Mannequin to $299, too.

Regardless, we don’t anticipate the Change 2 to value the identical as the unique at launch since each merchandise will probably exist concurrently.

In reality, it’s very attainable the Change Lite may proceed on for some time longer with a give attention to smaller video games and extra DS-like experiences, which is a whole lot of like what we frankly noticed from the OG Change and Change Lite in 2024 anyhow.

Moreover, video games will probably be dearer. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom controversially launched at $70, which is $10 greater than the common first-party Change recreation. This may occasionally have been a check run, as VGC says Change 2 video games could be at $70 as a default.

At this level, sure, in case you are interested by a Nintendo Change this late within the recreation, we’d watch for a Change 2 until you’re prepared to purchase used. The one exception is perhaps the Change Lite, because it’s very probably a Change Lite 2 received’t come till additional down the highway.

Merely put, the Change is simply too outdated to spend full value on, and it’s very probably the system will see step reductions subsequent yr when its successor arrives.

In fact, in case you have younger children who’ve simply come of age for gaming and don’t wish to wait one other yr, the Change continues to be an important system. Simply remember it’s exhibiting its age onerous.

Have any Nintendo Change 2 leaks to share with us? Ship us a tip, and we’ll test it out.