Nintendo says its next-generation video game console, the Switch 2, will go on sale later this year

In a teaser video and brief announcement, the Kyoto, Japan-based company announced the new system would be released in 2025, though did not offer a specific date. The teaser video also seemed to reveal the next entry in the extraordinarily successful Mario Kart franchise.

Further details about the system and games for it will be revealed in a direct-to-consumer video that will be posted on April 2.

As expected, the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible, meaning it will play most Switch software, though Nintendo did warn that ““Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.”

The system will also feature a bigger screen and larger controllers, as well as (presumably) a more powerful processor. Like its predecessor, the device can act as both a portable gaming system and be hooked to a television.

The Switch has been a massive success for Nintendo, even surpassing sales of the company’s Wii in July of 2023. Lifetime sales have topped 150 million units.

Nintendo gave the system a big boost at launch with a pair of anticipated exclusive titles – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Whether it plans to repeat that onslaught of original games at the launch of Switch 2 is one of the questions players will have in April.

Following the April video announcement, players will be able to get their hands on a Switch 2 at a number of public events around the world. In North America, these ‘Experience’ events will be held in:

• New York, April 4-6, 2025
• Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025
• Dallas, April 25-27, 2025
• Toronto, April 25-27, 2025