The highly anticipated release of the Switch 2, originally expected later in 2024, has been rescheduled to the first quarter of 2025, according to confirmed reports from Eurogamer. This decision aims to bolster the console’s launch lineup with a diverse array of titles, ensuring a robust start for the upcoming gaming platform.
VGC has echoed this shift to Q1 2025, with inside sources indicating that Nintendo recently briefed third-party game developers about the transition from a late 2024 release to an early 2025 launch window. This strategic move suggests Nintendo’s commitment to delivering a strong slate of games alongside the new console.
Brazilian games journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe has contributed to the mounting speculation, suggesting an early 2025 release for the Switch 2, which is still falling within the 2024 financial year. Reports from development sources align with this timeline, indicating a concerted effort towards a launch in that quarter.
While rumors of an early 2025 launch have circulated within the industry, concrete confirmation is still pending. Previously, expectations were high for a late 2024 release, but delaying until early 2025 allows more time to prepare a compelling lineup of games while still capitalizing on financial opportunities within Nintendo’s fiscal calendar.
Recent reports from VGC indicate that two development sources involved with Switch 2 games are indeed targeting a Q1 2025 launch. However, clarification on whether this shift signifies a delay in the console’s development remains elusive, leaving room for speculation among gaming enthusiasts.
Nintendo’s 2024 release calendar for the existing Switch is relatively sparse, with only a few titles confirmed, including a Princess Peach game slated for March and ports of Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Paper Mario: A Thousand Years Door. Metroid Prime 4, initially intended for the Switch 1, still lacks a definitive release date.
Previous reports from Eurogamer have highlighted Nintendo’s efforts to showcase Switch 2 hardware capabilities to developers, with demonstrations held around Gamescom in August. Key publishing partners were also briefed on early Switch 2 details by the end of 2022, as disclosed in public emails from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick during the FTC’s investigation into the company’s acquisition by Microsoft.
Despite speculation and reports, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, dismissed rumors of the Switch 2 in a newspaper interview last November. However, a recent GDC industry report has revealed that numerous developers are actively engaged in projects intended for release on the Switch 2, underscoring ongoing anticipation for Nintendo’s next-generation console.
