History of Nintendo Switch 2 in Timeline

The Nintendo Switch 2 is an upcoming hybrid video game console by Nintendo, succeeding the original Nintendo Switch. Announced on January 16, 2025, it is scheduled for release later that year. Details regarding its specifications and features remain limited, but it is expected to build upon the Switch's hybrid nature, potentially offering improved performance and updated features.

March 2017: Original Nintendo Switch Release

In March 2017, Nintendo released the original Nintendo Switch console, which was developed as a hybrid console.

2017: Demo of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at Gamescom

At Gamescom in August, Nintendo showcased the console in a private presentation. Among the tech demos was a version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, originally from 2017, running at a higher frame rate and resolution.

2019: Industry Rumors of a High-End Switch Model

As early as 2019, industry rumors began circulating about a high-end model of the Switch, often nicknamed the "Nintendo Switch Pro" in the media.

2019: Release of My Time at Portia

In September 2024, developer Pathea Games announced My Time at Evershine, the spiritual successor to My Time at Portia, originally from 2019, and My Time at Sandrock.

October 2020: Nintendo Affirms Work on Next Gaming System

In October 2020, Nintendo affirmed to its investors that it was working on its next gaming system.

2021: Demo of Unreal Engine 5's The Matrix Awakens at Gamescom

At Gamescom in August, Nintendo showcased the console in a private presentation. Among the tech demos shown was the Unreal Engine 5 demo of The Matrix Awakens from 2021.

2021: Release of the OLED Switch Model

In 2021, Nintendo released the OLED Switch model, which incorporated many of the rumored features of the "Nintendo Switch Pro."

2022: Transition to Nintendo Switch Successor Development

By 2022, Nintendo appeared to have fully transitioned all development work towards the Nintendo Switch successor console.

2022: Nvidia Tegra T239 Leak

In 2022, the console's alleged system on a chip, the Nvidia Tegra T239 (codenamed "Drake"), was leaked in the Nvidia ransomware attack by Lapsus$.

February 2023: Call of Duty Agreement with Nintendo

Microsoft signed an agreement with Nintendo in February 2023 to bring future entries in the Call of Duty franchise to their platforms as part of their acquisition bid for Activision Blizzard.

June 2023: Nintendo Aims for Smooth Transition

In June 2023, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated the company sought to make the transition between the Nintendo Switch and its successor smooth for consumers and planned to retain the Nintendo Account system. Backwards compatibility was a key design element.

July 2023: Nintendo Sends Out Development Kits

In July 2023, Video Games Chronicle reported that Nintendo had sent out software development kits for its next console to development partners and wanted to avoid the shortages that the ninth generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, had suffered at launch.

July 2023: LCD Screen Report

VGC reported in July 2023 that the console would initially ship with an LCD screen, rather than an OLED screen, to reduce costs.

2023: Nintendo Switch Sales Ranking

By 2023, the Nintendo Switch was the third best-selling gaming console overall, following the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS.

2023: Release of My Time at Sandrock

In September 2024, developer Pathea Games announced My Time at Evershine, the spiritual successor to My Time at Portia, originally from 2019, and My Time at Sandrock, originally from 2023.

January 2024: Developer Survey at GDC

A survey conducted at the 2024 Game Developers Conference in January 2024 inquired about game creation and platforms, revealing 250 developers were already producing games for Nintendo Switch 2, and 32% expressed interest in developing for the console.

February 2024: Developers can update games for new hardware

In February 2024, rumors emerged indicating that developers would have the capability to update their existing games to leverage the enhanced hardware of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

May 7, 2024: Furukawa Acknowledges Switch Successor

On May 7, 2024, Nintendo president Furukawa officially acknowledged the development of the Switch's successor and stated more information would be revealed later that fiscal year.

May 2024: Nintendo to Acquire Shiver Entertainment

In May 2024, Nintendo announced their intentions to acquire Miami-based developer Shiver Entertainment from their prior parent company Embracer Group to help secure games from third-party developers for Nintendo Switch 2.

August 2024: Launch Delay Confirmed

In August 2024, GamesIndustry.biz and Eurogamer reported that the console would not launch before April 2025.

September 2024: My Time at Evershine Announcement

In September 2024, developer Pathea Games announced My Time at Evershine, the spiritual successor to My Time at Portia and My Time at Sandrock.

September 18, 2024: System Images Leaked

On September 18, 2024, supposed images of the system leaked on Reddit, with details that matched previous reports.

October 2024: Yooka-Replaylee Remaster Announced

In October 2024, Playtonic Games announced their upcoming remaster Yooka-Replaylee would be released on "Nintendo platforms."

October 2024: Game Freak Data Breach

In October 2024, Pokémon series developer Game Freak became the target of a significant data breach which exposed various development materials. Among them included references to the tenth generation titles in the franchise, and that they were targeting a release on the Nintendo Switch's successor, codenamed internally as "Ounce".

October 2024: Game Freak Data Breach Reveals Simultaneous Launch

In October 2024, a data breach at Game Freak revealed project plans for the tenth generation Pokémon games, indicating a simultaneous launch on both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch.

2024: Microsoft to Support Switch 2 with Xbox Ports

In 2024, Microsoft Gaming's Phil Spencer said that they will support the Switch 2 with ports of their Xbox games, as part of their multiplatform distribution strategy. Such games reportedly include ports of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

January 1, 2025: Motherboard Images Leaked

On January 1, 2025, alleged images of the system's motherboard appeared online, leading to speculation about the system-on-a-chip manufacturing process.

January 2025: Nintendo Switch Sales Figures at Switch 2 Announcement

In January 2025, at the time of the Nintendo Switch 2's announcement, the original Nintendo Switch had sold over 146 million units worldwide, becoming Nintendo's best-selling home console.

January 2025: Reveal Trailer Accompanied by Mario Kart Game Footage

The Nintendo Switch 2 console's reveal trailer in January 2025 was accompanied by early footage of an as-yet upcoming Mario Kart game.

January 16, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement

On January 16, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially announced as the successor to the Nintendo Switch, with a planned release later in 2025.

February 2025: Release Delay Reported

In February 2025, Bloomberg News reported that Nintendo had informed publishers it was delaying the release into early 2025, to prevent shortages and scalping.

February 2025: Discontinuation of My Nintendo Gold Points Rewards Program

In February 2025, Nintendo announced the discontinuation of the My Nintendo Gold Points Rewards program on March 24, 2025. Nintendo also confirmed that Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers were unable to be redeemed on games exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.

February 2025: Patents Awarded for Joy-Con Functionalities

Multiple patents were awarded to Nintendo in February 2025 for functionalities in a game controller such as magnetic connections and mouse functionality, supporting rumors about the new Joy-Con controllers.

February 2025: Patents Suggest Flipped Orientation

Patents filed in February 2025 suggest the Switch 2 can be flipped 180 degrees, allowing for a change in the position of the headphone jack and the USB-C ports.

March 2025: FCC Filings Allude to NFC and Wi-Fi 6 Functionality

Additional FCC filings in March 2025 allude to NFC and Wi-Fi 6 functionality in the console.

March 2025: PowerWash Simulator 2 Launch Confirmation

In March 2025, developer FuturLab announced PowerWash Simulator 2, initially confirming a launch on Switch 2 alongside other platforms.

March 2025: DLSS and Ray Tracing Patents Published

Patents published in March 2025 support the reports that the console would support Nvidia's deep learning super sampling (DLSS) technology and ray tracing to allow for visuals comparable to more recent ninth generation consoles.

March 24, 2025: Discontinuation of My Nintendo Gold Points Rewards Program Effective

In February 2025, Nintendo announced the discontinuation of the My Nintendo Gold Points Rewards program effective on March 24, 2025.

April 2, 2025: Nintendo Direct Scheduled

A Nintendo Direct centered around the console is scheduled for April 2, 2025.

April 2025: Anticipated Launch Window

In August 2024, GamesIndustry.biz and Eurogamer reported that the console would not launch before April 2025. Game publisher and accessory maker Nacon anticipated that the console would be released within the first half of Nintendo's fiscal year beginning in April 2025.

June 2025: Worldwide Events to Demo the Console

From April through June 2025, Nintendo will host a series of worldwide events to allow players to try out the console before release.

September 30, 2025: End of Anticipated Release Window

Game publisher and accessory maker Nacon anticipated that the console would be released within the first half of Nintendo's fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.

2025: Accessory Vendors Highlight Gear at CES

At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in early January, several third-party accessory vendors highlighted gear slated for the successor, leading Nintendo to issue a statement that none of the mock-ups used at the show were official.

2025: MLB Partnership with Mariners

In 2025, as part of the promotion for the Switch 2, Nintendo partnered with Major League Baseball and the Seattle Mariners to feature the Nintendo and Switch 2 logos on the Mariners' team jerseys for the 2025 season.