A few short weeks ago, Nintendo finally gave us our first official look at Nintendo Switch 2.

Details of the console were long rumoured for months leading to this announcement and we still don’t know the full story, but we’ve got a much better understanding of Nintendo’s next major system.

Firstly, Switch 1 and 2 will be very similar in that both have clip-on JoyCons to play portably with a friend wherever you are, and both can be docked to play on a TV. The difference is that the JoyCons now come off at the sides rather than have to be lifted up and off the console and appear to use some sort of magnet technology.

The kick stand also has more flexibility and means the console can lean even further back than before. It also seems to support the system better than before.

The console will be mostly backwards compatible with Switch 1 software, with the trailer saying ‘Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or be fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2’. Nintendo have stated they’ll give us more information on this in the near future. Nintendo Switch Online is also returning for Switch 2, though it’s unconfirmed what differences there are for subscriptions or how current subscriptions are affected.

The marked changes are in the size of the screen and the design of the JoyCons being quite different. JoyCon sticks seem more durable, are bigger so can fit more comfortably in your hands and there’s an extra button on the top. They’re also mostly all black in design and seem to be able to be used like mice when placed face down.

The other big headline is we seem to have got confirmation of the first Switch 2 game – the return of Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8 is over a decade old now and despite the amazing sales it continues to have and the support it’s received, it’s long overdue for a new release. A new track – Mario Bros Circuit – seems confimed, along with 24 starting positions, which suggest the game can handle some major all-star racing.

No new characters outside of the usual suspects so far, nor confirmation of a name, but we’ll almost certainly learn more in the Nintendo Switch Nintendo Direct on April 4th.

Nintendo Switch 2 does not have an official release date yet outside of 2025. But it’s clearly an exciting time for Nintendo and we cannot wait to learn more in just a few short weeks time.