Nintendo from Japan announced on Thursday that they’re set to launch the Switch 2 console this year, showcasing a design that looks a lot like the beloved original.
The gaming giant based in Kyoto hasn’t revealed the price yet, but they plan to share more info during a Nintendo Direct event on April 2.
Fans and investors have been eagerly anticipating news about this new console, which comes after the hugely successful hybrid Switch.
Nintendo previously mentioned they would unveil details about a successor device before the financial year wraps up in March 2025.
"The reveal did not have the punch of the original Switch," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy.
"What we saw is more like a 'Switch Pro' - an upgraded version that is bigger - than a Switch 2," he said, adding the launch will likely be after June.
Nintendo's stock experienced a 4% decline on Friday. Speculation regarding the device and the timing of its announcement had been prevalent online, following a strong closing on Thursday.
The Switch has significantly improved Nintendo's financial outlook after the disappointing sales of the Wii U, achieving over 145 million units sold.
Since its launch in 2017, Nintendo has prolonged the Switch's lifecycle through hardware updates and successful titles from popular franchises like "Super Mario" and "The Legend of Zelda."
The company anticipates selling 12.5 million units of the aging Switch console in the fiscal year ending in March. Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal noted in a client report that "the Switch 2 is set to boost hardware sales."
He further mentioned that even if Nintendo ramps up production to manufacture 15 million Switch 2 units this year, demand is expected to exceed supply for several months or even quarters.
Nintendo confirmed that existing Switch software will be compatible with the new device, although some games may face compatibility issues.
The Switch ranks as the company's second-best-selling console, surpassed only by the handheld Nintendo DS, which sold a total of 154 million units.
In addition to opening retail stores, Nintendo has integrated its characters into theme parks and films, yet it continues to rely heavily on its console business.
Together with Sony, Japanese companies remain at the forefront of the console market, despite the rise of alternative gaming technologies such as mobile and cloud gaming.