Hideki Yasuda, a reputable analyst at Tokyo Securities, recently shared insights about the anticipated release and pricing of Nintendo’s next handheld console, often referred to as the Switch 2. His analysis brings some optimism for gamers eagerly awaiting its arrival. (Thanks: Kabutan)
Switch 2 Release Date
Yasuda suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch in the first half of 2025. While earlier predictions pointed to a late 2025 release, Yasuda’s report offers hope for an earlier debut, potentially between April and June of that year.
Switch 2 Price
Yasuda estimates that the Switch 2 will be priced below $499. If accurate, this would position the new Nintendo console at a higher price point than the current Switch models.
For comparison:
- Current Nintendo Switch: $299.99
- Nintendo Switch OLED: $349.99
- PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (at launch): $499.99
Nintendo has traditionally offered its consoles at more affordable prices compared to its competitors as the original Switch launched at $299.99, significantly lower than other consoles of its generation.
Switch 2 probably continue this trend, balancing affordability with the rising costs of modern gaming hardware. Previous reports have suggested a price point of $399. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the Switch 2 could be priced between $399 and $499.
Will the Switch 2 Match the Power of Other Consoles?
Yasuda’s report also addresses the potential power of the Switch 2, suggesting it may be less powerful than the PlayStation 4 Pro, a console released in 2016.
This could be disappointing for gamers expecting a significant leap in performance, especially given the projected price.
However, it’s important to remember that Nintendo has historically prioritized innovation and user experience over sheer power. This strategy has often allowed the company to carve out a unique space in the gaming market.
For comparison, the PS4 Pro boasts a GPU with 4.2 TFLOPS, a 2.1 GHz CPU, 8GB GDDR5 RAM, and supports 4K output.
Leaked specifications for the Switch 2 don’t talk much about its power but hardware features like magnetic Joy-Cons, backward compatibility, a custom NVIDIA chip, 4K resolution, more battery life, and a larger screen, could make it a compelling option despite its power limitations Yasuda cited.
How Is OG Switch Currently Performing?
In its recent financial report for the Q1 of FY 2024-2025, starting from April 1, 2024, Nintendo revealed that the Switch sold over 2.1 million units in the past three months, bringing total global sales to 143.42 million units. However, this figure is almost half of the 3.91 million units sold during the same period last year.
Yasuda identifies two main reasons for this substantial drop:
- The absence of a major hit game like “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” in the current fiscal year.
- The Switch entering its eighth year on the market, naturally leading to a slowdown in hardware sales.
Despite Yasuda’s predictions, it’s important to note that Nintendo has not confirmed any specific details about the Switch 2.
In the last quarter’s results, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, hinted at a “new model in development“ but provided no further details. The company remains secretive about its next hardware release, leaving the price and official launch date of the Switch 2 as topics of ongoing speculation.
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