Nintendo Switch 2 Trailer Reveals 30 Key Details

It's finally here. After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has unveiled its latest console, and it's called the Nintendo Switch 2. The name may be understated, but a closer look reveals a host of exciting updates and enhancements to the beloved hybrid console. We've identified 30 key details from the reveal trailer, and we're excited to share them all with you.

From a new face button to innovative ways to use the Joy-Con, here's a comprehensive rundown of everything showcased in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

28 Images01 - The Nintendo Switch 2 retains a similar form factor to its predecessor but is slightly larger. The main unit and the Joy-Con controllers are taller, making the entire console approximately 15% bigger than the original Switch.

02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the previous generation have been replaced with a sleek, uniform dark grey, reminiscent of the Steam Deck's aesthetic.

03 - Despite the overall monochrome design, the console retains a nod to its colorful heritage with a ring of color around each analogue stick. This color scheme extends to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con, serving both as a stylish touch and a color-coding system for easy assembly.

04 - The Joy-Con no longer slide into place on rails but directly slot into the device via a protruding connector on the main unit that plugs into a port on the Joy-Con's inner edge. Rumors suggest that magnets, similar to Apple's Magsafe technology, may be used to secure the controllers.

05 - A newly-designed trigger system on the rear of each Joy-Con allows for easy detachment from the main unit. A brief demonstration on Nintendo.com shows that squeezing the trigger activates a piston-like component that gently pushes the controller away.

06 - The classic control layout on the front of the Joy-Con remains unchanged, with off-set analogue sticks, direction buttons, A, B, X, and Y face buttons, Plus and Minus buttons at the top, and the square capture and circle Home buttons at the bottom.

07 - A new, unlabelled button beneath the Home button adds an element of mystery to the console's functionality.

08 - The L and R shoulder buttons and the deeper, more rounded ZL and ZR triggers maintain their expected positions, promising improved comfort and ease of use.

09 - The analogue sticks feature a low-profile design with a smaller inside ring radius and thicker, taller rims for enhanced thumb grip and support.

10 - While the NFC Amiibo interface isn't visible on the right Joy-Con, it may still be present as it was on the original Switch. The IR sensor, however, seems to have been omitted, a decision likely influenced by its limited use in previous games.

11 - The internal edges of the Joy-Con retain the SL and SR buttons, indicating continued support for using each Joy-Con as a standalone controller. These buttons are significantly larger, up to four times the length of those on the original Switch, promising improved usability.

12 - The four green LEDs indicating player assignment have been relocated to the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.

13 - The connector port between the SL and SR buttons also houses a Sync button for pairing the Joy-Con with the console, and an intriguing clear lens above the connector, possibly a laser sensor akin to those in computer mice, suggesting potential mouse-like functionality.

14 - This potential mouse-like functionality is hinted at in the trailer, with Joy-Con controllers equipped with wrist-straps appearing to move like scurrying mice with tails.

15 - The wrist-straps themselves have been redesigned to match the internal color splash of the Joy-Con, maintaining the red and blue theme.

16 - The main console unit boasts a larger screen, though not as edge-to-edge as the Switch OLED model. The display technology remains unspecified, but it takes up more of the unit compared to the original Switch's screen.

17 - The top edge of the device retains the power and volume buttons, 3.5mm headphone jack, and ventilation grill, albeit with minor design tweaks and a different vent configuration.

18 - The Game Card slot remains on the top edge, the only visible slot on the device, indicating that the Switch 2's game cartridges will likely be the same size as those of the original Switch, ensuring backwards compatibility.

19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack on the top edge adds an element of mystery, as the console also features a bottom-mounted USB C port for docking and charging. This could hint at new USB-based peripherals or even a nostalgic link cable feature for games like Pokémon.

20 - New downward-firing speakers replace the original Switch's rear-facing speakers, promising improved sound quality.

21 - The rear of the console features a new, full-length kickstand system, which, despite appearing somewhat flimsy, is supported by rubber feet on the console's edges. The kickstand can lock into multiple angles, offering versatile viewing options.

22 - The Switch 2 can be docked and connected to a TV, with the dock resembling the original Switch's but with rounded corners to match the Joy-Con's design and a prominent Switch 2 logo.

23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Con can slot into is also included, though it appears similar to the original, with hopes that hands-on experience will reveal ergonomic improvements.

24 - The reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, suggesting a larger, more chaotic racing experience with a starting line accommodating 24 racers, doubling the original Mario Kart 8's capacity.

25 - A new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," appears to be set in an American-inspired environment with more open space and off-road sections.

26 - The trailer confirms a roster of ten characters: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario, who makes a brief appearance.

27 - The Switch 2 supports backwards compatibility with older Switch games, though the trailer notes that "certain games may not be supported," likely due to incompatible peripherals like those used in Ring Fit Adventure.

28 - The console is set to launch in 2025, with a more specific release date expected to be announced soon.

29 - More details, including a potential release date, will be revealed during a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2nd.

30 - Following the Direct, fans can experience the console firsthand at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a worldwide tour from April to June. Starting in New York and Paris on April 4th, the tour will visit cities like London, Berlin, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Seoul. The event is open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.

These are the 30 key details unveiled in the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage on the latest from Nintendo.