For several days now, leaks concerning the Nintendo Switch 2 have been sparking debates, particularly around its motherboard and joy-cons. Sourced from Reddit, this information is obviously to be taken with a pinch of salt, all the more so as the authors of these publications are unknown. Here’s what we know about these supposed pictures of the new console.
Joy-cons with new features?
The joy-cons of this potential Nintendo Switch 2 reveal a tweaked design and different features. Photos posted on Reddit show slightly larger joysticks, with a more minimalist overall appearance. The colors visible in the images mix matte black and sky blue, offering a different look from the current joy-cons.
A notable innovation would be the introduction of magnetic fasteners to attach the joy-cons to the console, replacing the conventional railed lock system. This change could reduce the risk of mechanical wear and make the joysticks easier to handle. In addition, a third button on the edge, identified as a pairing button, would enable the joy-cons to be synchronized with the console.
Furthermore, the connectors visible in these images suggests the presence of an optical sensor, potentially transforming the controller into a “mouse”. This feature could be used for shooting or strategy games, or even for titles like Super Mario Maker. These photos display a serial number recognized in Nintendo’s database, which reinforces their credibility, but only an official press release will be able to confirm these speculations.
An Nvidia SoC with Ampere architecture?
Another post on Reddit reveals a motherboard that supposedly belongs to the Nintendo Switch 2. While we must, once again, err on the side of caution regarding this information, the SoC is engraved “SNW8VF”. This reference corresponds to the Ampere architecture used in GeForce RTX 3xxx graphics cards. In concrete terms, this new console would have the same computing power as a PS4 Pro.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s alleged SoC is an Nvidia T239 chip etched in 5nm by Samsung, featuring an 8-core CPU and an iGPU with 12 SM Ampere, or 1,536 CUDA cores. Compared to the Tegra X1 of the original Nintendo Switch, this architecture represents a clear improvement, albeit based on the older Ampere generation of RTX 3xxx. In addition, this new Nintendo console will also benefit from DLSS upscaling technology, to enhance visual quality by exploiting lower resolutions.
As for the RAM side, two 6GB SK Hynix chips are present on this motherboard. The photos also show that the cartridge port is still present, which would support the rumors surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2’s backwards compatibility. A feature that’s eagerly awaited by Nintendo fans who want to keep their previously purchased games.
Although we must always be cautious with this type of leak, some of this information seems to be in line with the rumors that emerged in October 2023, particularly concerning power. As for the release date, and if the Nintendo Switch 2 is indeed in production, we can expect an announcement in the next few months. All the more so as some accessory manufacturers have already shown a mock-up of the machine at CES. One thing’s for sure: this console is eagerly awaited, and will enable us to extend our games catalog to include the latest-generation titles.
