Nintendo Switch 2 Rumored for Summer 2023 Release

Recent reports suggest a potential "Summer of Switch 2" in 2025, despite an anticipated launch date no earlier than April 2025. This contrasts with Nintendo's continued focus on maximizing sales of the current Switch model as it nears the end of its life cycle.

A 2025 Spring/Summer Launch Window?

Developer Insights Point to April/May 2025 Release

Industry whispers indicate a post-April 2025 launch for the Switch 2. GamesIndustry.biz's Chris Dring, citing conversations with developers, reports that developers have been advised to not expect a release within the current fiscal year (ending March 2025). Many developers reportedly hope for an April or May launch, aiming for an early, rather than late, 2025 release.

This timing might strategically avoid a launch conflict with other major titles, such as the anticipated release of "GTA 6" in the fall of 2025.

Adding fuel to the speculation, journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe hinted at a pre-August 2024 announcement on the O X do Controle podcast, as reported by BGR. This aligns with Nintendo's stated intention to announce the Switch 2 before the end of its current fiscal year (March 31, 2025). However, official confirmation from Nintendo remains pending.

Nintendo's Current Switch Performance and Future Outlook

Switch Sales Remain Strong Despite Year-on-Year Decline

image via Google Finance While Nintendo's recent Q1 FY2025 financial results revealed a year-on-year decline in Switch hardware and software sales (-46.4%), with 2.1 million units sold in Q1, the overall picture remains positive. The company sold 15.7 million Switch consoles in FY2024, exceeding its forecast. Furthermore, the number of active Nintendo Switch users remained impressively high, exceeding 128 million between July 2023 and June 2024.

Nintendo's commitment to maximizing both hardware and software sales for the current Switch continues, even with the Switch 2 on the horizon. The company projects 13.5 million Switch unit sales for FY2025. This suggests a continued strong performance for the current console even as its successor approaches.