30 Highlights from Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Trailer

It's finally here! After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has unveiled its latest innovation: the Nintendo Switch 2. While the name might seem understated, this new console is anything but. At first glance, it might appear similar to the original Switch, but a closer look reveals numerous exciting enhancements that showcase Nintendo's evolution of their beloved hybrid console. We've identified 30 of these fascinating details, and we're excited to share them all with you.

From a brand new face button to innovative ways of using the Joy-Con, here's a comprehensive breakdown of everything revealed in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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01 - The Switch 2's form factor remains familiar but is slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con are both taller, making the entire console approximately 15% bigger than its predecessor.

02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the past are replaced with a sleek, uniform dark grey, reminiscent of the Steam Deck, enhancing the console's modern aesthetic.

03 - However, the console isn't entirely devoid of color. It features a ring of red and blue around each analogue stick, extending to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con. This not only looks stylish but serves as a color-coded 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. Rumors suggest these are magnetically secured, similar to Apple's Magsafe technology.

05 - Each Joy-Con's rear features a new trigger system that releases the controller from the main unit. A demonstration video on Nintendo.com shows a piston-like component that pushes the controller away upon squeezing the trigger.

06 - The front of the Joy-Cons retains the classic control layout with offset analogue sticks, directional buttons, and face buttons. The Plus and Minus buttons are at the top, with the square capture button on the left and the circle Home button on the right.

07 - Below the Home button, a new, unlabelled button appears, sparking curiosity about its function.

08 - The L and R shoulder buttons are in their expected positions, with deeper and more rounded ZL and ZR triggers below, promising improved comfort and usability.

09 - The analogue sticks maintain their low-profile design but have a smaller inside ring radius and taller rims for better thumb grip and support.

10 - The NFC Amiibo interface seems absent from the right-hand Joy-Con, though it might still be present as it was invisible on the original Switch. The IR sensor from the original right Joy-Con is missing, a decision likely due to its minimal use in games.

11 - The SL and SR buttons on the internal edges of the Joy-Con indicate that they can still be used independently. These buttons are significantly larger, up to four times the length of those on the original Switch, ensuring easier use.

12 - The strip of four green LEDs indicating player assignment has moved to the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.

13 - Between the SL and SR buttons, the connector port links each Joy-Con to the console, with a Sync button below for pairing.

14 - Above the connector, a clear lens suggests a laser sensor, potentially allowing the Joy-Con to function like a mouse. The trailer showcases this with Joy-Con using wrist-strap accessories, resembling mice with tails.

15 - The wrist-straps return with a new design, matching the red and blue colors of the Joy-Con's internal splash.

16 - The main console unit features a larger screen, taking up more space than the original Switch's display but not as edge-to-edge as the Switch OLED. The display technology remains unclear, potentially using either OLED or LED.

17 - The top edge of the device is largely unchanged, with redesigned power and volume buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a ventilation grill split into three vents instead of five.

18 - The Game Card slot remains on the top edge, the only visible slot on the device, suggesting Switch 2's game cartridges will be compatible with the original Switch.

19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack adds intrigue. With the same bottom-mounted USB C port for docking and charging, this additional port could be for new peripherals or perhaps even a link cable for games like Pokémon.

20 - New downward-firing speakers replace the original rear-facing ones, promising better sound quality.

21 - The rear of the console boasts a full-length kickstand with multiple locking angles, supported by rubber feet for stability.

22 - The Switch 2 can still be docked to a TV, with a dock similar to the original but with rounded corners and a prominent Switch 2 logo.

23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Cons slot into is included, though its comfort remains to be tested.

24 - The reveal trailer teases a new Mario Kart game, potentially featuring 24 racers, doubling the original's capacity.

25 - A new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," suggests an American-flavored course with open spaces and off-road sections.

26 - The trailer confirms ten characters for the roster: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and Wario, who appears briefly.

27 - The Switch 2 supports old Switch games through backwards compatibility, though some may not be supported due to incompatible peripherals like those used in Ring Fit Adventure.

28 - The console is set to launch sometime in 2025, likely not before June.

29 - More details, including a release date, will be revealed during the Nintendo Direct on April 2nd.

30 - Following the Direct, fans can experience the console firsthand at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a global 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. It's open to Nintendo Account holders who win tickets through a free ballot, with registration opening on January 17th.

These are the 30 key details from the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned to IGN for more updates on this exciting new console.