30 Details From the Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement Trailer

It’s *finally* here. After months of speculation and rumors, Nintendo has unveiled their latest innovation—the Nintendo Switch 2. The name might seem modest, but don't let that fool you. At first glance, it might appear similar to the original Switch, but a closer look reveals a host of exciting upgrades and enhancements. We've identified 30 key features from the reveal trailer, and we're eager to share them with you.

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

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

28 Images01 - The Switch 2 maintains a similar form factor to its predecessor, albeit slightly larger. The main unit and Joy-Con have increased in size, with the entire console estimated to be about 15% bigger.

02 - The vibrant Joy-Con colors of the previous generation are replaced with a sleek, uniform dark grey, reminiscent of the Steam Deck, giving the console a more sophisticated look.

03 - However, color isn't completely absent. The console pays homage to the original with a colorful ring around each analog stick, extending to the inner edges of the console and Joy-Con. This not only looks stylish but also serves as a color-coded system for easy assembly—red into red, blue into blue.

04 - The Joy-Con attachment mechanism has evolved. Instead of sliding on rails, they now slot directly into the device with a protruding connector on the main unit that plugs into a port on the Joy-Con. Rumors suggest that magnets, similar to Apple's Magsafe technology, might be used to secure them in place.

05 - Each Joy-Con's rear features an innovative trigger system that releases the controller from the main unit. A brief demonstration video on Nintendo.com shows that squeezing the trigger activates a piston-like component inside the Joy-Con, pushing it away from the console.

06 - The front of the Joy-Con retains the classic control layout. The offset analog sticks, direction buttons, A, B, X, and Y face buttons, Plus and Minus buttons, the square capture button on the left, and the circle Home button on the right are all present and accounted for.

07 - A new, mysterious button sits below the Home button, its function currently known only to Nintendo.

08 - The L and R shoulder buttons remain in their expected positions, with the ZL and ZR triggers beneath them. These triggers appear deeper and more rounded, promising improved comfort and ease of use.

09 - The analog sticks have a low-profile design but now feature 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-hand Joy-Con, it may still be present, as it was on the original Switch. However, the IR sensor from the original right Joy-Con seems to be omitted, a move not surprising given its limited use in games.

11 - The internal edges of each Joy-Con still feature SL and SR buttons, confirming that the Switch 2 supports using each Joy-Con independently. These buttons are significantly larger, potentially up to four times the size of those on the original Switch, promising improved usability.

12 - The four green LEDs indicating player assignment have returned but are now on the forward-facing edge of the connector strip.

13 - Between the SL and SR buttons, the connector port links each Joy-Con to the main console unit. Below it, the Sync button facilitates pairing with the console.

14 - Above the connector, a small, clear lens hints at a potential laser sensor, akin to those in computer mice. This could enable mouse-like functionality for the Joy-Con, as suggested by the trailer showing them moving with wrist-strap accessories attached.

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

16 - The main console unit features a larger screen, though not as edge-to-edge as the Switch OLED model. It occupies more space than the original Switch's display, but the technology used remains unclear—whether it's an OLED or a more traditional LED panel.

17 - The top edge of the device remains mostly unchanged, featuring slightly 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 stays on the top edge, the only visible slot on the device, indicating that Switch 2 game cartridges will likely maintain the same form factor as those of the original Switch, supporting backwards compatibility.

19 - A new USB C port next to the headphone jack raises questions about its purpose, as the Switch 2 retains the bottom-mounted USB C port for docking and charging. This could suggest new USB-based peripherals or even a nostalgic link cable for games like Pokémon.

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

21 - The rear of the console boasts a new, full-length kickstand system, which might seem a bit flimsy but is supported by rubber feet on the edges. It appears to lock into multiple angles, offering flexibility in positioning.

22 - As expected, the Switch 2 can connect to a TV using a dock that looks almost identical to the original, with rounded corners to match the Joy-Con design and a prominent Switch 2 logo on the front.

23 - A controller peripheral that the Joy-Con can slot into mirrors the original Switch, though it still looks somewhat uncomfortable. We hope hands-on experience will reveal ergonomic improvements.

24 - No console reveal is complete without a game, and the Switch 2 trailer teases a new Mario Kart game. It suggests a larger, more chaotic version with a starting line for 24 racers, doubling the 12 racers of Mario Kart 8.

25 - The new track, "Mario Kart - Mario Bros. Circuit," appears to be inspired by American landscapes, featuring more open spaces and off-road sections.

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

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

28 - The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in 2025, within the next 12 months, though likely not before June.

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

30 - Following the Direct, fans can get hands-on with the console at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a global tour from April to June. It starts on April 4th in New York and Paris, visiting 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 features unveiled in the Switch 2 announcement trailer. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage on IGN as we approach the console's release.