Nintendo Switch 2 release date leak is bad news for gamers looking to upgrade
Rumours have claimed that development kits are in the hands of third party studios, and that the Nintendo Switch 2 release date is set for 2024.
The word on the street is that we're getting a Nintendo Switch 2 release date, lending credence to speculation about a 2024 launch. Sources are claiming that the next generation of Nintendo Switch is already in the hands of key third-party developers and tidbits about the hardware are already starting to leak. The Nintendo Switch 2 release date has also been spilled, and is allegedly set for the second half of 2024.
However, the report is also the bearer of some bad news, with insiders saying that the console may launch with an LCD screen like the original Nintendo Switch model instead, of the more premium OLED panel of the aptly named Nintendo Switch OLED. Apparently this will be in an effort to cut down on costs due to the increased storage the Nintendo Switch 2 will reportedly offer, which will help it run the newer, more graphically-intensive titles.
Having struck gold with the hybrid handheld format, the console will retain the portability of the current Switch model, as well as game cartridges. This is all according to sources speaking with VGC – and Eurogamer sources have also corroborated the 2024 Nintendo Switch 2 release date as well as other details.
While the VGC source claims that the cartridge slot won't be going anywhere, there's no definitive information on the possibility of backwards compatibility. Back in February 2022, Nintendo seemed keen on the idea of transitioning the existing 98M-strong userbase to its next generation of console (via VGC), while third-party publishers have apparently expressed concern that supporting their games on original Nintendo Switch as well as Nintendo Switch 2 could negatively impact sales of Nintendo Switch 2 titles. This could be from a development standpoint, or having sales split across two generations of consoles, rather than a new title exclusively selling on Nintendo Switch 2, for example.
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Nintendo Switch-U
The idea of backwards compatibility not being included when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases would be one of the worst decisions for the hardware. Obviously, given the drastic design overhaul between Nintendo's many consoles, the Nintendo Switch doesn't have backwards compatibility with the Wii U – but if the Switch 2 is set to keep the gist of the hybrid console design, it's not unreasonable to expect compatibility with the original system
I'm not too worried right now, given we've not heard anything either way, but I just assumed backwards compatibility would be a given. Both Xbox and PlayStation have made a big deal over the feature in the past, and Nintendo has historically been very good with this for its handheld consoles like the 3DS and Game Boy Advance which could support DS and original Game Boy titles.
The prospect of a Nintendo Switch 2 release with no backwards compatibility also seems unlikely given Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukwa's comments that the company is doing everything it can to "smoothly transition" Nintendo Switch players to its successor, and isn't reducing production of the console any time soon. Not to mention the CMA effectively confirmed that Nintendo Switch Online's classic game apps will carry over to the Nintendo Switch 2
As for the LCD screen making a comeback, if Nintendo is trying to hit an appealing price point, it makes sense. And it opens the door for a more premium Nintendo Switch 2 release that will inevitably follow, sporting an OLED panel, increased battery life, and any other refinements that people will happily pay for.
It's disappointing for early adopters, especially as the difference an LCD and OLED panel is so vast. It's not the end of the world – especially if it means the console storage is decent for once – but I won't pretend it's not disappointing.
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