Nintendo Switch 2 rumours: cheaper model, performance upgrades and more

Nintendo is rumoured to be working on new versions of its Switch console, a little over two years after the original launched to critical acclaim in early 2017.

The new consoles, collectively referred to as the Switch 2, will reportedly consist of a cheaper alternative to the Japanese games giant’s current system and an upgraded model with extra graphics power.

Fans may not have long to wait until the Switch 2 hits the shops either, as reports suggest that the entry-level model may arrive by Christmas.

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With the rumour mill now in motion, here’s everything we know about Nintendo’s new consoles:

When will the Switch 2 lineup come out?

According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, the cheaper version of the new console is due to launch by the end of the year.

However, the more powerful “next-generation” model will arrive at a later date, the newspaper adds.

What will the cheaper model look like?

Early reports suggested that the budget Switch 2 would be a portable-only console and that the detachable Joy-Con controllers on the current model would be replaced by built-in versions.

However, SlashGear says that the cheaper system will “supposedly still be able to connect to a TV for non-portable play.” This suggests that the console will feature the same detachable Joy-Con controller design as the original Switch.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims that the cheaper console will replace Nintendo’s ageing 2DS and 3DS handheld lineup.

If true, it would mean that the budget Switch would cost significantly less than the current model’s £279 price tag, as Nintendo’s handheld consoles can be picked up for as little as £80.

What about the high-performance version?

Rumours of a more powerful Switch 2 escalated in March, after an alleged Nintendo insider told the Wall Street Journal that the company was working on a system that would be targeted at “avid video gamers”.

The source claimed that the handheld would see a notable boost in performance, although it wouldn’t be powerful enough to directly rival Microsoft’s Xbox One X and the Sony PlayStation 4 Pro.

Among the upgrades that are said to feature on the performance-focused Switch 2 is 1080p OLED display, which would do away with the 720p LCD screen on today’s console, according to tech news site T3.

It’s unlikely that Nintendo will follow Sony and Microsoft’s pursuit of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), says TechRadar. The Japanese games firm is instead focusing its efforts on cheaper peripheral gadgets, such as its cardboard Labo kits.