Faith Lane 
Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the hottest topics in gaming but now official information is coming out about its specs.
News of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been making the rounds, including reports of an early build being shown off behind closed doors at Gamescom 2023. While there have been rumors, reports, and firsthand accounts about the new console, there are also now official documents offering more information on this new, superior Switch.
Nintendo Switch fans will be pleased to know that the console will be getting a significant upgrade in power. That news comes from some official documents unearthed during the FTC’s investigation into Microsoft’s merger with Activision Blizzard. The discovery portion of the case included Activision executives including CEO Bobby Kotick corresponding with Nintendo about what the next-generation Nintendo console would be like.
Nintendo Switch 2 specs partly revealed due to Call of Duty agreement
The Nintendo Switch 2 will have specs comparable to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, according to emails between gaming industry executives.
This information comes from an email chain that included a document from Activision Blizzard VP of platform strategy Chris Schnakenberg entitled “NG Switch Draft.pdf,” referring to the “next-generation Switch.” Schnakenberg estimates the new console’s power therein. The initial report came from The Verge.
“Given the closer alignment to Gen8 platforms in terms of performance and our previous offerings on PS4 / Xbox One, it is reasonable to assume we could make something compelling for the NG Switch as well. It would be helpful to secure early access to development hardware prototypes and prove that out nice and early,” Schnakenberg said in the emails, which had large portions redacted.
Activision signed on to a 10-year deal with Nintendo to publish games including Call of Duty titles. Many wondered whether this meant the next console would have better support to run it. No Call of Duty games have appeared on the Nintendo Switch, but they could appear on the Nintendo Switch 2.
This tracks with previous leaks about the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, which stated it was capable of running PlayStation 4’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake. The exact specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 are unknown.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be revealed?
Reports suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 could be revealed in Q1 2024. Nintendo typically gives fans a day or two of warning before its reveals, so fans may not have much time to build excitement.
Multiple Nintendo Direct events have happened over recent months and didn’t offer any teases about a new console. Many have noted that Nintendo has no major releases slated past Q1 2024. Outside of Princess Peach: Showtime and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, most of the upcoming major Switch releases are remasters or remakes of past-gen titles. This may indicate that Nintendo plans to reveal a new platform, and wants to focus development efforts on games for its new platform.
There is still no official word on anything related to a new Nintendo Switch console. Reports have pointed to a late 2024 release for this new, upgraded, powerful Nintendo console. A reveal likely won’t come until after the holiday season.
