On January 16, 2025, Nintendo released a First-Look Trailer of the Nintendo Switch 2, confirming it’s official release in 2025. The trailer revealed the new console design and never before seen footage of a new Mario Kart game being played on the Switch 2. I bet Nintendo fans, including me, are more than eager to learn everything we can about the new Switch 2 coming later this year.
- 2025 Release
- First-Look Trailer
- Console Design Revealed
- New Mario Kart Game Teased
Nintendo has officially announced that the Switch 2 will be released in 2025, later this year. The exact date has yet to be revealed. Although, Nintendo did announce that the Nintendo Direct* for Nintendo Switch 2 will air 4.2.2025 – Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
*Nintendo Direct is a live broadcast that shares news & information on upcoming consoles, games, and other relevant content.
Nintendo shared this image of the Nintendo Direct for Nintendo Switch 2. The airtime is yet to be announced. This broadcast will reveal more details regarding the new console and possibly a confirmed release date. All we can do for now is stay tuned until then.
In the meanwhile, the first-look trailer did reveal new features of the console and showed brief game footage of a new Mario Kart game!
First-Look Trailer & Console Design
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo dropped a First-Look trailer for the Switch 2. You can watch it on Nintendo for America’s Youtube channel or visit the Nintendo Switch 2 website to watch it. Here is the link to their website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itpcsQQvgAQ
The trailer announced that the Switch 2 will play exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 games, but will also be compatible with most previous digital and physical Nintendo Switch games*.
*Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Watch the first-look trailer for the new Nintendo Switch 2 now!
Console Upgrades
In the trailer we got a good look at what new features the Switch 2 will offer. Right off the bat, the new console will be larger and thicker than its predecessor, with more rounded edges. The back of the console has a larger, versatile kickstand that allows for more adjustable angles to rest the console. As for the system’s specs, these have yet to be revealed.
A big feature of the Switch 2 is the addition of a second USB-Port that’s located next to the headphone jack. USB-Ports are used to either charge the Switch or to attach an accessory, and previously the Switch only had one USB-Port option. Now with two USB-Ports, players have the option to attach multiple accessories at once and have the option to charge the switch and attach an accessory at the same time.
Joy-Con Upgrades
The Joy-Cons have gotten an upgraded appearance as well. They take on a minimalistic look with a black design and colorful (red and blue) accents on the inner edges and around the analog sticks.
This is a stark difference from the prior brightly colorful appearance of the Joy-Cons. In addition to the coloration, the Joy-Cons are now bigger, to match the size of the console, as well as the buttons.
The biggest change in functionality of the Joy-Cons are that they no longer slide along rails to attach to the main console, but rather they slot directly into the sides. The console now has a protruding connectors on either side of the console that the Joy-Cons attach themselves to.
New Mario Kart Game Footage
Towards the end of Nintendo’s First-Look Trailer for Switch 2, there appeared to be brand new Mario Kart footage played on the console. This could potentionally be Mario Kart 9 game footage. Until it’s confirmed by Nintendo, this is all just speculation.
At the start of the footage we’re shown the start of the race which reveals the starting grid with 24 racer spots available. This is double the normal capacity amount that’s seen in the current Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
With double the capacity of racers available, this could mean longer courses and wider tracks to accommodate the full capacity of players. This also brings up the possibility of more playable characters due to their now being 24 racer spots.
The course is titled “Mario Bros. Circuit“, which hasn’t appeared in Mario Kart games, making it a brand new course. The course appears to be a highway in a desert climate with a Yoshi’s diner along the road.
Fans are speculating that some of the characters and karts appear to have a redesign, in particular Donkey Kong appears to have a black mask over his eyes. For now this is all just speculation and we’ll have to wait until it’s confirmed at a later date.
As of now, we don’t know any other information regarding the potential release of a new Mario Kart game. Perhaps during the Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, more details will give us clarification! Until then, all we can do is theorize!
Closing Thoughts…
Finally Nintendo officially announced the reveal of the Switch 2. I feel like we’ve all been waiting forever and now that it’s here it’s unreal. The trailer showed off the design of the console featuring a larger screen, new Joy-Cons, and so much more!
Plus the reveal of new Mario Kart footage was crazy! I’m digging the desert course and the Yoshi Diner was so cute! Not only do we get a Switch 2 this year but we also get a potential new Mario Kart game coming (hopefully) soon!
Thank you Nintendo for all the hard work you do!
Thanks as always for reading my blog,
Jessica Mohan
Works Cited:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-switch-2-to-be-released-in-2025/
https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-joycon-new-features-changes/
The Emerald Butterfly 
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