March 18, 2024, 1:21 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
So far, little to nothing is known about a successor to the Nintendo Switch, often simply referred to as the “Nintendo Switch 2.” Now, hints have emerged suggesting a completely new name, which not everyone likes. TECHBOOK explains the rumors and assesses them.
Nintendo has yet to announce a successor to its popular Switch console. However, given its enormous success, it seems certain there will be one–though this success also means we likely won’t see a new device until 2025. There has been much speculation about the console’s performance, but the name has rarely been a topic. This is changing now due to a YouTube survey.
Is the new console called “Nintendo Switch Attach”?
A screenshot of a survey from the video platform YouTube is currently circulating; it first appeared on Reddit. YouTube often runs surveys as pre-rolls, or ads, before a video begins. Typically, these are simple marketing surveys. In the current case, the survey is about purchasing behavior, specifically asking which of the listed consoles one would buy. The options are:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Switch Attach
A fourth option allows you to indicate that you wouldn’t buy any of the devices. The PS5 and Xbox Series X are the base models of the current console generations from Sony and Microsoft. However, no one has heard of the “Nintendo Switch Attach” because such a device doesn’t exist. Did YouTube accidentally leak the new name of the console often referred to as Nintendo Switch 2 in its survey?
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How likely are the rumors?
The truth of leaks like this one about a possible “Nintendo Switch Attach” can only be speculated upon until officially confirmed. Some Reddit users point out that it’s common for YouTube to invent product names for their surveys. Some users even report non-existent fake products listed in such surveys. Sometimes, however, products are given temporary names by the manufacturer before the final name is announced.
Other Reddit users, including the user “Red_Guy,” from whom the screenshot originates, believe it to be a real leak. They note that YouTube has previously leaked the two existing versions of the Switch this way: Nintendo Switch Lite and OLED.
However, it’s rather unlikely that Nintendo would come up with a completely new name for the Switch successor and not simply call it “Switch 2.” This is confirmed by looking at the general console list of the Japanese manufacturer. Nintendo consistently names related devices similarly. The Nintendo Wii became the Nintendo Wii U, the Nintendo 3DS became the Nintendo 3DS XL, and so on. If it is a true successor in terms of technology and concept, Nintendo is likely to reflect that. The name “Switch Attach” does include the predecessor’s designation but also introduces entirely new wording.
General information about the Nintendo Switch 2
As mentioned earlier, Nintendo has officially said nothing about a new console. Currently, it is believed that the new Switch, whatever it may be called, could launch no earlier than mid-2025. A significant performance leap is also expected, simply because the current model from 2017 and even the OLED version from 2021 lag far behind other consoles on the market in terms of speed and graphics. The idea that the new console would be on par with the PS5 was briefly discussed but seems absolutely unrealistic.
Another important point is backward compatibility. As of now, most experts believe that games for the regular Nintendo Switch can also be played on a potential Switch 2. Otherwise, too many players would simply be excluded.
Additionally, the new Switch is expected to have more storage space and improved battery capacity. In terms of design, it is expected that Nintendo will follow the current path and stick to the form and functionality–especially regarding the flexible Joy-Con concept.