Just yesterday, we supposedly learned the Nintendo Switch 2’s precise release date from a report by UAGNA. This suggests that the Switch 2 will be made available much sooner than many of us expected.
It would seem that 2025 is kicking off with yet another rumor regarding Nintendo’s worst kept secret. Over on Reddit, images of the Switch 2’s motherboard have supposedly surfaced.
It’s been pointed out that the motherboard has the appearance of being manufactured by Samsung. This has led to the conclusion that the Switch 2 will utilize 8nm semiconductor process nodes rather than the 4nm semiconductor process nodes.
While the 8nm semiconductor process nodes might sound more impressive, it’s actually a technology developed back in 2018. In comparison, the 4nm semiconductor process nodes consume less power per operation while also having better performance.
The main benefit of using the 8nm semiconductor process nodes over the 4nm semiconductor process nodes is that they’re easier to make and are cheaper. As such, many Nintendo fans are seemingly disappointed by this.
However, the observation of NVIDIA’s graphics processing unit does give us some good news. Many of the rumors surrounding the Switch 2 have suggested that the hybrid device will utilize NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling technology. Needless to say, the presence of the GPU within the images does lend towards this idea.
Through DLSS (deep learning super sampling), cheaper technology can perform at better frame rates with improved resolutions thanks to artificial intelligence. Though it was expected that the Nintendo Switch 2 wouldn’t be up to par with the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series consoles in terms of specs, the implementation of DLSS would certainly be enough to be a significant improvement over the Switch.
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Welp, it’s over.
Based on the leaked SoC picture this appears to be manufactured by Samsung, meaning the 8nm node is likely, that’s 2018 technology. A lot of people expected 4nm.
This is just speculation based on the leaked photos, but if this ends up true, this would be… https://t.co/WhUt99ftDm
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) January 1, 2025
With us getting closer and closer to the inevitable Switch 2 reveal, more leaks like these are expected to drop. Of course, nothing is confirmed until we hear it directly from Nintendo themselves.
According to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, the Switch 2 is slated to be revealed within this fiscal year, which spans through March 31, 2025 for Nintendo. The previous rumor reported on yesterday suggested that the hybrid device will be released on March 28, 2025, so a reveal event should theoretically be imminent at this point.
Not much is officially known about the Switch 2, but Furukawa did recently confirm that the upcoming console will feature backwards compatibility with the Switch. Nintendo also seems to be priding themselves on developing a seamless transition process between the Switch and the Switch 2.
By this point, the Switch has cemented itself as the third best-selling gaming device by achieving 146.04 million sales worldwide. It follows closely behind the Nintendo DS (154.02 million units sold) and the PlayStation 2 (160 million units sold).
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Mario Odyssey are the top five performing games on the Switch. More than likely, sequels for these titles will emerge on the Switch 2 in some form considering how successful they were for Nintendo.
We shouldn’t have to wait too much longer for official news from Nintendo at this point. Regardless, things are certainly looking interesting for the Nintendo Switch 2.
