According to new information, Nintendo Switch 2 will not be released until 2025

It seemed almost a foregone conclusion that a new console from Nintendo would be released this fall. After all, a few days ago we wrote that the announcement should happen in March. But plans apparently changed quite dramatically.

It all started with Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe, who mentioned that, according to five sources, a number of developers are working on games for “Switch 2” that will not be released until the first quarter of 2025. This is a rather weak indicator. An argument in itself, but it was this report that started an avalanche of articles.

First it was VGC’s Andy Robinson, whose sources say Nintendo told publishers that the new console would not be released until the first quarter of 2025 (that is, from January to March), but it was originally planned for later this year. According to one source, the reason for the delay is the fact that Nintendo wants to have a stronger in-house roster.

Confirmation soon followed from Eurogamer’s Tom Phillips, with his sources also talking about the first quarter of 2025 and a delay due to the lineup. And finally this morning it was Bloomberg. The latter, citing an unnamed publisher, also talks about a delay, but until “early 2025.” According to several sources, the console should not be released until March, which the other two magazines do not mention.

While consoles are typically released in the fall to be ready for Christmas, the March release won’t be Nintendo’s first: the same month saw the release of the Switch itself, which will celebrate its eighth anniversary next March. But then, this was largely due to the failure of the Wii U and Nintendo’s efforts to bring the new console to market as quickly as possible, this time the reason seems to be the opposite.

What exactly this will mean for the announcement is not yet clear. A March launch would mean the console would be announced a year before its release, which is quite a long time. On the other hand, Nintendo may be pressured by the very developers and publishers who are working on games for the new device, and will not be able to announce them until the console itself is unveiled.

Either way, the delay seems a little odd considering Nintendo only has two games planned beyond Princess Peach: Showtime (March 22) and nothing else announced. Additionally, it looks like we won’t be seeing a traditional full Direct in February, just a Partner Direct, which should therefore be focused on third-party games. Initially it was supposed to take place this week, but apparently there have been changes. Trusted Insider Arsonist now they are talking about next week. However, he adds that he’s not looking forward to it, so we should probably lower our potential expectations.