Switch 2 Burning Questions: That Mystery Button And More Things We Want To Know

Nintendo Switch 2 is real, and it's launching in 2025. As the name suggests, it's a hybrid system much like the Switch, albeit with some changes, like a larger size, bigger screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, and other tweaks. Beyond that, we don't know a whole lot about the system, which has left us with a number of burning questions. When exactly is it releasing? What will it cost? What games will be available? What the heck's that new button?

It's possible we're in for a long wait. A Nintendo Direct is scheduled for April 2, when more about Switch 2 will be revealed, with in-person hands-on events set for the weeks after that. We'll surely get a lot of answers during the Direct, but that means two-plus months of speculation and rumors to fill in the gaps.

With that in mind, let's run through the biggest outstanding questions about Switch 2 after the reveal trailer. Be sure to let us know what you're wondering about in the comments below, and check out our rundown on all the small details we noticed.

What's the new button for?

There are certainly more pressing issues, but seriously: What is the new button? It's located on the right Joy-Con, just below what is presumably the return of the Home button. There's already plenty of speculation, but it's an intriguing addition precisely because we don't know the answer--there are any number of new features it could enable, which is one of the most exciting parts of any new console launch.

When's it coming out?

Nintendo would only confirm a 2025 launch for Switch 2, which falls in line with what we had pretty much already expected. The timing of the post-Nintendo Direct hands-on events has led some to speculate that a launch will come no sooner than June, but at this point, that's simply guesswork. That would line up with a previous report suggesting a May or June release. Consoles often tend to come out in the October/November window, but that didn't stop the original Switch from launching in March, so there certainly aren't any set rules about when Nintendo is willing or able to debut a new piece of hardware.

What's it going to cost?

Another critical detail is the cost. There's zero indication of the system's price in the reveal, and we still don't know what kind of hardware it's equipped with. It does look like the system will again come with a dock and Joy-Con grip, but that doesn't tell us much. The original Switch never officially dropped in price from its $300 launch, although Nintendo did supplement with cheaper (Switch Lite, $200) and more expensive (OLED, $350) models. It's hard to imagine Switch 2 coming in at less than what Nintendo is currently selling the Switch OLED for, which would suggest a $400-or-higher price.

What games will be available at launch?

The Switch 2 announcement was clearly focused on showcasing the basics of the physical hardware itself. Games didn't really come into play, other than a brief look toward the end at what appears to be a new Mario Kart game. But even in that case, Nintendo was coy, not giving us a name or even confirmation that it's Mario Kart 9, as many suspect. Instead, we saw a bit of gameplay, some of the usual faces, and some teases for what might be major new features, like 24-player races and more open level design.

It's fair to assume that we'll eventually get a new Mario game, a new Zelda game, and so on, but what are we going to play at launch? As we previously discussed, the Switch 2 launch lineup will be critical--Nintendo has a lot more momentum going into this launch than it did with Switch, but it can't afford to squander that by offering a 3DS-esque launch lineup. Third-party support might be stronger here than on the original Switch, but that still doesn't guarantee games will be there on day one. Mario Kart 9, if that's what it is, should be there based on its appearance in the reveal video, but that remains unconfirmed. Will there be a new 3D Mario, given how many years it's been since the last one? What will the killer app be?

We don't have answers yet, but in the meantime, we do have a roundup of all the rumored Switch 2 games so far.

Will Switch 2 improve Switch 1 games?

Nintendo may not have talked about the internal specs, but Switch 2 is sure to be equipped with more powerful hardware than its predecessor. Switch 2 is also confirmed to be backwards compatible with Switch 1 games (with some as-yet-unknown exceptions), but will the new hardware be utilized to improve the visuals, performance, or load times of Switch 1 games? If so, will that require developers to release patches enabling those kinds of enhancements? Would Nintendo do that with its own games, allowing the notorious Pokemon Violet/Scarlet to finally run well, or to smooth out rough patches in games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom? Or would it and other companies rather save these kinds of improvements for re-releases?

Which Switch games won't work on Switch 2?

On a related note, Nintendo has already qualified backwards compatibility--both physical and digital games are supported, but some games will not work on Switch 2. Just which games is Nintendo referring to, and why? Speculation has suggested that it could be related to games like Nintendo Labo, 1, 2, Switch, and others that require specific Switch hardware (like the IR camera) that might be missing. If that's the case, the vast majority of Switch games should still be supported.

Will old hardware be supported?

Given the larger size of the system and the new magnetic Joy-Cons, it's fair to assume your existing Joy-Cons won't be able to attach directly to a Switch 2. But can they be used wirelessly? What about the Pro controller and other existing controller options? The inputs on Switch 2 all appear to be the same--aside from the aforementioned mystery button--so it seems at least possible that existing accessories will be supported, but this is yet another matter we'll have to wait for official word on. For what it's worth, Wii remotes were supported on Wii U, although the Wii U Pro controller was not natively supported on Switch.

What about Amiibos?

We don't yet know if the Switch 2 has an NFC reader, which would be required to scan Amiibo figures. The collectable toys have been less of an emphasis for Nintendo in recent years, although a few new figures have still launched over the last year or two. If it doesn't plan to continue releasing them in the future, it's possible the feature will be abandoned on Switch 2. Even if only for the sake of backwards-compatible games that make use of Amiibo figures, hopefully NFC support is included.

What are the specs?

There have been reports for some time concerning the exact specs of the Switch 2. But in very Nintendo-like fashion, there was no talk of that in this reveal event (and I'd expect most particulars to be left out of the April Nintendo Direct, too). That leaves us wondering exactly what kind of hardware the system is equipped with, and thus, what kind of third-party games we might see released for it. Native 4K games seem very unlikely, but will 4K output at least be supported?

How long will the battery last?

This is one of those subjects that seems incredibly tricky from a technical standpoint: How far are you willing to push for high-end performance and visuals, knowing that they will come at the cost of battery life? The many Steam Deck-esque PC systems out there can range wildly in performance, and the Switch itself has seen gains over the years with newer models. Can we expect the same 4.5 to 9 hours that Nintendo cites for the Switch OLED?

Can the Joy-Con be used as a mouse?

A previous rumor suggested that a Switch 2 Joy-Con could be used like a computer mouse. That could open the door to new types of games and experiences, while also potentially offering a different style of input that some may prefer for strategy or first-person games. The Switch reveal trailer may have shown the Joy-Cons being moved around in the style of a mouse, but whether that was a cheeky hint of what's to come or people just seeing what they want to see remains to be seen.

Will the Joy-Cons have Hall Effect sticks?

Joy-Cons were notorious for suffering from stick drift, a problem that is eliminated by Hall Effect sticks. These are seen in many third-party controllers, but they'd be a welcome addition on the Joy-Cons, given their reputation.

Will there be enough stock available on launch day?

We may not have an actual answer, but I feel comfortable saying no. New hardware routinely sells out, and that's especially true for a new Nintendo console. Many people may be content to wait or just continue playing their original Switch, but there are more than enough die-hard fans to ensure sell-outs at launch, so expect preorders to sell out quickly whenever they become available.

That said, there may be a bit of good news. Bloomberg reports that Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Robin Zhu said Nintendo has taken steps to ensure it has more than 20 million units available in its first year of availability. The original Switch sold 15 million units in its first year, so there may be more Switch 2 units to go around in the first 12 months.

Will Switch 2 carts taste awful?

One of the stranger fun facts about the original Switch was that if you, as a totally normal person who does normal things, decided to lick a Switch game cartridge, you'd find that it tastes awful. That was due to a bittering agent called Denatonium Benzoate being placed on cards, seemingly to discourage kids or pets from swallowing them.

It remains to be seen if a similar strategy will be utilized for Switch 2 game cards, but rest assured, we will report back with an answer as soon as we find out--even if that requires some empirical research.