Summary
TheSwitch 2features two USB Type-C slots, Nintendo has confirmed. This simple addition could significantly improve the convenience of oneSwitch 2use case relative to its predecessor.
Following months' worth of leaks that mostly turned out to be accurate, Nintendo at last announced its next console on January 16. Its two-minute reveal trailer was largely focused on showcasing the exterior of the device, in addition to highlighting some major features, such as theSwitch 2’s backward compatibility.
The very start of thefirst-ever Switch 2 promo videooffers a close-up look at the console from all sides. The trailer first focuses on the bottom of the console, which features a USB-C port, much like its predecessor, before showing that an identical slot is sitting on the opposite side of the device. The new USB-C port is located slightly to the right on the top side of the console, sandwiched between the 3.5mm jack on the right and the cooling vents on the left.
Nintendo Switch 2 Should Be Convenient to Charge During Handheld Play
The addition of a top-facing USB-C port should make the upcoming console significantly more convenient to use in handheld mode while charging it. As with any portable device, the Switch 2 is likely to see a lot of use while being held in the lap, or in a way that its bottom side is resting on a surface like a bed, table, or chest.Charging the original Switchin this scenario is impossible—an issue that its successor promises to fix, enabling more playing positions.
Top-Facing USB-C Port Could Pave the Way For Switch 2 Attachments
The top-facing USB-C port could also be used for a variety of accessories extending the console’s functionality. Nintendo has a long history of releasing such devices, including theGame Boy Color Cameraand GBA e-Reader, as well as the DS Rumble Pak and 3DS Circle Pad Pro. The still-ongoing Switch era also saw Nintendo engage in similar experiments, as underlined by games likeNintendo LaboandRing Fit Adventure, both of which rely on physical accessories.
While the Switch 2 is still waiting for a release date, there will be an April 2 Nintendo Direct that promises to reveal more details about the device. Some industry watchers speculate that Nintendo opted to tease the console two and a half months ahead of its dedicated Direct to provide third-party publishers with ample time to start announcing Switch 2 games. A series of physical preview events is scheduled to take place the world over between early April and June 1. The console hence isn’t expected to hit the store shelves before June 2025 at the very earliest.
Nintendo Switch 2
The successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 13, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
