Another week, another leak about the Switch 2. We’ve already covered what these leaks have revealed: a larger unit and the much-predicted backward compatibility for the Switch 1. With Nintendo still playing its cards so close to its chest, we still don’t know much about what the new device can do. Looking at some potential possibilities, let’s explore what’s on the table, even if Nintendo decides to take the unexpected route, as it is wont to do.
Better Multiplayer Support
Nintendo’s long-running amazing options for local co-op experiences are matched only by their lack of options for online connectivity. Lagging far beyond the efforts of Sony, Microsoft, and what’s available on the PC, the web infrastructure for Nintendo’s platforms has seemed like an afterthought in most releases. Poor server infrastructure and matchmaking have been notorious problems for the original Switch generation, but the Switch 2 could be different.
It’s been more than seven years since the launch of the Switch, and the importance of online play has only grown. This doesn’t just apply to games, as reliance on third-party programs like Discord has also become part of the status quo for multiplayer coordination. Even Sony has gotten on this train recently, allowing outside apps for a better multiplayer experience, and we hope Nintendo has the foresight to follow suit. We want a Switch where the online system is central to the gaming experience, not built on shaky ground.
Cross-Gen Updates
One of the best moves that made Sony stand out with the PlayStation 5 was how many PS4 games were updated to run with better performance on the new, more powerful hardware. Titles formerly capped at 30 FPS, like Ghosts of Tsushima, were updated to hit a constant 60 FPS with better visuals, even if users didn’t own the official PS5 rerelease.
This is such an important option for Nintendo with the Switch because of how poorly many more demanding titles, like the two Zelda entries, run on the first system. Being able to reenter these worlds at a locked 60 FPS without having to invest in a rerelease would do wonders for new and existing players, and it’s fully within Nintendo’s power to take this approach if they want to.
Browser Access
The last big jump we really hope for with the Switch is an officially supported browser with up-to-date HTML5 support. Consoles have traditionally lagged in this area, but this capability would open up many new possibilities. For example, online slots Canada websites feature a huge number of games already available on systems like desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Opening titles like Gems Bonanza and Snowflake Sorcery up to console players would add significant variety and help Nintendo catch up to its competitors.
With the Switch 2 expected to be released in the first half of 2025, we likely won’t have to wait much longer for official news on the console’s direction. At this point, all we can do is hope that Nintendo is listening to longtime concerns about its previous performance and that we end up with another Wii in our hands, not another Wii U.
