At CES, accessory-maker Genki showcased a 3D-printed mockup of what it claims is the Nintendo Switch successor, often referred to as the Switch 2, allowing attendees to hold and photograph the model, according to The Verge.
Key features of the Switch 2 mockup
The mockup suggests that the Switch 2 will be wider than the original, featuring slightly larger Joy-Con controllers designed for improved comfort. Compared to a Steam Deck OLED, the Switch 2 mockup is noticeably smaller, although it is closer in size to Valve’s handheld than the original Switch.
Eddie Tsai, cofounder and CEO of Genki, confirmed to The Verge that the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons will attach to the console using magnets rather than a sliding rail. To detach a Joy-Con, users will press a large button located at the top of the rear side of each controller. This button activates a pin that nudges against the console’s chassis, disconnecting the magnets.
According to Tsai, Joy-Cons can be removed with brute force but are designed to feel secure during regular use. The release button allows for easy detachment of the Joy-Cons. Tsai did not disclose the source of this information regarding the new console.
Tsai also revealed that an optical sensor is housed within the Joy-Con mounting channel, enabling potential mouse-like functionality when used with another attachment, akin to Lenovo’s approach with its Legion Go handheld.
Upcoming announcements and developments
Nintendo has stated it will announce the Switch’s successor before April 2025, prompting speculation and leaks about the new hardware. In December, the YouTube channel SwitchUp shared a video presenting a 3D-printed, non-functional mockup of the Switch 2 from a Chinese case manufacturer. This mockup resembled the current Switch but was larger and highlighted potential changes such as a new USB-C port on the device’s top and an unexplained square button located under the Home button on the right Joy-Con.
Shortly thereafter, accessory-maker Dbrand introduced its “Killswitch 2” case, which was designed based on “actual dimensions” derived from a “3D scan of the real hardware,” according to CEO Adam Ijaz. He mentioned that the console’s Joy-Cons are expected to connect magnetically and illustrated that the new square button had “C” printed on it, although he did not clarify its purpose.
With the April 2025 timeline approaching, anticipation grows for Nintendo’s official reveal of the Switch 2, which remains eagerly awaited by the gaming community.
Featured image credit: Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto/The Verge
