Tech specialists at Digital Foundry (DF) have expressed confidence that the recently leaked images of the rumoured Nintendo Switch 2 are “almost certainly real.”
The photos reportedly originated from a Chinese site before appearing on Reddit, and display what seem to be prototype elements of the next-generation console. Digital Foundry discussed these images in a YouTube video and a Eurogamer post, describing them as “our first hard evidence of what form the machine may actually take.”
According to DF, past leaks related to shipping documents from Taiwan have provided strong support for the authenticity of last week’s leak, which date back to October 2023 and could represent an early prototype.
The leaked images include views of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling and details such as an eight-inch LCD screen, a larger form factor, and redesigned Joy-Cons that connect using magnetic rails. Other features shown include dual USB-C ports at the top and bottom, speculated to support accessories like an external camera or enable charging during tabletop play. The photos also reveal a Micro-SD card slot and cartridge support, “with strong hints that original Switch media is also supported,” says DF.
Technical specs of the Switch 2 were also talked about by DF, which boasts 12GB of RAM and a maximum bandwidth of 102GB/s — significantly upgraded from the original Switch’s 4GB.
Faking the motherboard to this degree would demand an advanced level of technical expertise, far beyond what would be required for a simple 3D-printed case, according to DF’s chief Richard Leadbetter. “It’s right to have a degree of scepticism about this leak because there’s nothing to stop someone 3D printing up a fake casing,” he said. “However, faking a convincing motherboard would require a degree of technical knowledge that I’d put beyond even the most elaborate hoax. It would be easier simply not to fake a board at all and to make the printed components look a lot more genuine.”
“Then there’s the fact that everything shown on that board is a match for the latest and most accurate leaks based on Taiwan shipping manifests, accumulated by the ardent sleuths on the Famiboards forum,” he explained.
Though Nintendo has yet to officially verify these images, and they remain unconfirmed, sources have told Video Games Chronicle (VGC) that the images align with what the company has communicated to its partners regarding the console’s design.
The images are included in a thread by Andy Robinson from VGC on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nintendo has previously stated that it will reveal its next-generation console by March 2025, with a launch planned after the end of the current fiscal year. The buzz around the Switch 2 continues to build, with some developers already planning to release future titles on the upcoming platform. Nintendo also anticipates having ample stock available at launch, which could help prevent scalping issues.
Kaylyn is usually geeking out over gacha games or the latest updates in a manga, and can talk all day about them. She’s also an avid collector, and really needs more space to store her game merchandise, utaite CDs and manga books.
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