Nintendo has reportedly begun mass production of its highly anticipated Switch 2 console, with new rumors suggesting an official reveal could be just weeks away.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa previously stated that an announcement regarding the successor to the Nintendo Switch will be made “within this fiscal year,” meaning the public should expect news from the company before April 2025.
Speculation has grown around whether preorders for the Switch 2 will be available as soon as September or October, or if an upcoming event might simply offer an initial look at the next-generation console.
Contributing to these rumors, David Gibson, a senior research analyst at MST Financial, pointed out that Hosiden, a Japanese electronics company closely tied to Nintendo’s hardware production, has significantly ramped up spending on production equipment and automation.
This suggests that preparations for mass production of a new product are underway, with the Switch 2 being the likely focus.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gibson highlighted the company’s actions: “No-one seems to have noticed the Nintendo assembler—Hosiden is spending ¥2bn on production equipment and ¥1bn on automation in FY3/25 for its major customer in amusement (Nintendo). I still expect Sept news and March 2025 release for the next device.”
This increased investment is particularly intriguing because Nintendo typically holds a major “Nintendo Direct” presentation in September.
Many are speculating that the company could use this event, which is pre-recorded and streamed online via YouTube, to offer an early look at the Switch 2.
Gibson predicts that Nintendo may reveal its new console between September 18-26 or early October to avoid clashing with the Tokyo Game Show, where Microsoft is also expected to announce upcoming games.
Adding to the excitement, Christopher Dring from GamesIndustry.biz hinted at “industry whispers” about something related to the Switch 2 happening this month.
These claims have been echoed by other journalists, including Andy Robinson of VGC, though they have all urged caution about these unconfirmed reports.
The original Nintendo Switch, introduced in October 2016 through a surprise three-minute teaser trailer, has since sold over 143.4 million units globally. Given the massive success of the hybrid console, many believe Nintendo could follow a similar marketing strategy for its successor.
However, some experts have raised concerns that announcing the Switch 2 before the holiday season could negatively impact sales of the current Switch models during this crucial period. As a result, others believe that any official announcement might not come until after Christmas.
Rumors about the Switch 2’s specifications suggest the next console will feature a larger 8-inch touchscreen, an upgrade from the 6.2-inch display on the original Switch and the 7-inch OLED model.
Despite the advantages of OLED technology, insiders believe Nintendo may opt for an LCD panel to keep production costs lower.
Unlike competitors like PlayStation and Xbox, which typically sell new consoles at a loss and make up for it through software sales, Nintendo is known for generating profit from hardware sales, and this strategy may influence design decisions for the upcoming Switch 2.
