This Switch 2 mockup could be the most accurate representation of Nintendo's next handheld

[Cal Jeffrey]

Rumor mill: The Nintendo Switch 2 rumor mill is in full gear. Many reports and leaks align, which is typical as a launch nears and third-party vendors get information they can use to create accessories. While the company has still not revealed the device, one company claims to have built a mockup based on official Nintendo's specs.

On Wednesday, The Nerd Nest Podcast showcased what could be the most accurate mockup of the Switch 2 we have seen so far. The dummy unit comes from the case maker Ivoler. Ivoler doesn't have a record for accuracy. However, case and accessory makers generally get their guesses accurate since manufacturers cooperate with them to have accessories ready on launch day.

Over the weekend, a maker of hard protective cases called Dbrand released 3D renders of the Switch 2 that are likely millimeter precise since such cases are form-fitting. Ivoler took its mockup beyond rendering and 3D-printed a dummy unit that matched Dbrand's images aside from minor details like the kickstand, JoyCon eject buttons and color scheme.

The mockup has detachable controllers like its predecessor, but they are affixed to the screen magnetically, confirming a leak from earlier this week on Reddit. The Redditor, who goes by the handle NextHandheld, claims he got ahold of a physical unit. He also said the rumors of Hall Effect joysticks are valid and that Nintendo has officially named it the Switch 2.

Moderators on the NintendoSwitch2 subreddit and The Verge's Sean Hollister vetted NextHandheld's claims. Both say the Redditor provided enough "proof" to deem the claims credible.

On the back of Ivoler's mockup is a non-functional kickstand that goes the width of the screen, making it more stable when standing on a table. This element jives with previous leaks but differs from Dbrand's version of the kickstand, which is shaped more like a handle.

Interestingly, the Ivoler mockup has two USB-C ports (also confirming NestHandheld's claims) – one on the top and one on the bottom. Nerd Nest host Bill Fairchild speculates that the Switch 2 has two ports to charge from the dock (bottom) or a charging cable (top or bottom). It tracks, but others, including NextHandheld, have suggested that the top USB-C port could be used for accessories like a camera or headphones.

I don't want to talk about the Switch 2's new magnetic Hall-effect JoyCons because Fairchild demonstrates them well in the video and I'll just end up ranting about how I have replaced the thumbsticks on my JoyCon's three times because of drift. See? There I go. the only thing I have to say is that I believe that Nintendo will go with the classic red and blue color scheme. The white ones that Ivoler dummied up are likely just to simplify the 3D printing.

It's worth mentioning that Ivoler also sent Nerd Nest a Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case, indicating that it is already producing the accessory to have it ready for release. Yes, the relatively plain case could fit anything with the Switch 2's overall dimensions. However, coupled with Dbrand's precise design, including button placement, it seems safe to say third-party providers know what they are doing at this point.

Nintendo still hasn't hinted at a release date, but the consensus is that the company will reveal it in January and release it in March 2025. Notebook Check says this guess is based on information provided by a "major third-party developer" and on Nintendo's reveal/release schedule for the Switch in 2017, but take it with a full dose of salt.

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This Switch 2 mockup could be the most accurate representation of Nintendo's next handheld

 

[VariableSpike]

Wouldn't be surprised if they also made the joycons magnetic to avoid having an attack vector for hacking the console come up again, it is Nintendo after all

 

[NumberNine]

Hall Effect should have been a recall, but Nintendo wouldn't eat the losses to update the hardware, forcing customers to just deal with it unless they were inclined to participate in a much more lengthy repair process, or just keep buying new ones from Nintendo.

If those joycons aren't on rails, they'll be ripped off the sides frequently. I know magnets are cheaper, but rails are better.

Or... don't make them detachable and give people real controllers to use over half a joycon.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

Hall Effect should have been a recall, but Nintendo wouldn't eat the losses to update the hardware, forcing customers to just deal with it unless they were inclined to participate in a much more lengthy repair process, or just keep buying new ones from Nintendo.

If those joycons aren't on rails, they'll be ripped off the sides frequently. I know magnets are cheaper, but rails are better.

Or... don't make them detachable and give people real controllers to use over half a joycon.

It appears from multiple mockups that the magnetic controllers will still have a lock so they can't accidentally come off. In the dummy unit, Nerd Nest got the JoyCons seat into sockets, so they have to be pulled straight out vs detaching by tilting, and both the Ivoler and the Dbrand mockups show a controller lock button similar to the current JoyCons. So it looks like Nintendo thought of that.

 

[NumberNine]

It appears from multiple mockups that the magnetic controllers will still have a lock so they can't accidentally come off. In the dummy unit, Nerd Nest got the JoyCons seat into sockets, so they have to be pulled straight out vs detaching by tilting, and both the Ivoler and the Dbrand mockups show a controller lock button similar to the current JoyCons. So it looks like Nintendo thought of that.

If they're being designed to lock on then the magnets seem unneccessary. Perhaps something about the design requires the task of attaching joycons to split the stresses 50/50 between physical mechanisms and magnets?

 

[Skjorn]

Zero interest until we can buy individual games in the switch online library and DS games.
Switch feels like it was made because kids were wanting iPads instead of a Nintendo so Nintendo made an iPad.

 

[Axeia]

If they're being designed to lock on then the magnets seem unneccessary. Perhaps something about the design requires the task of attaching joycons to split the stresses 50/50 between physical mechanisms and magnets?

Magnets are great at aligning things with minimal effort, they snap into place. I'm guessing the magnets are used for that purpose and some kind of clamp or rail mechanism is used to keep the things in place.
Considering Nintendo's player base consists out of a lot of children I highly doubt they make it fragile. I've seen how my friends kids treat their Switch and the controllers definitely suffer a lot of abuse.

 

[Watzupken]

Looking at the images, nothing really stands out as Switch 2. Looks to me just like a larger Nintendo Switch.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

If they're being designed to lock on then the magnets seem unneccessary. Perhaps something about the design requires the task of attaching joycons to split the stresses 50/50 between physical mechanisms and magnets?

Not sure. We'll just have to see. I think the magnets are just there to make the controllers align and snap into the slot more easily than manually lining it up...maybe. Or maybe it just to create that satisfying *CLICK* sound when connecting.