Whereas Nintendo is gearing up for an official Direct that focuses on the upcoming Change 2, the corporate has been comparatively quiet about what we are able to anticipate from the system in terms of software program, {hardware}, and even its launch date. A brand new report courtesy of Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson signifies that Nintendo is likely to be concentrating on June for a Change 2 launch.
Together with this, the report additionally signifies that Nintendo has a extra intricate plan for the discharge of video games on the Change 2. Whereas the unique Change noticed a mixture of first-party and third-party titles round its launch, the Change 2 will reportedly get a extra structured rollout of video games divided into three distinct phases.
The primary section will primarily concentrate on Nintendo’s first-party video games. This section will happen through the console’s launch window, and can probably see main Nintendo franchises getting new titles. The second section is seemingly slated for the October-November interval, and can see the discharge of third-party video games for the Change 2. Particulars on the third section aren’t clear, however the timing seemingly strains up close to the Vacation interval in December and January.
Additionally of notice is the truth that a number of builders that Henderson spoke to throughout GDC 2025 revealed that that they had not gotten improvement kits for the Change 2 but. These builders expect to get the {hardware} across the similar time-frame because the Change 2’s launch in June.
If the studies of a June launch grow to be appropriate, Nintendo has seemingly taken steps to make sure that retailers don’t run out of shares. A report from earlier this month indicated that the corporate had already began delivery the Change 2 to North America. In keeping with the report, Vietnamese producer HVBG had exported 383,000 models of the fully-assembled Change 2 to the US. These consoles had been famous to have the US/Canada area code of USZ.
Nintendo has additionally seemingly began work on extra peripherals for the Change 2. An FCC submitting noticed earlier this month indicated {that a} new GameCube controller was being made particularly for the brand new console. The concept of it being for the Change 2 largely comes from the truth that the submitting had a list ID of BEE-021; the BEE prefix has to this point been used for merchandise associated to the Change 2, whereas the unique Change had the HAC prefix.
Our first official have a look at the Nintendo Change 2 took place again in January by way of a video launched by the corporate. Whereas not too many correct particulars had been revealed on the time, we did get to see the brand new console’s design, and the way it could use a brand new mechanism to connect and detach its JoyCon controllers. Using colors within the Change 2 will even seemingly be extra delicate than the unique.
Among the many options of the brand new console which might be confirmed are a bigger show, in addition to a mysterious new C button. Whereas the brand new button’s use hasn’t but been revealed, a patent signifies that it might need one thing to do with OS-level voice chat integration.
