My wishlist for the Nintendo Switch 2

The rumor mill is running wild with anticipation, which means we're close to an announcement on the long-awaited successor to the Nintendo Switch. I've already made my love for Nintendo's masterful console clear in the last few years, so it should be no surprise that I'm waiting for the next iteration eagerly.

I don't put much stock in rumor and speculation, but even I'm not above a good, old-fashioned wishlist. So here are the 5 things that I'm hoping the Switch 2 (or whatever it's called) will deliver when it launches potentially later this year.

Classic Remasters

I'm a child at heart, and I'm not immune to nostalgia. It's been 20 years since I got to play Wind Waker or Majora's Mask. Yes, the latter is available on the Virtual Console, but I'm not one for streaming, and it's locked behind an always-online requirement. I'd rather have both games or even more Zelda titles on a physical cartridge. Something that I can take along at any point and hop between titles on a long flight.

If you're old enough to remember the Gamecube, that console had a wonderful The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition release, which included multiple titles on one disc. That's the kind of beauty I'm thinking about and something that would sell like hotcakes for us aging Zelda fans who want to return to the Hyrule of our youth.

New joysticks for the Joy-Cons

The Joy-Cons, while delightful and smartly designed, struggle from drifting issues and aren't always the most comfortable things to hold if you're an adult. Based on leaks and rumors, the new versions will feature magnetic holders to clasp them onto the console. This should make them slightly easier to connect and disconnect, but I hope the design philosophy extends to the triggers and buttons as well.

Having said that, I don't think it's too much to ask for the older Joy-Cons to work on the new machine via backward compatibility. I remember how important it was that the Wii motes worked with the Wii U, and it's the same case here. I have multiple spare Joy-Cons at home, not to mention third-party controllers from reviews, and it would be a massive shame if they were suddenly redundant because of a hardware upgrade.

A renewed love for physical media

This is an area that Nintendo already excels at, but it's worth repeating nonetheless. Physical media is essential for the preservation of games as an art form, and vital for consumer rights. On top of that, a physical box just makes it feel like an event. There's something special about going to the store to pick up your copy, along with bonuses like maps, posters, and whatnot.

In 2024, Nintendo led the way with some remarkable special editions and continued their love for old-school releases on physical media. But we also saw games released only partially on the cartridge, with portions of the final product locked away behind a download.

With the Switch 2 rumored to have even faster SD cards, I sincerely hope we'll see an even stronger emphasis on games delivered entirely on the cartridge. If I can take it one step further, I'd love to see a revival of even older classics on physical media like the Mario Collection, but for SNES rarities or beloved Gamecube titles. Heck, put those in a retro-branded case and I'll throw good cash money at it without hesitation.

Hardware improvements

Nintendo doesn't chase the highest tier of graphics or the cutting edge in technology, and I applaud them for that. Instead, they focus on the most accessible and innovative functions where gameplay and social functions are at the forefront.

That said, certain quality-of-life improvements wouldn't go amiss. While the battery life on the OLED model continues to impress, technology has come a long way since the Switch's initial release 7 years ago. A slight boost would make a huge difference, as would a more efficient processor.

Finally, the OLED screen is a thing of beauty, and it should be the first and only thing we get on the mainline model. I'm fine if the Lite version (see below) has an LCD display, but for the big and shiny home version, only an OLED will do. Oh, and if it could have Gorilla Glass to protect it, even better.

A Lite Model

This feels like looking at a banquet and asking if there's dessert. But after 6 years of loving my Nintendo Switch Lite, I can't help myself. As someone who travels quite a bit for work, the Lite model has been my trusted companion since day 1. It's the quintessential machine for pick-up-and-go gaming, with surprisingly good battery life and robust engineering for what it is.

Sure, the joysticks are just as finicky as on the regular Joy-Cons, and the screen struggles in direct sunlight, but I have a hard time complaining when it's given me this much for the price over the years. I purchased my unit the day it went on sale and haven't even had to replace the battery on it so far. It's been with me around the globe, and I've reviewed almost every single Switch title on it at one point or another.

Yes, the OLED Switch is still the king, and yes, I still take it along if I know the hotel will have a TV I can dock it in. But more often than not, I'll also carry my Switch Lite, and I hope that continues well into the future with the Switch 2.