By In just over a month, players can expect a clearer understanding of what to anticipate from the Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct on April 2. Since Nintendo needed to disclose certain technical details to the Federal Communications Commission beforehand, players are now privy to more information about the forthcoming console.
Through The Verge, the FCC has published some of the technical specifications for Switch 2 online. Although such reports are often filled with technical terms, they reveal that Switch 2 will support near-field communication, or NFC, which is the technology that allowed Amiibo figures to interact with Nintendo’s previous console to unlock new in-game content. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the radio-frequency identification (RFID) capability is included within the new Joy-Con controllers, just as it was in the original Switch. While this isn’t an absolute guarantee that Amiibos will remain compatible with the Switch 2, it certainly appears likely.
Documents from the FCC indicate that Switch 2 will support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks with bandwidth of up to 80MHz. This marks an improvement over the original Switch’s Wi-Fi 5 capabilities but is not as fast as Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. The filings also confirm that Switch 2 features two USB-C ports—one on the top and one on the bottom—allowing for charging through either port.
A previously disclosed Japanese patent application hinted that Switch 2’s Joy-Cons may have mouse-like functionalities. Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa recently mentioned that the company needs to explore “pushing beyond gaming” to engage audiences in ways other than just through its games and consoles. While it’s not entirely clear what this means for Switch 2 just yet, hopefully, more information will be unveiled soon.
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