Video: We've Spotted Some Secrets In The Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Trailer

Gemini, what's the definition of 'secrets'? Would it include recording a close up video of something and uploading it to Youtube?

@gcunit in this case it's desperately trying to get as much out of a 2 minute reveal as possible.

This could have been an email.

Why put the microphone on the console and not the joycon for TV use it is so weird. Also two ir sensors that no games will use? Oookay

These are things that I didn’t notice, so great secret reveals!

I don't think those are IR cameras you see on the edges of the joycons. They go from edge to edge and seem to be the core frame of the joycon which is sandwiched between thinner top and bottom faces. You can see the screws are now on the same face as the l/r buttons. I suspect this will make them easier to open and fix (less screws, easier to disassemble, sturdier frame)

A potential microphone makes me hope for DS NSO now. This brings back memories of blowing so hard in WarioWare: Touched. Maybe this could even bring back a sound app?!

They had better let you blow on the microphone for DKCR lol....

@AlanaHagues

"IR Camera 2
The IR camera isn't new to the Switch consoles, so you probably spotted this during the trailer, but what may have gone unnoticed is that there's actually an IR camera on both Joy-Con.

On the current Switch, the IR camera is only on the right Joy-Con, but here, there's a second one on the left Joy-Con. At least, that's what it looks like. It might just be an aesthetic thing, but that'd be a little weird."

I think maybe the IR Camera is gone.

If one looks at around 1:13 in the reveal video, when the mice are racing, we see both the potential IR-areas and they don't look transparent. And the line between materials of this area just continues over the bend - it's not a small area with its own plastic piece for the IR-area like on the Switch 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxLUf2kRQRE

When I’ve watched the video I keep seeing artifacting on the dock next to the indicator light. Is it just artifacting or is there actually something there?

@NintonicGamer that's a good point. Didn't think of that. So playing nintendogs on (if they make a new one) you have to shout so it can hear you?

Ha ha, guys give it up.

Did anyone notice that the Switch 2 video was 2 minutes, 22 seconds long, and was posted 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days before April 2nd?

Oh no, not again the microsd on the back... It should be next to the cartidge slot! The only thing i wanted from Switch 2 (and an OLED option). I have 10 cards and my games take almost 3 TB of space and I never play most of them because it is difficult to change cards. Take it off the dock, turn it off, open the slot, turn it on dock it again. I hope that there is an option for external HDD in docked mode even if you have to move the games to the microsd. I can't believe no one finds it as a major design problem. And new games will take even more space.

I don’t think those are IR sensors and that’s partly why there’s the disclaimer about it not being fully compatible with Switch games (1 2 Switch and…er…Wario Ware?), on top of Labo and Ringfit seeing as though the new joy cons won’t fit in them.

Hopefully you can still use old joy cons if you want to play said games.

@john_lennon999 I would bet a lot of money that most people use one card and only swap it out when they upgrade the size of it

I wonder how comfortable the new Joy-Con Grip will be if they're flat. Looks like it could dig into the hand.

Please, Nintendo, please bring back Nintendogs!

I also think the mouse like features will be really interesting, especially if there is a Mario Maker 3. Editing levels will be so much easier...

I think the "IR Camera" is just a tactile/style line, to be honest. Games rarely used it and the mouse sensor should suffice.

Also, I wonder if the bottom grooves (e.g. micro SD slot?) are for making sure you don't put a Switch 2 into a Switch OG dock.

This better mean no more overheating and causing the tablet body to start bending inwards. Happened to my switch because of the heat when on dock. Its not straight. Cheap. So I hope this means this one has better body and no cheap material.

Oh, and I had a thought about why it's Switch 2 and not something like "Super Switch" (which is WAY cooler IMO)

If they named it Super Switch, then any game that came out for the successor console would inevitably be tagged "Super". Like, Super Snipper Clips or Super Splatoon 3.

However, naming it Switch 2 safe guards from this because nobody is going to name their game "Splatoon 3 2".

As much as I like the name "Super Splatoon", it implies that it's ONLY for the new Switch. Maybe Nintendo wants these consoles to run in parallel and continue to release games which are supported on both consoles, or at the very least sell enhanced versions of Switch OG games.

In the event that I'm wrong... it begs the question, what will the updated experience qualifier be? BOTW: Enhanced? BOTW: DX?

Maybe that's why Mario Kart didn't get a name yet. The name is part of the surprise! There's another trailer secret for ya! It's the notes that they didn't play

@john_lennon999 Having it next to the cart slot would be kinda confusing. 'Sides, swapping SD Cards isn't really that tedious, unless you're using like 12 32GB cards.

There's a rumor floating about that the Joysticks now have PS5-like haptic resistance, which could be why Nintendo took a moment to spin the sticks around with a sound effect. If this is true, then it would make sense that Nintendo offset the cost of the new haptic joysticks by dropping one of the least-used aspects of the Joycon, the IR sensor.

The wide bezel on the sides is needed because of the long blue/red „shoulders“ of the Joycons. These Joycons are much bigger than we might think they are!

@AlanaHagues

If it turns out there is no IR-sensor, it would atleast be one of the reasons for this text in the Switch 2 reveal video at 2:02:
"Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxLUf2kRQRE

5 things about the Switch 2 kickstand you may have missed

I miss the Switch 2 leaker era

Mario Paint for Switch 2? Kit and Krysta give us the scoop

A close look at the Switch 2 USB C port

Switch and Switch 2 docks side by side in this simulated photo

The microSD slot isn't visually interesting, but the fact that it may support/require microSD Express cards is very interesting, since that will mean much faster load times, approaching the speeds of other consoles that use NVMe storage.

That may be a microphone hole, but why would it be on the console itself rather than the controller? Is Nintendo doing video chat again? Maybe it's also on the new Pro Controller and voice chat is a core feature. Or there'll be a headphone jack.

I DON'T think both controllers have IR sensors. That doesn't make sense, and the visual evidence cited is questionable.

I can't say I'm happy about perfectly flat Joy-Con grip face. Hopefully it won't dig into your palms. Realistically, I'll be using a Pro Controller most of the time, unless the Joy-Con have whiz-bang features required by whatever game I'm playing (doubtful).

@Coalescence I think at least two of these are almost certain xD

I’m just getting a kick out of the 5nm vs 8nm chip people and how detailed the arguing gets. The wait and popcorn continues.

Not able to watch videos, please put everything into the article!

I will NOT be playing any game that requires the use of a Mouse!

Once again, no speakers in the JoyCons!
WtF!

@gcunit
I was born at 2:22am

??? I love you Nintendo Life but these aren't "secrets" in any way shape or form of the word.

@Spider-Kev teeeeeechnically the vibration can be used as a speaker. See the coin pickups in Mario Kart

It's not too easy to tell, but we suspect the Switch 2 has a more matte finish — or, potentially, a powdered aluminium finish. There's a more "refined" look to it than the original Switch

Really? I saw what looked like CGI or a 3D print, I didn't see anything that looked as realistic, let alone powdered aluminium finish. 3D print was a joke, CGI was not.

@PushMyGran86 "So playing nintendogs on (if they make a new one) you have to shout so it can hear you?"

You would need to shout louder than playing with Wii Speak on.

@N00BiSH no it is. I have 4 512GB, 2 200GB and 6 128GB all full and if i am in bed and i want to play a game in a different microsd i never get up to change them. Sometimes uou want to play sth from one card and later sth from another and it would be muche easier if the slot was somewhere on the top with an unmount option in the menu so you don't have to turn off the console too.

@john_lennon999 ...how many games do you have on your system that warrants FOUR large microSDs??? This is a genuine question, I should clarify.

Does that bottom USB-C port really look like an ordinary USB-C?

It’s not actually an IR camera. I already checked it and it goes up to the shoulder button, but now the L Joy-Con has it too. It’s just a plastic seam.

Switch games that use IR cameras will need the original Joy-Cons to work.

Wait. Never noticed the hole by the cartridge slot. Possible microphone for voice chat as well as support with headsets?

“Oh, looks like we didn’t mention these few little things in any article yet.” - Alana

“Make another post!!!” - Manager

“Uh… it’s not really anything. I think people might get annoyed… There has been a ton of this content lately and—” - Alana

“Make a post and call them SECRETS!” - Director

“Ok, but you can’t squeeze blood from a stone…” - Alana

Forums riot.

“Alana, people aren’t happy. We need MORE content from this video.” - CEO

Alana joins forum users

Please Nintendo, call it the NS 2 !

The headphone jack being at the top of the console really bothers me I do use Bluetooth headphones most of the time but occasionally I use wired usually when I forget to charge them and I guess quite a lot of people use a gaming headset I find it quite frustrating having the wire trailing round the back I thought they might have fixed this when the switch oled was released but it’s still there feel like it’s a bit of an oversight

A few thoughts/ideas on what we’ve seen:

L/R and the ZL/ZR buttons look bigger - potentially analogue triggers? N64 incoming?

USB-C on top - some sort of motion tracking camera add-on to follow? They have been toying with VR/AR so it’s possible.

Dock screen area - potential for notifications/alerts like on the 3DS?

Sound & rotation of the joysticks - could we be getting Hall Effect or similar ‘driftless’ sticks finally?

As the OG Switch games will be compatible, hopefully the original joycons can be synced to be used too

@montrayjak I don't use vibration on any system

@Spider-Kev Ah OK. The HD rumble is essentially a speaker. Games can send sound files to it, and it rumbles as so. Which makes sense as speakers basically rumble the air.

I saw my life flash before my eyes in the trailer... I need to stop playing video games, staying up late, drinking Mountain Dew, Eating chips, and Taco Bell...

Really hate the salmon joycon.
Hope there is an option to have a different colour

@john_lennon999 to be fair, I think you are in an extreme minority with that need. Most people won’t hit the default space limit and most of who do will delete old games to make space or just upgrade to a bigger card.

Also what games do you have that require that many cards? I have 300+ games on my 1tb card and it’s not full yet.

They could've put a camera for easier QR code reading, AR...

@larryisaman I think your right.

confirmed you can technically attach original joycons BUT there’s no power transfer.

I wonder if they are lights on the new joycons (for VR/AR/light gun interface)

I’m going to actually riot if they bring back those annoying parts of Zelda Spirit Tracks where you have to blow into the little microphone

@Ogbert i have over 700 games, most of Fifa, some NBA2K, all Assassin's Creed games, Bioshock, all Resident Evil games, LA Noire, GTA, Mortal Kombat (these i can remember now that take lots of space) almost every 3D Platform or Kart game there is on console. I would appreciate just an external HDD with the option to move to SD, something like Xbox Series X/S work with their internal memory without expanison card. It takes forever for some games to redownload them!

@john_lennon999 You have every right to complain, just like anyone else! Each person has different priorities and habits.

@gcunit SHHHHHH!!! That was the secret. Can I get a spoiler alert? haha

"Secrets"??? There was absolutely nothing secret about the way Nintendo showed off any of those things in the trailer.

@NintonicGamer If the (alleged) mic is on the Joy-Con, then you’ll lose mic functionality whenever you use a different controller… or you’ll have to pay for that functionality over and over with every controller. Perhaps when it’s in TV mode, it changes its sensitivity to pick up from across the room.

@john_lennon999 How about a second microSD card slot? Obviously you’d still need more than 2, but if one card slot is the best functionality for space ratio, a second one would be the next best ratio. I frankly wish there was space for an extra game card slot, channeling the convenience of the 3-disc stereos from the 90's.

@Gs69 A headphone jack on the bottom as opposed to the top would be an issue if you play on your belly, to piggyback off of the heat vent discussion.

What is that horizontal line at the bottom of the dock? It’s not on the OG or OLED docks. Hopefully it’s a sensor bar.

What stops people from connecting the Joy-Con upside down and reversed? Then the magnets would still be aligned correctly. Perhaps the “lightning” cable connector would prevent this.

The mouse functionality (if true) has been lampooned quite a bit online thus far but would work well if one purchases a lap desk.

Overall, there are some real nitpickers in the comments. There were features in here that were not mentioned in yesterday’s coverage and that were surprising to one of the video producers. It’s as if you don’t believe that things can be “hidden in plain sight.” This is a common expression because of the brain’s reticular activating system.

I noticed a second USB Type C port on the top of the system and C buttons where SL and SR are on the Joy-Cons.

@Max_the_German Great point. Bezel size was a disappointment, so thanks for pointing out the 'why'. I guess I'll take the tradeoff for sturdier joy con's and attachment.

Meanwhile I’m over here trying to rationalize why people will buy a bunch of digital games and need a stack of micro SD cards to store them on. Why not just buy physical games?!

@john_lennon999 ah ok yeah those big third party games tend to be not the most optimised for file size!

@Thomystic the polarity of the magnets maybe stops this? Or maybe a subtle shape difference we can’t see here.

Or maybe nothing and it’s deliberate and there will be a new gimmick game where one person plays the switch 2 but with the screen facing away and everyone else has to tell them what to do.

If the joycon can be used as a mouse then switch 2 could be amazing for fps and rts games!

Bring on command and conquer, red alert and company of heroes!

@Thomystic yeah didn’t think of that it just occurred to me when I was using my ps vita it just seemed better but I suppose the switch is much bigger it’s just kinda odd like a Dreamcast controller where the cable comes from the bottom of the controller and you have a little groove to keep it out of the way just seems like a bad design but also comes from necessity

That isn't an IR camera, it's the plastic wrapped around the edge of the JoyCon.

I think IR cameras are gone for good, which makes sense given that very few games used them.

Appreciate you got spotting those, I miss some of those details. As minor as it is I'm glad they put an IR on the left Joy con. It only makes sense really.

@MeloMan It’s not actually an IR camera. It’s just plastic, you can tell because it also extends to the R button.

I miss the days when no one talked about bezels. Apple and the tech industry as a whole have made us all care about the most trivial things

I hope they have a headphone jack on the joy cons it would be a great upgrade to docked play

I literally only care if it runs faster and the e-store doesn't suck

Do the Joy-Cons have analog triggers? I suppose not, because nobody mentions it.

Mic if it's for headsets sure, if it's for social features, get rid of it. If it's for DS like use I doubt it these days.

If Xbox/PS/Switch 1 style OS again I'm done. Hate them, hate groups, hate the boxes, the sounds were good, but no music, eh OS design. The navigation is better then Xbox/PS5 but even still the design is so appallingly bad.

IR are in the worst spot again. Unless they are well used on both sides and upside down or other ways to hold the Joycon they are just terrible. Just back compat and more then a right Joycon with an IR for Labo stuff? Or something else. Sigh. Give me IR like the Wii but improved Nintendo not a bad placement of it for 5 or so games and not even in interesting ways either. VR does it better then this. The IR is just so badly positioned.

HD Rumble was so eh, I'm only getting around to it now. Impulse Triggers for Xbox One 2013+ are better used then HD Rumble is. Dualsense is it's own but Impulse Triggers are better.

LCD is fine I don't like OLED lighting, so eh the colours I hate the lighting. I hate it on Vita, no not the burn in that's expected of OLED and gotten better to avoid sure, I just hate the lighting of OLED. I can't stand it. Besides if games are LCD then OLED it works better. OLED to LCD for Vita, even if new OLED at the time wow the games look worse because they weren't made with the LCD in mind. Doesn't bother me at all I don't care about graphics, it's just noticeable still.

The tablet design is 'fine' I really don't care it's what I expected really even if I'd have preferred different. I'd take a base station like Vita & PS TV or Evercade, but syncing for dual screens or save transfers or whatever. I'd take a projector button or something else. But then again won't happen too expensive and even phone to TV is delayed to be so noticeable. PS4/Wii U to Vita and Gamepad made sense but at the same time Switch to TV even if difference of hardware then my underpowered phones even still it may be pretty eh or the TV processing.

C button needs to be good if it's 'connect' as in share feature (we got a photo/video button, that's all, not more) then goodbye Nintendo. I don't want a share button. I want something interesting out of that button. Xbox Series did a share button and what a let down over the Impulse Triggers greatness there of Xbox One. I get quick access over the software method that was there but that's it. I hate socialising we have 20+ ways to do it software or hardware, tell humanity to stop wanting to socailise and talk garbage. Give me tech ideas that are useful not repeating history for more talking and achieving nothing. Dualshock 4 share was eh, good and bad. I barely use it. Touchpad had 2 halves it's fine but eh I hate Share/options they feel awful.

SD card spot is fine. The Bezels and flatness...... If the grips are good that's fine.

I want more original controllers but nope it has to be like a regular controller in some way still. Make the Pro Controller the normal one. Why do the Joycons have to be so safe and with a few slight features. It's so annoying seeing safe controllers. I'd rather they go further with them but nope.

Controller as a mouse you say, bring on Civ7

What about the extra buttons on the back of the joycons???

@Bunkerneath I assume unlike a pro controller (by third parties that make those sorts of pro controllers not to be confused with Wii U/Switch pro controller) they are the new magnet releases for the Joycons like the buttons on the Switch 1 rails. But that's just a guess.