Rumor: Nintendo Switch 2 Dock May Look Much Different Than its Predecessor

Key Takeaways

• The Nintendo Switch 2 might have a significantly bulkier dock than its predecessor.
• A larger dock could accommodate an active cooling system, or a rotating input/output panel, something that Nintendo recently patented.
• Nintendo previously committed to unveiling the Switch 2 before March 31, 2025.

The Nintendo Switch 2 dock might be noticeably bulkier than its predecessor, according to a number of recent rumors. There are also some indications that the console itself won’t have any issues visually standing out from the Switch.

Back in May 2024, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said that it would be accurate to describe the company’s upcoming system as the “next” Switch model. The statement implied that the Switch 2 may look somewhat similar to its predecessor. It also gave more credence to widespread reports claiming that the much-anticipated device will retain the hybrid design of the Switch, allowing for both handheld and docked play.

With Nintendo still holding off on revealing its next console, the speculation surrounding the Switch 2 has now entered the era of doodling. Specifically, Resetera user Ninspider has recently authored a sketch of both the upcoming console and its dock, based on some recent rumors about the device. While this wouldn’t usually be considered newsworthy, it’s notable because it elicited a reaction from long-time Nintendo leaker Nate the Hate, also known as NateDrake. The insider said that the dock sketch is roughly similar to a design he was sent in September 2024.

A Bulkier Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Could Accommodate an Active Cooling System

Nate the Hate noted that he is still in the process of verifying the design he received, thus being unsure about its veracity. The sketch he was commenting on depicted a Switch 2 dock that is much bulkier than the one released with its predecessor, mostly because its curved back panel is nearly three times thicker than the front one. The setup seems large enough to accommodate an active cooling system, i.e., a fan or two, which is something that the Switch dock lacks.

Alternatively, a thicker stand could fit the rotating input/output panel that Nintendo patented back in early April 2024. Making the console’s hub bulkier would also have some secondary advantages, like improving its structural stability and durability. Such a design would also help it visually stand out from the Switch dock, which is something that Nintendo’s marketing team would most likely consider to be a big plus, if not a requirement. Nate the Hate didn’t say anything about the other half of the sketch, which depicts the Switch 2 with a much-improved kickstand that runs the length of the console, in accordance with recent rumors on the matter.

Nintendo has five more months to announce its Switch successor during the window it previously committed to. Specifically, the company last said that it plans to unveil its next console during its ongoing fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The Switch 2 is not expected to hit the market until Q2 2025 at the earliest.