Nintendo Switch 2 shown at Gamescom, but not to everyone

A new report has seemingly confirmed the rumors that Nintendo was showing off the Switch 2 behind closed doors at Gamescom.

Eurogamer’s editor-in-chief, Tom Phillips has reported that the rumor of Nintendo giving private Switch 2 demos at Gamescom was real.

According to Eurogamer, the demos included your typical tech demos for the Nintendo hardware, as well as a new version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Phillips describes it as a “souped up version” intended to take advantage of the “beefier target specs.”

Nintendo Switch 2 reportedly running Matrix demo with Nvidia DLSS

Another report from Video Game Chronicle actually detailed one of the demos. It happened to be The Matrix Awakens, an Unreal 5 demo using DLSS. This would be how Nintendo gets around hardware limitations and increases performance. However, it was running on targeted hardware and not the real thing.

Switch 2 rumors have been heating up over the last few months, as more information regarding the successor to Nintendo’s handheld hybrid begins to leak out. Previous rumors have included developers having kits already in-house, as well as multiple individuals being able to estimate which Nvidia chip Nintendo plans to use to power the device.

However, it’s not until now that the closed-door demos at Gamescom rumors have been confirmed. Phillips understands that Nintendo is “keen to launch” the Switch 2 “sooner if possible”. The CEO of Nintendo has reiterated that no news would be shared before April 2024.

Switch 2 Gamescom demo rumors appear to be confirmed by Eurogamer

Nintendo

It’s still unclear when Nintendo plans to launch the Switch 2, but a previous leak stemming from Centro Leaks has claimed that the console will be backward compatible, despite using a “new cartridge format”. This would be a key feature for the Switch 2, as Nintendo still has several games coming out in 2024 for the original device.

The Switch 2 has been rumored for the last few years now, with the original “Switch Pro” eventually becoming what would be the Switch OLED. However, Nintendo has remained tight-lipped when talking about the Switch 2 directly, and a couple of manufacturers have quickly erased any mention of it from their 2024 plans.