The Nintendo Switch 2 could offer new ways for gamers to play their favorite titles on the system, as Nintendo reported that it was working on some new and experimental concepts for the console. As the successor console to the original Switch, the Switch 2 includes upgraded hardware and new Joy-Con controllers that can be turned on the side and used like a mouse.
Throughout Nintendo’s console history, the gaming giant has included innovative ways for its audience to play games. From the NES’ iconic D-Pad to the motion controls of the Wii Remote and the Joy-Con, some of Nintendo’s control schemes have carried over across multiple console generations. In the case of the Switch 2, the Pro Controller’s additional grip buttons can be mapped to any other button used by the system, making it easier for players to access specific functions in a way that works for them.
New Ways to Play the Switch 2 Reportedly Being Worked On
Although Nintendo has established a growing library of critically acclaimed games to justify the Switch 2’s $499 price tag, the company stated that hardware innovation continues to be a priority within its hardware and software teams. During a Q&A session that was posted alongside Nintendo’s Q2 2027 financial report, a participant claimed that the gaming giant may have placed innovation on the back burner in favor of saver upgrades. However, executives like Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated otherwise. Furukawa said that new game experiences will continue to be a top priority for Nintendo. Furukawa said that Nintendo believes its current strengths lie in utilizing integrated hardware and software to deliver entertainment to its audience.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Furukawa’s comments were followed up by Nintendo senior managing executive officer Shinya Takahashi, who said that the company’s hardware and software teams were experimenting with new ways to play Switch 2 games with the hope of revealing those plans sometime soon. However, neither Takahashi nor Furukawa precisely elaborated on what Nintendo was working on for the Switch 2. Although the Switch 2 has features that include mouse mode for the Joy-Con 2 controllers and a built-in microphone that can be utilized in games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the GameChat app, how each feature is used depends on the games and apps in question.
Nintendo also discussed how it plans to navigate the rising costs of memory and other essential components brought on by the ongoing DRAM shortage crisis. Thankfully, a second price increase for the Switch 2 is currently not planned, as Furukawa said that Nintendo is in a position to secure sufficient components and supplies. Furukawa added that Nintendo currently remains on course to sell 16 million consoles within 2026, with the expectation it will reach that goal by the end of the calendar year.
As of this writing, the Switch 2 has sold an estimated 26.35 million units worldwide since June 2025, with the original Switch selling approximately 157.2 million units since March 2017. Given that Nintendo has several titles planned to launch on Switch 2 within 2027, including RPGs such as Pokemon Winds and Waves, it remains to be seen what the company has planned in terms of innovation for its current-gen system.
