Summary
- Third-party company Dbrand has possibly leaked an image of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.
- Dbrand's accessory case suggests new features for the Switch 2, including an extra button.
Third-party accessory maker Dbrand may have leaked a look at the highly anticipated follow-up to the Nintendo Switch. The leaks come just as anticipation for a new generation of Switch hardware is peaking.
As the Switch enters its eighth year as one of the most popular consoles in the world, fans are increasingly worried about when Nintendo will reveal its plans for a hardware upgrade. While Nintendo has yet to even officially name its next console, more information about what's next from the company seems to be coming from outside sources. The latest Switch 2 rumors have been fueled by images and information leaked by third-party vendors working with Nintendo, such as accessory makers who are in the process of designing or producing items to fit the successor console.
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Nintendo Switch 2 production rumors explained
There has been no shortage of rumors about the Nintendo Switch's successor, and the speculation is only heating up.
One such accessory maker is Canada-based Dbrand, which launched a site promoting what it calls the “Switch 2 Killswitch” bag. On the page is a picture of the case with a game console inside. The name of the accessory, combined with some notable differences between the hardware covered by the case and the actual Nintendo Switch hardware, suggests that Dbrand is indirectly showing fans and potential customers what the Switch 2 will actually look like. With excitement high that the Switch 2 would be able to solve problems with the current hardware, the campaign quickly gained attention from onlookers and commentators. In comments to Insider Gaming, Dbrand CEO Adam Ijaz said the hardware rendered inside the case matches the design of the Switch 2.
Switch 2 hardware images potentially leaked
Dbrand also posted pictures of the Switch 2 Killswitch case on their official Twitter account. The design of the case is consistent with other rumors of changes to the Switch 2 design compared to the current Switch and Switch OLED. For example, the case includes recesses for an additional button on the Joy-Con housing on the right side, separate from the current “Home” button.
While Dbrand didn't say exactly how it got the design for the Switch 2, its status as an accessory maker puts it in a position to know what the Switch 2 will look like. Such companies need early hardware design information to design and manufacture their products on time. Dbrand is also known for bold moves that sometimes attract the ire of the major console manufacturers. In 2021, Dbrand fell out with Sony, forcing the company to stop selling black faceplates for the PlayStation 5. When officially branded black PS5 faceplates went on sale in 2022, Dbrand mocked Sony for not “pissing out the color black”.
Dbrand isn't the only accessory maker potentially tipping its hand at the Switch 2, whether by mistake or on purpose. Just a few days ago, accessory maker Satisfye accidentally uploaded a trailer for a Switch 2 accessory, the Zengrip 2, revealing blurry images of the Switch 2 (or a close mockup).
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console launched in 2017, which can be played in handheld mode or docked to a television. The Switch Lite, a handheld model, followed in 2019, with an OLED update coming in 2021.
