"Nintendo Switch 2 to Support NFC, Compatible with Amiibo"

Recent filings for the Nintendo Switch 2 have revealed that it will support Near Field Communication (NFC), suggesting that Amiibo figures will be compatible with this next-generation console. As reported by The Verge, Federal Communication Commission (FCC) documents confirm that the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) feature, essential for Amiibo functionality, will be integrated into the right Joy-Con, just as it was with the original Nintendo Switch. This raises an intriguing question: will the Switch 2 support existing Amiibo that already unlock in-game content?

Additionally, the filings disclose that the Nintendo Switch 2 can be charged through either its bottom USB-C port or a new top USB-C port, a feature many fans anticipated after the console's official reveal. The new console will also support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks, offering up to 80MHz of bandwidth, an upgrade from the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) on the original Switch. However, there's no mention of support for Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E, as noted by The Verge.

The Switch 2 is rated for a maximum of 15V, but the filings also mention an AC adapter that can go up to 20V, leaving the actual charging speed a mystery for now.

Last month, a Nintendo patent hinted that the Switch 2's Joy-Con controllers might be attachable upside down. This suggests that the console could utilize gyro mechanics similar to those in smartphones without screen locks. Unlike the original Switch, which used rails to secure the Joy-Cons, the new controllers will use magnets, allowing them to be attached on either side. This design change could offer players more flexibility in button placement and headphone port positioning, and might even introduce new gameplay mechanics if implemented in the final product.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

If the Nintendo Switch 2 operates as suggested by the patent, Nintendo is expected to provide a full outline of this feature at the special Nintendo Direct event, scheduled for 6am Pacific / 9am Eastern / 2pm UK time on April 2.

The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 seems imminent, with speculation pointing to a launch window between June and September. This speculation is fueled by hands-on events scheduled until June and statements from Greedfall 2 publisher Nacon indicating that the console will be available before September.

The Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled earlier in January with a brief trailer that confirmed backwards compatibility features and the addition of a second USB-C port. However, many details, such as the console's game lineup and the function of the mysterious new Joy-Con button, remain undisclosed. The theory that the new Joy-Con might function as a mouse has gained some traction among enthusiasts.