The Nintendo Switch 2 release date remains one of gaming’s biggest mysteries, with fans eagerly awaiting official confirmation from Nintendo. While the company has yet to announce the timing, speculation is running wild, and one fan theory has gained serious traction.
According to online sleuths, the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch on May 22, 2025 – just 107 days away. It’s an idea based on Nintendo’s past release trends and some cryptic clues, and while it should be taken with caution, the logic behind it is surprisingly convincing.
Nintendo seems to be leaning heavily into the number 2 for its upcoming console marketing. The Switch 2 Direct is set for April 2nd, exactly 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days after the system was first revealed. The teaser video? Exactly 2 minutes and 22 seconds long – and even the initial announcement was dropped at 22:02 in Japan. Given this pattern, a May 22 launch makes perfect sense, reinforcing the theme.
Beyond the numbers, there’s precedent for this timing. While Nintendo traditionally released hardware on Fridays, recent launches have landed on Thursdays, and May 22 is no exception. That date would also mark exactly 50 days since the Switch 2 Direct, mirroring the Switch 1’s timeline. Notably, Nintendo has a history of launching consoles before their promotional events wrap up – Switch 1 launched before its experience tour ended in cities like Seoul, and the Switch 2 could follow suit, with a major event still scheduled in Seoul for June.
Why are fans so sure about May 22? The theory first gained momentum on Reddit, where a user pointed out that Nintendo has a pattern of releasing hardware in late spring. Historically, the original Switch launched on March 3, 2017, while the Switch OLED arrived in October 2021. If Nintendo wanted to avoid competing directly with holiday launches from Sony and Microsoft, May 22 could be a strategic choice for maximizing attention.
But it doesn’t stop there. Fans have also analyzed Nintendo’s financial reports, which typically highlight the company’s major sales expectations. A May launch would allow Switch 2 to generate strong revenue before the company’s fiscal year closes at the end of June. That timing could help Nintendo show investors that the new console is off to a strong start, rather than pushing the launch into late 2025.
The Pokémon Connection
One of the most interesting pieces of evidence backing this theory comes from the Pokémon franchise. Historically, major Pokémon titles have aligned with big hardware launches. The Nintendo DS arrived just months before Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, while the Nintendo Switch launched ahead of Pokémon Sword and Shield.
A May 22 release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 could allow Nintendo to promote a new Pokémon title for holiday 2025, serving as a killer app for the new system. The franchise’s massive popularity has been a major system seller in the past, so a well-timed launch could boost Switch 2 sales right out of the gate.
Is the May 22 theory realistic? While it’s an exciting idea, there are reasons to be skeptical. Nintendo has remained incredibly secretive about the Switch 2, and with no official announcement yet, a May release might be too soon. Typically, Nintendo gives fans months of lead time before a console launch. The original Switch was revealed in October 2016 and launched in March 2017, so an announcement needs to happen very soon for this theory to hold weight.
Still, fans remain hopeful. Nintendo’s history of surprise reveals and sudden launches means anything is possible. If the Nintendo Switch 2 really is set for May 22, we should expect a major announcement within the next few weeks.
Could it be sooner or later? If May 22 isn’t the date, some fans believe a summer or fall 2025 launch is more likely. Others speculate that Nintendo might shadow-drop the Switch 2 with a shorter marketing campaign, similar to how the Switch Lite was revealed just months before its release.
For now, all we can do is wait for Nintendo to break its silence. Until then, the countdown to 107 days continues – just in case this theory turns out to be true. Meanwhile go check Pocket Tactics for the latest on Nintendo Switch 2 preorders.