Nintendo Switch 2 Filings Reveal NFC Support, Suggesting Amiibo Will Work With It

Recent filings for the Nintendo Switch 2 have confirmed that the upcoming console will support Near Field Communication (NFC), hinting at continued compatibility with Amiibo figures. As reported by The Verge, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) documents indicate that the RFID feature, essential for Amiibo functionality, will be integrated into the right Joy-Con, mirroring the original Switch's design. This raises an exciting question for gamers: Will the Switch 2 be able to use existing Amiibo to unlock in-game content?

In addition to NFC, the filings reveal that the Switch 2 can be charged through either a bottom or a new top USB-C port, a feature fans anticipated following the console's official reveal. The Switch 2 will also upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with up to 80MHz of bandwidth, an improvement over the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) found in the original Switch. However, there's no mention of support for Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E. The console remains rated for a maximum of 15V, but an AC adapter capable of up to 20V was noted, leaving the actual charging speed a mystery for now.

Last month, a Nintendo patent suggested that the Switch 2's Joy-Con controllers could be attached upside down, utilizing gyro mechanics similar to how smartphones operate without screen lock. Unlike the original Switch, which used rails to secure the Joy-Cons, the new controllers will employ magnets, allowing for versatile attachment on either side. This design not only offers flexibility in button placement and headphone port access but also opens up potential new gameplay mechanics if implemented in the final product.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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If the patent's design makes it into the final Switch 2, Nintendo is expected to fully explain this feature during a special Nintendo Direct event scheduled for 6am Pacific / 9am Eastern / 2pm UK time on April 2.

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

The Switch 2 was introduced earlier in January with a trailer that confirmed backwards compatibility and the inclusion of a second USB-C port. While many details, including additional games and the function of a new mysterious Joy-Con button, remain undisclosed, theories such as the Joy-Con mouse functionality have begun to circulate.