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Genki shows what Nintendon't

New videos show off larger Nintendo Switch 2, snap-on Joy-Cons

Accessory maker says 3D mock-up at CES is sourced from an actual console.

Kyle Orland – | 80
Genki's 3D printed Switch 2 mockup (below) is significantly larger than a standard Switch Credit: Numerama
Genki's 3D printed Switch 2 mockup (below) is significantly larger than a standard Switch Credit: Numerama

Nintendo still isn't ready to officially reveal any details about the Switch 2 (beyond a brief mention of backward compatibility in November). But that hasn't stopped gaming accessory maker Genki from giving us one of the best looks yet at the size and shape of Nintendo's upcoming hardware, as well as a video glimpse of how the console's new Joy-Cons will attach to the base tablet.

Genki is reportedly using a scale 3D model of the Switch 2 to show off its console cases behind closed doors at the Consumer Electronics Show. A video from French tech site Numerama shows that 3D model dwarfing an original Switch model in both length and width.

In a longer write-up of Genki's Switch 2 mock-up, Numerama reports that Genki says its 3D model was derived from an actual Switch 2 console, not merely "3D blueprints." Genki's model also includes a second USB-C port atop the system, Numerama reports, as well as a mysterious C button underneath the home button on the right Joy-Con.

Genki says its Switch 2 model has the same dimensions as the actual console. Credit: Netzwelt

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German site Netzwelt, which seems to have seen the same 3D model, compared Genki's dummy Switch 2 size to Lenovo's Legion Go and said it looks to have a display of "8 inches or even more." Netzwelt also reports that the dummy model Joy-Cons do not attach to the main unit magnetically, and it expects that the final console might actually use a similar mechanical connection to lock the controllers in place.

Roll that beautiful Switch footage

Of note in this encased Switch 2 shot from a Genki video: the top USB port, expanded shoudler buttons, mysterious C button below the Home button.
Genki
Of note in this encased Switch 2 shot from a Genki video: the top USB port, expanded shoudler buttons, mysterious C button below the Home button. Genki
A rear look appears to show the built-in Switch 2 stand and the underside USB port.
Genki
A rear look appears to show the built-in Switch 2 stand and the underside USB port. Genki
Yet another look at the inner edge of the Switch 2 Joy-Con, courtesy of Genki.
Genki
Yet another look at the inner edge of the Switch 2 Joy-Con, courtesy of Genki. Genki
The Switch 2 Joy-Con preparing to snap onto a Genki charging dock in much the same way that it attaches to the Switch 2 itself.
Genki
An encased Switch 2 preparing to slide into a dock in Genki's video.
Genki
A brief look at a supposed Switch 2 logo embossed on a dock in Genki's video.
Genki

Away from CES, Genki's website was updated Tuesday night with a new video showing encased Switch 2 Joy-Cons attaching to the tablet via a horizontal snap-on motion, as opposed to the vertical slide seen on the original Switch. The video also shows a special lever on the back of the Joy-Cons engaging to detach the Joy-Cons horizontally, seemingly with the aid of a small extendable post near the top of the inner edge of the controller itself.

The inner edges of the Joy-Cons shown in Genki's video match very closely with other recent leaked photos of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons, right down to the mysterious optical sensor. That sensor can even be seen flashing a laser-like red dot in the Genki promo video, helping to support rumors of mouse-like functionality for the controllers. The Genki video also offers a brief glimpse of the Switch 2 itself sliding into a familiar-looking dock labeled with an embossed Switch logo and a large number 2 next to it.

A Genki representative also told Numerama that the company expects the console to be released in April, which is just after Nintendo's self-imposed deadline for announcing more details about the system. The company had better get a move on, as third-party accessory makers are apparently getting tired of waiting.

Photo of Kyle Orland
Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor
Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper.
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Aaron44126
Surely the big accessory companies (i.e. Hori) have NDAs with Nintendo and would be promptly sued if they leaked something like this.

However, I think a number of these accessory makers are capitalizing on the leaks and prepping to release their stuff without having any sort of actual agreement with Nintendo. Genki in particular, I think, just releases their own stuff without Nintendo's blessing (I think their "covert dock" was a Kickstarter project and the product of reverse engineering). They probably got detailed dimensions from another leaked model, or maybe they got their hands on an actual unit through an industry source, and are using it to market their own accessories.

In this case, I don't think Nintendo can do very much against them. Can you copyright the physical dimensions and general appearance of something ...?

The leaks aren't a surprise. Apparently, Nintendo wants to have so many of these things ready to go at launch that there will be no shortages, no scalper market, and anyone who wants one can get one from a regular store. They're making them right now. It's impossible to keep a lid on that.

Like everyone else says, Nintendo should announce the thing already. The more people see this leaked stuff, the less impact and excitement their announcement will have. (And more people are seeing it every day.)
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