The Switch 2's rumored new features could follow the Xbox Series X's lead, the PS5.

The Internet was flooded with rumors about the long-awaited release. Nintendo Switch 2As its temporary name suggests, the console follows its hugely successful 2017 predecessor. Not much is known about the Switch 2, but there's reason to believe that Nintendo is pursuing iterative improvements over the original rather than the revolutionary leaps observed between the GameCube and Wii, for example.

That might be a good thing, as Nintendo has undoubtedly hit the icing on the cake with the Switch, which catapulted the company back to the top of the console market after poor sales of the Wii U. Hybrid consoles are not without their drawbacks. Chief among them is low-power hardware that prevents devices from running industry-leading AAA releases. Nintendo will likely look to address these major technical shortcomings with the Switch 2, and raw processing power shouldn't be the only problem area.

Nintendo Switch 2 could have its own spin on 'Performance Mode'

Switch 2's latest performance rumors

According to Nash Weedle, a Twitter leaker with a strong track record, Nintendo Switch 2 will include an option to extend battery life in portable mode at the expense of visual fidelity or graphics performance. As with all leaks or rumors, this should be taken with a grain of salt, but this move from Nintendo makes a lot of sense, even if it's unprecedented.

Longer battery life is something the Nintendo Switch desperately needs.

The Switch's main selling point is its nature as a hybrid console. This means you can play it traditionally on your TV or small portable display. This is a unique design choice by Nintendo, the effects of which won't really be understood for several years yet after other companies follow the Switch's form factor. However, this central design conceit is somewhat hampered by poor battery life, which the Switch 2 needs to improve upon.

In games with high graphical requirements, such as: Zelda: Tears of the KingdomIt's not uncommon for the Switch to only last 3-4 hours in handheld mode before shutting down. This is a big drawback for people using the Switch without a TV. For this demographic, slightly less visual quality or other features may be worth paying for a battery that lasts much longer. But what's interesting about this rumored setup is not only the benefits it would bring to players, but also how it measures up against similar features offered by competing consoles.

Switch 2's rumored 'Performance Mode' will prioritize longer games, not FPS

Console gamers are familiar with the performance modes on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but these options are usually aimed at improving frame rates rather than battery performance. Of course, this is due to the non-portable nature of these devices, but it's interesting to contrast this kind of setup with what's been rumored for the Switch 2. Based on Nash Weedle's leaks, Switch 2 appears to be doubling down on overall player experience and quality of life rather than overwhelming technical prowess showcased through flashy visuals and performance.

Perhaps interesting, but not surprising. The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be a technological upgrade over its predecessor, but it won't strive for the same level of performance as the PS5, as it's been quite a while since Nintendo prioritized FPS, resolution, VRAM, etc. , etc. This can be frustrating at times, but it seems like an effective and on-brand decision if it means doubling down on features like battery life that have a greater impact on general enjoyment.