Nintendo fans are frothing over freshly-posted images purporting to show the under-wraps Switch 2. The pictures include apparent 3D models of the console and its Joy-Con, as well as photos of the console’s shell – including its circuit board.

In general, the images depict a console almost identical to the current Switch, albeit with a larger screen size and what look to be magnets on the sides of its Joy-Con.

These details match with previous publicly-reported details of Switch 2, but do little to verify the images themselves. Indeed, doubt has been poured over the pictures – originally posted to a Chinese social media site then shared more widely via reddit – since it was discovered the original poster was a 3D design and model enthusiast.

The original post author has since deleted the images from their social media profile – which also includes detailed models of Black Myth Wukong figurines and other creations, crafted by someone clearly capable of copying and recreating 3D designs.

Still, the two photographic images posted alongside the 3D models do warrant some closer inspection – and in particular, the photo that appears to show the Switch 2’s PCB (printed circuit board).

The detail shown on this board is remarkable, and the PCB number printed on it lines up with leaked shipment data for parts used in Switch 2 prototypes last year. Could the photos show a real prototype from which the poster of these images was recreating their own 3D models? Perhaps, though even then this would come with the caveat that the model that has since been superseded, and shouldn’t be expected to translate exactly to the final article. In other words, even if this is real, it’s out of date.

This is the most interesting/plausible Switch 2 leak image – looks like some rough prototype components. Why fake a mainboard? Pay attention to the small size of the battery chamber and keep expectations firmly in check on handheld performance. pic.twitter.com/M3DKSFnt3C— Digital Foundry (@digitalfoundry) September 18, 2024