STORY: Nintendo has finally revealed a successor to its big-selling Switch game console.

The Japanese firm said Thursday (January 16) that the Switch 2 would launch later this year.

Its most obvious upgrade is a bigger screen compared to the original.

The company said games from the first Switch would be playable on the new device, but not always fully compatible.

It didn’t reveal a price, or many other details.

Nintendo said more information would come at an event in early April.

Thursday’s news had been long awaited.

The original Switch console transformed the fortunes of the Kyoto-based firm, after its earlier Wii U console proved a flop.

Nintendo has sold more than 145 million units of the Switch worldwide.

Its life has been extended by models with updated hardware, and a series of hit games from franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda.

But the console has been on the market since 2017, leaving gamers and investors both keen for an update.

One analyst told Reuters that the Switch 2 would reinvigorate hardware sales for the company.

However, another expressed disappointment that the device appeared to be more like an upgrade than an all-new model.

Nintendo shares fell over 6% in early trades Friday (January 17) following the news, having scaled all-time highs the day before.