How to Switch Between 12-Hour and 24-Hour Clock Formats on Nintendo Switch 2

With the introduction of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo continues its tradition of offering user-friendly settings across its flagship hybrid gaming console.

One such customizable feature is the way time is displayed on your device, allowing users to view the clock in either the familiar 12-hour format (such as 11:23PM) or the 24-hour format (for example, 23:23).

This function enhances the overall user experience, making it more accessible for players around the world who may have different preferences for timekeeping. While the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware brings a host of improvements and user interface options, it currently does not provide a dedicated menu option to toggle between the 12-hour and 24-hour clock formats directly.

Instead, the clock format is determined by the regional language selected in the system settings.

This linkage between regional language and time format is consistent with the approach found on the original Nintendo Switch, ensuring parity across both generations. To adjust your clock display preference, begin by opening the System Settings from the HOME Menu.

Navigate to the “System” heading, then select “Language.” Here, you have the option to set the console’s language and, by extension, your preferred time format.

Choosing “English (UK/Australia)” will display the time in the 24-hour clock format, while selecting “English (US)” will use the 12-hour clock format.

These language settings are reflected throughout the system interface, as well as in most first-party and third-party games available on the Nintendo Switch 2 and its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch. In a statement regarding localization, Nintendo clarified that although the majority of Switch and Switch 2 games use consistent regional language options for British and American English, there may be minor differences in certain titles.

However, these are generally limited and should not significantly affect gameplay or the user experience. The integration of such customizable features demonstrates Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to providing a tailored experience for diverse global markets.

While the method for switching between time formats could be more direct, as of the latest firmware, altering the system language remains the primary route for modifying your clock display on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Players seeking a specific timekeeping convention should keep this in mind when setting up their device. As the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to build on the success of its predecessor, which has sold over 125 million units worldwide since its launch in 2017, fans can expect ongoing enhancements and refinements to both hardware and software features through regular system updates.

For now, adjusting the system language is the key to customizing how time appears on your Nintendo Switch 2.

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