Topic: Nintendo Switch 2

[Order.RSS]

Nintendo finally announced the long-awaited successor to Switch in January in this video, with further info scheduled for an April 2nd Direct. Following that presentation, events will occur in April/May/June where the device will be shown off to the public.

No exact release date for the device was mentioned yet, but it will release in 2025. Personally I think June or later seems likely, given the dates on their public preview events.

Notable hardware observations:

• Looks larger than current Switch models
• Joy-Con seem to attach in a slightly different way, and have a button to release on the back
• An extra button below the Home button on the right Joy-Con, purpose seems unclear for now
• It appears the Joy-Con may potentially be used as a mouse when attaching a little plastic rail?
• Wider kickstand
• Extra USB-C port on top of the handheld
• Very little attention was paid to the dock this time

Software: new Mario Kart game

• It appears a new Mario Kart game was shown
• Donkey Kong has been redesigned to match his Mario Movie design
• At various points in the video more than 12 racers appear visible at once. This suggests races may potentially see 16+ racers at once. The starting grid appears to have 24 positions even. However, we don't know yet if the game will support 24 racers on track at once, or whether 24-player multiplayer is feasible.

Software: backwards compatibility

• Physical game cartridges of Switch 1 games are supported by Switch 2. The video showcases Super Mario Bros. Wonder as an example.
• Digital Switch 1 games are also backwards compatible, implying your Nintendo Account will carry over between generations.
• Some software may not be backwards compatible. No details were given yet, but I imagine this will impact niche use cases such as Nintendo Labo.
• No word about whether Switch 1 titles may see improved performance when running on Switch 2.

So, with the cat finally out of the bag, what are your initial feelings? Were you hoping for a more drastic change, or is "Switch but better" exactly what you were hoping for? Got any hopes and dreams for future software? Do you envision yourself buying a Switch 2, or will you stick with other gaming devices instead?

[Ian Sane]

I was thinking the rumours of the reveal being on Thursday were nonsense because Nintendo had not announced a Direct or anything like that by the end of Wednesday.  It just didn't seem likely they would just drop a trailer like this.

I really like that they outright confirmed that it plays both Switch 1 physical and digital games.  That was not completely clear.  Now that it is, I can probably say that I will get a Switch 2 at some point.  Probably not at launch as I currently have an OLED so I would wait for a comparable screen (unless this has that) in a revision.

This trailer was hurt by the fact that almost all of this had leaked.  Like it wasn't just that the general concept was leaked but I had already seen the system's exact appearance and even the logo.  The one surprise was Mario Kart.  That is such an obvious and brilliant choice for a launch title.  Let's not mess around - Mario Kart 8 sold better than anything so let's give them a new Mario Kart.  Hopefully that actually is a real game and not just some demo footage.

I like that it's just a better Switch.  I was a little worried that Nintendo would get cute and introduce gimmicks.  The Switch is such a success in virtually all ways.  It has sold like gangbusters and has a wide selection of both first and third party games and those games sell.  For all the success of the Wii, the attach rate was abysmal and third party complained that their games didn't sell on it.  Not so with the Switch.  The only real complaints about the Switch are Joycon drift and tech heads complain about its frame rate and resolution and stuff like that.  But I get my first party Nintendo games and virtually all third party games I'm interested in show up in versions that are still perfectly playable even if they aren't the best version.  For Nintendo, why mess with a good thing?  Even the straightforward name of Switch 2 indicates to me that they're happy to take this great gaming experience and just extend it another 8 years.

But I want more details.  What's the release date?  The price?  What type of screen is that?  Is there a change to how the sticks work to prevent drift?  The leaks indicate that the Joycons attach with magnets but it didn't outright say that in the trailer (though it looks like that's what's happening).  Is there a Pro Controller?  Do existing Switch controllers work with it?  What's the battery life?

[stevey]

Odd that they are censoring the new "C" button on the joycon2. A lot of leakers are hinting that it's the Switch 2's biggest gimmick and no one has guessed it yet.

[Luigi Dude]

But I want more details.  What's the release date?  The price?  What type of screen is that?  Is there a change to how the sticks work to prevent drift?  The leaks indicate that the Joycons attach with magnets but it didn't outright say that in the trailer (though it looks like that's what's happening).  Is there a Pro Controller?  Do existing Switch controllers work with it?  What's the battery life?

That's what the April 2nd event will be for.  This first reveal was basically an announcement of that upcoming event so that anyone that wants to see it, has more then enough time to ask off work and schedule there life around so they'll be free to watch that.

[M.K.Ultra]

I like the design and look forward to all the improvements Switch 2 will have over Switch. I don't plan to play Switch games on the new device, just Switch 2 exclusives so I until we see Splatoon 4 or something else I am dying to play I am not too excited. I still plan to get one at launch. One question I have is about amiibo support. Do folks think there will be an NFC reader on the device?

[Order.RSS]

One question I have is about amiibo support. Do folks think there will be an NFC reader on the device?

This IGN article notes the logo is absent from the right Joy-Con, but that doesn't necessarily indicate its absence.

Personally I don't see them dropping NFC yet, since they're also using the amiibo technology in their themeparks, and I have to imagine they'll eventually want to create ~bRaNd SynErgY~ between their gaming operations and theme parks.
But to be honest I don't know if amiibo themselves are still a notable driver of revenue for them. It feels like the pace of figure releases has slowed dramatically.

[UncleBob]

>It feels like the pace of figure releases has slowed dramatically.

It's complicated.

The average over the past five years is about ten figures per year (with the highest in that time being four years ago with 20 and the lowest being five years ago with four).  We had nine figures released in 2024.

But, what we also had was a *lot* of reprints of figures people had been wanting to see reprinted.  There were *tons* of restocks/reprints in 2024.

I don't *know* the business side of things, but my gut instinct is that including the NFC reader is cheap (although Nintendo does love to pinch pennies) and leaving it in A.) keeps Switch 1 compatibility, B.) provides the *option* for new amiibo (/wrist bands), and C.) would allow them to experiment with other ideas (tap to pay on eShop?).

Could be wrong.  But I'd keep it in there.

[BeautifulShy]

Excited for the Switch 2 and I am glad they went with that name.  I personally wasn't confused by the Wii U but some other folks might have been. So it is good to have a clear delineation between Switch and Switch 2.

Glad there is backwards compatibility. I wonder if the Family accounts will carry over to Switch 2?

[M.K.Ultra]

Did we ever hear what the codename for Switch 2 was? 
With such cool names as Ultra, Dolphin, Revolution, Project Cafe, and NX, I am curious what this device was referred to as internally before the ad wizards came up with Switch 2.

[Khushrenada]

I think it was "Not-Wii-U-2" or N Woo 2 for those in the know.

[Order.RSS]

Did we ever hear what the codename for Switch 2 was? 
With such cool names as Ultra, Dolphin, Revolution, Project Cafe, and NX, I am curious what this device was referred to as internally before the ad wizards came up with Switch 2.

I've seen "Ounce" (also spelled as Oz) floating around a few times, but I don't know how accurate that is.
This article on GameRant suggests it was uncovered in some kind of data breach, so it might be hogwash. They also have an article speculating about the codename's reasoning up, with rather flimsy logic, and a disappointing lack of weed jokes.

[M.K.Ultra]

Interesting. When I think about OZ as a codename I noticed it was almost a shift in letters from NX. If both letters were shifted down one we would have OY though.
As a Japanese company I have to wonder if all these codenames are translations of Japanese codenames or if there is a second set of Japanese codenames that are completely different  .

[BeautifulShy]

Looks like we will be able to transfer over digital Switch games to Switch 2.

[BeautifulShy]

Too much to cover in one post but I am excited for Switch 2. 

[BeautifulShy]

Overview Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9flte56erE8

I completely forgot how to embed videos on here.

[broodwars]

I was really underwhelmed by that showcase. Of what they showed, GameCube games coming to the service was one of the top announcements, and that seems pretty telling to me.

Of the games they showed, DK and legally distinct Bloodborne looked the most promising, but not enough to warrant a $450 console and $80 games in this economy.

I'm sure I'll get a Switch 2 eventually, but it looks like it's probably going to be a year before Nintendo has anything really worth my time and money.

[Ian Sane]

The dang Direct froze at one point while the audio was still going and when it came back it had rewound a few minutes back.  Most of the games I could hear a voiceover saying what the game was but there was one that was just music and sound effects and I have no idea what it was.  I got up at 6AM for this?

I'll stick with my Switch 1 for now.  I've got a good backlog and I don't see anything that compels me to buy the Switch 2.  Now games like Mario Kart and that new Donkey Kong look good.  That might be a system seller for others, just not me.  There are games that I would get if I had a Switch 2, I just see no need to deal with scalpers or shortages at this point.  Also I have a Switch OLED so I figure I could wait to see if an OLED Switch 2 comes out.

There is a touch of old arrogant Nintendo here though.  Paid upgrades for Switch 1 games, presenting chat like they invented the concept, charging money for their "Welcome" tech demo that I assumed would be a free pack-in.  They didn't reveal the price during the Direct itself and it's more than I would like.  They have not announced the CAD price which is going to be nuts and that just makes me all the less interested for now.

I don't see anything that sinks the system either though, which is good.  With the Wii U and 3DS I was worried that they would be complete bombs after seeing their debut (and I was right about the Wii U).  The system is probably capable enough and third parties were on board for the Direct so I don't see anything clearly stupid that would doom the whole system.  Nintendo can charge for frame rate upgrades on Switch 1 games and it will probably go over like a fart in church but the system itself will probably sell well and the games that should sell, like Mario Kart, will while the stuff that shouldn't, like that Welcome game, won't and then whoever the person at Nintendo who comes up with all their lousy ideas will go back to developing another 1-2 Switch game.  This will probably just keep the Switch train rolling.

They're really pushing this mouse thing though.  They do realize this is a handheld, right?  How do I play mouse games on an airplane?  Hell, I'm going to have move a TV tray into my game room to make this work.  This idea doesn't really fit the couch gameplay idea they're going for.

[broodwars]

I dunno. Charging money for a goddamn tech demo seems pretty arrogant to me. Even Nintendo Land was free, and that looked like it had more real content in it.

[Ian Sane]

Nintendo Canada has revealed the pricing for the system.  $630 for the base model, $700 for the Mario Kart bundle.  Uh... yeah I'm passing on that.  The Switch never got a price cut, but I'll see if Nintendo blinks on this one.

There is an irony that what will make it easy for me to wait is the sheer amount of Switch 1 games already available to me.  With consoles like the N64, Gamecube or Wii the release schedule had become so barren by the end that I had exhausted everything that seemed worth playing by the time the new system hit but here I could go for years and years.

[M.K.Ultra]

I think the highlight of that show for me was Donkey Kong Bonanza. I also like the specs on the system and plan to get the Switch 2 version of Metroid Prime 4.

Hell, I'm going to have move a TV tray into my game room to make this work.  This idea doesn't really fit the couch gameplay idea they're going for.

I had the same thought. There is no table in front of my couch for this mouse feature and it doesn't seem like it would work on my lap. I guess I will have to rest a tray in my lap to play these mouse games?

[Kairon]

There is an irony that what will make it easy for me to wait is the sheer amount of Switch 1 games already available to me.  With consoles like the N64, Gamecube or Wii the release schedule had become so barren by the end that I had exhausted everything that seemed worth playing by the time the new system hit but here I could go for years and years.

Yeah, I went so hard last gen with building up a game backlog that honestly I could be playing my Switch backlog into my retirement. Unfortunately, Nintendo is going to have to do without frenzied consumer action from me, I'm intentionally drastically curtailing my game purchases in the next gen to only games I am going to play right that moment.

The dang Direct froze at one point while the audio was still going and when it came back it had rewound a few minutes back.  Most of the games I could hear a voiceover saying what the game was but there was one that was just music and sound effects and I have no idea what it was.  I got up at 6AM for this?

Yeah, actually the Nintendo UK Youtube stream was fine and didn't have the same problem, so I just switched over to that lol.

[Luigi Dude]

That was a great Direct.  I can see why they announced it 2 months in advanced because that is easily the strongest launch lineup a Nintendo system has ever had.  Mario Kart World alone is already the biggest killer app a system has had at launch.  Yeah it's a sequel to a game that sold about 70 million units which is already a big deal by itself, but it's an insanely ambitious sequel that greatly evolving the Mario Kart series.  People have been complaining about the lack of single player content in Mario Kart since 64, especially when compared to other Nintendo racing gamers like F-Zero and Diddy Kong Racing.  They're finally addressing that in a huge way, but literally giving it a massive open world to explore.  Plus having 24 players, is going to make the online multiplayer even more of a big deal then it already is.  I can certionally see why Nintendo is cocky enough to charge $80 for this game. 

Donkey Kong Bonanza just looks incredible.  Tokyo EAD's first game was Jungle Beat over 20 years ago, and now they finally get to go back to Donkey Kong again with a new 3D title.  You can see a lot of Jungle Beats energy in that trailer, combined with the top notch 3D gameplay of their Mario titles.  I think this does a great job of separating 3D Mario and Donkey Kong, by making Donkey Kong a more frantic and action packed experience.  This also allows Tokyo EAD to do things they wouldn't be able to normally do in a Mario game, so it'll be interesting to see what new things they bring to the table.

The third party lineup is also the strongest Nintendo has ever had in its first year as well.  Unlike the Switch that had to rely on more niche titles its first year, the Switch 2 is literally getting several of the biggest third party games of the last 5 year either at launch, or later this year.  It's funny to see some brush these games off because they're late ports, when to 99% of the worlds population, this will be the first time you can play these games on a portable system. It shows how too many in the online message board bubble, handheld gaming might as well not even exist.  It reminds me of how so many were so sure the Switch would bomb because the Wii U did, despite the fact the 3DS that Nintendo was supporting at the same time was literally over 60 million units at the same time.  Or how recently so many thought there was a good chance the Switch 2 wouldn't be backward compatible because several of their home consoles were not, but ignored the fact all their handheld systems were.


Oh and a sequel to Kirby Air Ride directed by Sakurai was not something I had on my bingo card.  Especially since he literally left HAL after the development of the first game, many speculated the troubled development of that game contributed.  I guess either the development of the original wasn't as bad as some thought or even if it was, Sakurai really wants to make a sequel to that game with the idea's he couldn't do at the time or new idea's he's thought up since.  Seriously, I doubt Nintendo or HAL would have approached him to make this game since the original wasn't exactly a massive hit, so Sakurai himself must have really wanted to do this, and after the massive success of Smash Ultimate, they'll give him a blank check for anything.  Similar to how they let him make Kid Icarus Uprising after Brawls success.

It certionally makes me wonder what might be going on with Smash Bros.  I guess they must have found someone who could actually take over Sakurai's job as director, and Sakurai is a producer who still gives his opinion and oversize, but not to the same degree as previous games.  Or Sakurai is literally directed this game and Smash Bros at the same time, which I could see happen since he's a huge workaholic, but I'd worry for his health in that case since he's already almost killed himself several times just working on Smash Bros games alone.

[Adrock]

I was pretty satisfied with the Nintendo Direct with some caveats.

$449.99 USD MSRP was about what I expected though I was hoping against hope that we'd get $399.99.

Charging for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is fucking LOL. I probably wasn't going to play an interactive instruction manual anyway. Now, I'm definitely not. GTFOH, Nintendo.

$79.99 MSRP for Mario Kart World is LOL 2: The Reckoning. While it looks amazing, I stopped paying full price years ago when I realized I wasn't finishing the games right away. It's entirely fair for people to scoff at the price. Personally, I wasn't even upset. Whether it was $59.99 or $79.99, I wasn't paying that anyway.

That said, I will try to snag the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle. I'm essentially getting the game for $50, and I can live with that. As soon as there's a patch or version update, the physical card holds no value to me.

$10 performance upgrade packs for Switch 1 games is in line with Sony's pricing with PS5 upgrade fees. Obviously, would have preferred free but not especially upset about Nintendo meeting Sony on price here.

I have yet to actually play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom so getting the upgrade pack with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a nice bonus for me.

I don't really care about GameCube on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack as I have a modded GameCube and would rather play all my games on original hardware. I'll snag one of those controllers though.

Donkey Kong Bananza looks amazing though I will, once again, wait for a sale. I originally didn't especially like the DK redesign when the Nintendo Switch 2 teaser came, but I've come around to it. I actually really like it. Donkey Kong is very expressive; it works.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond similarly looks amazing though I will, survey says, wait for a sale.

Not in the Nintendo Direct: I am patiently waiting for Resident Evil 4 Remake to be announced so I can continue kicking the can down the road on the PlayStation 5 I keep telling myself I will buy some day.

Ultimately, it's in my best interests to get the console in my house as soon as possible before those dumbass tariffs kick in and **** everything up. Nintendo hasn't dropped the price of Nintendo Switch so it isn't as if we can expect prices to drop. If anything, expect the opposite. Sony raised the prices of PS5 and its accessories so Pandora's Box is open. Different companies, sure, but it only takes one. Sony didn't even take as much heat for that as I thought it should have.

TL;DR:

• Getting the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle
• Leaning on the upgrade packs of OG Switch games included in NSO + EP to get me through Year 1
• Game prices hikes = corny, but I wasn't even paying the previous prices so 🤷â€�♀ï¸�
• Donkey Kong Bananza = 🤌
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond = 🤌

[BeautifulShy]

Oh and a sequel to Kirby Air Ride directed by Sakurai was not something I had on my bingo card.  Especially since he literally left HAL after the development of the first game, many speculated the troubled development of that game contributed.  I guess either the development of the original wasn't as bad as some thought or even if it was, Sakurai really wants to make a sequel to that game with the idea's he couldn't do at the time or new idea's he's thought up since.  Seriously, I doubt Nintendo or HAL would have approached him to make this game since the original wasn't exactly a massive hit, so Sakurai himself must have really wanted to do this, and after the massive success of Smash Ultimate, they'll give him a blank check for anything.  Similar to how they let him make Kid Icarus Uprising after Brawls success.

I think part of it is that Sakurai said he didn't want to do more Smash so I think him going back to Kirby makes sense and with the technological and gameplay advancements since the GameCube era there was going to be some new ideas.

Plus with Smash 2 being able to play compatable Switch games and the possibility of Switch 2 Edition games I think it is more likely that we get Ultimate playable on Switch 2 and/or a S2 Edition version.  To give Sakurai a chance to recover from the grind of the Smash series for maybe the following generation after Switch 2.

[ThePerm]

Charging for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is fucking LOL. I probably wasn't going to play an interactive instruction manual anyway. Now, I'm definitely not. GTFOH, Nintendo.

I like how in the presentation they were like "if you're interested" like they knew it was a dud of an idea.


Interesting that Donkey Kong is doing what I would have liked to see Metroid do. It seems like youre on an interactive destructible planet.