Nintendo Switch 2

[dimmerwit]

The app did at least solve one of gaming's biggest mysteries - the button on the Switch 2's right joycon is a C button after all.

Forget Metroid Prime 4, why not spend the next 5 days speculating on what this undoubtedly incredible new button will do.

 

[Tommy Boy]

C for Chat? I can't see it being a new operational button for games, but rather something that deals with the system itself? Unless this will call back to a gamecube type thing, maybe hold the C button and the D-buttons become C-buttons instead?

 

[dimmerwit]

Nintendo have announced that on top of tomorrow's presentation there will be two Treehouse live streams on the following two days at the same time featuring hands-on gameplay.

C for Chat? I can't see it being a new operational button for games, but rather something that deals with the system itself? Unless this will call back to a gamecube type thing, maybe hold the C button and the D-buttons become C-buttons instead?

There's a leak from a few months ago that suggests that Switch 2 will have an app called Campus which will incorporate voice and group chat features.

Either way I think communications of some sort is the most likely option.

 

[dimmerwit]

 

[dimmerwit]

In about an hour and 20 minutes if you want to set your Alarmos!

 

[dimmerwit]

My body is ready!

(for disappointment)

 

[dimmerwit]

Wait, this is open-world Mario Kart?

 

[Fire Queen]

eveyrbody sit the fuck down and shut the ufck up. kirby air ride 2

 

[dimmerwit]

Mario Kart World - open world Mario Kart, launches day 1 only on Switch 2.

New GameChat feature, using the microphone on the system even when you're in docked mode. Game screen sharing as well. Powered by the mystical C button. There's also a new camera peripheral to share your ugly mug. Free until March 2026, NSO members after that. Also a GameShare feature to locally share select games with up to 4 systems.

Hardware overview - 1080p, 120FPS(!) LCD with HDR. Magnetic joy-con. Better speakers and audio. Adjustable stand angles. USB-C on top and bottom (the camera showed this). 256GB storage. New dock has 4K/60 HDR for TV output and a fan. Physical back-compat confirmed. Mouse functionality confirmed.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - an isometric style game to introduce people to Switch 2 with tech-demo style mini-games. Paid (?!).

MicroSD Express expandable storage, and system transfer from Switch to Switch 2.

New Pro controller with audio jack and C button.

SYSTEM OUT 5th JUNE

Switch 2 Edition games - upgraded Switch games. Super Mario Party Jamboree shown off.

Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom upgrades with higher resolution, HDR and a smartphone guide.

Kirby & the Forgotten Land upgrade. Metroid Prime Beyond upgrade with mouse control and 4K/60 or 1080p/120. Pokemon Legends Z & A also upgraded. Upgrades are paid for existing games.

Drag and Drive, a wheelchair-based game using the two mouse controls. Launches summer 2025.

Third-party showcase: Elden Ring, Hades 2, Street Fighter 6, Daemon x machina, Split Fiction, EA Sports FC, Madden, Hogwarts Legacy, THPS 3 + 4, Hitman: World of Assassination, IO's upcoming James Bond, Bravely Default, Yakuza 0.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Out this winter. A "prequel" to ToTK story wise.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion gets GameCube support. Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, F-Zero GX announced. More titles (including stuff like Mario Sunshine and Luigi's Mansion) to be added. Wireless GameCube controller announced.

Third-party showcase 2: Deltarune, Borderlands 4, Civilization VII, WWE 2K, NBA 2K, Survival Kids, Enter the Gungeon 2, Silksong, Starseeker, Cyberpunk 2077, FF VII remake.

(The US stream video froze.)

A lot more games that went by way too quickly.

The Duskbloods, a new FromSoftware game. Only on Switch 2 in 2026.

Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the old GameCube game.

Donkey Kong Bananza, with destructable environments. 17 July.

Show ends, no price announced.

 

[dimmerwit]

Price is £395 in the UK with pre-orders on the 8th. No US price yet from what I can see.

Edit: $449.99.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

One thing I like about Nintendo releasing their systems in the middle of a generation is that we get definitive/complete editions of games released on other systems. Some people like to whine about them getting games that "everyone already has" on different systems, but as someone who wants a complete version of a game on a physical disc/cart with all DLC, I prefer it this way.

That price tag, though. 450 for something that is likely much less powerful than the Xbox Series X which can be found for a similar price, that's a tough sell. Gonna need something more than re-releases, an open world Mario Kart, and a Kirby Air Ride game.

Gamecube online looks like Chibi Robo is going to be an included title. Maybe that will help make the Gamecube copy cheaper.

 

[dimmerwit]

Yeah, I can see why they didn't put the pricing in the video itself. That's a lot of money, even as Mario Kart does look pretty great.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

The stream stopped working for me when the game chat video came up, so I've had to go off of the videos that were released in post.

 

[dimmerwit]

Here's the launch lineup, as per Eurogamer:

Mario Kart World
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Civilization VII
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Deltarune - Chapters 1 to 4
Fast Fusion
Fortnite
Hogwarts Legacy
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Split Fiction
Survival Kids

...leaning heavily on MK there. Donkey Kong is 6 weeks later.

 

[dimmerwit]

And Mario Kart World is $80.

Thanks Nintendo!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

OMG, they made a GPS and trip guide for Zelda...

Also, rereleases of both Zelda games mean the current copies are going to become stupid cheap. The Wii U version of Breath of the Wild is going to end up being sold for as cheap as sports games do.

 

[dimmerwit]

OMG, they made a GPS and trip guide for Zelda...

Also, rereleases of both Zelda games mean the current copies are going to become stupid cheap. The Wii U version of Breath of the Wild is going to end up being sold for as cheap as sports games do.

Would it make much difference given there are upgrades available that require the existing Switch cartridge?

 

[finlandguy]

Holy heck, there's some nice looking games in there! I'm pretty excited!

Mario Kart does look great, but unless I suddenly get a group of folks to play it with, it's not for me. I don't care for online stuff, and I never really even finished everything in the last one. So pass, though it does look intriguing. If it's bundled in, maybe I'll own it regardless.

I'm a tad disappointed by Hyrule Warriors. The idea and plot of the theme and game is great, but I kind of was wishing a stand alone Princess Zelda 3D adventure game and not a warriors game. Nothing wrong with a warriors game, but eh. I'd pick this over Mario Kart though.

Then there's stuff like Deltarune, which I might just wait and pick that up for this and play through all the chapters. Or not. Might just pick up the inevitable Steam release.

Silksong. 'Nuff said.

Gungeon 2 is another one where I don't know if I want it on the Switch or PC. We shall see.

Oh, the DK game. I'm not keen on the redesigned DK. The game itself, might be fun, but everything in the trailer looked busy as hell. Very brightly saturated colors and most things seems to be smashable. Again, might be fun, might but also be a pass.

Metroid from the previous direct, is a must get though. Now I'm kind of hoping they release a prime trilogy game too. Or I'll just get them all working on my Steam Deck. If I can be bothered.

What else....

Oh yeah, the upgrade for the Switch 2 versions. If they want more than $10 for the upgrades then I'm out. That is unless they also tell me upfront that there's also new content there to justify it. I don't want to be complicit to an era of backwards com-pay-tible games.

 

[Quagmire]

And Mario Kart World is $80.

Thanks Nintendo!

And given their history it will rarely go on sale and never that much off

 

[dimmerwit]

Mario Kart does look great, but unless I suddenly get a group of folks to play it with, it's not for me. I don't care for online stuff, and I never really even finished everything in the last one. So pass, though it does look intriguing. If it's bundled in, maybe I'll own it regardless.

The console with the bundle is $50 extra - the game is otherwise $80.

Oh yeah, the upgrade for the Switch 2 versions. If they want more than $10 for the upgrades then I'm out. That is unless they also tell me upfront that there's also new content there to justify it. I don't want to be complicit to an era of backwards com-pay-tible games.

I wonder if they'll be variably priced. I notice that the two Zelda ones are included in the Switch Online + Expansion tier, but the others are not. And with Super Mario Jamboree they did show off some significant new features. But again, this is Nintendo!

 

[Smacktard]

Pretty cool video, and there's a lot on offer here, but there's nothing that makes me feel like I gotta pick up Switch 2 ASAP. Of course, I will get one eventually, just not in a rush to do it.

The FromSoft Switch (timed?) exclusive is a pretty big deal though. I feel like that's going to sell a lot of systems.

I'm a bit irked by the marginal upgrades to existing Switch games with extra paid content for stuff like Kirby's Forgotten Land. I don't like buying games twice, but I also like having/experiencing all of the content in a game... I double-dipped for SM3D World, thinking Wii U games get a pass since the system sold like shit, but now that that business practice is becoming the norm, it's annoying.

Also since Yakuza 0 is going to be re-re-releases with extra content, I'm thinking I'll put off playing it on the PS4. Again.

 

[Smacktard]

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

I couldn't believe that this game wasn't a free digital pack-in title.

what the nintendo doin

 

[Quagmire]

what the nintendo doin

Milking their fans which is what they normally do

 

[finlandguy]

I couldn't believe that this game wasn't a free digital pack-in title.

what the nintendo doin

I mean, Nintendo Land wasn't for the Wii U and it was a pretty solid thing. Just as long as it doesn't have a huge price tag it's fine. It seems to be a similar deal to it though to being a solid tech demo with Nintendo polish and whatever supposed easter eggs in there.

 

[Rachel]

lol...no OLED

it's so blatant they are saving that for later

 

[shortkut]

Is open world Mario kart just a child friendly GTA?

 

[finlandguy]

They realized how great Diddy Kong Racing was and are just going back in time.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

lol...no OLED

it's so blatant they are saving that for later

the lack of OLED is also why I think 450 is kinda whack. If it's only a marginal upgrade, why is the price not a marginal increase?

 

[dimmerwit]

the lack of OLED is also why I think 450 is kinda whack. If it's only a marginal upgrade, why is the price not a marginal increase?

Is it marginal though? Nintendo didn't mention performance much which is what I expected, but mentioning targeting 4K/60 docked for Metroid Prime is pretty significant.

The screen issue sucks even as it's something I expected, but at least they've gone for 120FPS.

 

[finlandguy]

OLED would've been nice, but as long as the LCD is nice enough it shouldn't be a big issue.

I don't know how many of you know, but the main issue with the Switch 1 LCD was a gap between the layers of the screen. Thanks to that it made the image hazy/muddy. A dude at my old work got some hot plates to work on tablets and whatnot to heat the layers and glue them together. He showed me a switch of his and holy shit it looked good. Nice and sharp and very clear.

So if it's a quality LCD, it should be fine. HDR could be the "standard" 400 rating, which is basically not HDR, but if it's 600+ it's not bad at all.

 

[dimmerwit]

A laminated screen would be nice. I remember the first time I saw an iPad with one vs. one without, it's a good upgrade.

That said, I'm not sure I trust Nintendo with screen technology. The original Switch's display was pretty mediocre and even the OLED is nowhere near as good as the one in the Steam Deck, albeit by simply being an OLED it was already much better than the LCD original. I'm pleasantly surprised by them putting a 120FPS panel in though, so maybe I'm full of shit on this one.

HDR 600 would be nice but without local dimming I don't see it having that big of an impact. HDR for docked stuff is a substantial upgrade though.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Is it marginal though? Nintendo didn't mention performance much which is what I expected, but mentioning targeting 4K/60 docked for Metroid Prime is pretty significant.

The screen issue sucks even as it's something I expected, but at least they've gone for 120FPS.

If it's supposedly just as powerful as a PS4, I consider that marginal or at least not enough to justify the price. The dock could just be an upscaler for all we know. 120FPS is not worth the massive price increase.

If Elden Ring is only running at 30FPS like it seemed from the direct, I do not think this thing has 450 dollars worth of tech.

It's also worth noting that the S2 is the exact same size when it comes to thickness, either. There isn't much room to squeeze power and cooling in there.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

So, real question: What Switch games do you think they'll give a "next gen" update to?

I'd be cool with a Diablo 3 and Princess Peach Showtime updates that improve framerates. Maybe give A Hat in Time an update that improves its graphics to match the PC version.

I wonder if they give Metroid Prime Remastered a boost of some sort.

I bet Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition gets an update as well, seeing as it just released.

 

[Spiner202]

I haven't had a chance to watch any of the Direct, but I like the initial announcement. I'm not really a specs guy, so it's mostly about the games. A 3D Donkey Kong is very intriguing to me - I loved DK64. Gamecube games going on NSO would be amazing for me, because I never owned that console. The From Software game initially looked interesting, but now I'm hearing it might be more PvP than a traditional Souls-like experience. And Mario Kart is always good.

From what I've seen of the cost in Canada, I don't think the value is going to be there for me. Switch games already barely get sales, and it seems like this will be worse because the base price will be higher. It's hard to justify when I have a PS5 with a ton of games to play, and future games get decent discounts. I haven't touched my Switch in a while - if I played it all the time, I'd probably get Switch 2.

Also, I presume they didn't mention any trophies/achievements coming for Switch? I'm surprised they haven't adopted that yet.

 

[Fire Queen]

So, real question: What Switch games do you think they'll give a "next gen" update to?

I'd be cool with a Diablo 3 and Princess Peach Showtime updates that improve framerates. Maybe give A Hat in Time an update that improves its graphics to match the PC version.

I wonder if they give Metroid Prime Remastered a boost of some sort.

I bet Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition gets an update as well, seeing as it just released.

i don't think the next gen updates are going to be as common as people think they're going to be. they didn't announce anything for SUPER SMASH BROS. and while i enjoyed some of my time with princess peach showtime it is not substantial enough of a game to justify an update.

Also, I presume they didn't mention any trophies/achievements coming for Switch? I'm surprised they haven't adopted that yet.

pretty sure their policy at this point is letting individual games choose whether or not to have those types of things and not have them connected to accounts or anything

 

[Ben]

Of everything I saw, DK Bananza was the most interesting. It seems like it could scratch that destructible terrain itch that the original Red Faction did. For some reason burrowing through the ground brings me joy.

Mario Kart World also seems like it'll be fun with the kids.

I don't really have plans to get one right away. I don't play my Switch enough as it is, leaning more on my PC/PS5 as of late. But it's ultimately all about the games. I was a Switch fiend when the Zelda games came out.

My son has his hands grafted to his joycons, though. My ex said she's getting a Switch 2 'for their house' that won't be his, and if he wants his own console he'll have to earn it. Probably as a bribe to keep doing band through high-school. I guess I'm fine with that. If they wind to with two units I'll just make them keep a dock here for when he's up for his weekend visits, and play it.

I'm going to sit on buying one for my house specifically until there's more games than... 1.

 

[The Eye in the Sky!]

I like the style of the console and all the updates/tweaks, but I'm not getting it unless the kids specifically ask for it for Christmas. Mario Kart World looks fun but I think it's potential lies in online multiplayer, which I don't do. I think the price is too high, would have been happier at $399... and the $80 games is a rough look. I'm sure Rockstar is watching really closely to see if GTA6 at $100 is viable.

The Donkey Kong game looked fantastic, though.

 

[dimmerwit]

If it's supposedly just as powerful as a PS4, I consider that marginal or at least not enough to justify the price. The dock could just be an upscaler for all we know. 120FPS is not worth the massive price increase.

If Elden Ring is only running at 30FPS like it seemed from the direct, I do not think this thing has 450 dollars worth of tech.

It's also worth noting that the S2 is the exact same size when it comes to thickness, either. There isn't much room to squeeze power and cooling in there.

It's a mobile device though. Compared to Switch it looks night and day better. The device is the same thickness but the addition of active cooling to the dock should boost performance in docked mode, where the Switch is most lacking. If you're not interested in the mobile side then fair enough, but even through the degraded quality of YouTube streaming it looks massively improved.

On the price, I note that the UK price is more in line with my expectation but the US price is higher, and I can't help but think that Nintendo are putting a buffer in for the Mango Mobster Meltdown we saw yesterday.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

I'd like to remind everyone that SNES games used to cost 70 dollars, which is ~150 bucks in today's money.

Games have been cheaper than they used to be for a very long time. And considering how much money companies spend on some games (like GTA VI), we should be very grateful that they haven't adjust game prices with inflation.

 

[dimmerwit]

Also, the Treehouse stream is live, showing Mario Kart first:

 

[Fool's Requiem]

TBH regarding Mario Kart, I'm kinda surprised that it's taken them this long to implement a platforming style to the kart racing like they showed in the trailer. I wonder if it was a tech issue that restricted that in the past.

 

[Quagmire]

I'd like to remind everyone that SNES games used to cost 70 dollars, which is ~150 bucks in today's money.

Games have been cheaper than they used to be for a very long time. And considering how much money companies spend on some games (like GTA VI), we should be very grateful that they haven't adjust game prices with inflation.

You're not wrong but let's not forget part of that was due to cartridges

It's also way more popular which means there are more potential sales and some of the tech should be cheaper than daring the SNES era

I can remember getting a gigabyte HDD to our home computer and now I can get a terabyte for less than we paid

 

[dimmerwit]

They've now shown Donkey Kong and have moved on to Metroid Prime.

 

[dimmerwit]

This is peak content.

 

[Fire Queen]

Of everything I saw, DK Bananza was the most interesting. It seems like it could scratch that destructible terrain itch that the original Red Faction did. For some reason burrowing through the ground brings me joy.

i’ve already seen it getting called Red Faction Gorilla. i wish i liked the new look for DK better than i do, but i can’t lie the destructible terrain gameplay looked pretty crisp

 

[Ben]

i’ve already seen it getting called Red Faction Gorilla. i wish i liked the new look for DK better than i do, but i can’t lie the destructible terrain gameplay looked pretty crisp

Omg, that's perfect.

He is a little... Cartooned? I'd have expected they'd go with his design in the Mario movie, which was fine. This one just seems to put too much expression on the eyes themselves as opposed to entire facial features.

 

[dimmerwit]

Also Nintendo's live stream is full of "drop the price" comments.

Japan is getting a region and language locked version for ¥49,980, which was about $335 (now $342 as Trump tanks the dollar).

 

[Smacktard]

Japan is getting a region and language locked version for ¥49,980, which was about $335

What the fuck Japan

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Also Nintendo's live stream is full of "drop the price" comments.

Japan is getting a region and language locked version for ¥49,980, which was about $335 (now $342 as Trump tanks the dollar).

Nintendo of America is fucking us for no reason.

 

[dimmerwit]

It's Japan only.

The UK price is $518, though that does include our 20% VAT.