Nintendo Switch 2 Discussion - Hardware, Games and Prices!
Nintendo Switch 2 Discussion - Hardware, Games and Prices!
This week, we finally had a thorough look at Nintendo’s new game system, the Nintendo Switch 2. And so far, it looks great! A proper upgrade to the original Switch. With plenty of games to show off the new system and encourage people to buy it. And with the system coming out on June 5th, two months from now, people will deciding on whether to get it soon. In short, the direct was great, but there were some additional information that came out right after that kind of sours things for some people. I want to take a look at the event and discuss these reveals, and some of the more controversial elements of the reveals.
Hardware
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| Switch 2 Screen Features |
Before getting into the games shown off at the direct, I wanted to take a moment to go over what exactly is different with this new system. What makes it different from the Switch? What makes it better, stuff like that. The Switch 2 boasts a bigger screen for the hand but a similar thickness to the original Switch. The size of the screen being 7.9 inches compared to the Switch’s 6.2 inches. While on the topic of the screen, with the bigger screen sizes leads to more pixels, allowing for the Switch 2 in handheld mode to output to a 1080p resolution compared to the Switch’s 720p screen. Additionally the screen also support 120fps and HDR, with the frame rate increase allowing for smoother gameplay for supported titles, and to allow for more contrast in the environments with HDR.
Note that the screen is still an LCD display, so it wont be like the Switch OLED with its display. But honestly I think that’s for the best as the addition of an OLED screen would just make the system cost more than it already is. This is most deferentially a sizable upgrade compared to the original Switch and even the OLED. The large screen will allow people to see the image even better, similar to what the OLED when it took out the bezels on its unit.
The 1080p screen is also a nice upgrade, in my mind, in my mind, 1080p is what I would say is the standard for modern day gaming especially for a better looking image. While 720p is serviceable and was serviceable for the original Switch, can't deny, it will be nice to see these games in 1080p. And then one of the bigger surprises for me was the screen able to render 120FPS. For those who don't know, Frames Per Second (FPS) measures how many images are being displayed in a video or video game in a single second. This usually means, the high the number the more smooth something will appear to someone on screen. It all depends on your eyes and a lot of times people won't notice this but be able to feel it as they play a game.
But even still I think this is a great thing to see and it will defiantly be something I take advantage of when I get my hands on the system. And then last theirs the inclusion of HDR which will basically allow for a wider range of colors and make the overall image nicer. Although I will note this is not a universal element of 120FPS and HDR, and will have to be coded into the game by the developers of each game, although I have a feeling most of the 1st Party lineup will take advantage of these features.
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| Switch 2 Storage Graphics |
These are the major hardware upgrades for the system, and from what I saw, its pretty good looking. But of course, hardware is only half of the battle, to truly make a system interesting enough to buy, it has to be backed up with games and software. And thankfully, we got a huge line up of new games and 3rd party support.
Software
The software was a huge part of the Direct, with the event showing off some of the new games and even some system software to go along with the system. I will not be talking about everything that was shown off as a lot of it is ports from the more modern gaming platforms. As such for this section, I'll talk about the more notable announcements along with the things that need to be talked about.
GameChat
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| Switch 2 C Button |
However, something notable about this is that you can not only talk to people, but also show what your playing or your perspective when playing games together in the same game. Allowing for your friends to see what your playing, or to help friends in telling people where to go in a certain part of a game or to meet up in the game. Now one thing that many people have been talking about with this feature, is that the screen share is laughably bad, with it at a low resolution and it playing at what looks to be 10-15FPS. You would think that I would kind of rag on them for this, but honestly, I kind of respect that there open about this and not trying to make seem better than it really is. I feel like if we got to launch, and people tried this out and saw this quality, this would be a much bigger deal and could even be seen as false advertisement.
Plus I feel like this is a feature we don't really have to much of, with the only one I think of that's similar is the Discord and Zoom screen share options, with the quality of that being rather hit or miss with just screen sharing a page, so forget showing game play thats being rendered on in the background. Also from what I can tell with further research, it seems that the developers were doing their best to not compromise your actual game performance and voice chat performance, those the video was the thing they figured would fine to compromise. That being said I'm someone who doesn't understand the workings of video or voice chat, so take this with a grain of salt.
Another feature that’s like Zoom, you can also show yourself on screen if you have the new UBS-C Camera they have for the system. I didn't mention this in the hardware section because of the camera being tied to a lot of software stuff, this included. Again I think this is a pretty cool idea and could be good for people far apart and bring them closer together when playing online. Though I believe this is going to be a less used feature as that camera is a separate purchase. That will not be the case for voice chat as the microphone is built into the system itself. This microphone will also have noise cancellation technology so it should help in making your voice clear. We haven't heard the quality of these microphones at least I couldn't find any examples of said mic quality but I'm sure it will be serviceable and if you want higher quality sound you'll most likely have to get a dedicated headset, which you'll probably be able to use in hand held mode and on the new pro controller.
Games
Now we will talk about the new games coming to the system, as I said I won't be talking about everything as that would make this post ridiculously long. So I'll be talking about the ones I find the most interesting or of course, launch titles. Starting with:
Mario Kart World
That's right! Mario Kart 9, the sequel to Mario Kart 8... 11 YEARS IN THE MAKING! My god Nintendo, what a hell of a way to milk a game! (Mario Kart 8 originally came out on the Wii U in 2014) Is coming out as the premier launch title for the system with it even getting a console bundle on launch. And suffice to say, it looks incredible. With it looking to be a fully featured Mario Kart game while also taking heavy inspiration to the Forza Horizon games from Xbox. With it being a big connected world that you will be driving from each race course as you got through a grand prix, or what looks to be the absolutely fun looking, Knockout Tour! A marathon race from one part of the world to the other as you battle it out to get to a certain place in the race, and you aren't at that place or higher, you are eliminated!
Combine this a gorgeous art style fun looking outfits for the characters, new mechanics such as grinding, wall driving, free roam, and races consisting of 24 total racers in one match! Its looking like Mario Kart World is going to be the must own game for the system.
GameShare
While not a game, Nintendo is reintroducing an old feature from the DS generation of handhelds, that being GameShare. What this does is that if you have a copy of a game but your friends don't, you can then share that game temporarily to play with your friends in that game. With this also working on original Switches as well as Switch 2 systems. It will of course depend on game to game, and I'm sure Switch 2 exclusive games will only be shared with other Switch 2 systems but overall, a great feature to see return and I'm sure many people will be using that feature in order to get more people into games.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games
Just like with many other companies in the gaming industry we have the addition of small paid updates to upgrade certain games for the new generation. Now the fact these games our paid may turn some people off, but as long as they don't charge too much for these upgrades, I think it will be fine possibly paying $10 to be able to take advantage of the new hardware. One of the big ones, and ones they showed off the most is Mario Party Jamboree and the added Jamboree TV, which includes new mini games that take advantage of the new features of Switch 2, including the mouse, and camera perfect for a party game like... Mario Party. Other games including the Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, upgrading the graphics, frustrates, and overall making the games more playable on Switch 2. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is also getting a new expansion called Star-Crossed World as its Switch 2 upgrade, Metroid Prime 4 (No release date shown here... Sad...) will also get an upgrade, uping the graphics and performance, while also adding the option for mouse controls with the JoyCon. Making it play like an FPS on PC. Also the footage showing the Quality Mode and Performance mode is absolutely incredible, showing that both modes will have a respectably smooth FPS even in Quality mode. So hats off to Retro Studios for doing that! Pokemon Legends ZA will also get a Switch 2 Edition as well, which makes sense as that game will need all the help it can get when it comes to performances. Overall its a practice I'm not to surprised to see, and as long as they keep the prices reasonable ($10), then I'd say it will be the perfect opportunity for people to get some final play with there Switch before upgrading to Switch 2.
Drag X Drive
Drag and Drive is there big experimental game. Similar to ARMs, you'll be using the mouse controls of the JoyCon controls to move your character around in wheelchairs as they play a game of basket ball. Most definitely this won't be for everyone, but I don't know I found this to be incredibly charming and the kind of creativity I expect from Nintendo. With them showing you passing the ball between players, waving at them, giving them high fives, this truly seems like something that could only be born from Switch 2. And I am at the very least interested.
Elden Ring
That's right! Elden Ring, From Software's big blockbuster Soullike is coming to the Switch 2 as Tarnished Edition, telling me that this might include the expansion of the game. Which, if that's the case could be an awesome deal for people who haven't played the game and are looking for a way to play on the go. Just be sure to play this with the proper controller. Wouldn't want to throw your brand new JoyCons and risk breaking them now, right?
Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 comes blazing in as a launch title for the system with it including a Standard edition and Years 1-2 Fighter Edition, including all of the DLC characters as of now. In my opinion this would be perfect to have for when ever you take the system with you, and are looking for a quick match with friends and family. A perfect get for a launch title if you ask me.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
A new game in the Hyrule Warriors series, as a prequel to the events of Tears of the Kingdom, this game looks to be just as fun as the other Hyrule Warriors game. With this game coming in the Winter, likely as one of the companies holiday games.
Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Nintendo Gamecube
A new classic games catalogue to the Switch Online service comes exclusively to Switch 2, the Nintendo Gamecube. With it including games such as Windwaker, Soul Caliber 2, and F-Zero GX as what I believe will be the launch games. With more games from the Gamecube library coming in the future, I think this could finally push the Expansion Pack services to be worth it in my eyes. While it is $50 a year, I'd say that's a pretty good deal when getting access to NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Gameboy and Gameboy Advance and now Gamecube. As long as the price isn't raised, its a fairly good deal. Of course you'll be able to do save states, and change controls and will even be able to buy a wireless Gamecube controller, but ideally, if you have access to the Gamecube adapter, that should also work as well.
Deltarune 1+2+3+4
After little to no news from the other parts of this game, Deltarune will be coming to Switch 2 fully completed on launch day. As someone who loved the original Undertale and first parts of Deltarune, it will be nice to have the fully completed game.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
This power house of a game is coming to the Switch 2 on launch, with it being the Ultimate Edition, you'll have access to both the main game and its expansion, giving you countless hours of RPG fun on the go!
Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergade
Final Fantasy VII remake is also coming to Switch 2! Of course, when I've been away from Final Fantasy for a while, it finds a way to rear its face at me. This port will include the both the main game and the Intergade expansion for PS5, so it will be interesting to see how well this game plays on Switch and possibly Final Fantasy Rebirth as they mentioned more news to come for the general FFVII Remake project. So will wait and see what happens next.
The Duskbloods
To close out the showcase for 3rd party games, they announced one last game coming to Switch 2 in the next year. From Software managed to sneak in with a brand new game from them. The not, Bloodborn 2, The Duskbloods, which looks incredible. Looking just as expansive and detailed as Elden Ring and honestly most of their games are. Its honestly interesting to see Nintendo come to pay for this game to be exclusive to their platform, especially since it will also be directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki the same person who worked on Dark Souls, Bloodborn and Elden Ring. Yeah... If were getting this from Nintendo and not Sony, then we don't got much hope for a Bloodborn remaster do we?
Kirby Air Riders
Two more announcements to go including a brand new Kirby Air Ride game, which I'm sure was a shock to see considering we haven't gotten a new one of this game since the original on Gamecube. Let alone with Masahiro Sakurai at the helm to direct the game. Certainly a surprise, but a welcome one, with it getting me interested to finally try out the original on Gamecube. Oh and there adding Gamecube to Expansion Pack, I see what your doing Nintendo. And the game is coming this year, so keep a close eye out for that.
Donkey Kong Bananza
One more game announcement with it being a brand new 3d Donkey Kong game. Donkey Kong Bananza looks like an incredible game, and is giving me heavy Mario Odyssey. And with how great that game was, if this is made by the same team, then I full confidence that this is going to be a must get for the system. A perfect game to close the show on.
Overview
Overall, this was an incredible showing for the Switch 2 and overall was a showcase that had me fairly excited, to incredibly excited, and quickly planning to save some money to try and get the system on launch. Yep, just how I said I had a rule for getting new systems and them needing at least five games for me to be interested in getting well. Well, this system did that with flying colors, as the five games for would have been, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Mario Kart World, Deltarune, Kirby Air Riders, and Donkey Kong Bananza. With all these games to play with the system, its not wonder I interested in knowing the price for the system. And this is where the whole thing starts to sour for many people, with it being a huge talking point since the direct.
Pricing
Once the direct finished, I wanted to know how much this console was going to cost, after all I was interested, and wanted to see how much I'd have to save up for the system, and that fact that I didn't see it at the end of the direct, worried me that it was going to be expensive. You see, going into the show I was a little worried that the show itself would be incredible only for it to be tarnished by the sell price of the console itself, since I saw some talk that they might charge $500 to $550 for the base price system a price that I thought was outrageous for a handheld system. Yes it was going to be powerful, but there is a limit to these things before people will have to step back and wait to buy one of these things when they have some money for it. Which in turn brings down sales for the system. But then, I soon learned the consoles base price. $450 for just the console, and $50 more for the Mario Kart World Bundle. And honestly, even though these are still expensive prices. I actually wasn't to bother by it.
Ideally I was hoping for a price along the lines of $400 to $450, keeping the price somewhat reasonably priced, (for a console at least) while still probably have some sort of price increase from the original. And from the discourse online, I don't seem to be the only one alone in this mindset. And yes the $500 for the bundle is a little irksome, but at least with that, your getting a game with it, and what looks to be a good one that will no doubt give you plenty of worth what with the fun tracks and playing with friends family and online play... Wait Mario Kart World alone is $80?!!
Yes, in a truly bizarre twist, Mario Kart World was the first game to show a new pricing for these types of games. With the total being $79.99 MSRP (not including the taxes obviously). As shown from this image on the official Mario Kart World web page. With this being a notable mark up of $10 if we want to include some of their previous $70 games like Tears of the Kingdom. This of course got some people heated, and I will add justifiably so as this only adds to the precedent of companies raising the price of games up until we finally get the final boss of game prices, $99 as we await for how much Grand Theft Auto VI will cost.
Now despite Mario Kart being the notable one, I want to add that this is not the standard for these. Not all Switch 2 games will be $80, and instead is going with a case by case with the pricing games, both for first party and and 3rd party. As seen with an article from IGN, and then showing some of prices listed on Walmart, showing games like Mario Kart, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Party Jamboree being $79.99. The latter three being their Switch 2 Enhanced games. While in the same article, listing Donkey Kong Bananza, for $69.99, Street Fight 6 Year 1-2 Fighters Edition being $59.99 (which honestly is a pretty good deal for all of those new characters and the base game), Breath of the Wild for $69.99, and the lowest, Bravely Default HD Remaster being $39.99.
And yes I do know that these prices are still pretty expensive, especially the $70 games, but I want to note that gaming, as a hobby, has always been fairly expensive. With me growing up in a time where most big releases were $60 for the longest time. I just want to show that not all of these games will be $80. Also from what I can tell, I think I have an idea of how much those upgrades are going to cost, with it ranging in the $10 to $20 range as both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom seem to have a $10 upgrade, while games that have more of an expansion like Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, being a $20 dollar mark up. If true, I guess its not too bad of pricing, but even still, does sting a little that these upgrades wont be $10 flat.
This is not meant to be a defensive of Nintendo and this new pricing, just more so to get more accurate information out their even if only five people happen to read this... BUT...
Lets get real. How people wind of spending their money is of course, their business. And no amount of people calling people "sheep" or "brainwashed" or "shill" is going to change that. Nor the people on the other side calling people "broke" or point to inflation compared to the 90s because they believe that $80 is just to much for what are video games. Unfortunately stuff like this always winds up to be my least favorite part of being a fan of video games, as with how the internet is, the best way to get attention online is something that will likely piss someone off. And its a meta I personally am not a fan of. Especially when a good amount seem to be people just excited for the new games coming to the system.
But what are my overall thoughts of these new prices? I want to say that I'm not to bothered by them, and I say this mainly because I'm someone who usually doesn't buy games when they launch a lot of them time, as video games have aged and as pre-ordering has gotten dodgy. I usually like to let a game sit for a while and see what other people say about it before pulling the trigger on it. With there only being a few games that I would want to pre-order or buy on launch for, I would have to be extremely excited for the game for me to do that. And with a game like Metroid Prime 4, I'm not only like that, but more likely to hold on the new console since I can get on the original Switch. Again this is not to deny how expensive these prices are, they are, and I'm not the biggest fan of Nintendo going to a 90s esc unstructured pricing method. But it just means I'll probably be waiting for to get certain games a little longer. At the very least, if I wanted to get the system, I could get that and just hold off on games.
At least... I would have... If it wasn't for the fact we live in the timeline that makes all of this less fun in general....
If you live in the United States, same as I do, then you probably heard how our president, Drumbf... Has recently enacted tariffs on... Basically most countries that were supposed to be friends with. With them recently becoming active, with the stock market crashing and the fear of most things rising in price very soon. Also recently, as in today recent as of April 4th, 2025. Nintendo's plan to allow pre-orders for the Switch 2 to go live on April 9th, have suddenly been canceled... I'm sure you can imagine why.
Now look I know anything involving the government, and the orange man who's suppose to have our best interest is a hot button issue and is something no one want to talk about when talking about their hobbies. Hell, I don't want to talk about them, but they are pretty important for this story, as now theirs a very good possibility, even if Nintendo had priced the console in a way to prepare for the tariffs, will likely have to charge more in the USA. Making what would have been a fairly priced game console into something less so. We honestly have no clue what the future holds for something like this, as this is a rapidly developing story that just so happens to involve the Switch 2. And realistically is likely going to be something people think about less, especially if people are unsure if they'll be able to afford food and medicine, let alone a luxury entertainment item.
Conclusion
Sources
2. Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat - All Together, Anytime, Anywhere
3. Mario Kart World - Web Page
4. Nintendo Switch 2 Game Listings Are Live at Walmart, Preorders Start April 9
5. Nintendo pulls Switch 2 pre-orders in US over Trump tariffs
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