Nintendo Switch 2: now we're playing with Power
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct happened today, and let's just say that I'm impressed. The alternate title of this post was "Nintendo Switch 2, welcome (back) to peak"
Starting off with Mario Kart World is a great choice, of course, the open-world nature of it made me draw some comparisons to the Forza Horizon series. I'll certainly be picking this game up first, just like I did with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on my original Switch. Also, grinding on rails, wallrides and changing your character's attire is pretty cool.
Changing atmospheric and weather conditions… Does this affect drivability? It's interesting to see how driving from one course to the next is going to affect the final standings in the Grand Prix, especially now that the number of drivers in a race has doubled to 24.
I don't know for sure if I'm going to be playing Knockout Tour. Free Roam is likely the mode I'd be playing the most in this game, it even has a photo mode!
The "C button" and GameChat
Before the broadcast, I told a coworker that I thought the C button is for communication, like party chat. Turns out I read that perfectly. The Switch 2 having a mic isn't something I expected, but it's a welcome surprise.
Party chat with three friends with screen sharing as well, honestly, I didn't expect Nintendo to do that. The camera isn't something I will be using for obvious reasons.
It's good to see that it seems to be system-wide instead of something developers must enable. Not surprising a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required.
Close enough, welcome back Download Play.
Impressive, bigger, higher res screen while keeping its thickness the same. With 120Hz refresh rate and HDR as well. Nicely done, Nintendo!
Magnetic Joy-Cons were already thoroughly leaked before the announcement, the SL/SR buttons are bigger, that makes a lot of sense, the sticks too!
Mouse controls would be good for strategy and FPS titles.
The new sound hardware is something that I'll have to check out at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience. 3D sound, yeah, I know about that.
Kickstand is interesting, but it's good that we have two USB-C ports now, so we can play and charge in tabletop mode without any extra accessories.
Nice, just as much storage as my laptop.
4K60 docked and a cooling fan built in? Good development, Big N!
Backwards compatibility makes a lot of sense given it's still an ARM-based system.
Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour
Oh, like Aperture Desk Job, but with more stuff to read. Good that it teaches you how the system works.
Oh! It's got a golf minigame and several demos.
Game Cards and additional storage
That you keep the shape for the Switch 2 Game Cards makes sense, means you can keep the same shape for the slot to put them into. I wonder if they'll still be bitter.
microSD Express, seems like right now only SanDisk is selling one in either 128GB or 256GB sizes. Also looks like it's going to be pricey.
So, transferring save data will go through the Nintendo Account. Does that mean that we can transfer our island in Animal Crossing and our Pokémon saves, or will we have to start over on Switch 2?
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Looks like the design has only changed minimally, hopefully with Hall Effect sticks in it. The C button and two grip buttons have been added to the design as well as a 3.5mm audio jack, I guess voice chat is a core feature of the system. The player indicator lights have been moved to the top of the controller, by the USB-C port.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on the 5th of June, so the week after TwitchCon Europe, good to know.
They say that you can play 3 types of games on Nintendo Switch 2
Games made to take advantage of the performance and features of the new hardware, like Mario Kart World.
Compatible Nintendo Switch games
Of course, backwards compatibility is a thing. Due to the Switch having its own set of accessories and that certain games took advantage of features on the Joy-Con that aren't available on the Joy-Con 2, some games unfortunately won't be (fully) compatible.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Games that are getting an upgraded version for the Switch 2 that feature updated visuals, new ways to play and more… Examples include:
Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch app functionality
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Nintendo Switch app functionality
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Enhanced resolution and framerate (4K60 Quality mode & 1080p120 Performance mode)
Pokémon Legends Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Enhanced resolution and framerate
Nintendo Switch 1 editions of games can be upgraded to their Nintendo Switch 2 Edition counterparts by purchasing an upgrade pack. Seems like Nintendo's taking a leaf out of PlayStation's book with that one.
Drag x Drive (Drag and Drive)
Wheelchair basketball game that makes use of mouse and gyro? I see the spoken name of it is a pun on drag and drop. It releases in the summer.
Games from Nintendo's publishing and development partners
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition (by From Software)
Wow, starting off with a Game of the Year title! It also shows off that the Nintendo Switch 2 can handle it. It releases this year.
HADES II (by Supergiant Games)
So HADES II is dropping on Switch 2 later this year.
STREET FIGHTER 6 (by Capcom)
Street Fighter 6 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title with local wireless multiplayer and new, exclusive modes, like motion controls and Amiibo support.
DAEMON X MACHINA: TITANIC SCION (by Marvelous)
Wow, good to see DAEMON X MACHINA getting a sequel, not sure if I will be picking it up though.
Split Fiction (by Hazelight)
This game might be a good fit for local co-op on Switch 2. It's a launch title.
EA Sports FC and EA Sports Madden NFL
EA is bringing some of their sports titles to Switch 2, huh? Just a vague commitment though, no concrete release dates. At least they brought back the old slogan.
Hogwarts Legacy (ported by Avalanche Software, published by WB Games)
So, this game is coming to Switch 2 as a launch title. The system can handle it.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 (by Iron Galaxy, published by Activision)
Gnarly dude. This is a throwback. Wait, a Spongebob level? It's releasing this summer.
Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition (by IO Interactive)
"Good evening, 47. Welcome to Kyoto."
That's right, Hitman is coming to Switch 2 as a launch title. And that's not all…
Project 007 (by IO Interactive)
Just the same teaser as last time, nothing new here except the logo for MGM has been switched for the Amazon MGM Studios logo.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster (by Square Enix)
Honestly, I don't have much of an opinion on this game yet. I didn't play the 3DS version, it's a launch title for the Switch 2.
Yakuza 0: Director's Cut (by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
KIRYU-CHAN! This title is a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, come to think of it, 25-30 years ago, a SEGA title dropping day 1 on a Nintendo console would have been unthinkable.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (by KOEI TECMO and Nintendo)
Oh, another Warriors game, this one looks to be set right after the prologue of Tears of the Kingdom, but from Zelda's perspective. It releases this Winter.
Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is getting GameCube classic games exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2! And yes, the Nintendo Switch Online classic game libraries are getting renamed to Nintendo Classics. Makes sense to me. Up to 4 players can play on one system or online and the controls can be changed!
These are the GameCube titles that are going to get added at console launch:
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
I guess that dashes any hope for a remaster in the foreseeable future.
This game was available on multiple platforms, but the GameCube version had Link as an exclusive guest character. Looks like Adult Link from Ocarina of Time (which tracks, given that was one of the latest games at the time and I doubt Namco would want young Link to fight in this game.
WOO! IT GOT MENTIONED! Might upgrade my Switch Online sub to the Expansion Pass because I wanna play this game.
More titles will be added in the future
During this, it showed a scrolling list of games. These were shown:
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
GameCube Controller (available only for members)
A wireless GameCube Controller will be available for purchase for Nintendo Switch Online members on the same day the system launches. It has all the controls for the GameCube, plus Capture, Home, C and ZL buttons.
More games from Nintendo's publishing and development partners
Deltarune: Chapters 1+2+3+4 was announced in classic Toby Fox manner, meaning in a hilarious fashion, with a little greenscreen and editing gag before switching to a trailer showing gameplay from all four chapters, the latter two brand new. Deltarune launches on Switch 2 on launch day.
Borderlands 4 (by Gearbox Entertainment)
I wonder if they learned from Borderlands 3. Borderlands 4 launches this year apparently.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII (by Firaxis)
Civilizaiton VII is releasing a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, taking advantage of the new mouse controls on Switch 2. Sid Meier's Civilization VII releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.
Same sort of thing as EA Sports, just saying that it's coming to Switch 2, but no timeframe as to when or in what form.
Survival Kids (by Konami)
A survival game for children, huh? Not sure about it, especially with Konami in control. It's a launch title.
Enter The Gungeon 2 (by Dodge Roll)
A sequel with a 3D artstyle? Bullet-hell shooter! No release date given yet.
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (by System Era, published by Devolver)
Never played Astroneer, but this teaser looks fun. This game is releasing in 2026.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (by CD Projekt Red)
Cyberpunk on a Nintendo system?! If the gameplay shown is from the hardware, I'm really impressed. It launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE (by Square Enix)
It finally releases on a console that isn't made by Sony! No release date given.
49 and a half minutes into the presentation, it's time for the sizzle reel! Let's tell you what I see.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (by Capcom)
Releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day. Don't know much about this game yet.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (by Team Cherry)
Silksong clip again?! Nothing new here afaik. Says it releases this year.
STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (by Marvelous)
This game was shown off last week during the Nintendo Direct. It launches on the 27th of August, 2025.
Goodnight Universe (by Skybound Games)
What the filtered. This game launches in 2025.
Two Point Museum (by Two Point Studios)
Hey, this is a recent game that seems to be taking full advantage of mouse controls on Switch 2. It releases on Switch 2 this year.
Wild Hearts S (by KOEI TECMO)
Huh, Koei Tecmo's Monster Hunter-type game releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on the 25th of July. Surprising to me that Capcom didn't announce Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2 yet.
Witchbrook (by Robotality and Chucklefish)
Again, a game that was announced during the Nintendo Direct last week. It launches around the holidays this year.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (by SEGA)
So, an enhanced version of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (by Marvelous)
An RPG? It launches on the same day as the Nintendo Switch.
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion (by Dotemu)
The devs behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge are back with a MARVEL game! We saw this during the Nintendo Direct last year. It launches around the holidays.
Star Wars Outlaws (by Massive Entertainment, published by Ubisoft)
I'll be honest, I'm not too excited to play this game. It's port to the Nintendo Switch 2 releases this year.
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition (by KOEI TECMO)
Ah, a strategy game. It launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on day 1.
A spiritual successor to F-Zero releases as an exclusive launch title for Nintendo Switch 2.
Shadow Labyrinth - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (by Bandai Namco)
The Nintendo Switch 1 edition was shown off last week. This is a dark twist on the arcade classic Pac-Man. It launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on the 18th of July.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army (by ATLUS)
Any story involving the supernatural is just in ATLUS's wheelhouse. It launches on the 19th of June.
No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES (by Spike Chunsoft)
Another game shown off during last week's Nintendo Direct. It launches on the 25th of July.
REANIMAL (by Tarsier Studios)
This is the type of game you likely wouldn't see me play. It launches this year.
Releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on Day 1.
Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER (by HAMSTER, based on the NAMCO original)
A classic racing game. It launches on Nintendo Switch on day 1.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (by LEVEL5)
TAP EVERYWHERE FOR HINT COINS. It releases this year.
Tamagotchi Plaza - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (by Bandai Namco)
Tamagotchi… Now that brings me back. It releases on the 27th of June. This game was also shown last week.
Human Fall Flat 2 (by No Brakes Games, published by Devolver)
Yay, more wobbly physics! No release date has been given.
The Duskbloods (by From Software)
This is the closest people will get to Bloodborne 2 for a while and it's a Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive? Nintendo must have paid a lot of money for this. It releases in 2026
Kirby Air Riders (Directed by Masahiro Sakurai)
Racing/driving game fans certainly have a lot of choices. An open-world Mario Kart game, F-Zero GX through Switch Online Expansion Pack, Fast Fusion, Ridge Racer and a new Kirby Air Ride game? It releases this year.
And a new Donkey Kong game with destructible terrain?! That's cool! It smashes its way onto Nintendo Switch 2 on the 17th of July.
Hardware options and pricing
Nintendo Switch 2 will be offered at launch in two ways. One with just the hardware and one bundled with a digital copy of Mario Kart World. This is the pricing here in the Netherlands:
Nintendo Switch 2: € 469,99
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World: € 509,99
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