It’s kind of hard to believe that Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch seven whole years ago. It doesn’t feel that long ago since I got my Nintendo Switch. But, in retrospect, it does seem like it is about time we did get a refresh. We’re about to get it as, a while back, Nintendo teased the sequel to their current console, the Nintendo Switch 2. That was more than two months ago. We still had to wait for more details to come out regarding the new system.
Well, the time for waiting ended yesterday. That’s because Nintendo put out their latest Nintendo Direct solely focusing on their upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 system.
Now, I just mentioned how I still have a Nintendo Switch. The question becomes if I find a need to upgrade and get the new Nintendo Switch 2 when it’s released later this year. That’s all going to be determined by how excited this Nintendo Switch 2 showcase makes me. So, let’s go see if Nintendo can convince me to get one.
The first half of the Nintendo Direct focused on the Nintendo Switch 2 system itself and how it’s different from the current Switch. The first thing they showed off is the new game chat features. The Switch 2 now has a mic and you can use it to talk to other players you’re connected to. It also has noise cancelling tech, which is always good. You can also share your screen with your friends and you can do this even if you’re not playing the same game.
I guess the most impressive new feature using this mode is how it works in tandem with the new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. Instead of just showing a number so you know which is your character multiplayer games like the upcoming Mario Kart World, the camera will place your face there instead. I think this is cool but I’m also terrified by the thought of how many people will force the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera to focus on other *ahem* body parts. Sure, there are going to be parental controls and whatnot. You still know there are going to be those jerks who’ll still do it.
While this is cool and all, I’m kind of surprised they didn’t include a feature of connecting it to something like Twitch or YouTube Games. The setup seems like it was made to work like a cheap game streaming setup, with the ability to place a cut out of yourself in the game screen. Then again, Nintendo is rather tough on allowing their games to be featured on streaming sites. Still, this seems like a missed opportunity.
The Nintendo Direct also put some focus on what makes the Nintendo Switch 2 much better than their current system. The Nintendo Switch 2 will boast a larger screen that can display 1080p HD. It can also run at 120 fps for certain games. The new Joy-Con controllers also have some new features. You can place any of the Joy-Con controllers on a hard surface and they will work like a mouse. The buttons on top are also larger which, honestly, is the thing that I liked the most. Those puny SL and SR buttons on the original Joy-Con controllers are terrible! They did mention that the analog sticks are larger. I do find it funny how they didn’t state they fixed the Joy-Con drifting issue, however. Kinda suspicious, if you ask me.
The Joy-Con controllers also connect to the body of the Switch 2 using magnets embedded into the system. This is another use of the larger SL and SR buttons as they’re made of metal and that’s where the magnets latch on to. The system also boasts two USB-C ports: one on the top and one at the bottom. This allows you to connect a charging cable while it’s in portable mode. Honestly, this is something the original Nintendo Switch needed.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Dock has also been upgraded. When they system is hooked up to the Dock, this allows the Nintendo Switch 2 to display 4K resolution on your big TV! As displaying in that resolution will definitely build up a lot of heat, the new Dock also has a fan to keep your Switch 2 from overheating. I do wish they did showcase this a little bit more as I really wanted to see how well the Switch 2’s ventilation looks. Makes me excited for all the teardowns in the future!
All-in-all, while Nintendo did make some substantial enhancements with the Nintendo Switch 2, I honestly don’t think it’s enough of an improvement. This feels like “here’s the Nintendo Switch… but bigger!” instead of really beefing up the processing power of the Nintendo Switch to significantly. Still, the system itself is half of the equation. If Nintendo can knock out their upcoming game line-up, I still may be convinced to get one. And, honestly speaking, I wasn’t all that impressed.
Before I talk about why I wasn’t dazzled by the games they featured, I do need to talk about the two games that did tickle my fancy: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. I’ve never really been big on the Mario Kart franchise as I am mostly a solo player and these games don’t really have a good single player experience. Well, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Mario Kart World as there is a Free Roam mode! This may not be what the hardcore Mario Kart fans want.. but it is what I wanted all this time!
While they didn’t show much of Donkey Kong Bananza, what they did feature piqued my interest a lot. It looks like it was going to be a weird platformer as it did show the titular scaling a wall reminiscent of Link from the Breath of the Wild games. But what we never did see Link do was break off a piece of the floor and chuck it at an enemy! I’m really curious how destructible the environments are and how much freedom it’ll give players on how to clear a level.
Unfortunately, after these two games, the rest of the titles they showed off are great… but still disappointing. That’s because most of them are old games! Ooh, you have Street Fighter 6! Well, I’ve been playing Street Fighter 6 for a couple of years now! You’ll have Yakuza 0 at launch? Wasn’t that released an entire decade ago? You’ll have both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom? I’ve already finished both of them! Borderlands 4 is coming as well? That’s cool… but that’s not exactly a system seller as it’ll be available on other systems as well. I guess having Nintendo Gamecube games made playable for the Switch 2 is nice for Gamecube fans. Too bad I wasn’t one of them!
Right now, there isn’t really a reason for me to start saving for a Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches in June later this year. While I do think it’s going to be a good system, Nintendo didn’t really show me a reason to junk my current Nintendo Switch to get the new console. I will be still looking closely at it as I am intrigued by Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. But I will wait to see if these games are any good before I put any considerable thought to getting the Nintendo Switch 2.
Let the waiting game begin.
What were your thoughts on the Nintendo Direct devoted to the Nintendo Switch 2? Did it make you want to buy one as soon as possible? Let me know in the comments section below!
3rd World Geeks 