I was a freshman in high school when the Nintendo Switch was released, and I’ve made many memories with the console since then. From killing time with “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” as I waited to be picked up after school to playing games like “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” and “Overcooked 2” at FloMo on-calls, the console is very near and dear to my heart.
While consoles like the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft’s XBox 360 took up more of my younger years, the Switch saw me grow into a young man. It has been there for over a third of my life, including my ongoing academic suspension journey. It goes without saying that my expectations for its successor run deep and personal.
Other than a reveal of the Switch 2’s physical design, its first-look trailer didn’t offer much. However, the April 2 Nintendo Direct presentation announced much more about the console’s capabilities and game catalog, making it a cause for gamer optimism.
The Direct opens with footage of the next Mario Kart game: “Mario Kart World.” With all-new characters, race tracks and game mechanics, the game builds on its predecessors in virtually every way. Most interestingly, “Mario Kart World” introduces a Free Roam mechanic, wherein players will be able to explore race worlds off-track. This fleshes out the beloved racer franchise like never before. Adding Free Roam — and doubling the amount of players for online races from 12 to 24 — are bold moves on Nintendo’s part. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” sold nearly 20 million more copies than the Switch’s second-best seller. Nintendo leading with “Mario Kart World” demonstrates a masterful understanding of one of the Switch’s core successes.
As for the features of the Switch 2 console itself, there is no shortage of standout changes. The Joy-Con layout will make for easier horizontal, single-controller play. The computer mouse-style that can be used for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons adds untold possibilities to the player experience. Base storage of the console will go from the 32 gigabytes of its predecessor to 256 gigabytes. A near-doubling of pixels over the Switch stands to give players a greater visual experience. Being able to adjust the angle by which the Switch 2 stands, as well as charge it from the top, address my two primary gripes with the Switch’s design: only being able to stand it at an inconvenient angle and being unable to charge it while it’s standing.
While “Mario Kart World” is the Switch 2’s standout launch game, the console’s GameChat will make online play an experience like nothing before. GameChat, which fortunately won’t require an online membership until next April, will let people connect with their friends online. They will be able to chat via the Switch 2’s built-in microphone, with the option to display their screens mid-game. Whether used with the separately-sold Switch 2 camera or not, it shows that Nintendo is keeping its backbone — multiplayer fun — in mind at every turn.
Switch players will be pleased by the fact that the overwhelming majority of their games will be playable on the Switch 2. Certain games such as “Breath of the Wild” and “Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” will receive updated Switch 2 versions, hosting boosted visuals and mechanics that take advantage of the console’s boosted specs. The Switch 2’s broader catalogue features several remarkable titles, such as: “Drag x Drive,” a wheelchair basketball game that presents a bold take on three-on-three play; “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment,” a hack-and-slash prequel adding to the already rich lore of the Legend of Zelda series and “Donkey Kong Bananza.” “Bananza” in particular is a fresh take on the Donkey Kong franchise. Playing as Donkey Kong in an apparent smash-and-grab banana frenzy looks like a fun time that will be a core tenet of the Switch 2’s success.
The Switch 2 is currently priced at $450. As of now, U.S. pre-orders are delayed — an unfortunate side-effect of President Trump’s recent tariffs. This and the risk of further tariff-induced price hikes will surely dissuade a decent amount of Americans from buying early on. Nevertheless, Nintendo has still given us a lot to look forward to.
From revamped console features to new playable games, the Switch 2 builds upon its predecessor on all fronts. In a time of societal turmoil, the Switch 2 is a blip of joy amidst the darkness. 15-year-old me would be beyond excited by the Switch 2 — and this time around, I feel players will get a console that stands above the rest.