TheNintendo Switch 2Direct might not have gone as smoothly as I had hoped, but it offered several major information drops and new games that completely defied my expectations, both for better and for worse. While I had a general idea going into Switch 2 Direct about what to expect from its offering of games or performance capabilities, most of them ended up being blown out of the water. While there was plenty to appreciate from the recent Direct, there were more than a few controversial moves from Nintendo that could have lasting consequences for the console.
It’s hard to please everyone when it comes to revealing a console as massive as the Switch 2, with some fan expectations often being completely at odds with each other. Regardless of my personal thoughts,there’s no doubt that Switch 2 is already a great technological leap that can offer the innovative gaming experience Nintendo is known for. While I’m still looking forward to seeing what Switch 2 has in store on release, the new information gives a lot to consider when thinking about buying the new console.
10A Price Tag Even Higher Than I Expected
Addressing The Largest Elephant In The Room
It’s hard to talk about all the exciting aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct without also acknowledging how expensive the console and its games are compared to the past.WithMario Kart Worldalone coming in at a whopping $80 for a digital edition alone, it’s clear the future of Nintendo won’t be cheap, especially when a physical copy can reach upwards of $90. Coupled with the quiet removal of the Nintendo Selects program and the refusal to lower the price of games even a decade after release, I’m concerned about the sustainability of the device moving forward.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Compared To Past Nintendo Consoles (Adjusted For Inflation)
With the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealing the price of the console, this is how the cost compares to the prior Nintendo home consoles.
I was far from the only one to voice these concerns either, as the chat for the Nintendo Switch 2 Treehouse stream was flooded with comments from upset fans,demanding a lower priceand even discussing a boycott over its release. Making the pricing issue even worse is Nintendo’s decision to make games likeNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Toura paid version of a glorified game manual. Despite these concerns,it still seems almost assured that Switch 2 will be a massive success for Nintendo regardless of the increased costs, with the excitement around the console seemingly too large to fail.
9A Surprising Absence Of First-Party Nintendo Titles
Offering A Wide Array Of Third Party Options Instead
One of the first things I thought of after watching the initial Switch 2 showcase was simply how few first-party titles would be arriving at its launch. While there are plenty of exciting games I’m looking forward to, likeDonkey Kong BananzaandKirby’s Air Riders,the upcomingMario Kart Worldwas the only real contender for a console-selling first-party launch title. Even with the lack of release options, the upcomingMario Karthas reignited my interest in the series, with the open-world mechanic being just what the series needs to set it apart from the competition.
I’m Obsessed With Mario Kart World’s Newest Character
Mario Kart World is adding a surprising new character to the classic roster, which now includes a cow from Moo Moo Meadows.
To make up for the lack of official Nintendo titles on launch,Switch 2 featured plenty of third-party titles to increase the value of the console. While returning titles likeFortniteand backward compatibility for games wasn’t too surprising, being able to play older titles likeYakuza 0or even the upcoming Switch exclusiveThe Duskbloodsby FromSoftware are excitingly promising options.
8The Lack Of Reveals For Cozy Games Like Animal Crossing
A Complete Opposite To Nintendo’s Previous Direct
Given the massive popularity thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonswas able to achieve on the original Switch,the complete lack of any news for the classicAnimal Crossingseries was somewhat of a disappointment. With how littleAnimal Crossingfans have received over the years outside the recent changes made toPocket Camp, the letdown wasn’t all too surprising in the end, with manyfans not being surprisedby the lack of news.
It feels strange to completely pivot away from cozy mobile games when it’s one of the selling points of the Switch.
Coupled with how intense Nintendo’s recent Direct showcases were with cozy games and farming sims galore, it feels strange to completely pivot away from cozy mobile games when it’s one of the selling points of the Switch. While the new console is aiming to take a new direction for Nintendo’s games with increased fidelity and performance,I can’t help but feel it was a missed opportunity not to save a few of the best cozy games for the Switch 2 showcase.
7The Sheer Power Of Switch 2’s Hardware Performance
Jaw-Dropping Fidelity For Such A Small Device
While I knew that Switch 2 would offer a greater increase in pure performance, my jaw dropped after seeingCyberpunk 2077running surprisingly well on the new console. While there have been reports thatCyberpunkandHogwarts Legacyhave lower frame rates, being able to handle these kinds of games at all is a massive win for the console. It will be some time until full hardware comparisons start being made after its launch, butI’m still looking forward to seeing how Switch 2 will handle larger games on its release.
When plugging Switch 2 into a dock, the system can output up to 4K resolution, with a built-in cooling fan preventing the console from overheating during gameplay.
Aside from being able to handle large-scale games, I was pleasantly surprised to see the enhanced performance won’t ignore the smaller first-party titles Nintendo is known for either. Offering 1080p on a massively improved 120hz screen, the Switch 2 will run all your favorite games at a much faster performance rate right out of the box,providing the next generational leap I’ve been waiting to see for nearly a decade.
6Nintendo Isn’t Abandoning Its Past Switch Games
Offering A Way To Get More Value From Your Existing Library
After hearing some of the rumors about how the Switch 2 won’t be backward compatible with all Switch games, I was hesitantly curious about what Nintendo would reveal going into the newest Direct. Thankfully,it seems that the wide majority of your original Nintendo Switch titles will be fully compatible with the Switch 2, barring a few notable exceptions, like the Nintendo Labo and others listed onNintendo’s website.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backward Compatibility Is Completely Different From Wii U & 3DS
Backward compatibility is a must-have for most new consoles; it’s been common for Nintendo since the very beginning, but the Switch 2 is different.
While the price point is less than ideal, most games will still be receiving free updates to take advantage of Switch 2’s new hardware, which seems to range from new features and unlocked performance caps. On top of limited updates,I was surprised to see that the Switch 2 would offer a paid upgrade for your original titles to their enhanced edition. While it’s frustrating to have to pay for games I already own, some of them offer considerable upgrades, likeBOTWfixing its spotty performanceor Kirby’sForgotten Landupgrade including an entirely new story DLC.
5A Surprising Amount Of Unique Hardware Features
Switch 2 Is More Than A Simple Performance Upgrade
Given that many of the Switch 2’s new features were already leaked or heavily rumored before its release, I didn’t expect to see too many new aspects of the console announced. Right out of the gate,the Switch 2 directly caught my attention with its implementation of the GameChat functionality built right into the controller itself, letting you speak with friends or family with the simple press of a button. Rather than acting as a traditional game chat, the feature seems to act more like a Discord call than anything else, even letting you stream games for your friends.
Until June 25, 2025, a Nintendo Online membership is not needed to access GameChat. Afterward, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.
Going hand-in-hand with the new GameChat functionality is the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, which,on top of acting as a versatile face cam, can also be used in games likeMario Party Jamboreeto add more personalization. Unfortunately, it’s hard to imagine too many people going out of their way to buy an entirely separate camera for the Switch 2, but it’s still an interesting concept with unique gameplay potential. On top of these unique inclusions, the Switch 2’s dock also received some unexpected upgrades, with a built-in cooling fan to support the more resource-intensive titles the console can handle.
4Developing A Spiritual Successor To Odyssey Rather Than A Sequel
A Unique Experience That Could Be Even Better Than The Original
Another game I thought for sure would make an appearance or at least be mentioned in some form was a sequel toSuper Mario Odyssey. Being one of the most beloved games in the franchise yet,Odyssey’s clear inspiration from classic games in the series likeSuper Mario 64,while innovating with new mechanics and enhanced visual fidelity, helped the experience come to life in more ways than one. While it was a bit disappointing to not have any word about a new 3DMariogame – technically aside fromMario Kart World– what we got instead could be even better.
Donkey Kong Bananza – Release Date, Price, & Gameplay Details
We just got a ton of new information about the Nintendo Switch 2, but one announcement that I was not expecting was a new 3D Donkey Kong game.
Donkey Kong Bananzawas one of my favorite original game reveals of the Switch 2 Direct, as it seems like a loose spiritual successor to the iconic world-trotting adventure. While it does share many similarities in expressive style and unique gameplay offerings,the trailer seems to show more of a linear gameplay that’s expected from the series, being more akin to the recentAstro Botinstead. Regardless of which gameDonkey Kong Bananzaends up taking more inspiration from, it still feels like a unique experience that I can’t wait to see become a reality.
3The Ability To Easily Share Games Was A Surprising Improvement
An Unexpected Move From Nintendo
Based on Nintendo’s treatment of game sharing and local save data in the past, I was completely blindsided by the new ways Nintendo’s Switch 2 is tackling the concept moving forward. Not only can you share cooperative games locally with nearby consoles to play together, butthe Switch 2 also allows for game sharing over the internet with far fewer restrictions than before.
GameChat is required to share games online, which is only included in the paid Nintendo Online membership.
While it doesn’t solve every issue I have with game sharing from the original Switch,it’s always great to see more ways to play with friends and family, especially with how expensive Nintendo games have been getting over time. Unfortunately, it seems that GameChat is required to share games online, which is only included in the paid Nintendo Online membership. Even if you do have a paid Nintendo Online account, certain games likeSuper Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Editionwill not be compatible either way, but can still be shared locally instead.
2Game Cartridges Will Work Differently Than Expected
A Strange New Way To Play Virtual Games
While Nintendo could have easily used the same cartridges as before, or an entirely new disk format, the Switch 2 took a strange middle ground that was more than a bit confusing at first. While the newer red cartridges aren’t too different from what I’m used to with the Switch, theSwitch 2’s Game-Key Cardscaused a lot of buzz online over their confusing explanation. While it’s still a strange concept,Game-Key Cards could be a way to combat the massive file sizes that games likeElden Ringare known to have.
I’m Worried About Elden Ring On Switch 2
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is coming to the Switch 2 in 2025, but early previews suggest its performance might leave a lot to be desired.
Rather than entirely replacing physical games with virtual keys,the new system acts as a physical key that lets you download the game after purchasing and inserting it into your Switch 2, much like the digital-code versions of games that the original Switch had. Offering a physical card is an interesting alternative as it allows you to easily share and even resell virtual games that would otherwise be locked to a single account.
While the original Switch games can be played on the Switch 2, the red cartridges of the successor console are not playable on the original device, given its hardware limitations.
On top of these changes, the Switch 2 will launch with over eight times the storage of its predecessor with a total of 256 GB of space,allowing you to enjoy a drastically higher number of games before resorting to buying a new MicroSD card. Given that the Switch 2 will only accept newer MicroSD Express cards, the increased storage is somewhat of a consolation for saving on costs down the line.
1I Never Thought I Would See Silksong From Nintendo
I’ve Never Been Happier To Be So Wrong
Aside from all the new features and games announced for Switch in the coming months, I was completely blindsided by Team Cherry’sHollow Knight: Silksongfinally showing up again, even if it was only for a few seconds. I’ve always refuted the idea that games likeDeltaruneandSilksongwould make their debut in a Nintendo Direct due to their PC origins, especially givenSilksong’s prior contract with Xbox. Although Xbox claimed thatSilksongwould be released in 2023 at the latest based on its Game Pass timeline,this official 2025 release date is some of the best gaming news I’ve heard in years.
After Being Burned Before, I’m Not Ready To Trust Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Release Window Confirmation
Hollow Knight Silksong received a release window confirmation at the Nintendo Direct stream for the Switch 2, but I’m not ready to trust it.
Compared toDeltarune’s fully fleshed-out trailer shooting for a launch date that coincides with Switch 2’s,it was more than a bit strange thatSilksongdidn’t get the same treatment given the years of anticipation behind it. Due to the still ambiguous release date for the highly anticipated indie game, it’s likely that Team Cherry is saving a spotlighted trailer forSilksongfor when the studio feels ready to declare an official release date on theNintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for June 29, 2025.
