New video game {hardware} bulletins can change into considerably predictable. With every new technology of consoles you’ll be able to anticipate to see near-certain staples like higher graphics, quicker load occasions, and new takes on beloved, plumber-and-turtle-oriented franchises.
Even Nintendo, which has executed this constantly throughout a number of generations, from the N64 analog controller, tiny GameCube discs, wacky Wii movement controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U pill display, and the Switch’s built-in portability, has delivered these enhancements with the Switch 2.
But being Nintendo, the corporate again unveiled a few real shockers during the Switch 2 Direct.
It's 2025 and we lastly get online play.
When I used to be 4 years outdated in 1983, my babysitter used to roll footballs at me like Donkey Kong rolling barrels at Mario. I might leap over them, making a Donkey Kong sound impact within the air, then grab a toy hammer and smash them like Mario. That’s how long I’ve been a Nintendo fan. So I say this from a place of long-suffering expertise: it’s going to be not possible to speak about this superior reveal with out revealing a little loving bitterness.
Nintendo, as everyone knows, does probably not play online effectively. Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters apart, Nintendo has barely scraped the floor of what’s potential with a unified multiplayer platform like these created by Sony and Xbox. It’s by no means as simple to search out and speak with pals on a Nintendo platform. Even the Switch required a separate app for voice chat.
Shockingly, change seems to be right here now. During the Direct, Nintendo unveiled GameChat, and it appears to be like… actually neat?! It's a four-player chat that helps noise suppression, video cameras for displaying pals’ faces, and display sharing throughout consoles, permitting you to maintain an eye on up to 4 totally different shows inside a single display. We know from the brand new Switch 2 accessibility options web page that GameChat additionally helps text-to-voice and voice-to-text, permitting gamers to speak a number of methods.
Now we haven’t seen what, if any, unified matchmaking interface would possibly tie into this simply but. But it’s already a large step, and I’m hoping it means the final nail within the coffin for the abominable good friend code eternally.
Miyazaki is bringing new blood completely to Nintendo
When I noticed the primary frames of this trailer, I assumed I used to be seeing Bloodborne 2. The ambiance, the character design, and the environments all screamed the FROM Software home fashion. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I now know that I used to be watching footage from (*2*)designed by the softly-smiling monarch of video game masochism, Hidetaka Miyazaki.
I have no idea the place this man discovered time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive game. I’m beginning to assume that he could by no means depart his workplace nor sleep, very similar to one of his own confused, hollowed characters losing away within the high tower of some gothic jail. But I’m grateful. FROM doesn’t actually miss anymore, so I’m anticipating a tasty deal with.
A shock to be sure, however a welcome one
Speaking of people who need a trip, apparently Super Smash Bros. director Masuhiro Sakurai has moved on from Smash to a new Kirby game? Did not see that coming. Get that man a nap!
The unique Kirby's Air Ride was, to put it bluntly, a pleasant-looking however aggressively unfun Kirby racer for GameCube. But Sakurai has made no secret of his deep affinity for Nintendo’s spherical, pink elder god, and it’s virtually a certainty that a Sakurai-helmed tackle the franchise will probably be a far more refined and gratifying expertise.
Control points
It was nearly a throwaway second, however the Pro Controller 2 sounds genuinely Pro this time round when Nintendo introduced the Pro Controller 2 has an audio jack now, which is one other function that’s welcome about a decade later. More importantly, they’ve added two mappable further buttons. I LOVE customizable buttons, so this tiny shock really tickled me pink.
No Mario?!
This one genuinely shocked me. Near as I can inform, a lot of Nintendo’s Mario makers have been locked up in a secret bunker for years engaged on his subsequent 3D journey, which I assumed could be the large summer season game for Switch. I used to be very incorrect. Turns out the Odyssey workforce is the force behind Donkey Kong Bananza, the fascinating new 3D platformer with a deal with destructible environments. Nintendo is as soon as again enjoying in opposition to expectations because it so typically does, trusting hardcore followers to flock to Donkey Kong’s greatest game in generations and saving Mario for one more day.
Switch can even launch with in depth third social gathering assist and Mario Kart World. While World appears to be like like a system-seller, I figured it could be timed as a Christmas-window household game. Nintendo often leans on Mario, Zelda, or each to promote to their greatest followers during a console’s first 12 months. But Nintendo is Mario Kart 8’s report gross sales with confidence, betting their hottest social gathering game, alongside Bananza, will help transfer enough Switch 2 items to make launch a success.
Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card
Open-world Mario Kart is right here, whether or not or not it’s for good or for in poor health. I’m betting on good, because the zany physics, bizarre automobiles, and fight mechanics of Mario Kart ought to lend themselves effectively to navigating between and throughout tracks battling pals and stitching chaos. The short look we received appears to point a steady world a la Bowser’s Fury, however a lot bigger and supporting myriad drivers.
It’s very costly
The Switch 2 costs too much. I get that every part is pricey proper now, as tariffs go up, the yen goes down, and American inflation reignites. But $449.99 USD is a hefty price by any customary, and Switch 2 is the most expensive launch in Nintendo’s 40-plus US sales history. In truth, Switch 2 prices $150 {dollars} more than its predecessor’s launch price, and is $100 {dollars} more than the next-most-expensive Wii U. Successful Nintendo consoles and handhelds have typically relied on decrease costs as a differentiator, however Switch 2 will probably be trying to succeed with out a price benefit.
Jared Petty is a former IGN editor who likes writing about how fantastic and foolish video video games are. You can discover him at Bluesky as pettycommajared.