By Monumentous Kyle
The Switch 2 is finally real, and I have a lot of thoughts after watching the Direct. Let’s start with the hardware itself.
The aesthetic changes to the hardware look decent. It’s still recognizable as a Switch, but the improvements are welcome. Even though it’s an LCD screen, the fact that it’s larger while keeping the same width is great. I have no doubt we’ll see an OLED Switch 2 refresh in a few years, but for now, this is a solid upgrade. The bigger analog sticks are a huge plus — something that’s been long overdue.
There’s also the new C button for social chat, which isn’t a surprise, though I imagine most players who stick to single-player titles will probably never use it. The price point, at $450, is a little steep, but honestly, it makes sense given the state of the economy. I figured it would be at least $400, so while it’s a bit higher, $450 feels reasonable.
Moving on to the games — and there’s a lot to unpack here.
Mario Kart World looks absolutely stellar. An open-world kart racing game that feels truly all-encompassing with its features and game modes is a huge win. The customizable karts and outfits are such a smart move, and it looks like it’ll be an incredible, fun game to play for many years to come.
Seeing GameCube games included with Nintendo Switch Online is finally a reality! It’s great to see this available for everyone to enjoy after so much anticipation.
As for the upgrade and expansion packs for Switch 1 games, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. I’m excited to give Tears of the Kingdom another go with higher resolution and better frame rates, but I’m definitely conflicted about how Nintendo is monetizing these upgrades. We don’t know the full pricing structure yet, but at least it’s good to hear they’re free with an NSO subscription. If they end up costing more than $5–10, though, that would be pretty disappointing.
What’s more concerning is the pricing for Mario Kart World. With digital copies going for $80 and physical copies at $90, this raises real concerns about future first-party Nintendo pricing. If this becomes the trend — especially with GTA 6 likely to set a new industry benchmark — I honestly don’t see myself enjoying modern gaming as a hobby for much longer. It’s just too much.
On top of that, it’s frustrating to see physical game cards no longer containing the full game. Having to download the game after inserting the card feels like the end of an era, and honestly, it’s sad to see.
Now, let’s talk third-party games, because there were some nice surprises.
Getting Deltarune Chapters 1–4 is a treat! I haven’t played Deltarune since the first chapter dropped back in 2018, so I’m genuinely excited to continue the journey.
We also got a brief, teasing look at Hollow Knight: Silksong, with a vague 2025 release window. The torture of waiting continues!
Then there’s The Duskbloods, which is a Switch 2 exclusive. It’s confirmed to be another multiplayer Souls-like game ahead of Nightreign’s release, which is a bit concerning — I really hope it has a strong single-player focus as well.
Lastly, Donkey Kong Bananza looks like it could be a lot of fun! It’s great to finally get another 3D DK game; we really haven’t had one since DK64 from Rare. Plus, the fact that the whole world looks destructible adds a really exciting layer of chaos.
All in all, the Switch 2 reveal left me with a lot to look forward to, but also a few nagging concerns. The future of Nintendo and modern gaming feels both exciting and a bit uncertain.
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