NINTENDO SWITCH 2 DIRECT – NICK’S REVIEW, RECAP & OPINIONS

Well, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct wrapped up earlier today, and I am still having trouble accepting the overall impact of the information we got. First, let us get it out of the way that the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, at a price point of $449.99 for the console or $499.99 with Mario Kart as a bundle. There was a lot of information that came to us through the direct, and then a bunch of information that we got after the direct as well. This information came through press releases and updated information on their website in the US and also in other parts of the world. Some of it I expected, while other parts threw me for a loop, and it has made people annoyed at Nintendo, and some of it is for good reasons. Then others are just overkill when you break it down.

First, Nintendo started the direct with the one game we have seen before today for the Nintendo Switch 2… Mario Kart. This game is called Mario Kart World and will be launching as a console exclusive for the new system at launch on June 5th, 2025! The game is much more in-depth than what we have seen before including an open world where you can drive anywhere. There is the grand-prix mode and also free-roam modes where you can compete with others and have fun. New things that were shown in the trailer include new playable characters (Moo Moo Cow from Moo-Moo Meadows seems to be a big one for some people) and new items that haven’t been seen before. There were also new things like manipulating a truck by driving into it and then controlling it, wall riding, rail grinding, and the fact that there are 24 drivers on each course. There will be more information at the Mario Kart World Direct on April 17th, which was announced today, too.

Unfortunately, Nintendo also kind of hid a few things from fans and consumers, and we didn’t get all the info until after the show. One of these things is, in the United States, Mario Kart World has an MSRP of $80! To me, I think that is absolutely an insane price for a game for the “standard” edition, considering I have never paid that much for a single game at launch that wasn’t a special or collector’s edition. In other parts of the world, it is even crazier than that. In some locations and currencies, the digital version is cheaper than the physical version. Like in Japan, the game costs 9,980 yen physically while the digital is 1000 yen cheaper at 8,980 yen.

In the US, it is the same price either way, and I hope that it doesn’t become a trend with Digital being cheaper than the physical since I want to keep supporting physical as long as I can! I expected $70 to become the new norm for Nintendo when they moved to Switch 2, but I can’t say I expected $80 for the first game. I hope that this is a one-off where most games are $70, and it’s just rare occurrences to see a $80. Think of when Tears of the Kingdom came out and it was $70 where everything else was $60. Will I buy the game at launch for $80? If I can, probably as long as it isn’t too short of an experience and the value is there. From what we have seen so far, it looks to have that value.

After this, we got a very in-depth look with the new button that has never been shown by Nintendo before but a lot of people knew it was there based on reports. The C button was finally discussed, and oh boy is this an actual big game changer for the Japan corporation! Nintendo has added a voice chat natively called GameChat, on the console! I repeat, a voice chat natively to the console. No more need to use voice chat through the mobile app that everyone didn’t like. On top of this, there was more than just voice chat. Nintendo announced a new camera peripheral that can be purchased (sold separately, obviously) and can hook up to the console. The voice chat looks similar to a Discord voice or video call in some ways, but it is nice to see Nintendo accepting voice chats natively on a console system since it hasn’t happened on their home consoles before. Until March 31, 2026, you can use GameChat without Nintendo Switch Online, but after that it will be required to have Nintendo Switch Online to use. On top of this, there is one other big part of GameChat that they showed that I use on my PS5 all the time when chatting with friends.

Through the GameChat, you can share your screen with friends you are playing with, even if everyone is playing a different game. It was something that Sony introduced on the PS5, and now it is on the Nintendo Switch 2 and that is a big deal for me personally. One example, if you need some help with a section of a game, friends can walk you through the area where you are if they have played it before. Another example is if you find something cool that you want to show other people, it is easy to do so where you don’t have to capture an image, share it to mobile, and then send it through another service. You can also game share with friends on Switch 2 as well, and I like that. You can chat with up to 12 friends in GameChat at once, which I think is awesome and I am excited to hopefully use this with people when the system launches!

The system has an LCD screen (no longer OLED), but it does support HDR and 1080p in handheld mode. I find this to be very nice, as 720p in handheld even with OLED was a bit wearing on me personally. The Nintendo Switch 2 also supports up to 120 FPS with 1080p resolution or 4K at 60 FPS with different games in docked mode. The joy-cons are attached using magnets this time instead of rails, they have bigger sticks, bigger SL/SR buttons to make single joy-con play easier, and they also have mouse controls for different games that support it. The console also has a better stand, a built-in mic for chat, 3D audio, two USB-C ports, noise cancelling technology, and 256 GB of internal storage. The pro controller was also showcased today and has back buttons, a built-in audio jack, and a C button on it to chat with friends. All of which was a great thing for me.

They then talked about one of the weirdest parts for me, and that was the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game. This is a tech demo to showcase the different parts of the Switch 2 and what is on offer with the console, but there is a big problem. Astro’s Playroom, which comes free and pre-installed on every PS5 and PS5 Pro from Sony is a tech demo to showcase the console and the controller features. It is absolutely terrific and is a great thing to have on the console for people wanting that experience. Unfortunately, Welcome Tour from Nintendo is a PAID digital game that will be available on the same day as the console’s release. They did not say anything about a price for the game, but I would not expect it to be anything under $50, knowing the fact that 1-2 Switch came out at $50 on launch day of the first Switch and that was a tech demo kind of game to show what it could do. I hope I am wrong, but I am not holding my breath. I wish Nintendo offered it as a pack-in, but I’m sure there will be people who will buy it. If it is cheap enough ($20 or less), I might be willing to look into it.

Nintendo also showcased their cartridges for the Switch 2. This was cool in the direct, but after the direct… oh boy, did things turn into a crazy not-so-fun ride. Some games like Mario Kart World will be on the cartridge. Other games will be something that I personally hate. “Game-Key Card” is a new thing where there is no data on the cartridge itself where you would put it in the system, and then it will have you download the entire game. Think of a code in a box that you have seen on the shelf, but with a “fake” cartridge. Is there a way to tell the difference between a game that is complete on the cart or just a “Game-Key Card” to allow the data to be downloaded? I haven’t found it besides the box art… so I am not sure if there is a distinction on the cart or not. This is something that I hope not many developers use, and they include all of their data on the game cartridge, but I have already seen a few of the announced games with the “Game-Key Card” feature.

They also talked about something called Switch 2 editions. A lot of games are available to be played just by popping them into the system from the original Switch. Some games will get a free update for Switch 2 for better performance quality, such as Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (thank god), Super Mario Odyssey, and more! There are also a bunch of games that are getting Switch 2 editions where there are added features, content, or better frame rates and visuals. These include Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, along with Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild launch on day 1 (June 5, 2025) and are free to those with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass members. The games include Zelda Notes in the Nintendo phone app where you can get different things, better frame rates and visuals in game, and more. You can also buy the full game plus the upgrade packs at $80 and $70 respectively on Switch 2 if you don’t already have the Switch 1 versions. Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV is coming July 24 and includes new modes to connect with the optional camera, new mini-games with the mouse controls, and more. This is paid, not available to Switch Online members, and will be available as an upgrade pack for those who own it on Switch 1 or as a combo for $80 on Switch 2 with the original game. In terms of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, they are adding brand new content and more story. This will also be either an upgrade pack or buying the game for Switch 2 at $80. This comes out on August 28th.

Now listen, I know Nintendo games don’t go on sale often, but I am at least happy they are doing upgrade packs for some of the older games for those of us who already own the titles from the original Switch. I think that, personally, those games that are a $10 difference between original and Switch 2 are just a performance boost with no new big content. Both Breath of the Wild, which was $60 on Switch 1 and is going to be $70 on Switch 2. Tears of the Kingdom, which was $70 on Switch 1, is going to be $80 on Switch 2. It only has better performance so it would be a $10 difference. The other two games, Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree, both have new content added to them and are $20 higher than they originally were on Switch 1. Hopefully, the upgrade packs are just the $10 or $20 price difference from the systems. We don’t have info on price yet on these besides conversion rates from the Japan version in YEN to USD, which seems to suggest they will fall between 10 and 20 dollars.

Other games coming out in the future, including Pokémon Legends Z-A, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, and more, will also have upgrade versions. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond will include 4K 60 FPS support or 1080p 120 FPS support on Switch 2, along with mouse controller support and will also have an upgrade pack as well. Pokémon Legends Z-A will get one where there is an improved framerate and resolution for Switch 2 and based on what was shown, I am getting this upgrade because it is a big difference here. What the prices of these are going to be… well we will just have to wait and see. My guess is $60 for Switch 1 and either $70 for upgraded graphics or $80 for Switch 2 if there is exclusive content or features.

Nintendo also had a game called Drag x Drive (called Drag and Drive) which uses both joy-cons as a mouse to move people playing basketball in what looks to be wheelchair like things as a title coming in Summer 2025. Honestly, it looked like a basic tech demo that I don’t care about, especially since it’s a 3v3 online multiplayer game and not my style.

With the shock of absolutely nobody, we got a lot of third-party support. There were a lot of games that were already announced or released for other platforms coming to Switch 2 including: Elden Ring, Split Fiction, Project 007, Street Fighter 6, Borderlands 4, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (yes, you read that right), Human Fall Flat 2, Silksong (it’s alive and coming in 2025), and more! On top of previously announced games, some bigger titles showed up, including a few new game announcements and editions. Some of them are below.

Enter the Gungeon 2 was announced and is coming to NS2 and PC. Hades II was announced to be coming to the Switch consoles (1+2) in the future for the first console announcement. A new trailer for the Daemon x Machina sequel, Titanic Scion coming September 5th to Switch 2 (and other consoles) which hasn’t really been shown before. Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster was announced by Square Enix coming at launch. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch with new content and features not seen before. A big surprise for a lot of people during the show was the reveal of The Dusk Bloods from the creators at From Software, coming in 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game. It is a PvPvE multiplayer-focused game, so it isn’t something that I would play. Coming from someone who isn’t a fan of Souls-likes, I will admit it looked good during the showcase. I was surprised that it is exclusive from this team but it shows that Nintendo is pushing! There were a few more, but Nintendo also had some more heat today besides just upgrades, Drag and Drive, Welcome Tour, and Mario Kart World.

In the Winter of 2025, Nintendo and Koei Tecmo are releasing a brand new game in the Hyrule Warriors franchise. This time, it is discussing the story leading into the Tears of the Kingdom plotlines. We are shown what was happening during and leading up to the imprisoning war. This is something that I wished we got back in more detail in the plot of Tears of the Kingdom, but I am very happy that it is coming now. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 this Winter, and I am super excited to see more from this title!

Well, they talked about Switch Online and man, I am very happy with this. When they talked about Switch Online, I thought that Gamecube was on its way over to the Switch, and I was right on the money. It is coming to the Nintendo Switch, but ONLY ON Nintendo Switch 2 as an exclusive library. You need to have the expansion pack for it, as one would assume, and I find that to be a great selling point for people to move over. Nintendo is starting the lineup with Zelda Wind Waker, Soul Calibur 2 (yes, Link is still in the game from the Gamecube version!), and also F-Zero GX. They will be adding more games over time like they have done with all other libraries including the Pokémon games, Fire Emblem, Chibi-Robo, and more! On top of this, just like all other platforms, you can buy a wireless controller on the Nintendo Store if you have the Online Service. I thought that Gamecube would have been another tier that you would have to pay extra for, but it is just the same Expansion Pack that we had before; it is just locked to the new system! I personally wish the line-up at launch was more than 3 games, but it’s a nice start!

Now comes a brand new game from the wonderful game director, Masahiro Sakurai. Is it Smash Bros? NOPE, this is a new Kirby game directed by the pink puff’s creator himself. Kirby Air Riders is coming in 2025 and is a brand-new game that is not a port or remake of the original- at least from what it seems. Kirby Air Ride was originally on the Nintendo Gamecube over 20 years ago. I never got the chance to play it back in the day since I wasn’t on the GameCube train then. Maybe I will pull it out of my storage before this comes out to see what it is all about! This game launches sometime this year only on the Nintendo Switch 2 and just from the tiny bit we got, it looks nice!

Finally, the last game they showed was honestly one of the best ones in my book. I was expecting to get a new 3D Mario, but oh boy was I absolutely wrong in that! We got a brand new open area sandbox with destructible environments 3D Donkey Kong game! Donkey Kong Bananza looks absolutely stunning from the trailer that they showed where you can run up walls, punch through brick and ground for hidden collectables, hit enemies, and it even had a small 2D section in the trailer. Honestly I am already sold on this game from the two and a half minute trailer, and I am not as always anymore! It launches July 17th exclusively on Switch 2, and I couldn’t be happier that it isn’t too far away from release.

It definitely was questionable pricing at first when you just blindly look at the game’s price tag for Switch 2. When you break down the new “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games”, they are repackaging the items from their original SRP ($60 or $70) and then either adding $10 or $20 if there is new content or not. That’s how I am gonna choose to look at it because that’s what I am seeing here. I already have Kirby, the two Zelda games, and Mario Party so I will just buy the upgrade packs if I am so inclined to do so. What is more of an annoyance is the whole concept of the Game Key Card thing that Nintendo is doing with Switch 2. I hope that they aren’t going to allow every single game from every company to use these things to avoid putting stuff on the cartridge, but I am scared that it is more realistic than ever. I hate code in box games, and that is similar to what these are with a “dummy” cartridge to download the game on the Nintendo Switch 2. Street Fighter 6 and Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster have already been confirmed to be using the “Game-Key Card”, which lessens my enthusiasm for these titles coming over.

Pre-orders begin on April 8th at participating retailers and I am definitely going to try and get a Switch 2 if I can before I miss out on the new console. Mario Kart World and Gamecube Games at launch, with Donkey Kong Bananza a month later, then Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment later. Then there’s Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, and a few new editions of already-released games with added content. The Switch 2 is starting out strong with first-party support. Then they also have third-party exclusives and big AAA games that weren’t on Switch 1 which is great to see the gap between consoles shrink. Overall, I was pretty happy with this direct itself but less happy with the news that followed throughout the day. I am still excited, but there are questionable things that I hope to have answered sooner than later! Now, how to explain to my wallet that $600 is going to be gone in the blink of an eye? Are you getting the Nintendo Switch 2? Let us know!