Nintendo has finally unveiled the Switch 2, and I’m feeling both excited and concerned. The new console arrives this June with significant upgrades, but at $450—a 50% price increase over the original Switch—Nintendo has firmly joined the “gameflation” trend sweeping the industry.
After watching the Nintendo Direct showcase, it’s clear they’ve learned from the Wii U’s marketing failures by clearly differentiating this console from its predecessor. What’s less clear is why they think charging for a tutorial game (“Switch 2 Welcome Tour”) is acceptable. Nintendo wants actual money for what amounts to an instruction manual. Is this the same company that bundled Wii Sports with a $250 console?
Hardware That Finally Catches Up
The Switch 2 maintains the hybrid console concept but adds much-needed improvements. The tablet now features a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate support—both huge wins for competitive gaming and overall smoothness. The dock includes active cooling for better TV performance, and the system finally supports 4K HDR output.
Other welcome additions include:
- Built-in microphone
- Improved speakers
- Faster and larger storage
- Better Joy-Con connection system using magnets instead of rails
- Larger shoulder buttons on the inside rails
Battery life looks impressive at 2-6.5 hours, especially considering the performance boost. However, I’m disappointed Nintendo reverted to LCD after the OLED Switch model, though this likely kept the price from hitting $500.
Online Features: Welcome to 2005
Nintendo has finally implemented voice chat directly on the console via a new “C” button on Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller. After 23 years, they’ve caught up to the original Xbox! The chat feature also lets you stream gameplay to friends at what appears to be 480p and sub-10 FPS quality.
As a parent, this raises serious questions about Nintendo’s family-friendly image. How long after handing my eight-year-old a Switch 2 will it take before she hears her first inappropriate comment? Nintendo showed some parental controls, but I need more details before this console reaches my child’s hands.
Game Library: Nintendo’s Strongest Console Showcase Ever
What truly impressed me was the game lineup. During the Direct, we saw 48 non-Nintendo titles, with 15 available at launch and 21 more coming before year-end. This might be the strongest third-party support a Nintendo console has ever received at launch.
Standouts include:
- FromSoftware’s new “Duskbloods” (a multiplayer Bloodborne-style game)
- Elden Ring
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (supposedly coming in 2025)
- Hades 2
First-party offerings look strong too, with Mario Kart World featuring 24-racer support and open-world exploration between races. We’re also getting the first 3D Donkey Kong game since the N64 era, plus new Kirby and Hyrule Warriors titles.
The Value Proposition
At $450 for the base console or $500 bundled with Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 isn’t cheap. Add to that the new $80 price point for premium games (like Mario Kart World), and the overall cost of entry is substantial.
Yet, considering the original Switch launched eight years ago, these upgrades feel necessary rather than optional. The Switch 2 addresses most fundamental issues with the original while maintaining what made it special.
I’m also impressed with Nintendo’s anti-scalper measures, requiring 12 months of Nintendo Online membership to secure a pre-order. While I dislike being forced into a subscription to back up save games, I appreciate the effort to get consoles into gamers’ hands rather than resellers’.
Looking Forward
Despite my complaints about pricing, I’m genuinely excited about the Switch 2. The visual quality shown in gameplay demos was impressive for a handheld, likely thanks to Nvidia’s expertise in efficient gaming and AI upscaling.
Nintendo is also improving game sharing, allowing up to three friends to play multiplayer games with you online, even if they don’t own a copy. Combined with recent improvements to console and family sharing for digital games, this is a welcome step forward.
The Switch 2 isn’t revolutionary but doesn’t need to be. It’s a thoughtful evolution that preserves what worked while fixing what didn’t. I wish Nintendo hadn’t decided that now was the time to test how much more money they could extract from their loyal fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch in June 2024, approximately eight years after the original Switch debuted.
Q: How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
The base Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $450, while a bundle including Mario Kart World will be available for $500. This represents a 50% price increase over the original Switch’s launch price.
Q: What are the major hardware improvements in the Switch 2?
Key improvements include a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 4K HDR TV output, a better Joy-Con connection system, a built-in microphone, improved speakers, larger storage, and active cooling in the dock for better performance when connected to a TV.
Q: Will my original Switch games work on the Switch 2?
Yes, but many games require paid upgrade packs to take advantage of the Switch 2’s improved capabilities. Nintendo has announced that some upgrade packs will be free, but most will likely come at an additional cost. These upgrades may include performance improvements, visual enhancements, and new content.
Q: What notable third-party games are coming to the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 will have impressive third-party support, with 48 non-Nintendo titles announced. Notable games include Elden Ring, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, FromSoftware’s new “Duskbloods,” Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades 2, Street Fighter 6, and major sports titles from EA and 2 K.
Finn is an expert news reporter at DevX. He writes on what top experts are saying.
