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Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed

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Nintendo takes the development of the Switch 2 seriously, as it’s a sequel to one of the best-selling and most cherished consoles in history. They are hosting a series of ‘experience’ events in fifteen cities worldwide to let gamers test the console before its launch on June 5. The cities include London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Melbourne, among others.

This undertaking is intended to be substantial, with the expectation that it could potentially yield significant impacts culturally and commercially.

At yesterday’s Switch 2 premiere in Paris, held at the Grand Palais by the Seine River, I was fortunate enough to be among the first to try out this upcoming console. Not only did I get my hands on a Switch 2, but I had multiple units at my disposal! I even got to play some of its early games and found myself dodging a blue shell in the new Mario Kart World.

During the event at the Grand Palais, Nintendo simultaneously streamed one of their ‘Direct’ videos for both us in attendance and viewers worldwide. As a result, we all gained more insights about the upcoming Switch 2. The release date, as previously mentioned, is set for June 5. Pre-orders will be available starting April 8.

The product will be available in two options: just the standalone console or the console packaged with Mario Kart World. The basic version is priced at £395.99, while the bundle costs £429.99. We have an exciting array of launch titles, accessories, and additional items to look forward to as well.

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You’ll find our device in two flavors: just the console itself or a combo pack including Mario Kart World. The standalone version will set you back £395.99, while the bundle goes for £429.99. We’ve got an impressive lineup of games, extras, and fun stuff to get started with too!

The Direct video didn’t capture the essence of our time with the Grand Palais’ rooms and the Switch 2 itself – its tactile sensation and performance. However, I bring joyful news! After spending approximately four hours together, this device is remarkable. It doesn’t merely improve upon the original Switch, but also introduces some delightfully innovative aspects that we didn’t anticipate.

A good place to begin might be discussing the updated design of the Switch 2. It’s naturally larger due to accommodating a bigger screen (7.9 inches compared to the original’s 6.2 inches). This extra room also allows for more advanced internal components, making it more powerful. The built-in storage has been expanded significantly from the initial model’s 32GB, now offering 256GB, a considerable increase of eight times the space. In its handheld mode, it supports HD graphics and when docked and connected to a TV, it can display full 4K resolution. Both modes are capable of handling up to 120 frames per second, depending on the game being played.

It’s essential to understand that the Switch 2 isn’t designed to compete with consoles like PlayStation or Xbox, nor is it a high-end gaming PC. Nintendo typically focuses more on unique experiences rather than leading-edge technology. However, despite this, the impressive statistics associated with it certainly contribute to noticeable visual improvements.

I invested 15 minutes of my time playing Cyberpunk 2077, one of the most graphically intensive games available, on the new Switch 2 console. Although it was running at just 30 frames per second (which is below the standard preferred by enthusiasts), this wasn’t a disappointing trial run. The vibrant Night City, with its skyscrapers, neon lights, and quirky inhabitants, looked stunning whether held in hand or displayed on screen. With improved performance, it’s likely that the Switch 2’s game library will expand significantly.

It’s true that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, really highlight the visual advantages of the Switch 2. However, it’s worth noting that these games are originally developed for the Switch. Yet, they, along with other titles, will receive updated versions that can be purchased for the Switch 2 or as less expensive upgrades if you already own the initial releases. These enhanced versions promise improved graphics, smoother gameplay, and additional features.

For Zelda games on the Switch 2, expect improved landscapes with greater detail, quicker loading speeds, and an upgrade known as HDR (High Dynamic Range). In layman’s terms, this allows the Switch 2 to display a wider range of brightness levels, making both handheld and docked modes capable of showing brighter highlights and darker shadows compared to its predecessor.

Is the screen quality on the 2021 Switch OLED model more impressive than other models? I haven’t directly compared them, but it doesn’t seem like a significant difference. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom look fantastic with their enhanced graphics. Two exceptional games made even more enjoyable.

Interestingly enough, the Switch 2 might seem a bit weightier to you, but in reality, it’s only slightly heavier compared to both the original Switch and the OLED version. The difference is so subtle that it’s hardly perceptible, while its thickness remains unchanged.

On the sides of the Nintendo Switch 2‘s screen, you’ll find the Joy-Cons, detachable controllers that can be separated as needed. Unlike the sliding system in the original Switch, these are magnetically attached, yet still offering a satisfying click. The Joy-Cons also house some of the most impressive innovations in the Nintendo Switch 2, based on my experience from yesterday.

The tactile feedback provided by Joy-Cons, such as vibrations and buzzing, mimics on-screen actions. This feature was clearly shown in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game, similar to Sony’s Astro’s Playroom, which highlights the hardware capabilities (however, unlike Astro’s Playroom, the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game won’t come free with the console; it will be sold separately – a somewhat unusual choice).

During The Welcome Tour, you had an interactive section where you mimicked shaking maracas by moving the Joy-Cons. Each Joy-Con seemed to contain either a cluster of beads or a rubber ball, and the distinction was palpable. It felt as though there were actual beads or balls inside the Joy-Cons, demonstrating the advanced haptic technology they employ. Now, the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller has a worthy rival.

Additionally, the Joy-Cons now offer mouse mode functionality. By separating them and positioning them horizontally, you can maneuver them similarly to a computer mouse by moving them around and clicking as needed. Initially, this feature seemed unnecessary to me, but upon trying it on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, my opinion has shifted.

In this upcoming first-person shooter game, you have the freedom to switch between various control modes offered by the Joy-Cons at your convenience. One moment, you could be controlling it just like the original Switch, using a joystick to move and aim. The next instant, you can flip one of them over, disabling its joystick to prevent unintentional joggling, and then use a mouse for aiming. The variety of control options – a key aspect that the Switch always promised – is truly impressive.

What about that C-button on the console’s front? Now we’ve figured out its purpose: it’s for chatting. Pressing it offers several ways to interact socially with your friends while gaming. There’s also a planned camera attachment for Switch 2, available at launch separately, which allows you to see your friends. (It seems that other cameras, not specifically made by the manufacturer, will work as well.)

Among the rare disappointments of the day, this particular feature didn’t live up to expectations. We unfortunately couldn’t test it in real-time, but based on what we saw during the Nintendo Direct presentation, the screen-sharing function appeared choppy and pixelated. The video quality seemed significantly lower than expected.

Absolutely, it’s more reliable to hear the truth directly from Nintendo. If things seem a certain way, we shouldn’t be given a different impression. However, while honesty is crucial, it may not always result in favorable public relations.

In a different setting than expected, I had the chance to test the camera, and it exceeded my expectations more than I anticipated. This unique scenario was the enhanced version of another popular Nintendo Switch game, Super Mario Party Jambree. We were all placed approximately a meter away from the camera, and we saw ourselves instantly integrated into various mini-games on the screen. Despite possibly being a gadget that gets seldomly used and eventually forgotten, during those brief five to ten minutes of interaction, it felt like a spellbinding experience.

Regarding the remaining games, I don’t have much to add since my time with them was restricted. However, the new Mario Kart, boasting an open-world design, is genuinely thrilling. Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer, encourages you to wreck its vibrant surroundings with reckless enthusiasm. To top it off, we can now enjoy Nintendo GameCube releases through the Switch’s online service.

Now, it’s not much longer before we can experience the Switch 2 and its expanding collection. We’ll have plenty of time – indeed, years – to evaluate whether my initial opinions hold true or not. Additionally, Nintendo will find out if they have made sufficient improvements to convince existing Switch users to upgrade their devices.

In the meantime, though, I’m in no mood for such quibbles and caveats. I’m excited.

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2025-04-03 16:26

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