Here's everything we have learned about the Nintendo Switch 2 presentation
, by Quentin
This Wednesday April 2, Nintendo finally lifted the veil on its new console during a Nintendo Direct. Over the course of an hour, the company told us everything there is to the Switch 2, which will be released on June 5.
Decisions far from unanimous
Despite some pleasant surprises, the home of Mario also made some questionable choices, and struggled to convince all gamers. Starting with the price: €469.99 for the console alone, or €509.99 bundled with Mario Kart World, which has been considered excessive by many. This is not the only criticism, as Nintendo has also announced that Mario Kart World, the flagship launch game, will be sold for €89.99 in physical version and €79.99 in digital version.
There's also the lack of an OLED screen, an incomprehensible decision in 2025. Nintendo has gone for an LCD, compensated nonetheless by a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and HDR10 support. There is some good news, however, notably on the dock side, which will support 4K resolution and incorporate a fan to ensure this increase in power. In portable mode, the Switch 2 will remain confined to 1080p.
We were also expecting more premium finishes for this new generation, and on that score, we're not disappointed. Whether it's the magnetic Joy-Con attachments or the bigger buttons, the unit inspires greater confidence in its durability than its big sister. The battery capacity is increased from 4,310 mAh to 5,220 mAh. Autonomy remains volatile, however, with an estimated range of between 2 and 6.5 hours depending on use.
The speakers, too, benefit from notable improvements with the integration of 3D spatial audio, offering sound that is both more immersive and clearer. There's also a noise-reduction microphone, for more pleasant voice chat even in noisy environments.
There's also the new C button, which comes with a new feature called GameChat. Thanks to this, you can broadcast your games and interact directly with other players, adding a community dimension that was sorely lacking on the first console. Finally, the Joy-Cons are equipped with a mouse function which, for the moment, seems to be more of a gimmick than a real revolution.
What does Nintendo have to offer in terms of games at launch?
It's now time to turn our attention to the games that will accompany the launch of Nintendo Switch 2. As soon as the machine is released on June 5, we'll get Mario Kart World. This new entry will bring a host of new features, including races for up to 24 drivers, as well as the ability to go freely on a vast map featuring a variety of environments, from deserts to snowy mountains. There's also a survival mode in which you'll have to clear several checkpoints on a course strewn with pitfalls. In addition, we have a mode that lets you wander freely around the map and capture the best moments on film.
We have yet another nice surprise scheduled for July 17: the return of our favorite gorilla in Donkey Kong Bananza, the fully 3D entry that fans have been eagerly awaiting for years. The trailer is packed with gameplay footage, revealing a varied and colorful universe. Donkey Kong's movements are particularly lively, which points to the gameplay being very dynamic.
Now it's time for the cutest pink ball in Kirby Air Riders. This new entry of the racing game, which originally released on GameCube in 2003, has no precise release date as yet, with Nintendo simply announcing 2025. Although we have few images to go on, we can trust Masahiro Sakurai, who is best known for the Super Smash Bros series, to direct this project.
Here's another game to enjoy during the long winter: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. This is yet another musou, and we hope that it will run better than the previous one released on Nintendo Switch back in 2020, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which ended up being almost unplayable due to the many enemies displayed on the screen. That said, it features the magnificent art style of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
We can't overlook third-party publishers and the many ports coming, including Split Fiction, Borderlands 4, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hitman World of Assassination, as well as Hogwarts Legacy, Elden Ring, Star Wars Outlaws and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. This is a long list of titles for the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, and it will be interesting to see how all these games will run on the company's new hardware.
Last but not least, many titles already released or due for release on the previous console will be optimized for this new generation. Super Mario Party Jamboree*, Kirby and the Forgotten World, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will benefit from higher definition, increased fluidity, HDR compatibility and significantly more detailed graphics. For example, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be able to run in 4K at 60 fps in quality mode, or go up to 120 fps in performance mode, while retaining 1080p resolution.
And what do you take away from all these announcements? Let us know your impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games in the comments below.