The Latest Nintendo Direct Showcased the Switch 2
But players aren't happy
On April 2, 2025, Nintendo published on their official YouTube channel for Nintendo of America their latest Nintendo Direct. On it, they announced the release of their latest console, the Switch 2.
They compared it to their previous console and showed various improvements that it will have over it, as well as various additional features, and a roster of titles from Nintendo and other publishers.
Nintendo Direct and Announcement of the Switch 2 (April 2, 2025)
Hardware improvements
Some of the things they showed were various hardware upgrades, which include, but are not limited to:
- A 7.9-inch screen with 1080p resolution and 120 FPS
- LDC and HDR support
- Joy-Cons have bigger buttons and a joystick
- 2 USB-C ports and 256GB of storage for games and files
- A new dock with 4 K support and an in-built cooler
These upgrades to the hardware address some of the common complaints players have often mentioned. To learn more about the specs, I recommend looking at the official page.
An addition to their online service
During the announcement, Nintendo showcased 2 new services that were added to their monthly subscription, the Nintendo Switch Online.
GameCube games
Nintendo is adding games from one of its previous consoles, the GameCube.
The Nintendo Switch Online service has 2 yearly subscription tiers. The regular Nintendo Switch Online is at $19.99 and the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at $49.99.
To access these games, you will need to be on the second tier.
It also includes titles from other previous consoles, like:
- Nintendo 64
- Game Boy Advance
- Game Boy
Game Chat
Nintendo also announced another hardware feature, a game chat where you can talk directly to the people you are playing with.
To activate it, players must press the C button on the Joy-Con 2 (the name of the controller), and you can stream your face to appear in-game if you buy an accessory called the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
This feature will be free for all users until March 31, 2026.
After that date, this feature will only work for players who are on the regular Nintendo Switch Online membership.
The games
The Switch 2 will release with a surprisingly high number of new and existing titles from Nintendo as well as from other developers. Many were mentioned, but the ones that stood out the most to us are:
- Borderlands 4
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- The Duskbloods
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Mario Kart World
You can see a list of all their games here:
According to the presenters, some Nintendo Switch games will be compatible with the Switch 2, and the new game cards will be better and faster.
There will also be a feature called GameShare, which will allow players who own specific games to share it and play with other players without them having to buy the game.
The only requirement is for the shared players to have a Switch 1 or Switch 2.
Why are players unhappy?
While the features are interesting and the Direct had a relatively positive reception. There was an element that was missing from the announcement - the price.
Community members and Nintendo fans went to the official website to find the cost of the console and found out that the standalone would be priced at $449.99 and the bundle with Mario Kart World would be $499.99.
The games would also be subject to controversy when players discovered that Nintendo was the first company to have a $80 game, it being Mario Kart World.
Players also shared disappointment for Nintendo's decision to charge $10 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is a game that showed players how to use the console and its features.
You can see that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour's whole purpose is to teach players how to use its features. It's similar to what Wii Sports was to the console.
This price hike also extends to accessories, with the Dock and a Charger going over $100. It was originally $109, but the price increased after adding the tariff cost.
Lastly, Nintendo showcased that some of those physical games will only be a code to download the digital copy instead of a game card, which is a practice openly disliked by the gaming community.
The combination of all of these elements is what currently has the gaming community and Nintendo fans mad at the company, and they have taken their frustrations to social media to express their opinions on the matter.
