After hinting at plans to address significant issues affecting the performance of its devices last January, Nintendo has now provided further details regarding the Nintendo Switch 2. This information was shared during a substantial Nintendo Direct event (lasting an hour) by Kyoto-based Nintendo. The new console is scheduled for release on June 5th next year, which is somewhat unexpected as no manufacturer typically launches a console just before summer. However, Nintendo intends to adopt a different approach. There are rumors suggesting two additional major events: one in September with another batch of games and announcements, followed by another event in December, right before the Christmas holiday season, aimed at driving sales towards the end of the year.
Other significant aspects of this speech include the official unveiling of the new Mario Kart, subtitled “World.” We are moving away from numbered titles, a term that carries considerable weight. Naturally, with an open-world approach, such a move was necessary to leave a lasting impression. The game will be available at the console’s launch, except for a pricing issue: the digital version of this Mario Kart World retails at 80€, while the physical copy costs a staggering 90€ (!!). This pricing was quietly announced on the manufacturer’s official site rather than during the Nintendo Direct to avoid immediate backlash. Social media is already gearing up for a protest, with calls for boycott. The small-scale game developer is following in PlayStation’s footsteps with its 80€ games but taking it even further this time. It remains to be seen if major retailers will manage to lower these prices and attract customers.
Regarding the pricing, it is important to note that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be priced at €470 for the console alone, while the bundle including Mario Kart World (a downloadable version) will cost €510. This price point is indeed lower than purchasing the console and game separately in physical form, but it represents a notable increase from the original Nintendo Switch’s launch price of €330 in 2017. Over the years, factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation across various sectors, and significant tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have influenced market dynamics. Additionally, early adopters on social media are voicing their dissatisfaction with these pricing strategies.
Regarding the features, we now have a complete account of button C. It is designed to activate the ‘Chat’ function for communication with friends during gaming sessions. For instance, in the Mario Kart World game, pressing this button enables players to contact and converse with their friends. Additionally, if users opt to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory, it offers a Zoom/Teams-like video call feature to see friends, though the visual rendering may not be ideal as demonstrated in the clips. Nonetheless, Nintendo appears honest about its product’s capabilities by acknowledging any imperfections.
From a technical perspective, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen capable of reaching up to 120fps and supporting HDR. The internal memory has been upgraded to 256GB, which is still less than competitors but eight times the capacity of the original Switch. When docked, the Switch 2 can display 4K, HDR, and up to 120 frames per second, depending on game compatibility, requiring a compatible TV or monitor.
