News Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Highlights (FromSoftware Exclusive, Sakurai Returns for Kirby, A camera!? and much more)

[TheNawab]

A very lukewarm and a bit disappointing direct in terms of new hardware, extremely steep pricing and 1st party titles. What do you guys think? I wish they had something more to show than a cheap ass Discord plagiarism and camera support that integrates into games. Happy for DK love though, about time we get a new 3D DK game.

Hardware Specifications:

• Display: A 7.9-inch LCD screen with HDR support, delivering a resolution of up to 1080p at 120Hz.
• Performance: Equipped with an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C processor and an Nvidia T239 Ampere GPU, the Switch 2 offers performance comparable to the Xbox Series S, featuring 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of internal UFS 3.1 storage.
• Joy-Con Controllers: The redesigned Joy-Cons attach magnetically and include a new "C" button, introducing a GameChat feature for enhanced multiplayer experiences.

Game Announcements:

• Mario Kart World: A new entry in the Mario Kart series, launching alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: An updated version optimized for Switch 2, featuring enhanced controls and graphics.
• The Duskbloods: A multiplayer-focused title developed by FromSoftware, exclusive to Switch 2.
• Donkey Kong Bananza: Scheduled for release in July 2025, this new Donkey Kong adventure is set to take full advantage of the Switch 2's capabilities.
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment: An action game set to release in winter 2025, offering a new chapter in the Zelda universe.

Additional Features:

• GameCube Games on Nintendo Switch Online: Classic titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur 2, and F-Zero GX are now available with improved image quality.
• GameShare: Allows one game owner to share titles locally with up to three other consoles, supporting both local and online play.

Release Date and Pricing:

• Launch Date: June 5, 2025.
• Pricing: Starting at $449.99 for the base console, with a $499.99 bundle including Mario Kart World. A Japan exclusive with region locking has also been introduced with regional pricing considering the weaker Yen.

Pre-orders are set to begin on April 9, 2025.

Summarized using GPT. Source: Verge, Nintendo of America.

The Full Nintendo Direct presentation below:

Trailers:

 

[solo_wing]

Thanks for posting all the highlights.

Yeah. Not much impressed.

God knows how many times Zelda Botw and TOTK will see upgrade edition.

It was better to have got other Zelda games remastered.

Donkey Kong : Bananza is not coming to switch 1 right ?.

I will stick to Switch 1 only. Maybe get Switch 2 somewhere in middle of its life cycle.

 

[cellar_door]

80 bucks a game lmao
paid upgrade for existing titles
only first party games are Mario Kart and DK (Neither of them I like)
450 USD

This might be a good value proposition 3-4 years down the line but right now, just buy a Steam deck instead. Or buy a used Switch OLED.

I was this >< close to selling my Switch OLED, glad I didnt.

 

[TheNawab]

Thanks for posting all the highlights.

Yeah. Not much impressed.

God knows how many times Zelda Botw and TOTK will see upgrade edition.

It was better to have got other Zelda games remastered.

Donkey Kong : Bananza is not coming to switch 1 right ?.

I will stick to Switch 1 only. Maybe get Switch 2 somewhere in middle of its life cycle.

- It's kinda nice imo to get a proper 60/120fps versions of the BOTW/TOTK duology. They should've at least given it as a free upgrade rather than monetizing it, but oh well, 2025 corpos at it again.

- Remasters are common in other ecosystems, but it kinda messes with the entire virtual NSO library in case of the big N, maybe that's why they are so scarce and scattered between multiple years. I am actually on the retro game side of things, and I do not enjoy remasters that alter the original feel and art style of the games. Big retro gamer and nerd here.

- Just like the Switch, this seems to be a console for casual consumers that also targets a bit of the enthusiast sides of the gaming community in general. Nintendo seems to be focused in making the gaming approachable to non-gaming folks, and I kinda like how they push local coop and interactive multiplayer with their 1st party titles and weird gimmicks. Good to have a major player in the industry doing unorthodox developments and keeping coop gaming alive and fresh.

- DK: Bananza is a Switch 2 exclusive, yes.

- Buying a Nintendo console a bit into its life cycle is the optimal decision considering the lack of presence and abhorrent pricing we get here in India.

80 bucks a game lmao
paid upgrade for existing titles
only first party games are Mario Kart and DK (Neither of them I like)
450 USD

This might be a good value proposition 3-4 years down the line but right now, just buy a Steam deck instead. Or buy a used Switch OLED.

I was this >< close to selling my Switch OLED, glad I didnt.

- This might sound absurd, but this is going to sound like a deal once Rockstar effectively disrupts the gaming market in general with GTA6 pricing and online subscriptions/microtransactions. The future of budget gaming is bleak.

 

[solo_wing]

- It's kinda nice imo to get a proper 60/120fps versions of the BOTW/TOTK duology. They should've at least given it as a free upgrade rather than monetizing it, but oh well, 2025 corpos at it again.

Nintendo aur free....LOL. Nintendo apne baap ko bhi free mein nahi de.
Of all big 3...Microsoft is most likely to offer free upgrade or charge very small amount like $10 , Sony also possible but Nintendo is like Shylock from Merchant of Venice.

- Remasters are common in other ecosystems, but it kinda messes with the entire virtual NSO library in case of the big N, maybe that's why they are so scarce and scattered between multiple years. I am actually on the retro game side of things, and I do not enjoy remasters that alter the original feel and art style of the games. Big retro gamer and nerd here.

I just hope to see Zelda Ocarnia of time in full remastered this generation.

- Just like the Switch, this seems to be a console for casual consumers that also targets a bit of the enthusiast sides of the gaming community in general. Nintendo seems to be focused in making the gaming approachable to non-gaming folks, and I kinda like how they push local coop and interactive multiplayer with their 1st party titles and weird gimmicks. Good to have a major player in the industry doing unorthodox developments and keeping coop gaming alive and fresh.

- DK: Bananza is a Switch 2 exclusive, yes.

- Buying a Nintendo console a bit into its life cycle is the optimal decision considering the lack of presence and abhorrent pricing we get here in India.




- This might sound absurd, but this is going to sound like a deal once Rockstar effectively disrupts the gaming market in general with GTA6 pricing and online subscriptions/microtransactions. The future of budget gaming is bleak.

I wish DK: Bananza was coming to Switch 1. I like donkey kong games but already getting Metroid 4 so still happy.
Beside I have huge backlog on Nintendo Switch 1....jab tak I finish it . It will be 3 years.

I was this >< close to selling my Switch OLED, glad I didnt.

Same here. I was thinking of selling it and buying switch 2 fast as earlier versions are easy to jailbreak. Glad I didnt took that decision either.

 

[PunkX 75]

God knows how many times Zelda Botw and TOTK will see upgrade edition.

It was better to have got other Zelda games remastered.

Ugh, it's like GTA V all over again.

The fact that you have to pay for platform upgrades of existing games is insane. Most studios release enhanced upgrades for existing games for free or at a much lower cost. Also, $80 for games? Wtf? But Nintendo's thumping defence is always a "loyal fanbase"

 

[solo_wing]

Ugh, it's like GTA V all over again.

The fact that you have to pay for platform upgrades of existing games is insane. Most studios release enhanced upgrades for existing games for free or at a much lower cost. Also, $80 for games? Wtf? But Nintendo's defense thumping defence is always a "loyal fanbase"

An upgrade of $ 20 is still acceptable but straight $80.

I honestly not a big fan of both games. They had both highs and lows.
For me real Zelda games will always be Wind waker, twilight princess and those that came pre BOTW.

I am not big fan of free roaming but each to his own.

I still have so much to play in Switch 1 that I am actually happy that Switch 2 is not very tempting as of yet.

 

[t3chg33k]

The entire gaming industry has gone crazy with pricing, and it is the best time to be a patient gamer. The industry is simply feeding on the trend they saw during Covid, where a lot of desperate gamers were throwing money at limited supply consoles and poorly optimised launch titles.

The console as well as the game prices are ridiculous, along with the fact that you also have to pay for tech demos. Read a comment somewhere (as a joke ofc) that the best Switch 2 would be a Steam Deck 2 with emulation.

 

[Darth Vader]

Neither Valve nor Nintendo cares about Indian market and they never will launch any of their devices officially here. We shouldn't worry too much about these overpriced devices and exclusive games.