Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Top 7 Revelations

New video game hardware announcements can become somewhat predictable. With each new generation of consoles, you can expect to see staples like enhanced graphics, faster load times, and new iterations of beloved franchises, often featuring everyone's favorite plumber and his nemesis, the turtles.

Even Nintendo, known for its innovative twists across several console generations—from the N64's analog controller to the tiny GameCube discs, the wacky Wii motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's built-in portability—has continued this tradition with the Switch 2.

But being Nintendo, the company once again unveiled a few genuine shockers during the Switch 2 Direct.

It's 2025, and we finally get online play.

As a lifelong Nintendo fan since 1983, when I was just four years old and emulating Mario by jumping over footballs rolled at me like Donkey Kong's barrels, I've experienced my share of ups and downs with the company. So, I say this with a mix of excitement and long-held frustration: it's impossible to discuss this incredible reveal without a touch of loving bitterness.

Nintendo's track record with online play has been spotty at best. Apart from Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters, the company has barely scratched the surface of what's possible with a unified multiplayer platform, unlike those developed by Sony and Xbox. Finding and communicating with friends on Nintendo platforms has always been a challenge, with the Switch requiring a separate app for voice chat.

However, change is finally here. During the Direct, Nintendo unveiled GameChat, and it looks genuinely impressive. It supports four-player chat with noise suppression, video camera integration to show friends' faces, and screen sharing across consoles, allowing you to monitor up to four different displays within a single screen. According to the new Switch 2 accessibility features page, GameChat also supports text-to-voice and voice-to-text, enabling multiple communication methods.

While we haven't seen a unified matchmaking interface yet, this is a significant step forward. I'm hopeful it means the end of the cumbersome friend code system.

Miyazaki is bringing new blood exclusively to Nintendo

When I first saw the trailer, I thought I was looking at Bloodborne 2. The ambiance, character design, and environments were unmistakably FROM Software's style. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned I was actually watching footage from The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game directed by the enigmatic Hidetaka Miyazaki.

It's a mystery how Miyazaki found the time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive game. I suspect he may never leave his office or sleep, much like one of his own tormented characters in a gothic prison tower. But I'm grateful. FROM Software rarely disappoints, so I'm eagerly anticipating this new title.

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

In a surprising turn of events, Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has moved on to a new Kirby game. This was unexpected, and I think the man deserves a well-earned rest.

The original Kirby's Air Ride was visually appealing but lacked fun gameplay. However, Sakurai's deep affection for Nintendo's beloved pink hero is well-known, and his involvement promises a more refined and enjoyable experience.

Control issues

A seemingly minor announcement, but the Pro Controller 2 sounds genuinely improved. Nintendo revealed that the Pro Controller 2 now includes an audio jack, a welcome feature that's about a decade overdue. More importantly, it features two mappable extra buttons. As a fan of customizable controls, this small addition genuinely excites me.

No Mario?!

This revelation genuinely shocked me. It appears that many of Nintendo's Mario developers have been working in secrecy on his next 3D adventure, which I assumed would be the big summer release for the Switch. I was wrong. The team behind Odyssey is actually working on Donkey Kong Bananza, a captivating new 3D platformer focused on destructible environments. Nintendo is once again defying expectations, trusting its hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's biggest game in generations while saving Mario for another day.

The Switch 2 will launch with extensive third-party support and Mario Kart World. While World looks like a system-seller, I expected it to be released as a Christmas-window family game. Nintendo typically relies on Mario, Zelda, or both to appeal to their biggest fans during a console's first year. However, with confidence from Mario Kart 8's record sales, Nintendo is betting on their most popular party game, alongside Bananza, to drive Switch 2 sales at launch.

Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card

Open-world Mario Kart is here, and I'm optimistic about its potential. The zany physics, unique vehicles, and combat mechanics of Mario Kart should translate well to navigating between and across tracks, battling friends, and causing chaos. The brief glimpse we saw suggests a continuous world similar to Bowser's Fury, but much larger and accommodating multiple drivers.

It's very expensive

The Switch 2's price is a significant concern. At $449.99 USD, it's the most expensive launch in Nintendo's 40-plus year history in the US. This price is $150 more than the original Switch's launch price and $100 more than the Wii U's. While I understand the current economic climate, with rising tariffs, a weakening yen, and American inflation, the Switch 2's high price point may challenge its market positioning. Historically, Nintendo has relied on competitive pricing to differentiate its consoles and handhelds, but the Switch 2 will need to succeed without this advantage.