Nintendo treated fans with multiple information drops relating to its upcoming games, projects and the latest Nintendo video console updates.

Nintendo Direct is an online presentation that keeps players in the loop on upcoming Nintendo games and projects.   

The Nintendo Direct on March 27 focused on upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch. This direct had no Switch 2 updates and was the last exclusively Switch focused presentation to be given by the company.  

On April 2, the company held its first Nintendo Switch 2 centered Nintendo Direct. Not only did this presentation give the latest information on additional games and projects, it also revealed the official release date of the Switch 2 as June 5, with pre-orders going live April 9. 

The game console will be priced at $449.99 for the stand-alone edition and $499.99 for the Mario Kart World Bundle, which comes with a download code for the upcoming game. 

“Mario Kart World” is the latest edition of the “Mario Kart” series, a popular franchise in which players can choose to race as their favorite Nintendo characters across various themed go-kart racing courses The game costs $80, so the bundle saves you $30. 

Between the two Nintendo Directs, several other interesting announcements and projects were revealed.  

VIRTUAL GAME CARDS

First announced during Nintendo Direct, virtual game cards represent the future of digital Nintendo games. 

The new feature will become active on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 and will replace digital downloaded games for most titles.  

Essentially, a new game tab will be created called “virtual game card” and will make the digital games function more like standard physical game cartridges. 

From this tab, players can load and eject their games. If they have another Switch and they aren’t playing the game, they will be able to send it to the other console via a command in this tab. This will also allow sharing of games between family members if they’re registered in your Nintendo account.  

A valid Nintendo account is required to use this function. You need an online connection to eject a game and to load it the first time on a new system, however once it’s loaded you may play offline.

GAMES 

In addition to most Switch games being playable on the new system, a number of new games were announced for the launch. 

New games include “Mario Kart World,” “Donkey Kong Bananza,” “EA SPORTS Madden NFL,” “Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition,” “Hades 2” and “Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment.” 

Furthermore, a number of games will be getting upgraded Switch 2 editions. These editions will feature graphical improvements and better frame rates. Select titles will also contain new paid content and gameplay opportunities.

These include “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” “Super Mario Party Jamboree,” “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” and “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.”  

HARDWARE

The Switch 2 system is more powerful than the Switch and features a 7.9-inch LCD screen and supports full HD graphics and picture quality at 1080p. This will allow for smoother gameplay and less graphical errors and frame drops than its predecessor.

In addition to its graphical upgrades, the sound quality will also be greatly increased. This includes a fully integrated 3D sound experience which will increase the clearness of the sound and overall immersion.  

The system will also include 256 GB of storage which is eight times larger than the original Switch which required buying an SD card separately for additional space.   

The controllers, now called joy-con 2, will also see increased functionality and they now attach magnetically and snap in place to the console.   

They will also be able to be used as a mouse for select games. This will help with aiming and other tasks within the game.

FUTURE 

With the advent of the Switch 2 Nintendo is finally stepping into its next generation of gaming. 

With the increased power the Switch 2 will also be increasing its number of third-party partnerships and offerings.  

Among these offerings include “Elden Ring: Tarnished edition.” Elden Ring was originally released in 2022 and it is a hugely popular role-playing game with story elements written by George R. R. Martin, known for writing the “Game of Thrones” books. 

Only time will tell if these performance changes and offerings will be enough to justify the nearly $500 price tag and that the Switch 2 will not suffer the same graphics issues that plagued its predecessor.