During a recent presentation for the Nintendo Switch 2, Kouichi Kawamoto, a longtime Nintendo producer, disclosed that he once contemplated naming the console’s successor the “Super Nintendo Switch.” This title would have paid homage to Nintendo’s second console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which succeeded the original NES approximately 35 years ago. However, Kawamoto, alongside directors Tetsuya Sasaki and Takuhiro Dohta, ultimately felt that the “Super Nintendo Switch” did not quite capture the essence they were aiming for.
The Nintendo Switch 2, while not labeled “super,” aims to enhance the already successful Switch by improving upon its design and features. The original Switch, released in 2017, gained substantial popularity, particularly during the global lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, with sales more than doubling between March 2019 and March 2020. Well before the release of the hit game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Kawamoto and his colleagues were already working on the successor to the Switch.
Kawamoto explained that he, Sasaki, and Dohta began their assignment for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2019. Before their involvement, the hardware team had been exploring potential hardware innovations for the next iteration, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact beginning of the project. Subsequently, Nintendo grappled with managing significant demand for the Switch, which exceeded its production capabilities.
Sasaki noted that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the development and design processes. Despite challenges such as the chip shortage, Nintendo collaborated with its partners to find creative solutions. Even five years after the pandemic began, chip shortages persist, partly due to the surge in generative AI. This ongoing shortage affects the production of both the Switch and Switch 2, which use Nvidia processors.
This delay might explain why the Switch 2 took time to develop, offering what is essentially an upgraded version of the Switch with additional features. The Switch continues to enjoy popularity, prompting questions about why an entirely new console was necessary after eight years.
The Nintendo Switch 2 offers several new features. It is slightly larger, measuring 4.5 inches tall by 10.7 inches wide, with the connected Joy-Cons adding about an inch in length and half an inch in height compared to the original Switch. Although it feels a bit unusual to hold initially, users rapidly acclimate to the changes. The display is a 7.9-inch LED screen with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, supporting 120hz, and when docked, some games can reach a 4K resolution at 60hz, with support for HDR10 and variable refresh rates up to 120hz.
Graphically, the Switch 2 offers noticeable improvements, enhancing visuals in games like the recent Zelda installments. For example, finer details in character designs are more apparent, contributing to a more immersive gaming experience.
However, Nintendo was reluctant to provide specific details about the Switch 2’s battery life, mentioning only that using new features like GameChat may drain the battery more quickly. The console is estimated to have a battery life of 2 to 6.5 hours on a single charge, compared to the 4.5 to 9 hours of the original Switch. The addition of a USB-C port on top facilitates easier simultaneous charging and play.
Other notable updates include built-in storage of 256 GB, and an improved design for the kickstand.
The unveiling also introduced Joy-Con 2 controllers, which feature significant design improvements aimed at addressing the joystick drift issue that plagued the original controllers. The new Joy-Cons have larger and smoother movements, according to Sasaki, and they attach via magnets instead of sliding into place, offering a more intuitive connection.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers are equipped with a mouse sensor, a gyro sensor, and an accelerometer, enabling mouse-like movements within certain games. This functionality was showcased in Drag x Drive, a 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball game. Kawamoto indicated that Nintendo had considered using magnets for Joy-Con attachment since the original Switch’s development, ensuring that the connectors could handle substantial force without damage.
Nintendo highlighted Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza during the event. These games offer a pseudo-open world experience, providing a blend of exploration and goal-oriented gameplay. In Mario Kart World, races transition fluidly into one another without breaks, enhancing the sense of continuity in gameplay. Donkey Kong Bonanza is the character’s first 3D platformer in over a decade, offering players new adventures and combat mechanics.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $450, which is higher than previous Nintendo handheld consoles. While comparable to other gaming devices like the Steam Deck, the price may cause sticker shock for some fans accustomed to lower price points. Despite this, the console’s enhanced features, exclusive games, and new GameChat capabilities may attract dedicated Nintendo fans. However, for those less invested in Nintendo’s exclusive titles, waiting could be a reasonable decision, as Nintendo does not frequently reduce console prices.
Overall, the Nintendo Switch 2 presents an enticing offering for avid Nintendo gamers with its improved technology, but those who do not prioritize graphics or exclusive new titles may opt to delay their purchase.