Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Top 7 Revelations

New video game hardware announcements can often feel predictable. Each new console generation typically promises better graphics, faster load times, and fresh takes on iconic franchises like those featuring a certain plumber and his turtle nemeses.

Nintendo, with its track record of innovation across various console generations—from the N64's analog controller to the GameCube's mini discs, the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's revolutionary portability—has continued this tradition with the Switch 2.

Yet, true to form, Nintendo surprised everyone during the Switch 2 Direct with several groundbreaking reveals.

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

My love for Nintendo dates back to when I was four years old in 1983. My babysitter used to roll footballs at me, mimicking Donkey Kong's barrel-throwing antics. I'd leap over them, making Donkey Kong-like sound effects, then grab a toy hammer and smash them, just like Mario. As a long-time fan, I find it hard to discuss this exciting reveal without a touch of affectionate frustration.

Nintendo has traditionally struggled with online gaming. Beyond Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters, the company has only skimmed the surface of what a robust multiplayer platform could offer, unlike those developed by Sony and Xbox. Finding and communicating with friends on Nintendo systems has never been straightforward, with the Switch requiring a separate app for voice chat.

However, the Switch 2 Direct unveiled GameChat, a promising feature. This four-player chat supports noise suppression, video integration for seeing friends' faces, and screen sharing across consoles. You can monitor up to four different displays on a single screen. According to the new Switch 2 accessibility features page, GameChat also offers text-to-voice and voice-to-text capabilities, broadening communication options.

While we await details on any unified matchmaking system, this is a significant advancement. I'm hopeful it signifies the end of the cumbersome friend code system.

Miyazaki is bringing new blood exclusively to Nintendo

The first trailer frames had me convinced I was seeing Bloodborne 2. The atmosphere, character design, and settings were unmistakably FROM Software. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned I was actually viewing footage from The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game crafted by the master of challenging gameplay, Hidetaka Miyazaki.

It's a mystery how Miyazaki found the time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive title. He seems as tireless and enigmatic as the characters he creates, lost in the high towers of gothic prisons. Yet, I'm thankful. FROM Software rarely disappoints, and I eagerly anticipate this new venture.

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

In a surprising turn, Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has shifted focus from Smash to a new Kirby game. This unexpected move suggests Sakurai needs a well-deserved break.

The original Kirby's Air Ride was visually appealing but lacked excitement. However, given Sakurai's deep connection to Nintendo's beloved pink hero, his involvement promises a more polished and engaging experience.

Control issues

A seemingly minor announcement turned out to be a pleasant surprise: the Pro Controller 2 now features an audio jack, a much-welcomed addition about a decade overdue. More excitingly, it includes two mappable extra buttons. As a fan of customizable controls, this small detail delighted me.

No Mario?!

The absence of a new Mario game was a genuine shock. It appears the team behind Odyssey has been busy developing Donkey Kong Bananza, a captivating new 3D platformer focused on destructible environments. Nintendo continues to defy expectations, banking on hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's most significant game in years while saving Mario for later.

The Switch 2 launch will feature robust third-party support and Mario Kart World. While World seems poised to be a system-seller, I expected it to be released during the holiday season for families. Traditionally, Nintendo relies on Mario, Zelda, or both to attract their core audience during a console's first year. However, buoyed by Mario Kart 8's record sales, Nintendo is confident that their top party game, alongside Bananza, will drive Switch 2 sales at launch.

Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card

An open-world Mario Kart is now a reality, and I'm optimistic about its potential. The chaotic physics, unconventional vehicles, and combat mechanics of Mario Kart should translate well into an expansive world, similar to Bowser’s Fury but larger and accommodating multiple drivers.

It’s very expensive

The Switch 2's price of $449.99 USD is steep, especially considering current economic pressures like rising tariffs, a declining yen, and American inflation. This marks the highest launch price in Nintendo's over 40-year history in the US, exceeding the original Switch by $150 and the Wii U by $100. Historically, Nintendo has used lower prices to differentiate its products, but the Switch 2 will need to succeed without this advantage.