So, how about that Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, huh? I think we all experienced a variety of emotions watching that thing: excitement, confusion, delight, frustration… the whole thing wound up being a rollercoaster and what was supposed to be an infallible ray of hope in an increasingly tumultuous time for gaming became far more complex in how people feel about it.

I’m not here to offer some deeper analysis on the whole thing, though. I just have thoughts on the Switch 2’s debut presentation and (almost) all of its trailers, and am compelled to jot them down and share them with you like the egotist that I am.

Mario Kart World

What a cracking way to kick off the showcase. The future of Mario Kart was already intriguing considering it felt like the series had peaked with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. And yet Nintendo proved otherwise in just a handful of minutes. Mario Kart World‘s trailer genuinely left me speechless, from the new open world and larger player count to all the wacky character picks and fun costumes. This being Nintendo’s big launch title for the Switch has guaranteed a pre-order from me and all the post-showcase previews have only made me even eager to get my hands on it. Sure is a shame that later developments would deflate my excitement somewhat.

GameChat

Yeah, Nintendo has just invented Discord again, but I’m at least glad that it’s incorporating a traditional chat function for Switch 2 as opposed to locking it to a separate app like it did with the original Switch. Screen sharing is neat too though if games look as choppy as they do in that demonstration, you have to wonder if it’s even worth using. I’m not surprised Nintendo is gating GameChat behind an online subscription but considering it’ll be free for a whole year, I have to wonder if this will just piss people off more than if it was paywalled from the start.

GameShare

This is another neat addition. Reminds me of how the Nintendo DS had something similar where I could play Mario Party DS with friends with just my copy of the game. It being compatible with online play too is a welcome touch.

The console itself

I know plenty of people wish Nintendo didn’t play things safe and tried something radically different, but doubling down on the Switch’s design really is the smartest decision the company could make. I’m all for the thing simply being a more powerful Switch if only to see its games run at a consistent 60fps, but it’s good to see improvements in other areas, like the magnetic Joy-Cons that promise to not be as fiddly when attaching and detaching them. The bigger SL and SR buttons also make them far more viable as individual controllers compared to the original ones. And while I’m not sure how often I’ll use them, the new mouse controls are a stroke of genius that are already opening up so many avenues for the sort of games we could see on the platform.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

A collection of minigames and tech demos that demonstrate the various functions of the Switch 2 is a smart idea and one I initially welcomed. It’s essentially the Nintendo equivalent of the PlayStation 5’s Astro’s Playroom and while Nintendo’s offering is more sterile in its presentation, I was still on board with it… until it turned out to be a paid product. Are you actually having a giggle, Nintendo? You want us to pay for what it is an interactive instruction manual? Even Sony knew to bundle Astro’s Playroom for free with the PS5, and that also has a cute robot! I’m relieved to know I’m not the only flabbergasted by this decision. The thing is priced at only 990 yen, which is about £5 or so, but that’s still £5 too much for me.

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV

Surely, Nintendo, there had to be a more concise name you could come up for this? Joking aside, using the most recent Mario Party as a means of demonstrating the Switch 2’s new features is a smart idea. And while I know the idea of paying extra to play a game you already own on newer hardware is distasteful for a lot of people, in this instance, you are at least getting additional content when you upgrade. Then again, you need to purchase the camera accessory as well to make the most of it. Whatever your feelings on this, the camera functionality will at least make Mario Party livestreams more entertaining.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition & The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

I hate how seeing both these games run at a smooth 60fps is enough to make me want to play them again. I probably wouldn’t bother if I had no choice but to pay extra to upgrade them (it’s not like I’m actively repulsed by their visuals and performance on OG Switch), but I’ll be sorely tempted when I inevitably subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (for reasons I’ll explain later) since they’ll be free additions.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World

I adore Kirby and the Forgotten Land, with it easily being my favourite entry in the series. Had this just been another performance upgrade, though, I could’ve happily ignored it but no. Nintendo had to go and throw in new story content. It doesn’t seem like this will be included with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack so I may cave and pay for the upgrade. Especially since there’s no sign of a new 3D Kirby game yet.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond getting a Switch 2 version seemed like such a no-brainer and I’m glad Nintendo thought that too. It’s worth it for the mouse controls alone. I’m not even interested in the game (I don’t gel with FPSs) but it seems the wait will be worth it for all the die-hard Metroid fans. What really blows my mind is that the Switch 2 is able to run it in 4K and maintain 60fps.

Pokémon Legends Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

There is no reason to not get the Switch 2 version of Pokémon Legends Z-A when it’s going to look and run so much better than the Switch 1 version… well, unless you can’t get a Switch 2. But I will most certainly have a Switch 2 by the time Z-A drops. And while it’s too soon to tell, the Switch 2’s capabilities should hopefully mean future Pokémon games will see a needed jump in visual quality.

Drag x Drive

It’s neat that there’s a whole game built around the mouse controls and it’s based around wheelchair basketball. There is some unfortunate irony, though, in how this game stands to be extremely inaccessible to certain people if there are no other control options.

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

What a perfect choice to demonstrate what kind of third party games we could see on Nintendo’s platform now that it has the necessary hardware to run them. Also, Tarnished for Super Smash Bros.

Hades 2

Look, I still haven’t played the first one yet so I’m sure I’ll get to this eventually in, like, the 2030s or something.

Street Fighter 6

Considering the recent fallout within the Tekken 8 playerbase, Nintendo must be relieved it picked Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 as its big third-party fighting game for the Switch 2’s launch. Still wish Capcom had a new Ace Attorney to announce though.

DAEMON X MACHINA: Titanic Scion

I didn’t realise the first DAEMON X MACHINA did well enough to warrant a sequel, though it says a lot that this one will launch for other consoles too instead of being another Nintendo exclusive. Won’t lie, the trailer just made me think of Xenoblade Chronicles X with the giant mechs, talk of intergalactic war, and Patrick Seitz popping up to voice a character.

Split Fiction

A friend of mine and I have been meaning to play Hazelight’s co-op games for years. Maybe Split Fiction being on Switch 2 and compatible with its GameShare feature will be what finally pushes us.

EA Sports games

I couldn’t care less about this, but Nintendo fans finally getting to play the same EA Sports games as everyone else and not objectively worse versions is definitely a big deal.

Hogwarts Legacy

Ew.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4

The SpongeBob SquarePants map was legitimately the most exciting part of this trailer.

HITMAN World of Assassination – Signature Edition

Thank god Hitman fans on Switch can play a proper version of this instead of that cloud nonsense. I wish that pre-order DLC was for actual Mario and Luigi costumes. Imagine Agent 47 wearing a Mario moustache and snapping someone’s neck.

Project 007

I don’t know what’s funnier – IO Interactive choosing to mention its James Bond game for the first time in years at a Nintendo Direct or the fact it had nothing new to say about it.

Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster

Years ago, I bought a second hand 3DS and a copy of this game as a surprise birthday present for a friend who always wanted to play this game since I thought it would never be re-released. Boy was I wrong! Still, it’s cool to see this escape the confines of the 3DS.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut

It’s great to see the Yakuza games slowly make their way to Nintendo’s platform, but as good of a game as Yakuza 0 is (it’s the best one in the whole series, in my opinion), no amount of new cutscenes and new online multiplayer modes will make me buy it a second time.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is one my favourite Switch games. I had dabbled in Musou style games beforehand, namely the original Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors, but Age of Calamity was the one to really get its hooks in me. I obsessively played it to 100% completion and once I did, I was saddened I had run out of things to do. And now Nintendo is telling me it’s doing another one?!

Easily the most exciting thing about Age of Imprisonment is that it won’t run like garbage thanks to the Switch 2’s improved hardware. I love Age of Calamity but it’s impossible to ignore how often that game chugs during gameplay. It’s also exciting to see Zelda get the opportunity to be in a proper starring role considering she’s mostly absent in Tears of the Kingdom. I am curious to see who is picked for the roster though. Zelda, Rauru, and Mineru are already confirmed and I presume Rauru’s champions will be playable too, but it’s hard to get hyped to play a bunch of characters I barely know and have little in the way of personality.

In fact, the game being set in the distant past means the roster is unlikely to feature any recognisable characters from Tears of the Kingdom… which is why I’m fully expecting timey-wimey shenanigans. I doubt Nintendo would want to have any Zelda game without Link making an appearance.

GameCube games

I fear this is what’s going to make me upgrade my Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Nintendo gating Nintendo 64 games behind the more expensive paywall was a bummer, but having those and GameCube games on there is too tempting for me. I honestly should make more use of the retro games catalogue to try old classics I missed out on, but it’s the GameCube era stuff that has me the most excited.

Of the titles confirmed so far, I’m interested in giving Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario Strikers a try since I only ever played their sequels, and I’d like to actually finish Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, both of which I owned as a kid and gave up on. It’s really cool that the version of Soulcalibur II with Link in it will be playable again on a modern system, but it is a shame that the long rumoured Switch port of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD doesn’t seem to be happening and fans have to make do with the original version and its lack of quality of life additions seen in the Wii U version.

Deltarune

I’m not touching this until I eventually beat Undertale and lord knows when I’ll get round to that.

Borderlands 4

I wasn’t looking at my screen when this came up and hearing Randy Pitchford’s voice sent a chill through my spine.

2K games

Anyone who held off from getting Civilization 7 on Switch must be feeling very vindicated. Also, what I said about EA Sports games coming to Switch 2 also applies to the 2K sports games.

Survival Kids

Did you know this is actually a new entry in an old Konami franchise that dates back to the Game Boy? I didn’t till I looked it up. As neat as this is, I do find it funny/baffling that Konami seems willing to revive anything but Castlevania.

Enter the Gungeon 2

I tried the first Enter the Gungeon years ago. I played it pretty regularly for a while but eventually dropped off. It was my first try at a roguelike and I think it demonstrated why I personally don’t vibe with the genre that much. Still neat that it’s getting a sequel.

Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions

This is most certainly a video game that I’m sure some people are excited for.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Another huge pull for Switch 2 that demonstrates how much more powerful it is over its predecessor. Bit of a shame it’ll only run 30 – 40fps, but at least this means we can get Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba in Smash Bros.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Fighting the urge to get this a second time when I already own a PS5 copy. Genuinely can’t believe Nintendo is getting this game before Xbox.

The Duskbloods

I legit thought this was a new Castlevania until the FromSoftware logo dropped… and then I thought it was Bloodborne 2. I’m surprised it’s another multiplayer game when the studio’s already doing Elden Ring Nightreign and that Nintendo wanted it exclusive to Switch 2. Just goes to show how big of a pull having a FromSoft game on your platform is.

Kirby Air Riders

This is absolutely only happening because Masahiro Sakurai wants it. I doubt Nintendo came to his door demanding he make a sequel to a 22 year old racing game that I don’t think even sold particularly well. I did play Kirby Air Ride quite a bit as a kid, but I think I got bored of it after a while. City Trial was dope though and maybe a sequel will be more exciting and engaging.

Donkey Kong Bananza

I’m not a big Donkey Kong fan but this was undeniably one of my favourite reveals of the showcase. It’s not explicitly confirmed but I an convinced this is the next game from the Super Mario Odyssey team. It gives off very similar vibes in terms of its level design, DK’s various movement techniques (I bet speedrunners will love this game), and how the main collectibles are dotted around the world. That’s more than enough to warrant excitement and the promise of destructible environments suggests there’ll be a lot of freedom for how players approach exploring. Combined with vibrant character animations, I would not be shocked if this winds up on many Game of the Year lists.

The price

It’s weird that Nintendo didn’t mention pricing during the Direct at all, but that’s also typically Nintendo. Unfortunately, pricing is the elephant in the room and the dominant talking point about the Switch 2. The console itself being £395.99 was expected, but the reveal that Nintendo is charging upwards of £75 for its first-party games has mitigated some of my excitement. I have made a point to not spend anything over £60 for standard physical copies of games ever since Sony and Microsoft bumped their prices up to £70 and now Nintendo is paving the way to make games even more expensive.

Some will point to rising development costs to justify this but, at the end of the day, gaming as a hobby is simply growing too expensive for a lot of people, and that sucks. It’s sad that more and more people are being priced out of their entertainment. They can’t buy a new Mario Kart or Donkey Kong game for themselves or their families without considering their finances. And as I’m writing this, things stand to get even worse thanks to Donald Trump’s tariffs causing global economic panic. It’s entirely possible the Switch 2 itself will become more expensive in the U.S. as a result, which is bound to spark further outrage from the public. I saw those Nintendo livestreams and the comments from viewers being a nonstop stream of “Drop the price” showed how this anger isn’t just coming from a loud minority.

I’m not going to act like I have an easy solution for this because there isn’t one. I can only mourn how Nintendo’s decision is going to price so many people out of their favourite past time and how it’s going to accelerate the death of physical media, especially when digital copies of Nintendo’s new games are set to be slightly cheaper. I intend to get my games physically for as long as possible, but if these prices are going to be the new norm, I’ll have to seriously consider not buying major releases at launch and wait for discounts.

All in all, I’ve come away from the Switch 2’s debut feeling conflicted. There are plenty of games I’m thrilled about and the potential for what Nintendo can achieve in the future thanks to the hardware is worth being excited for. But this showcase wasn’t the saviour of the games industry many wanted it to be and instead a brutal reminder about the direction the industry is headed in.