The Japanese video game giant Nintendo has announced the details of the Nintendo Switch 2, the newest console from the company. The original Nintendo Switch came out in March of 2017 and has since gone on to become the second most-sold handheld console in history, as well as the third best-selling video game console of all time. The Nintendo Switch led the modern handheld console market and is home to some of the most popular games of the past eight years such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” The Switch 2 was initially announced on January 16 with plans for further information in a future Nintendo Direct — the series of online presentations produced by Nintendo where they unveil new product details. This Direct occurred on April 2 and lasted around an hour with several important announcements about the details of the console’s hardware, as well as new games, features, and services that will be offered.
One of the new features announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the game chat feature. This new feature will allow players to talk to friends over voice chat while playing on separate consoles. Players will be able to stream the game that they are playing to others on the call, even if they are playing separate games. With the purchase of a camera attachment, players will be able to take advantage of a video call feature in addition to the standard game chat. Other highlights that come with the new console include improved storage. A common complaint with the Switch was the lack of space on the console, but Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 will have eight times the amount of internal storage of the original. The new Switch will also have improved graphics to enhance the user experience. Another new feature is an update to the functions of the Joy-Con controllers. Users will now be able to use these controllers as a mouse that can be used on a flat surface. As shown by the new game, “Drag x Drive,” the mouse feature can offer new options for gameplay. Several other new games were also announced, some of which are being released on both the Switch and the Switch 2, and some of which are Switch 2 exclusives. New games that will be available on both include “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,” “Hades II” and “Hollow Knight: Silk Song.” The games that will be exclusive to the Switch 2 include “Mario Kart World,” “The Duskbloods,” “Kirby Air Riders” and “Donkey Kong Bananza.” The console is set to release on June 5.
Following the announcement of the console came many concerns from consumers. One of the main worries is the paywall behind some of the new features. The new game chat feature will only be available for those with Nintendo Switch Online, which requires a paid subscription. On top of this, users will need to buy a separate camera attachment to use the camera feature of the chat. Consumers have also expressed concerns over the quality of the video chat, as the video examples shown in the Direct were full of lag. Many have pointed out that similar independent game chat apps such as Discord can provide the same features for free. Another alarming paywall is the console’s tech demo, “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.” This game guides players through a virtual tour of the console, offering insight into some of the inner workings of the console and its various features, alongside minigames that demonstrate how these new additions can be used. Nintendo announced that this will be a paid game, upsetting many who believe that the console’s tutorial should not be behind a paywall, given that the consumer already purchased the console.
The current price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is $449.99, a noticeable jump from the $299.99 cost of the original Switch. Nintendo is also offering a bundle for $499.99 that includes the console and the new “Mario Kart” game. If one were to buy the Mario Kart bundle and all the new accessories for the console including the camera, the Pro Controller, the Joy-Con steering wheel attachments, the carrying case and screen protector, their total would come out to $684.95. Due to President Trump’s tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them, the pricing for the console is not finalized. For these same reasons, the preorders for the console in the U.S. have been delayed. The console is not the only new feature with a considerable price hike. The new “Mario Kart” game, “Mario Kart World,” is set to cost a whopping $79.99 — a $20 jump from the $59.99 price tag of comparable games released for the Switch 2’s predecessor. This new price has upset many individuals, but Nintendo seems to be standing its ground, with Nintendo of America’s Vice President Bill Trien stating that the game has vast new features and opportunities never seen before in the “Mario Kart” series.
What does this mean for the future of gaming? Nintendo is a leader in the video game market and many fear that the new rising price tags on games will become the industry standard. Previously, games produced by AAA studios have cost between $60 and $70. These new prices have cast a level of uncertainty for the future of game prices, many fearing that these prices will become the norm and shift the price of video games across the industry. Whether this new pricing will leave a mark on the industry is unknown, but it is clear that it is worrying consumers regardless.