Latest news with #Nintendo
Business Wire
41 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo Download: Summon the Summer Sun!
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week's Nintendo Download includes the following content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army – Unleash the supernatural and undertake the case of the century in this action RPG from ATLUS! Become Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha and work alongside over 120 demonic allies to unravel the mysteries that block your path. This remaster of the classic game from the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner series features several enhancements over the original, including revamped visuals, voice acting, battle system and more. RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is available on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems now. Date Everything! – In this sandbox dating simulator, players can, indeed, date almost everything they encounter – namely 100 characters ranging from household objects to appliances and even concepts! Engage in flirtatious, branching dialogue with these fully voiced characters as you get to know them and form meaningful relationships. Choices can result not just in love, but also in friendship, or even disdain. Date Everything! is available on Nintendo Switch now! Digital Spotlight: Things Are Heating Up – The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and these summery games are here to make waves! Dive into the season with Endless Ocean Luminous, where you can explore the depths of the Veiled Sea and discover over 500 of its denizens. You can also set sail with Mario and Luigi on a high-seas adventure to reconnect the drifting islands of Concordia in Mario & Luigi: Brothership! If you're more into sand than sea, take a stroll across Hateno Beach in search of Korok seeds in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – now with free Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Packs available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members 1! Or, visit the Seaside Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey, where you'll help Mario uncork the Sparkle Water fountains and restore peace in Bubblaine. Wherever the weather takes you, Nintendo has your passport to summer fun! DLC: Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Check out the full list of deals available this week at Nintendo Music: Jam Out With Clubhouse! – Calling all gaming fans – the Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics soundtrack is available now on Nintendo Music 3, the smart-device app for Nintendo soundtracks! Curate the playlist for your next game night using these eclectic and upbeat tunes. For more info, visit: Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch: For news and updates on all things Nintendo, you can also check out the free Nintendo Today! smart-device app. Whether it's news about games, info about your favorite characters, or videos and comic strips — you'll get personalized fun every day. 1 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. 2 Full version of game required to use DLC. Sold separately. 3 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart-device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. MORE ABOUT… NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that allows members to team up or face off online in compatible Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Splatoon 3, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Members also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among many others. Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing (terms and requirements apply, visit Those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership can still join the fun during the Open-Access Period, ending March 31, 2026. Additionally, members can access the Nintendo Music smart-device app to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create playlists, browse music by different categories and more. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE + EXPANSION PACK With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, players get access to even more benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, retro SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately). Nintendo Switch 2 players can also access a library of classic Nintendo GameCube games, enhanced features for compatible Nintendo 64 games and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full version of games required to use content for that game; sold separately). NINTENDO eSHOP Nintendo eShop is a digital store that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2. Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2 both on-device and from the Nintendo website. PARENTAL CONTROLS AND MORE Remember that Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 both feature parental controls that let adults manage the content and features their children can access, including GameChat. Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players who register a Nintendo Account gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about parental controls and other features, visit or Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Nine games loved by millions made FREE before they disappear from download – last chance to claim them
VIDEOGAME maker Sega will soon pull nine beloved retro games from app stores, according to reports. But not before making them completely free. 6 Crazy Taxi Classic, first released in 1999 Credit: Sega 6 Golden Axe Classics, first released in 1989 Credit: Sega 6 Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura was first released in 2010 The Japanese company has revealed it is ending support for the titles, which were ported to iOS and Android several years ago. Before they disappear, Sega has made them free to download and has removed all in-app purchases, according to The games will still be playable after Sega ends its support - so you might want to go download them before they vanish from app stores. They work offline too, so you don't even need to be attached to Wi-Fi. READ MORE ON GAMING Here's all the games that are affected: Crazy Taxi Classic ( Streets of Rage Classic ( Streets of Rage 2 Classic ( Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Ed. ( Virtua Tennis Challenge ( Golden Axe Classics ( Shining Force Classics ( Sonic CD Classic ( Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Ep. II ( There doesn't appear to be an official announcement from Sega; however, the prices have already been removed on both the Apple and Android app stores. An in-game pop-up says: "Support for this game will be discontinued, but you can continue playing offline!" Most read in Gaming These games were part of the Sega Forever programme, which made classic retro games available on modern platforms. Watch Nintendo's retro 1991 SNES console TV ad starring Paul Rudd However, this programme was shut down in 2023. Sega reportedly already delisted other titles included in Sega Forever, including Altered Beast Classic and The Revenge of Shinobi Classic, from app stores in 2023. There doesn't appear to be an official deadline for their removal from app stores. So you should install them now while you have the chance. "Love me some retro action…. Or as I like to call them, 'games from my youth'," one person wrote on X. Another added: "Free is free! And some real classics in there." While a third person wrote: "Bro why is this not always the way. Literally every closed 'eshop' should just go out like this when they do (but they shouldn't)." 6 Sonic The Hedgehog 4, first released in 2012 Credit: Sega 6 Virtua Tennis Challenge, first released in 1999 Credit: Sega 6 Shining Force Classics, first released in 1992 Credit: Sega
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Nine games loved by millions made FREE before they disappear from download – last chance to claim them
The games will still be playable after Sega ends its support - so you might want to go download them before they vanish from app stores GAME'S OVER Nine games loved by millions made FREE before they disappear from download – last chance to claim them VIDEOGAME maker Sega will soon pull nine beloved retro games from app stores, according to reports. But not before making them completely free. 6 Crazy Taxi Classic, first released in 1999 Credit: Sega 6 Golden Axe Classics, first released in 1989 Credit: Sega 6 Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura was first released in 2010 The Japanese company has revealed it is ending support for the titles, which were ported to iOS and Android several years ago. Before they disappear, Sega has made them free to download and has removed all in-app purchases, according to Android Authority. The games will still be playable after Sega ends its support - so you might want to go download them before they vanish from app stores. They work offline too, so you don't even need to be attached to Wi-Fi. Here's all the games that are affected: Crazy Taxi Classic (iOS/Android) Streets of Rage Classic (iOS/Android) Streets of Rage 2 Classic (iOS/Android) Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Ed. (iOS/Android) Virtua Tennis Challenge (iOS/Android) Golden Axe Classics (iOS/Android) Shining Force Classics (iOS/Android) Sonic CD Classic (iOS/Android) Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Ep. II (iOS/Android) There doesn't appear to be an official announcement from Sega; however, the prices have already been removed on both the Apple and Android app stores. An in-game pop-up says: "Support for this game will be discontinued, but you can continue playing offline!" These games were part of the Sega Forever programme, which made classic retro games available on modern platforms. Watch Nintendo's retro 1991 SNES console TV ad starring Paul Rudd However, this programme was shut down in 2023. Sega reportedly already delisted other titles included in Sega Forever, including Altered Beast Classic and The Revenge of Shinobi Classic, from app stores in 2023. There doesn't appear to be an official deadline for their removal from app stores. So you should install them now while you have the chance. "Love me some retro action…. Or as I like to call them, 'games from my youth'," one person wrote on X. Another added: "Free is free! And some real classics in there." While a third person wrote: "Bro why is this not always the way. Literally every closed 'eshop' should just go out like this when they do (but they shouldn't)." 6 Sonic The Hedgehog 4, first released in 2012 Credit: Sega 6 Virtua Tennis Challenge, first released in 1999 Credit: Sega
Metro
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Switch 2 third party games sold 'below our lowest estimates' says publisher
The Nintendo Switch 2 may have had a hugely successful launch, but sales for third party games are lower than anticipated. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in history, with over 3.5 million units sold within its first four days, but its success hasn't trickled down to third party games yet. While Mario Kart World was the main attraction at launch, the Switch 2 has arguably the best third party support of any Nintendo console yet – with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and others. When compared to the dire third party line-up for the original Switch launch (Just Dance 2017, Shovel Knight, Super Bomberman R, and Skylanders: Imaginators), it's a substantial improvement – but this hasn't translated to a significant boost in game sales. According to figures collated by The Game Business, 62% of Switch 2 physical game sales in the US on launch week were for first party games, which doesn't include the Mario Kart World bundle. As for the UK, 48% of Switch 2 physical game sales on launch week were for first party games, excluding the Mario Kart World bundle. However, if you do include bundle, this percentage jumps up to 86%, leaving only 14% for third parties. While you might be raising an eyebrow at the emphasis on physical sales, of the games which were released both digitally and physically, over 80% of Switch 2 game sales came from physical retailers – so it's a fair reflection of the overall picture. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. When you compare these figures to the original Switch launch, it is a small improvement. According to Circana figures, 81% of US physical game sales were from first party games on the Switch when the console launched in March 2017, while it was 89% in the UK. This suggests third parties have fared slightly better during the Switch 2's launch. However, according to the report, most third party Switch 2 games have sold in 'very low' numbers. An unnamed third party publisher described the numbers as 'below our lowest estimates'. This perceived improvement is also undercut by the fact the Switch 2 had far more physical games available at launch. The original Switch only had five, whereas the Switch 2 had 13 in total, so the losses for third parties are higher overall, as they had a larger presence. As for the potential reasons as to why this has happened, it's a complex mixture. Nintendo didn't release Switch 2 consoles to press until launch, which prevented outlets from posting reviews of these games until after the fact. Speaking to The Game Business last month, one unnamed PR boss said the 'lack of independent critical validation is going to make it very hard for us' and they may have been 'better off waiting a few weeks'. There are other factors at play too. The Switch 2 is expensive, and when Mario Kart World is the main attraction, many people have perhaps ignored the third party selection until they've maxed out Nintendo's kart racer. And by that point Donkey Kong Bananza will be out. Unlike the original Switch, the Switch 2 has backwards compatibility, with old titles – and including upgrades for some titles, so people have less reason to invest in brand new games. More Trending Combined with the fact that the majority of the Switch 2 third party line-up were ports of older titles, and the negativity around Game-Key Cards, it's easy to see why sales might have been lower than hoped for. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, one of the few games not to utilise Game-Key Cards, was the best-selling third party title on the system, beating launch sales for The Witcher 3 on the original Switch. It's possible this situation will be confined to the Switch 2's launch, and third party sales will pick up in the coming weeks, but Nintendo systems are synonymous with Nintendo games – which has only been amplified through the poor third party support in prior generations. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how things shake out when higher profile games hit the system, such as Elden Ring, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Star Wars Outlaws, and 007 First Light. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Metroid Prime 4 advert on London tube confuses everyone with 'out now' sticker MORE: Games Inbox: What is the hardest video of modern times? MORE: NetEase game Blood Message may have the best video game graphics ever
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Nintendo Switch 2 Review: The Ultimate Handheld and It's Not Even Close
The Switch 2 "1-Ups" the groundbreaking original in every single way. 2025 After the massive flop that was the Wii U, consumers had every reason to believe the original Switch, released in 2017, would be yet another Nintendo gimmick that would push people to buy a PlayStation or Xbox instead. But the original $300 Switch's handheld/console design, with its detachable Joy-Con controllers, proved to be a major hit with gamers of all ages. The handheld and TV-dockable game system was inventive and could be understood immediately. It felt like another Wii moment for Nintendo, only this time the Switch was the game console's final form. How could the company that gave us Mario, Pokémon, and Zelda possibly top that? See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart Apparently, with a $450 Switch 2 that has just enough new hardware upgrades and nothing too wacky. You get more performance, a bigger and sharper screen, Joy-Con 2 controllers that now magnetically attach and support mouse controls for exciting possibilities in shooters and real-time strategy games, and GameChat video and voice communications. The Switch 2 hardware is iterative—a specs bump—but it'll also be the exclusive platform for Nintendo's biggest and most recognizable gaming franchises. If you want to play Nintendo's latest and greatest titles, like the now-available Mario Kart World or the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza, the Switch 2 is the only option, even if you have a PS5 or Xbox Series S/X. In the same breath, Nintendo has also crafted a console that's more restrictive than any other similar device in recent memory. Only Nintendo could make game ownership so onerous when the hardware is this good and the top-quality games aren't available anywhere else. It's extremely frustrating that sharing games or managing game saves is so needlessly cumbersome on the Switch 2, and it's outright maddening that a company that's perfected making complex hardware easy to use—with arguably the best music and sound design—is also so reluctant to embrace how basic gaming features work on other, more open, game platforms. Nintendo Switch 2 The Switch 2 has just enough new things to keep it interesting, but most importantly it lets you play original Switch and modern games with higher fidelity. Pros Lightweight feel with solid controls Lightweight feel with solid controls Great display with HDR support Great display with HDR support Mouse controls offer new gaming possibilities Mouse controls offer new gaming possibilities Powerful enough for games like Cyberpunk 2077 Powerful enough for games like Two USB-C ports Two USB-C ports Access to GameCube games Cons LCD, not OLED screen LCD, not OLED screen 256GB of storage is low for 2025 256GB of storage is low for 2025 Subpar GameChat video and audio quality Subpar GameChat video and audio quality Way too much DRM The Switch 2 is the communal console for our current gaming era. There is no better system around for couch multiplayer—especially one you can easily pack up and take with you. The Switch 2 is its own beast, and it takes the 8-year-old design of the original Switch and allows it to compete—and beat—the growing number of handheld platforms available today. With more horsepower for high-fidelity games like Cyberpunk 2077 and a slate of already-announced Nintendo-only games coming this year and next, we have very little fear that there will be a dearth of compelling titles for the Switch 2. Nintendo's new game console is no Sony PS5/PS5 Pro or Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, but at least it now has the performance to last well into the future. The Switch 2 Looks Better and Plays Better Actually getting into Switch 2 games is more enjoyable than maneuvering around Nintendo's fascination with digital rights management, or DRM. Playing both new and old games on Switch 2 is a superior experience in every way. The 7.9-inch IPS LCD display is about 30% brighter than the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, and it has wider dynamic range and higher contrast, which helps make games pop more. The screen also supports high dynamic range, or HDR (although the specifics are a bit more complicated), and can refresh games at up to 120Hz thanks to its variable refresh rate technology (VRR), which automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on individual content. However, VRR is inexplicably tied to handheld mode, and it isn't available when docked and connected to a TV or monitor. We could play a variety of games in handheld mode and not feel like we were missing much, other than support for 4K. When the Switch 2 is hooked up to a TV via its dock, the device becomes a quiet powerhouse (the new inclusion of a fan in the dock for cooling definitely helps), at least for those games designed for its unique hardware. You can huddle next to the Switch 2 in handheld mode and not hear a mouse burp from the fans compared to the miniature jet engine you can occasionally hear blasting from a PlayStation 5. With the original Switch, Nintendo proved that stylized, artistic-minded in-game visuals were the remedy to the graphics realism of other consoles and PC gaming. Simply put, its performance was underpowered even compared to a PS4 or Xbox One, both of which came out four years earlier in 2013. Its custom Nvidia chipset was, at times, overburdened by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at launch. And when pitted against the current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, the original Switch was lapped hard. It's been eight years since the revolutionary Switch, so an upgrade was overdue. Performance matters so long as it makes games enjoyable. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom running on the OG Switch at all was a minor miracle, but rampant frame rate dips inevitably made the experience worse. We've played the game on both the original Switch and Switch 2 with the $10 enhanced edition upgrade, and there's no question Zelda on the new handheld—even when bushes and other foliage tend to 'pop in' or render only when you get close—is the better way to play the game. There's no way we can go back. Even games without a 4K upgrade, like Super Mario Odyssey, were a more enjoyable experience on Switch 2 at 1080p than the original at 720p. Would we buy a Switch 2 just to play original Switch games without upgrade packs? No, but we also know we have little reason to return to the 8-year-old handheld. One hardware spec that we were hoping for was an OLED screen. For the uninitiated, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a type of display technology that is desired for its true deep blacks. Unlike LCD screens that use a panel of backlights to illuminate pixels, OLED displays turn the individual pixels themselves on or off, allowing not only blacks that are pure black because they can be left off, but also the added bonus of power efficiency. Despite lingering love for the Switch OLED from 2021, it seems like Nintendo is saving the display tech for an inevitable mid-cycle refresh when sales for the Switch 2 start to slump. That will also likely make a $450 device even more expensive since Nintendo rarely drops the price of its systems. Case in point: Nintendo's still selling the original Switch for $300, the same price it cost at launch. It's better to have a Switch 2 available to start with rather than waiting to spend potentially $500 or $550 for a prettier screen. The Switch 2's LCD display, with its support for HDR, is more than sufficiently vibrant that we weren't eyeing our Steam Deck OLED with any subtle or not-so-subtle envy. All this makes it seem like we're settling. Instead, all you have to do is compare the Switch 2's display to devices of this size and price. Even if the screen is LCD, the Switch 2 has a larger, brighter, and better-looking display than many other LCD-based handhelds that cost more. Yes, once you go OLED, it's hard to go back, but when you're in the thick of a game, whether or not blacks are dark grays isn't going to be what breaks any suspension of disbelief. Oh, and don't peel off the screen's protective plastic layer or you might just shatter the whole thing. There are other delightful and easily overlooked improvements that Nintendo made to the Switch 2. The aforementioned Joy-Con 2 controllers connect with a satisfying click to the console using magnets instead of the sliding rail mechanism on the original Switch. Now, you just press the Joy-Con 2 release buttons located right below the ZL/ZR triggers, and they pull apart. Be careful, though, because accidentally pressing the release buttons when grabbing the Switch 2 from either side could mean dropping it. On several occasions, we caught our Switch 2 just in time before it took a hit to the ground. And speaking of the new magnetic attachment system—the SL and SR buttons tucked inside of each Joy-Con 2 are now larger, clickier, and made of metal. Additionally, while the U-shaped kickstand on the Switch 2 doesn't span the entire length of the backside like it does on the Switch OLED, it's at least not the flimsy gumstick-sized one on the original Switch. We're also glad to see the 3.5mm headphone jack didn't get removed, and it's nice to have a second USB-C port on the top of the device for charging or connecting accessories, along with the one located on the bottom. The built-in speakers are also audibly louder and fuller, producing clearer sound at higher volume levels compared to the crackling tinniness you got on the original Switch. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart The Switch 2 feels good in hand, even if it's thinner than most other handhelds sold today. It's light, and we didn't have a problem sitting up with the device on a couch or bed for hours at a time. How many hours will depend on what game you're playing. For 2D games like the award-winning Hades, it'll last for a little more than four hours. For original Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey, we found the Switch 2 could go just over three hours before needing a recharge. Playing a graphics-intensive game like Cyberpunk 2077, we ran out of juice at exactly two hours. The Steam Deck OLED will do slightly better on battery life overall, but you'd have to look at $800 handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X with its bigger battery capacity for anything better. Future versions of the Switch 2 may improve on battery life, but Nintendo would likely charge more for that, like they did with the Switch OLED. You can improve battery life by limiting refresh rate and HDR, but let's be honest, most of us would prefer a higher-quality experience over playing for longer. If you're noticing really poor battery life and think something might be up, you may need to put the Switch 2 into 'recovery mode,' which should reset the battery indicator so that it's actually accurate. About the only thing that gives us pause is the joysticks. The Switch 2 was notorious for Joy-Con drift, a hardware issue that caused the joysticks to register movement even if you weren't touching them. Nintendo originally didn't acknowledge Joy-Con drift, but later began repairing them for free after widespread outcry. Considering we've only had the Switch 2 for two weeks, we can't say if drifting joysticks will be a problem for the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Nintendo could have used Hall effect joysticks to guarantee Joy-Con drift wouldn't return, but the company didn't. Instead, Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo's Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, said the Joy-Con 2 were 'designed from the ground up.' Although we didn't experience any Joy-Con 2 drift, there are a relatively small (but increasing) number of reports claiming the joysticks still drift. The gadget teardown and repair experts at iFixit and CT scanning company Lumafield both independently suggest the joysticks, while improved, could still suffer the same issue with enough wear and tear over time; also, the magnetic attachment system may be the reason why Nintendo couldn't use Hall effect sticks. At the very least, Nintendo will repair any Joy-Con 2 controllers exhibiting the input problem for free. Cyberpunk 2077 Sets a New High Bar for Handhelds The biggest surprise to us was how well Cyberpunk 2077 plays on the handheld. We picked up a physical game card version, which meant the download took less than three minutes before we were in the game, though the load times are slightly slower than if you're booting it directly from the Switch 2's 256GB of internal storage or from a microSD Express memory card sold separately. (Note: microSD Express cards are not the same as regular microSD cards, so you will have to buy Express-speed ones.) Game environments remain colorful and detailed, perhaps even better than at 720p resolution on a Steam Deck LCD. This is the benefit of when developers work hand-in-hand with the console maker to optimize the game to get the most from the hardware. The Switch 2 can also make use of Nvidia's DLSS (deep learning super sampling)—an AI-based upscaler that also helps improve frame rates for crispier graphics and smoother performance. DLSS can create some graphical glitches and odd textures, but those flaws can easily be overlooked. Cyberpunk 2077 is a showcase for more than just graphics, but also how well the console can handle various control options—especially the new mouse controls. The feature has proved divisive, though not because the mouse sensor on the Joy-Con 2 is imprecise or you need a flat surface for the best results (they work surprisingly well on most pants, but the surface area won't be as large as a table). The cursor on menus and in games is responsive and quick, plus games like Cyberpunk 2077 offer a multitude of options for deadzones and cursor speed. The bigger issue is comfort. Most people won't find their hand can fully relax on top of a rigid Joy-Con 2 without room for the rest of their fingers. (GameStop sells a 'mouse shell' grip to make the Joy-Con 2 more ergonomic, but we haven't tested it, so there are third-party 'fixes' if you look for them.) Even with a grip that better fits a hand, you may find it hard to press any buttons other than the trigger without playing finger twister on the controller. We wouldn't spend hours using only mouse controls, but already upcoming games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond promise you'll be able to easily swap between mouse and joysticks just by placing the Joy-Con 2 on a flat surface. Quick-aiming and then going back to motion controls seems like the perfect compromise for shooters. A few of the minigames in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour—effectively a $10 interactive instruction manual for the console—explore how these controls could offer innovative games in the future (and it's why it's so ludicrous Nintendo didn't package the 'game' for free with the new console). The Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers simply feel like larger versions of the original ones on the first-gen Switch. Nintendo's new console is thin and light, and if you don't like the feel of it digging into your palms, you need to consider other accessories that add more grip. The Switch 2 is a device that lends itself to handing off a controller for quick and dirty multiplayer, exemplified by Nintendo's premier first-party title, Mario Kart World, which was the perfect launch game. We've played more than a dozen hours in the game with various groups of friends—all of whom were jonesing to try the ultra-hyped handheld—and they all left with smiles on their faces. The Switch 2 is running a custom Nvidia chip, and it's ostensibly as powerful as some of Nvidia's lower-end Ampere-era GPUs from four years ago—or about equivalent in power to consoles from the PS4 era. Even if it's less impressive on paper than what you expect from today's PS5-level graphics, the more important thing is whether developers can mold their software to the hardware. For example, even Mario Kart World four-player split screen didn't show any noticeable frame rate drops, and as hard as we looked, we didn't get the sense that the graphics were dumbed down. Nintendo wanted to push the graphics capabilities for its new console, but it also offered an exclusive blast from the past for anybody willing to pay $50 annually for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The Switch 2 allows you to play a select variety of GameCube games, of which there are only three available at launch—F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur II, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. All three are fun games in their own right, though none but Wind Waker are the kind of titles you 'must play' before you kick the bucket. Nintendo also sells a $65 GameCube controller exclusively through its online store. You can't play the GameCube games or use the revitalized controller on the original Switch. Still, we wouldn't suggest you run out and grab a Switch 2 right now for such a limited selection of nostalgic titles. The Switch 2 is as powerful as it needs to be for modern games. It supports current-gen features like ray tracing, at least to some small degree, and has DLSS to help it keep up with systems that are rendering games natively. How well it will stack up with future hardware from PlayStation and Xbox is a more difficult question. Game developers will need to program with the Switch 2 in mind, especially if they try to port any ultra-demanding title like Grand Theft Auto VI in the future. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart GameChat Isn't All That As good as the Switch 2 is for local co-op in regular sessions of Split Fiction or Mario Kart World, Nintendo still hasn't figured out what players want from online multiplayer. Playing games with online video and voice chat is hampered by subpar camera and mic capabilities. The Switch 2's minuscule built-in microphone is supposed to pick up your voice even when you're a good six to eight feet from the TV. In our tests with a colleague, we found that you really need to be at least four feet from the mic for it to pick up your voice. On our colleague's end, he wasn't clearly audible until he took the Switch 2 off the dock and held it in front of his face. Hori's Piranha-shaped camera has a lower 480p resolution compared to Nintendo's official $55 Switch 2 Camera, but the fact that it can clip to the Switch 2's top USB-C port without a dangling cable or stand should theoretically make microphone pickup better. Nintendo wanted GameChat to be such a defining feature on Switch 2 that it put a 'C' button on all its first-party controllers. The button allows you to quickly send or receive calls and change video settings without going to the main menu. Of course, it's not as easy as it sounds. You can only send calls to friends over Switch Online, and you need to provide a phone number when you first try the feature. We used GameChat with the Switch 2 Camera, which users are expected to plug into the console when it's docked to a TV. Despite having 1080p resolution, its video quality is washed out in light, and it grows extra pixelated in low-light environments. Over GameChat, you have the choice of sharing your full video or your cropped-out body. The background blur software built into the Switch 2 is so poor that it makes early pandemic Zoom calls look like Google Beam by comparison. There's probably a generation of younger players who will be playing separate sessions of Fortnite who want to see each other's gameplay on their screen. GameChat is functional, but that's the best word we could use for it. You Don't Really Own Your Games We hold the Switch 2 in our hands with a sense of foreboding. Because of virtual game cards, the games you own are locked to a single system at a time. You can mitigate this by going into your account settings and turning on 'Use Online License,' which lets you have games on two consoles at once. The problem is, two systems with the same account profile can't play the game at the same time. Plus, your save data will remain tied to one system at a time—as we learned the hard way, moving a game save from one Switch to another deletes it off the original one instead of copying it over like how it works on every other game system. Either way, due to the proliferation of code-in-a-box and game key cards (a cartridge that's a 'key' to downloading a game from the eShop and must be inserted in the Switch 2 to play said game), Nintendo has made owning your games far trickier. Features like GameShare are amazing for playing titles with friends who don't own them or don't even have a Switch 2, but since it only supports a mere six first-party games at launch, the feature is overshadowed by Nintendo's leering gaze that mandates you can't have your games—or even your game save data—in more than one place at a time. Games now come in four flavors: game card, game key card, code-in-a-box, and digital download. Games installed on the Switch 2's internal storage will load the fastest, but with only 256GB, it'll run out fast. You may be thinking 256GB—eight times the 32GB in the original Switch—seems like plenty, and maybe it is if you're sticking to smaller indie games, but the Switch 2 operating system eats up about 10GB and games like Cyberpunk 2077 hog up 60GB; Split Fiction uses close to 70GB. Other third-party titles like Street Fighter 6 and Yakuza 0 will take up almost 48GB and 54GB, respectively. A microSD Express card, especially if you're planning to install Switch games and Switch 2 titles, helps alleviate these issues at a cost (we paid $60 for 256GB Samsung one), but the lingering problems with virtual game cards mean it's that much harder to own your games and easily swap them between friends. You can't simply offer your account to your friend so they can play your games on their Switch or Switch 2. Both consoles have to be nearby, and you can only give them a two-week trial to play that game, which also temporarily removes it from your own account. Changing your license settings keeps you from sharing virtual game cards in this way. Nintendo Wins Without Reinvention Nintendo will sell consoles because fans can't get enough of its exclusive games. At the time of this writing—two weeks after launch—all signs already point to the Switch 2 being a mega mushroom-sized success. People worldwide turned up on launch day in record numbers—many even attending midnight launches—to buy Nintendo's new game system. Nintendo's already shattered global sales records with over 3.5 million Switch 2 units sold within its first four days of going on sale. That's a lot of damn Switch 2 units sold just to play a refreshed version of Mario Kart and Cyberpunk 2077, a game that came out five years ago. Do we yearn for the days of Nintendo introducing a new gimmick with every new console release? Yes, but the Switch 2 is the familiar sequel to the original Switch, as the iPhone 3G was the successor to the first-gen iPhone. The Switch 2 is more powerful, and games run better in every way, but Nintendo routinely proves that if you design games specific to hardware, you'll get more out of them—not just in graphics but in controls and gameplay. The Switch 2 is the console that we'll keep with us often, perhaps even closer than our Steam Decks because we may bring it out for a single session on the go or share it with friends in various ways that you can't with a PS5, Xbox, or PC. There were few wholly new, must-have games on launch day, but they're coming. Nintendo knows a steady release of games featuring its most beloved characters will keep the Switch 2 momentum going. Third-party developers have been dying for more power to port their typically more graphics-intensive games to Nintendo's consoles—and now they're getting just that. So long as there's no drought of big game releases—like there were in the dark GameCube and Wii U days—Nintendo may just '1-Up' itself with the Switch 2. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart
