Switch 2 officially revealed

[Reprise]

Here it is: https://youtu.be/itpcsQQvgAQ?si=dJpfUVJN3OryNAzL

[Ziggy]

This is real?

On one hand, this makes complete sense. The Switch was their most successful console. So in “don’t fix what ain’t broke” kind of way, it makes total sense to make a Switch 2. Looking at this trailer, it really just looks like an upgraded Switch.

On the other hand, it just looks like an upgraded Switch. As a long time Nintendo fan, I am the least excited for this console. Nintendo has always been very innovative. They really seem to always push novel ideas for gaming. So it’s pretty boring to see that their new console is nearly identical to the old one, just an upgrade.

I think the days of distinct console generations are officially over. Sony has been doing their Pro consoles, which feels like x.5 console releases. I think the days are gone of thinking about what gen hardware you’re on. It’s just about what platform you’re on now.

Edit: I should say that I don’t use the Switch as a portable, just a home console. So from that perspective, the Switch 2 seems boring. But if you’re big on portable gaming, the Switch 2 might have more appeal.

[Reprise]

I have seen a similar reaction from others online and I kinda have to ask what did people expect? In terms of power, it is a generational leap (it's going from something that is slightly more powerful than the 360/PS3 generation to something that is slightly more powerful than the PS4/Xbox One generation) and it makes sense to continue what is working for them in terms of the brand, design and form factor.

I do also get it though. It's not very exciting is it?

It also seems like they revealed it early because of the leaks. The full Direct isn't until April! The hardware will be shown off at special events between April and June, which likely means the console isn't coming out until June or July (or maybe even later).

The trailer was very minimalist and light on details.

It did seem to reveal that the you will be able to use joycons as mice though. That's very cool! It will be great for FPSs, Mario Maker and other construction management sim and creative style games.

[marurun]

Nintendo remembers what happened when they moved from the smash hit Wii to the WiiU and the super-successful DS to the 3DS. They're not eager to repeat those conditions. The found something that works and, for once, they're going to stick to it and see what happens.

[Ziggy]

What it seems they learned from the 3DS and Wii U is to drop the cute names in favor of something simple that conveys exactly what it is. The Switch 2. It would have been a blunder to call it the Super Switch or something like that. The “2” says that it’s a successor, and people are already use to this with the PlayStation line of consoles.

[marurun]

What it seems they learned from the 3DS and Wii U is to drop the cute names in favor of something simple that conveys exactly what it is. The Switch 2. It would have been a blunder to call it the Super Switch or something like that. The “2” says that it’s a successor, and people are already use to this with the PlayStation line of consoles.

Nintendo appears to have learned many helpful lessons this time around, but they're also clearly still doing Nintendo, as evidenced by the apparent optical sensor on one of the Joycons.

Re: backward compatibility - Nintendo is claiming some games may not be fully compatible. I saw a video a couple years ago, unable to remember the name of the YouTuber (he was notable, I just couldn't remember), noting that Nvidia's video architecture on Tegra series chips has changed and is not perfectly code compatible with the Tegra in the Switch, and so we shouldn't get our hopes up about backwards compatibility. My suspicion is that the Switch 2 will be using a translation layer. I don't think it will require full-on emulation, but probably a number of graphics calls will need to be translated, and as such it may be imperfect.

[Reprise]

Re: backward compatibility - Nintendo is claiming some games may not be fully compatible. I saw a video a couple years ago, unable to remember the name of the YouTuber (he was notable, I just couldn't remember), noting that Nvidia's video architecture on Tegra series chips has changed and is not perfectly code compatible with the Tegra in the Switch, and so we shouldn't get our hopes up about backwards compatibility. My suspicion is that the Switch 2 will be using a translation layer. I don't think it will require full-on emulation, but probably a number of graphics calls will need to be translated, and as such it may be imperfect.

I believe it was Modern Vintage Gamer who did that video. It was quite informative.

I think potentially one thing this trailer is missing is something that explains how the Switch 2 is different and why it is better than the current model. Edit: Although I know that will come with further updates.

I showed the trailer to a few more casual gamers, namely my wife, my mum and a couple of friends and their reaction was slight puzzlement. Basically "so it's just the Switch... but bigger?" Even with the Mario Kart footage it didn't demonstrate that it is a more powerful than the current Switch. In fact, my wife thought it was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

[marurun]

I believe it was Modern Vintage Gamer who did that video. It was quite informative.

Yes, that was it! I knew it started with an M, but it definitely was not My Life in Gaming, but I couldn't figure out what it was that wasn't that.

I showed the trailer to a few more casual gamers, namely my wife, my mum and a couple of friends and their reaction was slight puzzlement. Basically "so it's just the Switch... but bigger?" Even with the Mario Kart footage it didn't demonstrate that it is a more powerful than the current Switch. In fact, my wife thought it was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Yeah, this is going to be a project on Nintendo's part. They've mastered a bit too well managing art and design styles to mask hardware weakness. They'll have to do more than just show off existing games with higher frame rates. Not sure what they'll have available on-hand to sell the system prior to release.

[Ziggy]

Haha, that wasn't Mario Kart 8? To be honest, I watched the video on my phone and thought it was 8.

I'm glad that it will be backward compatible with Switch 1 games, even if it isn't 100%. I have no desire to make the money investment in a new console at this point Just saying, me personally. I have such a backlog with my PS4 and Switch, I have 0 business getting a PS5 or Switch 2. That said, Nintendo is really the one publisher that could make me buy a new console for exclusives. At least with the PS5, most of those games are available on the PC. But Nintendo's heavy hitters are exclusive to Nintendo consoles. It would be silly for me to have a Switch 1 and Switch 2 both hooked up, and both collecting dust. So if I'm itching to get a Switch 2 after enough exclusives are released that appeal to me, it's nice to know that I could disconnect my Switch 1 and use the Switch 2 for both.

I just watched the trailer again on a bigger screen. The dock looks different, but it looks like the bottom of the Switch 2 still has a centered USB-C port. That would be awesome if the Switch 2 works on Switch 1 docks. Because I bought an additional dock and power supply so I could easily swap my Switch between two different TVs. But the official dock and power supply wasn't cheap, it would suck to have to make that purchase again for the Switch 2.

[Reprise]

That would be awesome if the Switch 2 works on Switch 1 docks. Because I bought an additional dock and power supply so I could easily swap my Switch between two different TVs. But the official dock and power supply wasn't cheap, it would suck to have to make that purchase again for the Switch 2.

Apparently (from following the leaks a little too obsessively) it isn't, unfortunately, but take that with a grain of salt until Nintendo confirms either way.

The fact it is backwards compatible is awesome. My PS5 is basically my PS4 now and I will assume the Switch 2 will become my primary console for playing Switch 1 games too. I assume the vast majority of games will be backwards compatible, but we'll see. I wonder if it's something they can work on over the course of the console's lifespan, like how Microsoft does with Xbox.