Switched On, 03/04/2025
Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, software and price details finally unveiled
Nintendo Switch 2’s strong software line-up potentially undermined by its hardware price point
Discord discusses IPO with leading investment bankers, according to The New York Times
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos tops the week’s big releases because there is no accounting for taste
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Howdy VGIM-ers,
Welcome back to the newsletter. This week’s VGIM has been brought to you by the letter ‘j’, which stands for ‘jet-lagged.’
For most of April, I’ll be sticking my head under the metaphorical covers to crack on with shoving together the next third of Power Play.
But before that, I’m off to the London Games Festival’s New Game Plus event today to share my reflections on the past ten years in video games (and what the next decade holds).
Join me, John O’Shea, Shay Thompson and Sir Ian Livingstone at 11:30am at the London Museum’s exhibition spaces at London Wall if you fancy hearing more on that (and quite possibly much more).
Otherwise, let’s get on with a summary of the biggest show in town in video games this week.
The big read - Switched On
History toys: Nintendo has officially unveiled its successor to the Nintendo Switch. The imaginatively titled Switch 2 was revealed during an hour-long Nintendo Direct presentation ahead of its launch on Thursday 5th June.
Make or break: The announcement of the console comes at a pivotal time for both the console business and the wider sector. As highlighted in last week’s VGIM, the Switch 2 is one of a handful of industry developments capable of shoving the sector out of its completely anaemic growth forecasts for the rest of the decade. Succeed and Nintendo will be the heroes of the day. Fail and they’ll be booed mercilessly into commercial submission by the games industry and the public markets. No pressure then, lads.
Switching on or off: So, how much did the Switch 2 console reveal match up with consumer expectations? How does the launch line-up measure up? And will its price tag make it a must buy or a ‘pass for now’ for the average punter? Let’s dive into the details.
Specs appeal
As expected: The Nintendo Direct officially revealed the Switch 2’s hardware specs, but few of them proved surprising for those who have kept on top of the litany of leaks around the much-anticipated device
Key details: It was officially revealed that the device boasts a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, that its new Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically to the device and that it features larger SL/SR buttons and control sticks for fat-thumbed idiots like yours truly. The console will also run in glorious 4K when docked, provided your telly is good enough, and offers a significant step-up in power compared to the original Switch (although it’ll remain behind its more powerful console peers).
A little bit more: But there was plenty more detail on two long-teased features of the device, which show how the Switch 2 is opening up to new audiences.
C it to believe it: The mysterious square button, which had become the subject of many an excellent meme, was revealed to be a ‘C’ button which accesses the console’s new Discord-like GameChat service. Using the Switch 2’s built-in microphone and Nintendo’s new optional plug-in camera, GameChat lets players jump into group voice chats together to natter with one another. It also, crucially, syncs up with Nintendo’s existing parental controls to offer parents and carers plenty of control over how their kids chat with one another in-game.
The house of mouse: Nintendo also confirmed that the new Joy-Con 2 controller doubles up as a mouse in compatible games. The showcase demonstrated the feature in action via a series of mini-games, while teasing future use in the Switch 2 version of first-person shooter Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and (be still my beating heart) PC friendly strategy titles like Civilization VII.
Expanding the ecosystem: So while the new Nintendo Switch may not offer a revolutionary new console experience, it appears to cleverly grow the boundaries of the Switch ecosystem.
Hello to the Nintendo Deck: By increasing the console’s processing oomph, opening up chat functions within its family-friendly and welcoming mouse-controlled games into its ecosystem, the Switch 2 appears to be well placed to blend the company’s usual first-party greatness with a deeper roster of third-party support - something that Nintendo demonstrated ably during the rest of the showcase.
Let the games begin
Party first: The software line-up for the Switch 2 has an impressive strength in depth that shows that the closing gap between console generations might be playing in Nintendo’s favour.
Kart before the Kong: The company revealed surprisingly few first-party Switch 2 launch (or launch-adjacent) titles. Mario Kart World received most of the focus, with Nintendo’s latest entry in its popular kart racing series wheeling out a whopping 24 racers on each of its new off-road racetracks. The company also showcased Donkey Kong Bananza, a new 3D Donkey Kong game with a distinctly Super Mario Odyssey feel that is due in July, and Drag x Drive, a fascinating “wheelchair basketball meets Rocket League” multiplayer game powered by the new mouse controller that’s also set for the summer.
Unlimited editions: However, the Switch 2’s “evolution instead of revolution” approach has ensured that its software line-up is strengthened in a couple of ways. From the Nintendo side of the fence, the company is making a big push to support “Editions” upgrades of existing Switch releases to make the most of the new console’s hardware.
On the upgrade list: Super Mario Party Jamboree will receive new minigames and a standalone EyeToy-style game mode called Jamboree TV, which is powered by the plug-in camera. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will receive the aforementioned “mouse and thumbstick” control scheme update when it lands on Switch 2. And the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will both benefit from high-res upgrades on their step up to Switch 2, as well as receiving support from an intriguing companion app called Zelda Notes.
Third partying on down: But arguably the most important sign of the Switch 2’s vitality was the strength of third-party support for the console.
Indie-friendly: The original Switch established itself as a premier destination for enjoying independently developed video games. The presence of Hollow Knight: Silksong, Enter the Gungeon: 2, Hades 2 and Deltarune within a third-party publisher trailer rush for the new console suggests that the tight link established between Nintendo and independent developers will remain in place.
Wheeling out the big guns: However, it was the strength of support from the biggest Triple-A game publishers which indicates that the Switch 2 is capable of attracting a wider form of third party interest across its lifespan. The presence of Street Fighter 6, Borderlands 4, Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077 and the Final Fantasy VII remake within its forthcoming release line-up suggests that the company’s new device has the backing of the industry big guns (and just ênough technical firepower to make porting titles to it worthwhile).
A genuine surprise: And while many of the biggest developers were showing their willingness to back the new device with existing titles, From Software went a step further. Alongside announcing Elden Ring’s release on the device, it also casually dropped the news that it is releasing an exclusive for the platform called The Duskbloods, which appears to mix the thematic spirit of Bloodborne with a truly mad multiplayer concept. Big stuff, I know.
Is the price right?
Priced out: So, is it all plain sailing for the Nintendo Switch 2 from here? Not quite. Despite the strength of its software line-up and its flashy platform-expanding hardware, the company hid one piece of bad news about the console within the post-event press release: its price.
Bill shock: The device is set to launch in the US with a price tag of $449 (£395.99 in the UK) or $499 with a digital copy of Mario Kart World bundled in (or £429 in the UK). And if you’re buying a game separately, brace yourself to spend up to $80 (£75) on your off-road Mario Karting if you don’t grab one of the bundles during the pre-order scramble.
Question time: There’s no way to sugar coat the fact that this represents a steep entry point for consumers, especially given Nintendo’s track record of releasing affordable consoles targeted towards a family audience. The question among industry experts is whether it’ll stymie day-one interest in the device.
Bigwigs weigh in: Chris Kerr, News Editor at Game Developer, wrote on BlueSky that he “suspect[s] folks will question a day-one purchase at that price”, while James Whatley of Five Things on Friday fame pondered whether Mario Kart, Duskbloods and Donkey Kong were “console shifting” in the context. Rhys Elliott, Games Analyst at MIDiA, was also quick to spot Nintendo’s offer of a discount to digital purchases of Switch 2 games, suggesting that at least part of the company’s pricing strategy is about weaning players off lower-profit-margin physical games.
More to come: As it stands, Nintendo still has time to win the argument on the cost front with consumers. Pre-orders for the device do not open until next week, allowing it to use the next two days to showcase the new device (and its major releases) to consumers via its Nintendo Treehouse live-streamed events. Its Switch 2 Experience event series also kicks off imminently, putting the console into the hands of players around the world between now and launch day.
Switching on: But ultimately, I’d say that Nintendo’s overall prospects are up a little bit compared to where they were in January. While the price point feels a little top-heavy, the short-term mayhem of an international trade war and the near certainty of end-of-year festive console deals give Nintendo a chance to battle up the financial hill.
QOTSA reference: And if it can scramble to the top of that, the combination of a swishy new device, some intriguing first-party titles and wall-to-wall third-party support could make it the Feel Good Hit of the Summer (and Winter) for the games industry.
News in brief
Discord chat(ter): Discord has reportedly met with investment bankers to discuss plans for an IPO later this year, according to The New York Times. The company has politely stonewalled requests for comment about the IPO with the usual ‘we don’t talk about plans’ schtick (which is corporate for ‘we are absolutely 100% in the process of doing this’). In the absence of any actual news, read Joost van Dreunen’s summary of what to expect from the company if it does go public.
WiiU weren’t there, man: Production of the Nintendo Switch 2 has mostly taken place in territories such as Vietnam and Cambodia, according to reports in The Financial Times. David Keohane and Leo Lewis report that the company shifted its supply chains in response to Donald Trump’s first stint in office. The problem? Trump just slapped a 46% and 49% tariff on each of Nintendo’s favoured new production territories during yesterday’s Liberation Day announcement. Eeek.
Capitalising on success: London is the third biggest hub for video game makers, according to new research published ahead of this year’s London Games Festival. Analysis from Unscrambled and BOP discovered that London employs 13,700 games professionals directly, putting it just behind San Francisco (14,100) in the bronze medal position for game development. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, went on to describe the city as “a global gaming capital”. Snazzy.
Assuming (In)direct Controls: IPSOS Mori and Video Games Europe have published their annual look at children’s in-game spending, examining how kids (and their parents) part with their wonga on video games. The main headlines for 2024 are a reduction in monthly in-game spend to €31 per month, that 73% of children spend less than €20 per month and 95% of parents have agreements with their kids over in-game spend. Perhaps unsurprisingly, loot boxes are the least popular in-game purchase across Europe.
Song of taking its time: The live-action Legend of Zelda film will release on 26th March 2027, according to Nintendo’s newly launched news app Nintendo Today. The film, which is being produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad of Morbius infamy, will be directed by Maze Runner head honcho Wes Ball and will feature a script written by Jurassic World’s Derek Connolly. I’m not going to lie, this feels like a doom-laden line-up, but think positive thoughts and all that…
Moving on
Sam Roberts is the new Editorial Director at Games Industry Biz…Fred Gill has joined Code Wizards as a Board Advisor…Numerous friends of the newsletter are popping up on The BGI’s trustee board, including Nick Poole OBE, Emily Britt and Brian Baglow…Daniel Robson has been promoted to the role of Executive Producer for IGN Japan…And Geoffrey Gilles is leading another Space Ape spin-out, becoming CEO of Offroad Games…
Jobs ahoy
Team 17 is looking for a new Head of Game Scouting…Openreach (EE) is recruiting for a Content Creator (Gaming)...Supercell is staffing up in London with a new Fair Play Manager within its Trust and Safety team…Epic Games is looking for a Creator Success Manager in Montreal…And The Pokemon Company has one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever seen in games going in Seattle, hiring for a Premier Event Judge Operation and Side Events Manager for its Championship events series…
Events and conferences
London Games Festival, London - 2nd-13th April
BAFTA Game Awards, London - 8th April
Reboot Develop Blue, Dubrovnik - 14th-16th April
A.MAZE, Berlin - 14th-17th May
Digital Dragons, Kraków - 18th-20th May
Games of the week
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos - The 1997 game, which stretches the definition of the word ‘classic’, re-released across platforms yesterday.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered - Much more recently released, massively depressing action game returns in remastered form on PS5.
Koira - Life is Strange publisher supports the release of this ‘heartwarming hand-drawn adventure’, which also features puppieeeeessssss.
Before you go…
How do you work out the impact of a global trade war on the global economy? You play a game, of course.
Ana Swanson, an international trade reporter at The New York Times, reports that two dozen trade experts gathered together in Washington last month to game out Trump’s trade tussles to get to grips with the new world order.
Now get the Joint Chiefs to play DEFCON together, I dare you.
The first article of yours I’ve read and you throw in a QOTSA reference just for me!