Logan Skrzypek ‘25, Student Life Editor
A video titled “Nintendo Switch 2 – First look trailer” was posted on YouTube by the official Nintendo of America on Jan. 16. This two-minute video showcased some of the enhancements that the predecessor of the Nintendo Switch will include, such as a bigger screen, the new and improved joy-con controllers, a new dock connector, and the possibility of mouse controls.
The video begins by showing the original Nintendo Switch in its original form, just to give viewers a reminder of what the predecessor looked like before they revealed their new device; then, the screen widens. Shortly after, the cable connector on the bottom of the device, the headphone jack, spots for the system’s fans, and the cartridge spot’s placements were revealed, being relatively similar to the precursor. However, a new cable connector was spotted on the top of the device, but information about what this feature will be used for is currently unknown. Media writer Dustin Bailey on gamesradar.com said, “…a second port could let you, say, charge an extra controller while keeping the console plugged into the wall when playing undocked.” The stand was also revealed in this segment, showcasing that it will be built into the device instead of having issues with snapping off unlike the original. The stand can also go significantly lower than the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, which means that more games may be capable of using the Switch’s tabletop mode.
Perhaps one of the biggest features of the Nintendo Switch 2 that was revealed in this trailer – the new, sleeker design of the system’s two Joy-Con controllers. Alongside having a larger screen, the Joy-Cons are also larger in size, with both of them being black in color with a specific color scheme (red or blue) surrounding the joy-sticks, depending on if it is the right controller or the left. Also seen on the right Joy-Con is a new button beneath where the home button is, but information on that is unknown at this time as well. A bit after, a connector that attaches to the side of each Joy-Con can be seen, which in the video makes the Joy-Cons slide around on a hard surface, almost as if it were a computer mouse. This could mean that the system is likely to have mouse controls for games that support the possible new feature. Finally, the last piece of revealed information about the system was that instead of the Joy-Cons sliding onto the sides of the device to connect to it, the controllers have a magnetic attachment on the sides to click itself into place on the device.
But what games are currently announced to be launch-titles for the Nintendo Switch 2? Well, a roughly 10-second clip of a new Mario Kart title was shown off, showing a more cartoony look for each of Mario’s friends. Twenty-four players are seen roaming a desert-like track, opposed to the regular 12 players found in previous games. However, since this clip still shows off the bare minimum of a Mario Kart game, no speculations can be made as to what is new with it as of now. Media writer and video game enthusiast Stephen Howard on screenrant.com stated, “Not only must the title follow the gargantuan success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but the 11-year wait for an original entry will naturally result in huge expectations from fans for the title to push the series forward in a new direction.”
Also announced was the ability to play original Nintendo Switch games on the new device via backwards compatibility. The only games you may not be able to play are ones that used peripherals for the Joy-Cons on the original, including the leg-strap peripheral for Nintendo Switch Sports, and the Ring-Con controller compatible with Ring Fit Adventure. With more information about the console being revealed via a Nintendo Direct livestream on April 2, more new features could be revealed on top of the ones showcased in this trailer.
Lyon Life 