Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Top 7 Shocking Reveals

New video game hardware announcements can sometimes feel repetitive. With each new console generation, we anticipate familiar upgrades such as enhanced graphics, quicker load times, and fresh iterations of cherished franchises, like those involving a certain plumber and his turtle adversaries.

Nintendo, a company known for its innovative approach across multiple console generations—from the N64's analog stick, the GameCube's miniature discs, the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, to the Switch's portable design—has continued this trend with the Switch 2.

Yet, true to form, Nintendo surprised everyone with some unexpected announcements during the Switch 2 Direct.

It's 2025, and we're finally getting online play.

As a lifelong Nintendo fan, my journey began in 1983 when I was just four years old. My babysitter used to roll footballs at me, mimicking Donkey Kong's barrel-throwing antics. I'd leap over them, mimicking Mario's iconic sound effects, then smash them with a toy hammer. With such a deep-rooted love for Nintendo, it's with a mix of excitement and bittersweet nostalgia that I discuss the latest reveal.

Nintendo has historically struggled with online play, with the exception of Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters. The company has often fallen short of the seamless multiplayer experiences offered by Sony and Xbox. Even the original Switch required a separate app for voice chat.

However, change is on the horizon. During the Direct, Nintendo introduced GameChat, which looks incredibly promising. This four-player chat system includes noise suppression, video capabilities to see friends' faces, and screen sharing across consoles, allowing you to monitor up to four different displays simultaneously. According to the new Switch 2 accessibility features page, GameChat also supports text-to-voice and voice-to-text communication options.

While we haven't yet seen a unified matchmaking interface, this is a significant advancement. Hopefully, it will spell the end for the cumbersome friend code system.

Miyazaki is bringing new blood exclusively to Nintendo

The trailer's first frames had me convinced I was watching Bloodborne 2. The atmosphere, character design, and environments were unmistakably FROM Software's signature style. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned it was actually footage from The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game directed by the master of challenging gameplay, Hidetaka Miyazaki.

It's a mystery how Miyazaki managed to find time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive game. It's as if he's a character from his own games, tirelessly working away. But I'm not complaining. FROM Software rarely disappoints, and I'm eagerly anticipating this new addition to their catalog.

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

In a surprising move, Super Smash Bros. director Masuhiro Sakurai has shifted his focus from Smash to a new Kirby game. It's unexpected, but Sakurai deserves a break.

The original Kirby's Air Ride for GameCube was visually appealing but lacked excitement. Given Sakurai's affection for Nintendo's beloved pink hero, we can expect a much more polished and enjoyable experience this time around.

Control issues

The announcement of the Pro Controller 2 might have been a brief moment, but it's packed with exciting updates. The inclusion of an audio jack, a feature that's been long overdue, and two additional mappable buttons, has me genuinely excited. Customizable buttons are a game-changer for me.

No Mario?!

The absence of a new Mario game was a genuine shock. It seems the team behind Odyssey has been secretly developing Donkey Kong Bananza, a captivating 3D platformer with a focus on destructible environments. Nintendo is once again defying expectations, banking on hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's biggest game in years while saving Mario for a future release.

The Switch 2 will also launch with strong third-party support and Mario Kart World. While World appears to be a system-seller, I expected it to be positioned as a holiday family game. Nintendo is relying on Mario Kart 8's success and the appeal of Bananza to drive Switch 2 sales during its launch.

Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card

Open-world Mario Kart is now a reality, and I'm optimistic about its potential. The combination of Mario Kart's zany physics, unconventional vehicles, and combat mechanics should translate well into an expansive world where players can battle friends and sow chaos. The brief glimpse we saw suggests a vast, continuous world similar to Bowser's Fury but on a much larger scale and supporting numerous drivers.

It’s very expensive

The Switch 2 comes with a steep price tag. At $449.99 USD, it's the most expensive console launch in Nintendo's 40-year history in the US. This price is $150 more than the original Switch's launch price and $100 more than the Wii U's. While economic factors like tariffs, a weakening yen, and inflation play a role, Nintendo's strategy of relying on lower prices to differentiate its products will not apply to the Switch 2.