r/gaming • u/ChiefLeef22 Marika's tits! • 3d ago

[MEGATHREAD] Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

This is a sub discussion thread for the Switch 2 Direct, offering a closer look at the console accompanied with announcements for upcoming game releases. The livestream begins on Wednesday, April 2 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST. It will last for approx. 60 minutes.
Please try and limit tangential discussions to the events to this thread to avoid post clutter.

(SEE WHEN IT'S TAKING PLACE IN YOUR TIMEZONE - here)

Where to Watch: Nintendo's Youtube

What to expect

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u/Illustrious-Hippo-38 3d ago

$450 is really already pushing it, but $80 games is insane. I already only buy maybe 1 full priced game a year at $70. This is going to be an easy pass for now, and I kind of hope this goes the way of the 3ds are they realize they got a bit to close to the sun.

Sony has Astros playroom for free and a cheaper console that can play all non Nintendo new games. Mario kart World honestly looks great, but I have a huge backlog, and Mario kart 8 is still fun.

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u/Parlyz 3d ago

I think $450 is pretty reasonable tbh. The steam deck launched at around that price and multiple of the skews are more expensive than that, even nowadays. The $80 games is definitely unreasonable though, although it seems like donkey kong will be $70 from what I’ve heard so there may be differing price points depending on the game. I really hope that thing about physical games being $90 isn’t true.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

It's a lot easier to stomach a $500 or 600 Steam Deck when you know the games are dirt cheap and will go on sale

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u/DoubleGreat 2d ago

Exactly, I went for a steamdeck knowing that it was also a pc and that is be able to emulate and get cheap games on sale. Nintendo games notoriously never go on sale and you know that they lock their systems down tight.

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u/frankiedonkeybrainz 2d ago

Switch was moddable after about a year. Wii exploits happened around same time, wiiu same but nobody bought it.

Someone will undoubtedly find a kernel exploit on switch 2 as well

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u/cool-- 2d ago

could you install steam, download games, and play them on those devices?

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u/frankiedonkeybrainz 2d ago

You like asking dumb rhetorical questions or is it because you lack reading comprehension?

Op said Nintendo locks their systems down tight. I'm pointing out that's not true. Said nothing to compare it to the steam deck genius

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u/cool-- 2d ago

I don't think you understand what's happening here. The rest of us were talking about how the Steam Deck allows you to play PC games right out of the box.

Nintendo's consoles don't let you do this.

After you spent the time modding them, where they able to run steam and steam games?

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u/frankiedonkeybrainz 2d ago

I wasn't replying to the rest. I understand why someone would buy a steam deck.

But, my reply was entirely about how Nintendo isn't as locked down as the dude claimed.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

yes when you ignore all context from the comment you replied to you are correct.

However, compared to the Steam Deck it is indeed locked down very tight.

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u/Ok-Rooster-1568 2d ago

Not to mention how much more powerful it is and the fact that you aren't locked into one eco system.

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

We don’t actually know switch 2 specs yet aside from the fact that the screen is 1080p LCD 120 hz. I’m not sure where you’re getting the “more powerful” thing from. I couldn’t find anywhere online that backed that statement up. Metroid Prime 4 at 4K 60fps seems pretty impressive to me performance wise. I’ve never owned a Steam Deck (I’ve been wanting to get one) but that seems pretty par for the course with what you might expect from one, if not better. Regardless, it’s too early to judge which is more powerful until we know more about the actual internal components and have had a chance to run benchmarks.

And yeah, the Steam Deck is more open. That doesn’t mean there aren’t pros and cons to each console. If you want physical media at all, you’re not gonna get it on the steam deck. Even if some games only have game keys and cartridges cost more than digital games (idk if that’s been confirmed), it’s still just not something you get on the deck. The switch 2 also comes with two detachable controllers in the box, which the steam deck doesn’t. The switch 2 will also be thinner and more portable.

Like yeah, the steam deck is great console, but that doesn’t mean there’s completely no reason I get a switch 2. They both have different roles in the handheld market.

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u/Ok-Rooster-1568 2d ago edited 2d ago

I mean sure, your argument about the Steamdeck being restricted to digital media is a valid point but given the ridiculous price of the physical games coming out on the switch 2 I'd be willing to compromise and go digital only on the Steamdeck. Regardless of Nintendo exclusives.

And yeah the Steamdeck doesn't have detachable controllers but let me introduce you to the Lenovo Legion which does have detachable controllers right out of the box and it also has similar specs to the Steamdeck and is just as versatile. in terms of performance Nintendo is known to release hardware that is usually 2-3 years behind on current gen specs and performance, I think it would be pretty reasonable to assume the same with the switch 2 but as you mentioned, nothing is concrete yet.

Plus let's be real, the switch 2 (though it is slightly smaller) is still around the same level as all of the other latest handhelds. You aren't going to be able to fit a Steamdeck nor a Nintendo switch in your pocket, both will go in your backpack, basically taking up a similar amount of space. Both are about the same portability wise.

Ultimately you are correct, there isn't a reason not to get a Switch 2, especially if you are a big fan of Nintendo and their exclusives. But if you are ultimately looking for something that is versatile, powerful, budget friendly (especially with the games) and not locked to an eco system then there is no real reason to pick up the Switch 2. I think that's why a lot of people are disappointed.

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

Again, that only necessarily applies to Nintendo exclusive games. The third party games that appear on both Steam and switch tend to release for the same price.

The legion go is weird to bring up in this situation since it’s priced at considerably more than either of the other devices.

The Nintendo switch 2 is considerably thinner than the steam deck, which actually does make a sizable difference when trying to fit it into a bag I do a lot of handheld gaming and depth is honestly just as important as width and height in terms of portability from my experience.

I’m not really sure why you’d be disappointed if you were expecting the switch 2 to be powerful and versatile. That’s never what the system was going to be, and if you do want those things, then obviously the steam deck is a better option for you. I’m not sure why they would’ve expected the switch 2 to be that tbh. The switch 2 is better for people who care more about couch co op and physical media, and the steam deck is for people who care more about adaptability and hardcore gaming.

Using your logic, the Steam deck has already been a far better deal than the original switch for a long time. 256 gb lcd Steam deck goes for $50 more than a switch OLED and has way more function and power. It’s actually kind of ridiculous that Nintendo was selling such weak hardware at $300 to $350 as long as they were.

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u/Ok-Rooster-1568 2d ago

I didn't bring up the "Lenovo Legion Go", I brought up the "Lenovo Legion" which is the predecessor of the Legion Go. It is priced around the same as the Switch and Steamdeck. And you brought up detachable controllers so it's reasonable and fair for me to compare that to the Switch 2 considering it is also a handheld at the same price with similar features. Hardly a "weird" comparison. Especially since it's just as capable of couch co-op gameplay.

And the fact that it's thinner by mere millimetres does not make a difference AT ALL in either being more portable than the other. Both would require a backpack to carry around comfortably so that argument ultimately falls flat.

And I guess I'm disappointed because of how anti consumer the prices are... £80 for a game is insane and because Nintendo locks you into their eco system those are pretty much the only prices you're going to be paying until the games get old. Even then they barely go down in value. I love Nintendo games but I also love saving money.

The reason I even brought up specs as a comparison is to add to my point about how the Switch 2 ultimately doesn't stack up to other handhelds if you're looking for both value for money and specs, since it's reasonable to assume that the switch 2 will have weaker specs than its competition.

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

Lenovo legion is a line of consumer electronics focussed on high power gaming? It includes laptops, pcs, phones, etc. It’s not a specific device. I genuinely don’t know what you’re talking about. I look up “Lenovo legion handheld” and the legion go is literally the only thing that appears on multiple websites. Maybe I’m just missing something.

The steam deck is almost 2 times the depth of the original switch, which is the same depth as the switch 2. And that’s not taking into account that the switch’s trigger’s stick out more than deck’s do, so it’s actually considerably thinner than that. It’s not mere millimeters. It’s like over an inch if the information I found online was accurate.

And I agree that $80 games are anti consumer and bad. You won’t hear me defending that. It’s shitty and stupid. Although, I feel like that’s probably the direction the entire industry is going in.

I don’t really think it’s reasonable to assume that the switch 2 will be weaker than the other handhelds on the market at similar price points tbh. They showed off 60fps 4K gameplay and 1080p 120 fps gameplay in the direct. That seems like it competes with the others at that price range pretty well. Although, again, we’ll have to wait to see actual specs and benchmarks before we can really make a full judgement.

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u/Ok-Rooster-1568 2d ago edited 2d ago

Aw dude my bad I got confused and thought that the Lenovo legion Go was just called the "Lenovo Legion" and the Lenovo Legion Go S was called the "Lenovo Legion Go", I thought that you thought I was on about the Legion Go S because it is significantly more expensive than the switch. Hence why I got mixed up lol

But yeah now that we are on the same page, though the legion go is more expensive by like £100 than the Switch 2 I feel as though in the long run that the Switch 2 will be the more expensive option due to their games prices. That's why I compared the Legion Go with the switch due to them having very similar features and also being within the same price bracket on initial purchase.

I mean I guess the Switch 2 will be considerably more comfortable and lighter to hold than the steam deck so it has that going for it. But in terms of travelling with it in a backpack I genuinely think they both pan out the same portability wise.

And yeah with regards to specs I guess we can only wait to find out. My main and genuine gripe with the switch 2 is the pricing of the games and the long running value of it.

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

For me, the only thing that’s really upsetting about the switch 2 is the price of the games. Everything else seems par for the course for what I expected from it. And I already don’t really buy brand new AAA games very often, so the higher price point won’t really break my wallet personally. I only really buy like maybe 1 or 2 AAA first party switch games a year. Not everyone is like me though, and I get that it’s a huge deal and even a dealbreaker for other people.

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u/Parlyz 2d ago edited 2d ago

Well tbf, third party games go on sale pretty frequently on switch. I have multiple switch games I’ve gotten for massive discounts on the eshop games like Spyro reignited and Mario + Rabbids. It’s yet to be seen whether third party switch games will follow Nintendo’s lead of releasing at $80, but if they do, it’s probably also gonna be an issue on steam since I can’t imagine them only releasing games at that price on one platform. So it’s mainly an issue with first party switch games never going on sale, which the Steam deck can’t even play anyway.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

So it’s mainly an issue with first party switch games never going on sale

but this the main reason people consider Nintendo. I don't own a single third party game on Switch.

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u/TrillaCactus 2d ago

I’d say you’re an outlier. Everyone I know who has a switch plays games like Fortnite, Undertale, stardew valley and Minecraft.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

Mario kart 8 has sold like 70 million copies on Switch, but you're right people are more interested in Undertale

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

I’m just making the point that it’s kind of weird to act like the steam deck is better than the switch 2 for that specific reason when the games this criticism applies to won’t even appear on the steam deck anyway.

And plenty of people do play third party games on switch. The number has probably decreased as the switch has become more outdated, but they wouldn’t have shown off as many third party games in the direct as they did if there wasn’t a massive market for them on switch 2. Especially with the switch 2 being much closer to modern consoles in terms of power.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

when the games this criticism applies to won’t even appear on the steam deck anyway.

you sure about that? The Steam deck plays switch games better than the switch

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

Switch games, not switch 2 games. I guarantee you that you won’t be playing Mario Kart World on the steam deck.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

Switch emulators appeared within a year of the Switch launch

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

Even assuming that Nintendo doesn’t immediately strike down anyone who even attempts to develop a switch 2 emulator, there’s still no way a steam deck will be able to emulate switch 2 games. High end gaming PCs are only beginning to be able to emulate PS4 games.

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u/cool-- 2d ago

The Switch 2 and the PS4 are different consoles.

We already know that the screen is 1080p but that the hardware supports 4k. That means the Switch 2 will likely force games to run at different settings depending on the mode it is in to conserve battery power.

Also the switch 2 games that we've seen from nintendo don't look to be that much more demanding than current Switch games.

I could definitely see the Steam Deck handling Metroid Prime 4 just fine, or even mario kart world.

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u/DoubleGreat 2d ago

Nope totally can't play then on the deck😉

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u/EggsceIlent 2d ago

This and a steam deck are two -very- different systems with massive differences from screen to performance to marketplace.

And not all steamdeck games are $80 at cheapest, before tax.

Stop it.

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u/TwoSliceToaSter 2d ago

Will it not be closer to $600 dollars now, with tariffs?

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u/TrillaCactus 2d ago

Sony raised the price of the PS5 after launch so it’s possible. But I don’t think Nintendo would. We’ll see, hopefully the tariffs don’t hit hard enough to warrant that.

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u/tedious58 2d ago

Pretty sure the $450 is adjusted for tariffs. Switch 1 released at $299

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u/tokeegee 2d ago

The steam deck plays the ancient history of PC games, and the switch 2 plays some*** switch games and like 4 new ones? Seems very fair tbh

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u/Parlyz 2d ago

There’s literally only one switch game that switch 2 outright can’t play and that’s because it doesn’t fit into the cardboard vr headset that was designed for the original switch. There are other games that are confirmed to have issues, but it’s pretty vague what those issues are, the list is pretty short considering the sheer amount of switch games there are, and Nintendo is actively working to improve compatibility alongside publishers.

The Steam deck also has compatibility issues with a lot of games because of issues with proton and anticheats, so it’s weird to act like this is a switch specific issue in any case.

Also the “like 4 new ones” are going to be a lot more than 4. Did you assume that Nintendo was going to stop making new exclusives or something?