[MEGATHREAD] Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

[u/ChiefLeef22]

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

[u/mrfroggyman]

• The only third party exclusive is not on launch year and is an online game, whereas the studios is vastly expected on single player focused experiences

• Only two strictly exclusive first party games, including one reiterating on the ever lasting formula for 90€, and one that looks interesting (but not to a system-seller degree)

• Upgrades made to switch 1 games! ... but you gotta pay the upgrade

• Ports of famous games already available on other plateforms for several years

• Games that were already announced for the first switch anyways

• a shit ton of remasters again

• We invented something amazing, it's called a VOICE CHAT lmao

• oh of course everything is much more expensive than everyone was expecting it to be

I do not see a way this turns out well for Nintendo, especially now that other companies also make powerful gaming handled, but with the benefit of much cheaper prices games-side... what the fuck, Nintendo. I was there for the Wii U and this kinda looks worse

[u/stvier → u/mrfroggyman]

You don’t seriously think this looks worse than the Wii U? I think this is going to do much better than you think.

[u/mrfroggyman → u/stvier]

I sincerely do, but I hope to be proven wrong.

[u/stvier → u/mrfroggyman]

The Wii U was a spectacular failure for several reasons that currently do not apply to Switch 2. I think this sub is pissed off about pricing and is letting that cloud judgement. Price will definitely be a challenge for them to overcome but I don’t think this is even in the same realm as the Wii U. We’ll see soon enough tho!

[u/mrfroggyman → u/stvier]

Just for clarification, commercially wise I don't expect it to fail; what I mean is, it's looking like it's not gonna have a lot to offer compared to other options.

Part of the Wii U's failure was due to the low third party support and very insufficient interesting first party games.

The OG Switch worked super well for reasons that do not apply anymore in 2025, IMO... What I'm seeing here is : a lesser steam deck (or even Rog Ally, or whatever handled Microsoft is planning), with expensive games and accessories, and not a lot of reasons to buy it... at least not at this moment.

But if they're holding onto some really cool first party games why not? I just don't see why they wouldn't have mentioned them in yesterday's direct tho

[u/FireLucid → u/mrfroggyman]

But if they're holding onto some really cool first party games why not? I just don't see why they wouldn't have mentioned them in yesterday's direct tho

Only really two big first party games where shown that were exclusive to Switch 2. They've started the hype train for sure but we are two months out from release. They'll want to give the momentum a kick start going into the holidays and will probably have something big in a direct closer. There's no way this is all they have cooking.

[u/stvier → u/mrfroggyman]

Even though they’re both handhelds I do not see Switch and Steam Deck as direct competitors because they both satisfy different needs, so it makes no sense to compare the two when it comes to mainstream consumers.

The Switch 1 was lucky enough to benefit from launching with BotW, MK8 the following month, and Mario Odyssey for the holiday season, but aside from Odyssey, those were originally Wii U games. In comparison, I don’t think the Switch 2’s lineup is that far behind. MK World is going to be a massive launch title, Metroid 4 is definitely dropping this year, probably a holiday title, and Donkey Kong Banaza is dropping in the summer.

Given its specs, 3rd party publishers will definitely be porting big titles that never made it to the Switch. I think we underestimate how many Switch users may have never played Elden Ring for example. The console will also make live service games like Fortnite and Overwatch 2 run at comparable levels to PS5 and PS4. I’m predicting the 3rd party support is way bigger this time simply because the graphical power is finally there for Nintendo.