Blue's Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2
- Nathaniel Hope
- Jan 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 10
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed!
After years of endless rumors, leaks, mockups, and speculation—especially over the past few months—I’m relieved that Nintendo has officially shown us the system. For years, my feeds were flooded daily with Switch 2 "insider info" from every corner of the internet, credible or not. Especially over the last few months as they were rampant everywhere. It was exhausting.
On January 16, 2025, Nintendo dropped a "Switch 2 First Look" video, showing the new console and teasing a full reveal during a Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025. While details are still limited, they confirmed the console is set to launch later this year. Given Nintendo’s unpredictable approach, I would imagine the release window could be summer or holiday 2025. I wouldn’t be surprised if preorders open immediately after April’s Direct—it’s the kind of surprise Nintendo loves to do in its Directs.
First Impressions
To be honest, my initial reaction wasn’t excitement. That’s unusual for me, especially with gaming reveals. I felt more relief than hype, mostly because this finally puts an end to the endless rumors and speculation. Within an hour of the reveal, my YouTube feed was overflowing with "Switch 2 Reaction" videos, and I just know this will dominate the algorithm across all feeds for the next few weeks. The system itself? It looks...fine. At first glance, it’s just a bigger Switch with the number "2" on the dock. The design tweaks are logical but, honestly, not very groundbreaking. Here's what's been revealed so far:
Bigger Screen: Nice, though I’m not sure if it’s OLED or something new.
Controller Changes: Joy-Cons now click into place rather than sliding, which feels sturdier.
Improved Kickstand: Finally, a wide kickstand that won’t collapse as easily as the flimsy one on the original Switch.
Backwards Compatibility: This is the highlight. Nintendo confirmed both physical and digital games from the original Switch will work on the new console—a smart move considering the Switch’s massive success, with nearly 144 million units sold worldwide as of November 2024.
While it’s great that Nintendo avoided a potential backlash by supporting the existing game library, the reveal felt...safe. For a company known for innovation, this lacked the usual "wow" factor.
What’s in a Name?
For the first time in its history, Nintendo has opted for a numbered console name: The Switch 2. This feels logical, especially after the confusion surrounding the Nintendo Wii U console. As someone who worked at Best Buy during the Wii U era, I can’t tell you how many customers thought the Wii U tablet was just an accessory to the original Nintendo Wii console. Calling this the "Switch 2" avoids that mess, but it also feels uncharacteristically straightforward for Nintendo. Historically, Nintendo consoles have embraced unique branding—Super NES, GameCube, Wii, and even the Game Boy line avoided numbers. I appreciate their usual creativity, so naming it The Switch 2 feels like a missed opportunity, even if it’s practical.
Playing It Safe
Every Nintendo console has brought something distinct to the table—a gimmick or innovation that set it apart. The Wii introduced motion controls, the DS gave us dual screens, and the original Switch revolutionized hybrid gaming. Yet, based on the first reveal, the Switch 2 doesn’t seem to promise anything groundbreaking.
Rumors suggest it could match the power of a PS4, but until we get specifics in April, it’s all speculation. If the Switch 2 is merely a more powerful version of its predecessor, I hope Nintendo uses this opportunity to improve its ecosystem. Over the years, I’ve been vocal about areas where Nintendo could evolve, from online services to user interfaces—topics I’ve explored in blogs like "Video Game Storefronts Need To Step Up" (2024), "Nintendo - A Shift in the Paradigm" (2021), and "Nintendo Virtual Console - A Reflection" (2018). These essays weren’t written to rant or provoke but to inspire thoughtful discussion. They reflect my passion for gaming and a desire to contribute to conversations about the industry’s direction.
Reflecting on the original Nintendo Switch, its hybrid design redefined how we play games. But in the eight years since its launch, the console hasn’t evolved significantly. The Switch Lite and OLED models offered aesthetic upgrades, but their internal specs mirrored the launch console’s outdated hardware. The Switch 2 hopefully aims to address this, yet from what we’ve seen, it feels like another cosmetic upgrade. Until its full reveal, questions about its power and capabilities remain unanswered. While hardware advancements are exciting, my focus is on areas Nintendo must improve—issues I’ve been raising since the Switch debuted.
The Nintendo Experience
The eShop, for instance, remains a chaotic, uninspiring mess. Eight years in, it’s still an unorganized list of games with minimal attention to curation, visuals, or user experience. Past Nintendo systems like the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS featured themed, engaging storefronts complete with music and personality. In contrast, the Switch barely allows for any home screen customization.
While the long-requested folder system was eventually added, it’s awkwardly buried in “Groups” under the “All Software” tab. Other basic quality-of-life features remain missing—there’s no built-in voice chat, and the clunky phone app persists as the only solution. Messaging friends is impossible; users can only see what others are playing and when they’re online. These oversights are frustrating, particularly since fans have been asking for them since launch. Nintendo’s approach to retro games also leaves much to be desired. It took over a year and a half after the Switch’s release for Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) to debut on September 18, 2018. At launch, NSO offered online multiplayer, NES games with online play, cloud saves, and the infamous Nintendo smartphone app for voice chat. The initial reception was lukewarm, especially compared to competitors like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, but the inclusion of retro games and cloud saves provided some value. A year later, Nintendo added SNES games to NSO, launching with 20 classics, including The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, and Super Metroid. While this update was widely praised, the subsequent release schedule for SNES titles was criticized for being inconsistent and slow.
On October 25, 2021, the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack introduced Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games alongside DLC for titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Two years later, on February 8, 2023, Nintendo added Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to NSO. Game Boy titles were included with the base subscription, while GBA games required the Expansion Pack. Fans welcomed the addition, though criticisms about limited launch titles and slow updates persisted.
Nintendo Switch Online has grown into a decent library of retro titles, but it pales compared to the Wii’s Virtual Console. Within three years of its launch, the Virtual Console boasted over 300 games spanning consoles like the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16. By contrast, NSO’s trickle of retro games feels limiting, with no option for players to purchase individual titles or request specific ones.
Perhaps most frustrating is Nintendo’s neglect of the GameCube, which remains absent from digital platforms. This omission is glaring, especially when emulation for the platform exists, as demonstrated with Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Nintendo is sitting on a treasure trove of classic titles that fans are eager to revisit, yet the company seems reluctant to embrace its full potential. This isn’t a new issue. When Nintendo discontinued the Virtual Console in 2018, they assured fans that NSO would replace it. Yet eight years later, NSO still feels like a regression. The excitement of the Virtual Console’s robust library has been replaced by slow, uneven updates that prioritize profitability over fan satisfaction.
So, where does Nintendo go from here? The Switch 2 has finally been revealed, but at first glance, it appears to be just another Switch. Beyond potential hardware upgrades, where’s the innovation? Will Nintendo refine its online infrastructure and user experience, or will it continue down the same path? This essay isn’t about condemning the Switch 2—it’s about fostering a thoughtful discussion on what this new system could and should be. Nintendo has an opportunity to modernize its ecosystem while honoring its legacy. But to do so, they need to listen to their community, embrace innovation, and show they care about the gamers who have supported them for decades.
Final Thoughts
While I’m glad the rumors about Nintendo’s next chapter can finally be put to rest, the Switch 2 reveal left me underwhelmed. The changes feel practical, logical even, but lack excitement. For now, it looks like a bigger, slightly better Switch.
But there is one thing on the horizon that truly excites me: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Announced in 2017, Metroid Prime 4 a game I’ve been waiting eight years for. With the recent trailer, it looks as exciting and promising as I’d hoped. I suspect it will be a showcase title for the Switch 2, potentially with features exclusive to the new hardware. If Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is only exclusive to the Switch 2, and not the original Switch, then I’ll be buying the console for that game alone. As always, for me, it’s the games that make the system. Here’s hoping Nintendo uses the upcoming April Direct to show that they’re still willing to innovate, take risks, and deliver experiences that remind us why we love them. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
BlueNile101
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