"7 Shocking Reveals at Nintendo Switch 2 Direct"

New video game hardware announcements often bring familiar enhancements, such as improved graphics, reduced load times, and new iterations of cherished franchises like those featuring everyone's favorite plumber and his turtle adversaries. Nintendo has consistently delivered such advancements across multiple console generations, from the N64's analog controller to the GameCube's small discs, the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's innovative portability. These improvements continue with the Switch 2.

However, true to its nature, Nintendo unveiled some genuinely surprising features during the Switch 2 Direct.

It's 2025 and We Finally Get Online Play

As a lifelong Nintendo fan since 1983, when my babysitter would roll footballs at me mimicking Donkey Kong's barrels, and I'd jump and make sound effects before smashing them with a toy hammer, I approach this reveal with a mix of excitement and long-standing frustration. Nintendo's history with online play has been less than stellar, with efforts like Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters barely scratching the surface of what's possible in a unified multiplayer platform compared to those of Sony and Xbox. Even the original Switch required a separate app for voice chat.

But the tide seems to be turning. During the Direct, Nintendo introduced GameChat, a feature that looks promising. This four-player chat system supports noise suppression, video cameras for displaying friends' faces, and screen sharing across consoles, enabling you to monitor up to four different displays on a single screen. According to the new Switch 2 accessibility features page, GameChat also includes text-to-voice and voice-to-text capabilities, allowing for diverse communication options.

While we haven't seen details on a unified matchmaking interface yet, this is a significant advancement. I'm hopeful it spells the end for the cumbersome friend code system.

Miyazaki is Bringing New Blood Exclusively to Nintendo

The first frames of a new trailer had me fooled into thinking it was Bloodborne 2. The ambiance, character design, and environments were unmistakably FROM Software's style. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned it was footage from The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind some of the most challenging games in recent memory.

It's baffling how Miyazaki found the time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive title. It's as if he never leaves his office, much like the hollowed characters in his gothic worlds. Yet, I'm grateful. FROM Software rarely disappoints, so I eagerly anticipate this new experience.

A Surprise to Be Sure, But a Welcome One

Speaking of surprises, it seems Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has shifted his focus to a new Kirby game. This was unexpected, and I hope he gets some well-deserved rest. The original Kirby's Air Ride on the GameCube was visually appealing but lacked fun. However, Sakurai's deep affection for Kirby suggests that his new take on the franchise will be a more refined and enjoyable experience.

Control Issues

The Pro Controller 2 was almost an afterthought, but it promises significant enhancements. It now includes an audio jack, a feature that's long overdue. More excitingly, it has two new mappable buttons. As someone who loves customizable controls, this small detail is a delightful addition.

No Mario?!

The absence of a new Mario game was the biggest shock. I expected the team behind Odyssey to unveil Mario's next 3D adventure as the summer blockbuster for the Switch. Instead, they're behind Donkey Kong Bananza, a new 3D platformer focusing on destructible environments. Nintendo is once again defying expectations, trusting its hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's biggest game in years while saving Mario for another time.

The Switch 2 will launch with robust third-party support and Mario Kart World, which appears to be a system-seller. While I anticipated a Christmas release for this family-oriented game, Nintendo seems confident that, combined with Bananza, Mario Kart World will drive sales of the Switch 2.

Forza Horizon x Nintendo Was Not on My Bingo Card

An open-world Mario Kart is now a reality, blending the zany physics, unconventional vehicles, and combat mechanics of Mario Kart with the freedom of an open world. The brief glimpse we got suggests a continuous world similar to Bowser's Fury, but on a much larger scale, accommodating numerous drivers.

It's Very Expensive

The Switch 2 comes with a steep price tag of $449.99 USD, reflecting current economic pressures such as tariffs, currency fluctuations, and inflation. This makes it the most expensive launch in Nintendo's over 40-year history in the US, $150 more than the original Switch and $100 more than the Wii U. Historically, Nintendo has used lower prices to differentiate its products, but the Switch 2 will need to succeed without this advantage.