The Switch 2 is not a small step up—it’s a major leap. The new-generation console boasts a crisp 7.9-inch LCD that can handle 1080p resolution with HDR, and even handles as many as 120 frames per second for some games. With 256GB of onboard storage and remodeled Joy-Con controllers, Nintendo has made no secret of maximizing both power and playability. The new controllers feature mouse-like input for increased accuracy in gameplay, and for the first time, the Pro Controller has fully customizable buttons and a built-in audio jack.
But the innovation goes beyond hardware specs. Nintendo has baked in features designed to make gaming more connected and interactive. One standout is GameChat—a built-in voice and video chat tool. Whether you’re coordinating in a heated match or just catching up mid-race, this feature brings players closer, allowing up to four users to connect via video using an optional USB-C camera.
Mario Kart World: Reinventing a Classic
Leading the charge of this release is Mario Kart World, and it’s doing much more than tossing in a handful of tracks and characters. The new game increases Grand Prix races to 24 drivers, includes alternate uniforms for each driver (even cows), and incorporates creative new items. From bringing back old favorites like the Feather to completely new power-ups—like a throwable hammer that can send items off other racers’ cars—there’s a new level of strategy and pandemonium to each race.
Perhaps the most thrilling new feature is Knockout Tour, a competitive mode in which you compete in a high-stakes race-royale. Don’t make it into the top ranks at designated checkpoints, and you’re out of the running. It’s quick, merciless, and completely addictive. There’s even an open-world discovery mode, where players can explore huge maps replete with secrets, shortcuts, and surprises—just don’t plan on racing on grass.
Visually, the game wows with its refined presentation and silky-smooth gameplay. Drifting round corners, playing with the new Joy-Con controls, everything is smooth and refined. Online play has been improved as well, with better matchmaking, LAN, and a feature to share your video feed while racing for extra entertainment.
Features That Change the Way You Play
The new GameChat feature could be one of Nintendo’s brightest maneuvers in making multiplayer feel intimate once more. On the press of a single button, players can dive into a voice or video chat, share screens, or spectate their friend’s game in real time. It’s a giant leap forward for social gaming on a Nintendo system.
Another innovation: mouse-style controls. Joy-Cons now feature PC-style mouse-like functionality, introducing players to an entirely new way to aim and maneuver. Though it might initially feel strange—particularly in console gaming situations—it enables new things in action-packed genres such as shooters, strategy, and exploration.
A Launch Lineup with Real Firepower
Nintendo didn’t rest on its laurels with Mario Kart. The Switch 2 launches with a heavyweight roster of both Nintendo franchises and third-party games. Donkey Kong Bananza creates a sweeping open-world platformer, while remastered favorites such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX provide amplified nostalgia through Nintendo Switch Online.
The third-party support is stronger than ever before, with big-ticket titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 (with its expansion included), Elden Ring, Street Fighter 6, and Hades II all headed to the new platform. With a more potent system under the hood, developers now have more leeway to go bigger and wilder creatively—something that wasn’t always feasible with the original Switch.
First Reactions: Excitement Across the Board
Hands-on testers of the Switch 2 are already extolling its virtues. From the over-the-top antics of Mario Kart World to the creative gameplay of Donkey Kong Bananza, initial reactions emphasize the system’s new energy and adaptability. The motion features, rumble effects, and tilt-playing enhancements create dimensions of interactivity that are distinctively Nintendo.
In the meantime, the company is busily tweaking its games after launch. Mario Kart World updates have already tightened up performance and fixed small bugs, providing a smoother online experience for everyone.
Nintendo’s Most Ambitious Launch Yet
With cutting-edge features, a strong game lineup, and a clear vision for the future of connected play, the Switch 2 is shaping up to be Nintendo’s most impactful launch to date. Mario Kart World sets the tone: fun, creative, and bold in all the right ways. Whether you’re a lifelong Nintendo fan or someone just stepping into its world, the timing has never been better to pick up a controller and join the race.