@JCLKaytwo Probably because the standards expected of a remake on Switch 2 are higher than that of an original game by a new developer on Switch. In other words, if this was a brand new game, with all the extra work that entails, it would probably score higher. That seems fair to me.
@LuigiFanno1 The reason you can purchase digital games on PC at much lower prices has nothing to do with there being no physical option and everything to do with greater competition.
There are multiple digital stores and game key sellers on PC. However, on consoles, there will only ever be one and its this monopoly that allows Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft to get away with charging much higher prices. Dropping physical games altogether will only exacerbate the issue.
@ShyGuy176 Yes and I can confirm it runs much, much smoother now, maxing out its framerate cap pretty much all of the time. I've only tried GTA III so far but the visuals also seem slightly enhanced. Hopefully others can confirm this but there's definitely a noticeable improvement compared to Switch 1.
Remember, you can buy the base game for much cheaper without the DLC. It's £34.99 on the UK eshop. This seems to have gone largely underreported in the media but if you're a casual player looking to save money, this may be all you need.
As much as I love Mario Paint, this NSO icon is just as likely to be a timely reminder from Nintendo, emphasising that they were the first to release a mouse for consoles. Which of course many amongst the newer generations may not be aware of. A humble brag, if you will.
Must admit, the initial showing of this redesign was very underwhelming in January's Switch 2 reveal. But the extra expressiveness it's given DK that Nintendo have shown off in Bananza, has gradually grown on me over time.
Now I just can't wait to see more of this goofy, colorful personality when the game finally hits in July. Hopefully it's a title that'll get DK back to the top of the Nintendo pile, where he belongs.
@Anti-Matter Correct. This was reported by Nintendo in the April direct. They also have to be the same size because 'Switch 2 Edition' cards will reportedly work in a Switch 1. For these cards, the console simply runs the correct version of the game when it's inserted into either console.
@father_noo Your comment comes across as a little misguided. These lists are based on everyone's ratings, not just the writer's. Anyone can rate a game by clicking on its score, which will slightly adjust it. To what degree will depend on how many ratings it already has. The rankings are not static and will continue to change as more people rate them and more games get added.
Sure, some people rating a game may never have played the title in question, but allowing everyone to vote at least provides a broader consensus and helps to separate the good from the great.
Perhaps all of the above should have been made clearer in the article but I for one do find these lists useful, particularly for platforms I never owned when they were new.
Crazy to see 9 out of the top 10 selling games in this chart being Switch titles, even after 8 solid years on the market. It makes you wonder, does Japan even need a Switch 2 right now?
Great to finally get confirmation, even if there are few surprises. The 3GB reserved for the OS is the only detail that has me concerned.
Otherwise, the specs seem perfectly reasonable and should set Nintendo up nicely for the years ahead. It's a massive leap when compared to Switch, after all.
Nintendo clearly intended to release the system much earlier but the huge upsurge in Switch sales during the pandemic caused them to significantly delay its release.
I doubt we'll ever really know whether a Pro existed, but given the increased costs involved and the Switch's continued success, it was probably wise of them to wait it out.
@AverageGamer It may be slower but this does not negate the fact that a greater allocation of RAM allows the system to store more textures, resulting in greater visual fidelity or draw distances when used effectively.
Any shortcomings regarding RAM speed can be offset by developers using DLSS to make up the FPS difference at a lower base resolution. This appears to work surprisingly well in games like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077.
The majority of us should therefore be more than happy with this 2021 Ampere SOC, especially given developers have a fixed platform to work with Nvidia tech now, which you could never say for PC.
@OorWullie Not wishing to burst anyone's bubble here but the PS5 version shown in that video is almost certainly running in performance mode at twice the framerate (60fps vs 30fps).
Monday's Digital Foundry Direct talked about this and they stated the PS5 in performance mode still had better visual fidelity even at 60fps, which shouldn't be a great surprise given the gulf in specs. This was particularly true when it came to hair textures and distant scenery.
Still, it's a mightily impressive showing by Switch 2 for sure, given its limited form factor. At a glance, I'm sure many a casual player would struggle to see a difference in person, which is a far cry from the Switch days 👍
@Sindayl Sure, the Switch 2 may be slightly less powerful in terms of raw teraflops (Reportedly 3.2 TFLOPS when docked vs the Series S' 4.0 TFLOPS) , but this is largely offset in many scenarios by the 20% more RAM, DLSS, Tensor cores and RT cores, which should make it feel like a more modern, capable system.
The 12GB RAM in particular will allow developers to use higher quality textures, thereby improving visual fidelity. At the same time they can artificially boost framerates via DLSS, making for better all-round performance. We're already seeing this in titles like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, and I'm sure there'll be many more examples of this tech being fully utilised in the months ahead.
I grew up with it, so am incredibly biased, largely due to the hundreds of hours playing with friends over many Summers, but it has to be Mario Kart 64.
The controls and difficulty just felt right, and the rubber banding wasn't quite as obvious as in 8 Deluxe. So many elements of the later games were already present here, like the clever shortcuts, fun battle mode and those pesky blue shells. Also, let's not forget it was the first 3D entry, which is really an achievement in itself. I must have completed it 6-7 times over the years and still give it a spin every now and then on NSO.
The only downside was the framerate, especially in four player split screen mode, which seemed to dip as low as 10fps at times. Nevertheless, with my nostalgia goggles held firmly in place, it will forever remain an all-time classic!
Goldeneye remains one of my all time favorite games and is a huge reason why the N64 remains one of my all-time favorite consoles.
Just the sheer amount of hours I put into this game with friends is telling in itself. It supersedes the hours put into all other games to this day and I know I'm not the only one, which speaks volumes for its replayability, technical prowess and attention to detail.
Yes, the graphics may have aged like milk, I mean it's been almost 30 years, but the gameplay itself continues to age like a fine wine. So congratulations, Mr. Bond, Rareware and all those who contributed to this game's success because I firmly believe it's well and truly deserved. For England, James! 🍸
@Dang_69 There's a ton of footage of people playing the game on Youtube at the Switch 2 preview shows. Yes, it's not natively captured, but it's definitely worth checking out to give you some idea of performance if you haven't already.
Hopefully CDPR can upload a more gameplay focused trailer for those of us looking to buy soon.
Ouch! There's so many variables for devs to consider when implementing these big updates, so this isn't too surprising, unfortunately. Hopefully those concerned get this fixed by Nintendo ASAP.
That's understandable and I'd probably feel the same way in your shoes. However, as someone who's never played the Switch version and has a Switch 2 pre-ordered, it's probably best for me to wait and see at this point.
@somnambulance Probably just resolution and framerate bumps. Digital load times should automatically get a boost simply from being on the faster Switch 2 storage.
The lack of Super Mario Bros Wonder here seems pretty telling. I suspect, given it's a relatively recent release, that we'll be seeing a Switch 2 edition with DLC releasing within the next 12 months. If that turns out to be true and it reviews well, then I'll happily pick it up, as it would be like a new game for me.
@VeganHerpes The Switch 1 Pro controller is compatible, it just lacks the ability to start the Switch 2 console with the home button. You'll need to use the Switch 2 joy-con for that feature.
@Discostew Yes but not everyone will have the joy-cons attached and you know some children will do it without a second's thought. With 150m Switches out there, along with tens of millions of Switch 2's by this time next year, it's going to happen at some point.
@sanderev It's the same thickness, so it should still fit. It's width is irrelevant. Hopefully accidentally docking a Switch 1 on a Switch 2 dock won't cause any significant damage, that's my main concern; though given the different voltages, I fear the worst.
Well it's Sega, so I really wouldn't expect anything less at this point. If Nintendo really is only offering 64GB game cards to publishers, then it's somewhat excusable for standard editions, as much as I despise it, but for a $250.00 game?! The joke's on you, Sega!!!
The Gamecube controller price next to the N64 controller price looks nonsensical now. Charging 50% more for such a similar product is a real turnoff. I understand price increases but not to this extreme. It comes across as trying to claw back potential future costs wherever possible, without looking at it through the lens of the consumer or applying common sense.
They could have always increased prices if higher inflation or tariffs became a reality. Now, their family friendly image, regardless of its genuity, is slowly becoming eroded as a result. So disappointing.
Now don't get me wrong, I have pre-ordered a Switch 2 and still look forward to launch day with immense optimism but I'll be minimizing future peripheral purchases going forward, as I'm sure many others will be as well.
@SterlingEyes The Switch 1 Pro Controller won't have quick start functionality for Switch 2, but in every other respect, it will work just fine 👍
Just the Pro Controller 2 for me. Everything I've heard about it so far makes it sound like the perfect iteration of the Switch version. Particularly the silky smooth control sticks and more precise D-pad. Hopefully it can live up to the hype.
@axelhander @SirLink You do realise that a lot of people will still have their Switch 1’s hooked up and won’t want to turn on two consoles with one controller, right? This would be impractical for those of us still making use of our old systems, so I think Nintendo made the correct choice here.
Yes, all above board, nothing to see here, haha. Jokes aside, well done to Sakurai, yet another one to add to that substantial collection. Hope he finds the time to play.
@Porco Some early adopters will be keen to transfer their entire Switch library to their Switch 2 before selling their old console in order to offset some of the launch costs. In many cases, those games won't all fit on that internal 256GB flash drive, so purchasing a new Micro SD Express card becomes the obvious solution.
Personally, I will resist buying any new card as long as possible. Once supply inevitably catches up to demand in the coming months, the new format should become much better value and easier to obtain.
@Lanmanna Unfortunately, swollen batteries are pretty common on launch models at this point.
I recommend replacing the battery within that 5-6 year period after purchasing, or indeed, now if it's a launch model. They usually retail for around $20.00 and it's not particularly difficult with the right tools. But it's important to note that the more charges your system has, the more likely it will be affected, especially if the battery completely depletes on a regular basis. Heavy portable users are therefore more likely to experience issues earlier.
The bigger issue occurs when you're not using the system for 6+ months at a time. Then, the chances of battery degradation increase exponentially, so it would be wise to remove it before any prolonged storage. This is even explained in the Switch manual, so it's by no means hearsay. I'd recommend the same advice for the joy-cons, which contain similar lithium-ion polymer batteries.
Fortunately, a little maintenance ensures this issue is completely avoided but many people will not be aware until the problem becomes noticeably visible, by which time it is often too late for an easy repair.
People seem to miss the fact that the lithium-ion batteries in the Switch have a very limited lifespan, being designed to last only 5-6 years before deterioration becomes noticeable. They can also expand whilst degrading, damaging the outer casing and making the system all but worthless, so it may be wise to sell your console whilst it's still in good condition if the money is valuable to you.
Personally, I'll keep my red OLED until I'm certain all the games and save files work on Switch 2 after a full transfer, then it's going straight on eBay. Fortunately, I only bought it last year and use it solely in docked mode, so it remains in great condition with the original box. If you don't want the hassle of regular maintenance, it really is the better, less costly option right now.
Wow, DK, what did they do to you? Those dead eyes make him look completely lobotomised now! Absolutely awful design but hey, it was made by Nintendo themselves, so it must be better, right?
Jokes aside, this is clearly yet another sign of Nintendo attempting to reclaim their success as theirs alone by not giving credit to others. Whether that be Rareware for the much better DK design, Retro Studios for DK Returns or anyone else you care to think of. As much as I've grown to love them over the years, this seems a sad state of affairs that's unfortunately all too predictable at this point.
On the plus side, at least we get a new Mario Kart in the coming months! Which I must say is looking very promising if you can look beyond the Youtube compression and appreciate the level of detail added to both the characters and vehicles. The incredibly expansive course shown also emphasises a level of freedom we've not experienced in the series before.
Hopefully the next drop will bring home just how much of a leap this game is compared to MK8D in terms of both graphics and gameplay because, as much as I'm impressed by the series' evolution here, it would still be nice to be fully convinced with a proper reveal.
No doubt this game has far more surprises for us than Nintendo's letting on (Power ups, characters, track designs, online play), so it will be exciting to see just what these are in the coming weeks as anticipation levels for the game no doubt continue to build.
I think the size will be less of an issue now the joy-cons are properly locked into place. It should feel more like one solid unit and therefore more comfortable to play on.
The smaller rickety Switch joy-cons were THE major barrier for me when it came to playing in handheld mode. These will thankfully no longer be an issue, so I'm looking forward to more on the go play next generation.
@BANJO For sure, exciting times await when it comes to third-party ports over the next 12-36 months.
I can see every direct after the new console reveal being packed to the the brim with PS4/PS5 games many a Nintendo only gamer missed out on in recent years.
There should be lots to look forward to, whatever your preferences, which will make for a very refreshing change after the last couple of years! 👍
Those are some sizeable vents. Does this mean we get a fan inside the dock this time? Please, for the love of all things good and holy, keep it quiet and efficient, Nintendo.
Impressive stuff! The vibrant use of color and smooth animations are very easy on the eye, so here's hoping a competent Switch port isn't too far away.
@BANJO Yes, it's pretty impressive given the franchise's origins. However, when you take into account PS4 sales, it's actually very close to a 50:50 split (52:48) between Switch and Playstation.
I suspect this slight disparity is due to the lack of the more modern Tomb Raider Survivor Trilogy on Switch, giving fans of the series who own a Nintendo console fewer options.
Thankfully, this should of course be rectified once the more capable Switch 2 hits the market this year, finally enabling some competent ports of these largely successful games, the last of which was released well over 6 years ago now.
It will be fascinating to see how they sell given their age but if this chart is any indicator, I'm sure they'll do just fine.
Comments 134
Re: Review: Yooka-Replaylee (Switch 2) - Feels Like The Game It Was Meant To Be, Finally
@JCLKaytwo Probably because the standards expected of a remake on Switch 2 are higher than that of an original game by a new developer on Switch. In other words, if this was a brand new game, with all the extra work that entails, it would probably score higher. That seems fair to me.
Re: Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey
@LuigiFanno1 The reason you can purchase digital games on PC at much lower prices has nothing to do with there being no physical option and everything to do with greater competition.
There are multiple digital stores and game key sellers on PC. However, on consoles, there will only ever be one and its this monopoly that allows Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft to get away with charging much higher prices. Dropping physical games altogether will only exacerbate the issue.
Re: Every Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Game On Switch 2, Ranked
@Skullkid87 Yes, they all appeared in the Switch 2 Direct in April.
Re: Feature: 11 Games With 'Secret' Performance Bumps You Should Revisit On Switch 2
@ShyGuy176 Yes and I can confirm it runs much, much smoother now, maxing out its framerate cap pretty much all of the time. I've only tried GTA III so far but the visuals also seem slightly enhanced. Hopefully others can confirm this but there's definitely a noticeable improvement compared to Switch 1.
Re: Street Fighter 6 Releasing Final 'Year 2' Fighter Alongside Switch 2 Game Launch
Remember, you can buy the base game for much cheaper without the DLC. It's £34.99 on the UK eshop. This seems to have gone largely underreported in the media but if you're a casual player looking to save money, this may be all you need.
Re: Random: Some Switch Fans Are Convinced Mario Paint Is Returning
As much as I love Mario Paint, this NSO icon is just as likely to be a timely reminder from Nintendo, emphasising that they were the first to release a mouse for consoles. Which of course many amongst the newer generations may not be aware of. A humble brag, if you will.
Re: Nintendo Shares More Artwork Of Diddy Kong's Brand New Design
Must admit, the initial showing of this redesign was very underwhelming in January's Switch 2 reveal. But the extra expressiveness it's given DK that Nintendo have shown off in Bananza, has gradually grown on me over time.
Now I just can't wait to see more of this goofy, colorful personality when the game finally hits in July. Hopefully it's a title that'll get DK back to the top of the Nintendo pile, where he belongs.
Re: Here's A Look At The Size And Inside Of Switch 2 Game Cases
@Anti-Matter Correct. This was reported by Nintendo in the April direct. They also have to be the same size because 'Switch 2 Edition' cards will reportedly work in a Switch 1. For these cards, the console simply runs the correct version of the game when it's inserted into either console.
Re: Every Nintendo Switch Online N64 Game Ranked
@father_noo Your comment comes across as a little misguided. These lists are based on everyone's ratings, not just the writer's. Anyone can rate a game by clicking on its score, which will slightly adjust it. To what degree will depend on how many ratings it already has. The rankings are not static and will continue to change as more people rate them and more games get added.
Sure, some people rating a game may never have played the title in question, but allowing everyone to vote at least provides a broader consensus and helps to separate the good from the great.
Perhaps all of the above should have been made clearer in the article but I for one do find these lists useful, particularly for platforms I never owned when they were new.
Re: Japanese Charts: Konami's New Visual Novel Triumphs In The Pre-Switch 2 Lull
Crazy to see 9 out of the top 10 selling games in this chart being Switch titles, even after 8 solid years on the market. It makes you wonder, does Japan even need a Switch 2 right now?
Re: Nintendo Switch 2 Final Tech Specs Have Been Confirmed
Great to finally get confirmation, even if there are few surprises. The 3GB reserved for the OS is the only detail that has me concerned.
Otherwise, the specs seem perfectly reasonable and should set Nintendo up nicely for the years ahead. It's a massive leap when compared to Switch, after all.
Re: PSN's 'Agent 07 - Revenge' Reportedly Uses Assets From GoldenEye 007
What in the shaken and stirred hell is this?! 😭
Re: Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Chip Was Potentially Finalised As Early As 2021
Nintendo clearly intended to release the system much earlier but the huge upsurge in Switch sales during the pandemic caused them to significantly delay its release.
I doubt we'll ever really know whether a Pro existed, but given the increased costs involved and the Switch's continued success, it was probably wise of them to wait it out.
Re: "It's Very Powerful" - Borderlands 4 Dev Hypes Up The "Perfect" Switch 2
@AverageGamer It may be slower but this does not negate the fact that a greater allocation of RAM allows the system to store more textures, resulting in greater visual fidelity or draw distances when used effectively.
Any shortcomings regarding RAM speed can be offset by developers using DLSS to make up the FPS difference at a lower base resolution. This appears to work surprisingly well in games like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077.
The majority of us should therefore be more than happy with this 2021 Ampere SOC, especially given developers have a fixed platform to work with Nvidia tech now, which you could never say for PC.
Re: "It's Very Powerful" - Borderlands 4 Dev Hypes Up The "Perfect" Switch 2
@OorWullie Not wishing to burst anyone's bubble here but the PS5 version shown in that video is almost certainly running in performance mode at twice the framerate (60fps vs 30fps).
Monday's Digital Foundry Direct talked about this and they stated the PS5 in performance mode still had better visual fidelity even at 60fps, which shouldn't be a great surprise given the gulf in specs. This was particularly true when it came to hair textures and distant scenery.
Still, it's a mightily impressive showing by Switch 2 for sure, given its limited form factor. At a glance, I'm sure many a casual player would struggle to see a difference in person, which is a far cry from the Switch days 👍
Re: "It's Very Powerful" - Borderlands 4 Dev Hypes Up The "Perfect" Switch 2
@Sindayl Sure, the Switch 2 may be slightly less powerful in terms of raw teraflops (Reportedly 3.2 TFLOPS when docked vs the Series S' 4.0 TFLOPS) , but this is largely offset in many scenarios by the 20% more RAM, DLSS, Tensor cores and RT cores, which should make it feel like a more modern, capable system.
The 12GB RAM in particular will allow developers to use higher quality textures, thereby improving visual fidelity. At the same time they can artificially boost framerates via DLSS, making for better all-round performance. We're already seeing this in titles like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, and I'm sure there'll be many more examples of this tech being fully utilised in the months ahead.
Re: Feature: The Long & Rainbow Road To 'Mario Kart World', From SNES To Switch 2
I grew up with it, so am incredibly biased, largely due to the hundreds of hours playing with friends over many Summers, but it has to be Mario Kart 64.
The controls and difficulty just felt right, and the rubber banding wasn't quite as obvious as in 8 Deluxe. So many elements of the later games were already present here, like the clever shortcuts, fun battle mode and those pesky blue shells. Also, let's not forget it was the first 3D entry, which is really an achievement in itself. I must have completed it 6-7 times over the years and still give it a spin every now and then on NSO.
The only downside was the framerate, especially in four player split screen mode, which seemed to dip as low as 10fps at times. Nevertheless, with my nostalgia goggles held firmly in place, it will forever remain an all-time classic!
Re: Rare's N64 Shooter 'GoldenEye 007' Officially Inducted Into The Video Game Hall Of Fame
Goldeneye remains one of my all time favorite games and is a huge reason why the N64 remains one of my all-time favorite consoles.
Just the sheer amount of hours I put into this game with friends is telling in itself. It supersedes the hours put into all other games to this day and I know I'm not the only one, which speaks volumes for its replayability, technical prowess and attention to detail.
Yes, the graphics may have aged like milk, I mean it's been almost 30 years, but the gameplay itself continues to age like a fine wine. So congratulations, Mr. Bond, Rareware and all those who contributed to this game's success because I firmly believe it's well and truly deserved. For England, James! 🍸
Re: Feature: "We’re Very Confident" - CD Projekt Red On Delivering The Full Cyberpunk 2077 Experience On Switch 2
@Dang_69 There's a ton of footage of people playing the game on Youtube at the Switch 2 preview shows. Yes, it's not natively captured, but it's definitely worth checking out to give you some idea of performance if you haven't already.
Hopefully CDPR can upload a more gameplay focused trailer for those of us looking to buy soon.
Re: Feature: "It's Like On Steroids Versus Our Previous Titles" - How 'Terminator 2D: No Fate' Changes The Past & Future
As a huge fan of the films and the run 'n' gun genre generally, this is a no brainer! The art style and animations look on point 👌
Re: Switch Users Are Getting Error Codes After Updating To Version 20.0.0
Ouch! There's so many variables for devs to consider when implementing these big updates, so this isn't too surprising, unfortunately. Hopefully those concerned get this fixed by Nintendo ASAP.
Re: ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades
@The_MANSLAYER 👍
Re: ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades
That's understandable and I'd probably feel the same way in your shoes. However, as someone who's never played the Switch version and has a Switch 2 pre-ordered, it's probably best for me to wait and see at this point.
Re: ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades
@spottedleaf Here's hoping 🤞
Re: ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades
@somnambulance Probably just resolution and framerate bumps. Digital load times should automatically get a boost simply from being on the faster Switch 2 storage.
Re: ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades
The lack of Super Mario Bros Wonder here seems pretty telling. I suspect, given it's a relatively recent release, that we'll be seeing a Switch 2 edition with DLC releasing within the next 12 months. If that turns out to be true and it reviews well, then I'll happily pick it up, as it would be like a new game for me.
Re: Switch 2's Dock Isn't Compatible With The Original Switch, According To Nintendo
@VeganHerpes The Switch 1 Pro controller is compatible, it just lacks the ability to start the Switch 2 console with the home button. You'll need to use the Switch 2 joy-con for that feature.
Re: Switch 2's Dock Isn't Compatible With The Original Switch, According To Nintendo
@Discostew Yes but not everyone will have the joy-cons attached and you know some children will do it without a second's thought. With 150m Switches out there, along with tens of millions of Switch 2's by this time next year, it's going to happen at some point.
Re: Switch 2's Dock Isn't Compatible With The Original Switch, According To Nintendo
@sanderev It's the same thickness, so it should still fit. It's width is irrelevant. Hopefully accidentally docking a Switch 1 on a Switch 2 dock won't cause any significant damage, that's my main concern; though given the different voltages, I fear the worst.
Re: Limited Run's Atlus Switch 2 Collector's Edition Is A 'Game-Key Card' Release
Well it's Sega, so I really wouldn't expect anything less at this point. If Nintendo really is only offering 64GB game cards to publishers, then it's somewhat excusable for standard editions, as much as I despise it, but for a $250.00 game?! The joke's on you, Sega!!!
Re: Poll: Which Switch 2 Accessories Are You Picking Up At Launch?
The Gamecube controller price next to the N64 controller price looks nonsensical now. Charging 50% more for such a similar product is a real turnoff. I understand price increases but not to this extreme. It comes across as trying to claw back potential future costs wherever possible, without looking at it through the lens of the consumer or applying common sense.
They could have always increased prices if higher inflation or tariffs became a reality. Now, their family friendly image, regardless of its genuity, is slowly becoming eroded as a result. So disappointing.
Now don't get me wrong, I have pre-ordered a Switch 2 and still look forward to launch day with immense optimism but I'll be minimizing future peripheral purchases going forward, as I'm sure many others will be as well.
@SterlingEyes The Switch 1 Pro Controller won't have quick start functionality for Switch 2, but in every other respect, it will work just fine 👍
Re: Poll: Which Switch 2 Accessories Are You Picking Up At Launch?
Just the Pro Controller 2 for me. Everything I've heard about it so far makes it sound like the perfect iteration of the Switch version. Particularly the silky smooth control sticks and more precise D-pad. Hopefully it can live up to the hype.
Re: Nintendo Today Video Showcases The New Switch 2 Pro Controller
@axelhander @SirLink You do realise that a lot of people will still have their Switch 1’s hooked up and won’t want to turn on two consoles with one controller, right? This would be impractical for those of us still making use of our old systems, so I think Nintendo made the correct choice here.
Re: Random: Masahiro Sakurai Finds Success In Switch 2 Lottery
Yes, all above board, nothing to see here, haha. Jokes aside, well done to Sakurai, yet another one to add to that substantial collection. Hope he finds the time to play.
Re: Resident Evil's Continued Success Makes Us Eager For Switch 2 Ports
Give the fans what they want. Every single game on the cart. No more cloud versions or codes in boxes. Go hard or go home, Capcom!
Re: MicroSD Express Cards Are Selling Out Thanks To Switch 2 Fever
@Porco Some early adopters will be keen to transfer their entire Switch library to their Switch 2 before selling their old console in order to offset some of the launch costs. In many cases, those games won't all fit on that internal 256GB flash drive, so purchasing a new Micro SD Express card becomes the obvious solution.
Personally, I will resist buying any new card as long as possible. Once supply inevitably catches up to demand in the coming months, the new format should become much better value and easier to obtain.
Re: Super Smash Bros. Melee Player Abdulaziz "Hax$" Al-Yami Has Died
Truly tragic. My condolences to his friends and family.
Re: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For March And April 2025
What's that I see, a rerelease of Ultra Street Fighter 2 with just a code in the box? Capcom, you're really spoiling us!
Re: Poll: Will You Trade In Your Switch When Switch 2 Arrives?
@Lanmanna Unfortunately, swollen batteries are pretty common on launch models at this point.
I recommend replacing the battery within that 5-6 year period after purchasing, or indeed, now if it's a launch model. They usually retail for around $20.00 and it's not particularly difficult with the right tools. But it's important to note that the more charges your system has, the more likely it will be affected, especially if the battery completely depletes on a regular basis. Heavy portable users are therefore more likely to experience issues earlier.
The bigger issue occurs when you're not using the system for 6+ months at a time. Then, the chances of battery degradation increase exponentially, so it would be wise to remove it before any prolonged storage. This is even explained in the Switch manual, so it's by no means hearsay. I'd recommend the same advice for the joy-cons, which contain similar lithium-ion polymer batteries.
Fortunately, a little maintenance ensures this issue is completely avoided but many people will not be aware until the problem becomes noticeably visible, by which time it is often too late for an easy repair.
Re: Poll: Will You Trade In Your Switch When Switch 2 Arrives?
People seem to miss the fact that the lithium-ion batteries in the Switch have a very limited lifespan, being designed to last only 5-6 years before deterioration becomes noticeable. They can also expand whilst degrading, damaging the outer casing and making the system all but worthless, so it may be wise to sell your console whilst it's still in good condition if the money is valuable to you.
Personally, I'll keep my red OLED until I'm certain all the games and save files work on Switch 2 after a full transfer, then it's going straight on eBay. Fortunately, I only bought it last year and use it solely in docked mode, so it remains in great condition with the original box. If you don't want the hassle of regular maintenance, it really is the better, less costly option right now.
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of Donkey Kong's Redesign In Mario Kart 9?
Wow, DK, what did they do to you? Those dead eyes make him look completely lobotomised now! Absolutely awful design but hey, it was made by Nintendo themselves, so it must be better, right?
Jokes aside, this is clearly yet another sign of Nintendo attempting to reclaim their success as theirs alone by not giving credit to others. Whether that be Rareware for the much better DK design, Retro Studios for DK Returns or anyone else you care to think of. As much as I've grown to love them over the years, this seems a sad state of affairs that's unfortunately all too predictable at this point.
On the plus side, at least we get a new Mario Kart in the coming months! Which I must say is looking very promising if you can look beyond the Youtube compression and appreciate the level of detail added to both the characters and vehicles. The incredibly expansive course shown also emphasises a level of freedom we've not experienced in the series before.
Hopefully the next drop will bring home just how much of a leap this game is compared to MK8D in terms of both graphics and gameplay because, as much as I'm impressed by the series' evolution here, it would still be nice to be fully convinced with a proper reveal.
No doubt this game has far more surprises for us than Nintendo's letting on (Power ups, characters, track designs, online play), so it will be exciting to see just what these are in the coming weeks as anticipation levels for the game no doubt continue to build.
Re: Talking Point: Is The Switch 2 Going To Be Too Big?
I think the size will be less of an issue now the joy-cons are properly locked into place. It should feel more like one solid unit and therefore more comfortable to play on.
The smaller rickety Switch joy-cons were THE major barrier for me when it came to playing in handheld mode. These will thankfully no longer be an issue, so I'm looking forward to more on the go play next generation.
Re: Switch 2 'Indentations' Make It Incompatible With Original Switch Dock, Says Genki
@Keman The images are only 'fuzzy' because they're screenshots taken from Genki's video, which was uploaded to X by Nintendo Life.
You can see these same pictures in motion for yourself in the 'Is this our best look yet at Switch 2?' article, posted here yesterday: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/01/is-this-our-best-look-yet-at-switch-2.
Watch the last 3 seconds and you'll notice things are much clearer.
Re: GameStop's Internal Database Lists Multiple 'Switch 2' Accessory SKUs
Good to see these stores still have their uses. 😁
Re: Poll: Does Anyone Actually Use The Switch Joy-Con Straps?
"Okay, back to waiting for Switch 2 news, innit."
Yessiirr!!! 😂
Edit: That Wrath of Khan screenshot is on point, haha!
Re: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Tops Rolling Stone's 50 Best Games Of All Time
Including Madden and Fortnite but no OOT demonstrates levels of casual not seen since neolithic times.. 😩
Re: UK Charts: 2025 Gets Off To A Predictable Start, With Familiar Faces Dominating
@BANJO For sure, exciting times await when it comes to third-party ports over the next 12-36 months.
I can see every direct after the new console reveal being packed to the the brim with PS4/PS5 games many a Nintendo only gamer missed out on in recent years.
There should be lots to look forward to, whatever your preferences, which will make for a very refreshing change after the last couple of years! 👍
Re: Rumour: New 'Switch 2' Leak Suggests Console Will Require A 60W Charger
Those are some sizeable vents. Does this mean we get a fan inside the dock this time? Please, for the love of all things good and holy, keep it quiet and efficient, Nintendo.
Re: Mario And Zelda Modders Are Using Their Skills To Develop A New N64-Inspired Platformer
Impressive stuff! The vibrant use of color and smooth animations are very easy on the eye, so here's hoping a competent Switch port isn't too far away.
Re: UK Charts: 2025 Gets Off To A Predictable Start, With Familiar Faces Dominating
@BANJO Yes, it's pretty impressive given the franchise's origins. However, when you take into account PS4 sales, it's actually very close to a 50:50 split (52:48) between Switch and Playstation.
I suspect this slight disparity is due to the lack of the more modern Tomb Raider Survivor Trilogy on Switch, giving fans of the series who own a Nintendo console fewer options.
Thankfully, this should of course be rectified once the more capable Switch 2 hits the market this year, finally enabling some competent ports of these largely successful games, the last of which was released well over 6 years ago now.
It will be fascinating to see how they sell given their age but if this chart is any indicator, I'm sure they'll do just fine.