(Image credit: Nintendo)
Josh West here, taking over as Iain Harris steps out for a quick coffee before the Switch 2 Showcase kicks off in just over an hour. I’ve been covering numerous Nintendo reveals over the years, and they never fail to surprise. If this is your first time tuning in, brace yourself for excitement and some rather unique news, trust me on that!
To get us back in the groove, the Nintendo of America president is asking the crucial question: ‘Are you ready?!’
The journey with the Switch 2 might mark a bittersweet period for Nintendo. Former marketing leaders suggest that “everything is about to change” as iconic figures like Shigeru Miyamoto might be approaching the end of their illustrious careers. As Kit Ellis mentioned on the Kit & Krysta podcast, “It may not mean that the games are going to be bad, it’s just going to feel different.” Developers like Yoshio Sakamoto and Eiji Aonuma are also nearing retirement, making space for new talent to step up.
Our predictions for the Switch 2 include hopes for a new 3D Mario game, considering it’s been a full seven years since Super Mario Odyssey. Josh’s thoughts resonate with the idea of a game showcasing the new console’s features, much like past hits such as Wii Sports and 1-2-Switch.
On the game front, we’re anticipating titles beyond Mario Kart, with Nintendo Treehouse offering seven hours of gameplay insights this week. Will it merely be a grand Mario Kart tournament, or is there more in store? Your guess is as good as mine!
A curious detail from an FCC filing suggests that the Switch 2 Pro Controller might include a headphone jack, a feature that excites many, including our team member Dustin. Could this be the dawn of a new era where Nintendo catches up with its console competitors?
As for the intriguing new ‘C’ button, the mystery lingers. Could it mean ‘community’ or ‘connection’? With Nintendo teasing us on their new app, we’re on the edge of our seats for answers.
An unexpected voice missing from the conversation is Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Smash Bros, who insists he is unaware of the showcase contents. Still, he finds it hard to believe you’d buy that! Given that the original Switch Direct lasted an hour revealing games like Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2, the runtime doesn’t surprise us.
Considering the Switch 2 could revolutionize gaming even further, third-party collaborations are pulling significant attention from both media and fans. Kit Ellis highlights how developers have gained invaluable experience from platforms like the Steam Deck, speculating that titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk could potentially see life on the Switch 2.
While speculating about the announcements, we’re staying vigilant with updates on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders as well. Major retailers hint they might go live later in the day.
So sit tight, folks, and don’t forget to tune into the live stream as it kicks off. You’re just a click away from the YouTube stream, so prepare your snacks and settle in for the hour-long spectacle starting at 6am PT, 9am ET, 2pm BST, 3pm CEST. Let the gaming conversations begin!
After all this time, iconic titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City find new homes on consoles like the Sega Dreamcast following in the footsteps of GTA 3. Plus, Assassin’s Creed Shadows directors draw inspiration from anime for their dramatic flashback sequences. This momentum in gaming innovation ignites endless possibilities.