Preview: Mario Kart World & Donkey Kong Bananza Show Need for Switch 2

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This week saw the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2. At an event where we could get our hands on the new system, ComingSoon had a chance to test out several of its flagship first-party games.

These games encompass the eagerly awaited Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong’s rampage through each level, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which boasts smooth JoyCon mouse control. Key features of these games include the thrilling chaos of Mario Kart World’s 24-player races, the destruction wrought by Donkey Kong throughout every stage, and the seamless mouse control in Metroid Prime 4.

What did we think of Nintendo Switch 2’s first-party games?

[Brief summary]
4. And so on…

This way, I’ve separated each game for clarity and ease of understanding in our discussion about the potential new Nintendo Switch.

Mario Kart World: A Racing Frenzy like No Other

Mario Kart World stands out as the most chaotic version yet in the series, with its unique charm. With a whopping 24 racers participating in each race I’ve joined, the excitement is unparalleled, and it pushes you to stay on top of your game to avoid any mishaps. The controls remain as intuitive as they are in Mario Kart 8, while new features such as wall riding and rail grinding add an extra layer of challenge (though they can initially be tricky to master). However, once you’ve got the hang of it, these elements can significantly influence the race outcome.

The game introduces a Knockout Tour mode, which essentially transforms into a battle royale-style competition, with the objective being to maintain a specific placement threshold. This mode is incredibly entertaining and could potentially become the fan favorite when the game launches.

Donkey Kong Bananza: The standout demo experience we got a taste of. Donkey Kong Bananza marks the return of 3D adventures for Donkey Kong since Donkey Kong 64, and it could very well be worth the long wait. Essentially, Donkey Kong is on a quest to find golden bananas, but this game grants him the power to demolish almost anything that comes his way. Walls, cliffs, rocks, and even the ground can be smashed through by Donkey Kong, making exploration an exhilarating journey. In truth, I found myself spending most of my time with the game simply enjoying the destruction caused by Donkey Kong, which to me is a mark of any outstanding game.

Nintendo Switch 2’s JoyCon mouse controls aim to change how we play

Experimenting with x Drive for Nintendo Switch 2’s JoyCon Mouse: Primarily serving as a showcase for the JoyCon mouse features of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, this game required some adjustment from our playing group, but once we were in the thick of it, the competition was just as intense and nail-biting as any basketball match. However, the mouse controls are quite demanding and can sometimes be unresponsive based on movement patterns. The game was played on a large mousepad, but the JoyCons also functioned on clothing, providing a tactile feedback that made sliding them across the surface enjoyable.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Next-Gen Nintendo Switch Edition: For connoisseurs of the Metroid Prime series, they’ll find a welcoming environment here. The gameplay is seamless, blasting aliens remains as fulfilling as any Metroid game, and surprisingly, this could boast the most user-friendly implementation of the Switch 2’s mouse controls among titles we’ve tested. If you opt for separate JoyCons, utilizing the mouse controls within the game is as simple as laying the JoyCon on a flat surface. The absence of complex menu alterations to navigate and the effortless transition between gameplay was genuinely impressive, and the mouse controls themselves felt natural in an FPS like Metroid Prime. The game also performs exceptionally well on its “performance mode,” which locks it at 1080p and 120FPS. Regrettably, we were unable to experience the game’s 4K60FPS mode.

Highlighted at the event: The collection of Nintendo GameCube Classics were prominently showcased, and it’s evident that they will be highly anticipated upon their release. On the Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, and F-Zero GX appear visually impressive, and run remarkably better than any previous versions. With additional games slated to join the lineup, experiencing classics like Super Mario Sunshine and Luigi’s Mansion again is an excitement I can hardly contain.

Spending a short while with the Nintendo Switch 2 and its exclusive games demonstrates Nintendo’s ambition to secure a prominent position in today’s gaming landscape. Boasting enhanced capabilities like 120FPS support, DLSS, ray-tracing, and 4K output, this upgraded console elevates it to a more luxurious product, and its games reflect this quality too.

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2025-04-04 02:41