Shack Chat: What was your favorite part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct?

The Nintendo Switch 2 presentation has ended, and it was definitely a fantastic event! Here at Shacknews, we’re overwhelmed with information and are busy writing articles and features about the Switch 2 and all the details that have been revealed. Each of us has our personal highlights from the showcase, so we thought it would be interesting to hold an informal Shack Chat to share what caught our attention the most.

Question: What was your favorite part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct?

The encouraging third-party support – Ozzie Mejia, Senior Nintendo Owner

It’s been quite a while since Nintendo seemed to enjoy the same level of third-party support as PlayStation and Xbox have had. During the first Switch era, it felt like for every high-quality port such as Doom or Skyrim, there were two or three subpar ports like Mortal Kombat 1 and Hogwarts Legacy.

As a dedicated gamer, today’s Nintendo Direct presentation felt like a breath of fresh air, hinting at a renewed commitment towards third-party collaborations. Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 will be arriving on Switch 2, with more installments from the series in the pipeline later. Capcom is also jumping on board with Street Fighter 6, set to launch on Switch 2, and introducing brand-new Amiibo figures and cards. Civilization 7 is even getting enhanced Joy-Con 2 mouse support, making strategy gaming more seamless than ever. And let’s not forget the upcoming Call of Duty title that’s rumored to eventually find its home on Nintendo platforms. It’s an exciting time for gamers like me!

I’m really excited to witness how far Nintendo can push their boundaries with this development, and how much additional backing they might receive from collaborators such as Square Enix, 2K Games, Capcom, and many others. Could it be possible that Grand Theft Auto 6 could potentially appear on the Switch 2? I now find that concept to be far more feasible than it was just a few hours ago.

Performance & Quality Mode – TJ Denzer, Senior News Editor

For quite some time now, Performance and Quality modes have been common features in numerous video games. While PC users have had this advantage for longer, even console games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Cyberpunk 2077 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have benefited from these settings. As far as I’m aware, these options haven’t been available for Nintendo Switch gamers yet.

It was then that it became crystal clear to me that we’ve entered a fresh epoch for Nintendo, and here’s why: The upcoming Switch 2, being a new system with advanced technology, is no longer just speculation. The inclusion of Performance/Quality Modes in many modern games serves as a strong indicator of this trend. However, witnessing the unveiling of these features during the Nintendo Direct was still quite astonishing.

The Switch 2’s arrival is imminent, and its enhanced capabilities promise to keep pace with industry standards, all while preserving Nintendo’s distinctive innovations in hardware and exclusive games. The prospect of experiencing Performance vs. Quality modes in a Metroid game feels almost surreal, as if I might awaken from a dream.

Donkey Kong Bananza – Asif Khan, CEO/EIC/EIEIO

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Banana.

Better Specs – Bill Lavoy, Shackmaps Overlord

I’m finding it challenging to single out a sole source of enthusiasm, but if I remain faithful to my preferences, it’s the upgraded features heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 that have me thrilled. The prospect of playing games in 1080p and 120 fps while on-the-go is captivating. And when the system is docked, experiencing games in 4K is nothing short of breathtaking. I must admit, the thought of Tears of the Kingdom in docked mode, especially its Nintendo Switch 2 version, has me eagerly anticipating June 5. For years, I’ve admired ToTK’s brilliance and yearned to see it running on superior hardware. It appears my wish will come true on that day.

The Duskbloods – Dennis White Jr., Future Switch 2 FromSoft Game No Hit Runner

Initially, I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of Elden Ring during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation. However, the unexpected finale, revealing a fresh exclusive from FromSoftware, really took me by surprise. For quite some time, I had been playfully speculating about a Bloodborne remaster announcement. Yet, what we saw in the trailer seems to be a blend of Bloodborne’s gothic aesthetic and the expansive world of Elden Ring. There’s so much detail to dissect in that trailer! The presence of steampunk elements is intriguing, but the player character was shown biting into an enemy like a snickerdoodle cookie, which leaves me curious about the gameplay mechanics.

This suggests that Nintendo is venturing into a fresh phase, adapting to the changing times in some ways. With the unveiling of this and the Mario Kart World announcement, it boosts my confidence that Nintendo trusts their online system will thrive in the future. If these games have successful debuts, the Switch 2 could attract a lot of attention at an early stage in its lifespan. This daring move from Nintendo might persuade dedicated FromSoft fans, who might not have considered purchasing a new console otherwise, to give this novel game a shot.

Mario Kart World – Donovan Erskine, The “GameCube is retro” guy

Among all the new Mario Kart games, this one has me the most thrilled upon release. MKW appears to be a genuine advancement in the series’ format, amplifying everything that makes them enjoyable. With 24-player races, Knockout Mode, customizable cosmetics, and open-world exploration, it all looks fantastic. It’s hard to believe I’ll soon be able to race with my friends! I might even sneak in a little cheating by mentioning the Switch 2 Edition games as well. Running Pokemon at 60 FPS? Absolutely!

Mario Kart World and More – Steve Tyminski, THE Stevetendo Show!

Of all the exciting elements showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, what stood out to me the most was Mario Kart World. Frankly, I’ve had the catchy theme from its trailer on repeat since then. While every new Mario Kart release is thrilling, Mario Kart World seems to have surpassed my expectations with its new vehicles, modes, and a Knockout Tour mode that allows you to race against opponents. The idea of a competitive tournament reminds me of the Koopathlon from Mario Party Jamboree, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

1. The prospect of playing Elden Ring and The DuskBloods on the Nintendo Switch 2 excites me, especially since I recently conquered Dark Souls on the same console. I’ve been yearning for more, and Elden Ring has been on my wishlist for the Switch for quite some time now. In fact, during one of our Shacknews discussions, I expressed a strong preference for Elden Ring as the game I most desired on the Switch. Admittedly, I knew it was a long shot, but I harbored hope. The possibility of an Elden Ring-themed Stevetendo Show series in the future is intriguing.

2. Donkey Kong Bananza also catches my interest. Given the success of previous DK games, another installment promises to be a hit. So, I’m anticipating the return of Donkey Kong as well. The announcement primarily piqued my curiosity about the release date and price of the Switch 2. June seems sooner than expected, and the system’s cost is less than I anticipated it could be. Other highlights from the presentation, such as Kirby Air Riders, Switch 2 Editions for Zelda and Pokemon, and third-party support, only serve to heighten my enthusiasm. All in all, this appears to be an exciting period for Nintendo fans!

Here it is, everyone! These are the top thrilling instances from the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation. Our coverage of Nintendo is just warming up – expect plenty more discussion about the Nintendo Switch 2 in the days and nights to come. Keep tabs on our ongoing Nintendo Switch 2 updates right here on Shacknews.

2025-04-03 01:28