Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Top 7 Shocking Reveals

New video game hardware announcements can become somewhat predictable. With each new generation of consoles, we can expect to see staples like improved graphics, faster load times, and fresh takes on iconic franchises, such as those featuring a beloved plumber and his turtle adversaries.

Even Nintendo, which has consistently introduced innovative features across several console generations—from the N64's analog controller to the tiny GameCube discs, the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's built-in portability—has delivered these advancements with the Switch 2.

Yet, true to form, Nintendo unveiled a few genuine surprises during the Switch 2 Direct.

It's 2025 and we finally get online play.

My journey as a Nintendo fan began in 1983 when I was just four years old. My babysitter would roll footballs at me, reminiscent of Donkey Kong rolling barrels at Mario. I'd leap over them, mimic Donkey Kong's sound effect, and then smash them with a toy hammer, just like Mario. This lifelong passion for Nintendo allows me to speak from a place of deep, albeit bittersweet, experience about the latest reveal.

Nintendo, as many of us know, has historically struggled with online play. Aside from exceptions like Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters, Nintendo has only skimmed the surface of what a robust multiplayer platform could offer, unlike the more cohesive experiences provided by Sony and Xbox. Even with the Switch, finding and communicating with friends was cumbersome, often requiring a separate app for voice chat.

However, a significant change appears to be on the horizon. During the Direct, Nintendo introduced GameChat, which looks promising. It supports four-player chat with noise suppression, integrates video cameras to display friends' faces, and allows screen sharing across consoles, enabling users to monitor up to four different displays within a single screen. Additionally, according to the new Switch 2 accessibility features page, GameChat supports text-to-voice and voice-to-text, facilitating diverse communication methods among players.

While we haven't seen details on a unified matchmaking interface yet, this is already a substantial leap forward. I'm hopeful that it signifies the end of the notorious friend code system.

Miyazaki is bringing new blood exclusively to Nintendo

When I first glimpsed the trailer, I thought it was Bloodborne 2. The ambiance, character design, and environments were unmistakably FROM Software. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned that what I was watching was footage from The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game designed by the renowned Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind some of the most challenging video games.

It's astonishing to think that Miyazaki found time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive game. I suspect he might never leave his office or sleep, much like his own characters lost in the eerie towers of gothic prisons. Yet, I'm grateful for his dedication. FROM Software rarely misses the mark, so I eagerly anticipate this new title.

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

In another unexpected move, Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai is shifting his focus from Smash to a new Kirby game. This transition caught me off guard, and I think Sakurai deserves some rest!

The original Kirby's Air Ride on the GameCube was visually appealing but lacked fun. However, given Sakurai's deep affection for Nintendo's pink, round hero, his involvement promises a more polished and enjoyable experience.

Control issues

In what might have been an easily overlooked moment, the announcement of the Pro Controller 2 hinted at substantial upgrades. The addition of an audio jack, a feature long overdue, and two mappable extra buttons are welcome enhancements. As someone who loves customizable controls, these small additions genuinely excite me.

No Mario?!

Perhaps the most shocking reveal was the absence of a new Mario game. It seems the team behind Odyssey has been working on Donkey Kong Bananza, a new 3D platformer with destructible environments. Nintendo is once again defying expectations, trusting its hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's most significant game in years while saving Mario for another time.

The Switch 2 will launch with extensive third-party support and Mario Kart World. While World looks like a system-seller, I expected it to be a family game timed for the Christmas season. Traditionally, Nintendo relies on Mario, Zelda, or both to drive sales in a console's first year. However, buoyed by Mario Kart 8's record-breaking sales, Nintendo is confident that Mario Kart World, alongside Donkey Kong Bananza, will help propel the Switch 2 to a successful launch.

Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card

An open-world Mario Kart is here, and I'm optimistic about its potential. The zany physics, unusual vehicles, and combat mechanics of Mario Kart should translate well into navigating and battling across tracks in a continuous world, reminiscent of Bowser's Fury but on a much larger scale with numerous drivers.

It’s very expensive

The Switch 2 comes with a steep price tag. At $449.99 USD, it's the most expensive launch in Nintendo's over 40-year history in the US. This price is $150 more than the original Switch's launch price and $100 more than the Wii U. While I understand the current economic climate, with rising tariffs, a declining yen, and renewed American inflation, Nintendo's strategy of relying on lower prices to differentiate its products will not apply to the Switch 2.