New video game hardware announcements can often feel predictable. With each new console generation, we expect better graphics, faster load times, and fresh takes on beloved franchises, like those featuring plumbers and turtles. Nintendo has consistently delivered these advancements across generations, from the N64's analog controller to the GameCube's tiny discs, the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's built-in portability. These improvements continue with the Switch 2. However, true to form, Nintendo surprised everyone with some unexpected features during the Switch 2 Direct.
It's 2025, and we're finally seeing online play in a new light.
As a lifelong Nintendo fan since 1983, when I was just four years old, I've experienced the joys and frustrations of their systems. My babysitter used to roll footballs at me, mimicking Donkey Kong's barrel-throwing antics. I'd jump over them, making Donkey Kong sound effects, and then smash them with a toy hammer, just like Mario. With this background, it's impossible to discuss this exciting reveal without a touch of loving bitterness.
Nintendo's online capabilities have historically lagged behind competitors like Sony and Xbox. Aside from Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters, Nintendo has only skimmed the surface of what a unified multiplayer platform could offer. Finding and chatting with friends on Nintendo systems has never been straightforward, with the Switch requiring a separate app for voice chat. However, a significant shift is on the horizon. During the Direct, Nintendo introduced GameChat, and it looks promising. This feature supports four-player chat with noise suppression, video cameras for displaying friends' faces, and screen sharing across consoles, allowing up to four different displays to be viewed on one screen. GameChat also includes text-to-voice and voice-to-text options, enhancing accessibility. While we haven't seen a unified matchmaking interface yet, this is a major step forward, potentially signaling the end of the cumbersome friend code system.
Miyazaki is bringing new blood exclusively to Nintendo.
The first frames of the trailer for The Duskbloods had me thinking it was Bloodborne 2. The ambiance, character design, and environments were unmistakably FROM Software. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned it's a new multiplayer PvPvE game designed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mastermind behind some of the most challenging games in the industry. It's astonishing to think he found time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive title. It seems like he never leaves his office or sleeps, much like one of his own characters trapped in a gothic prison. But I'm grateful, as FROM Software rarely disappoints, and I'm eagerly anticipating this new experience.
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
Speaking of surprises, Super Smash Bros. director Masuhiro Sakurai is reportedly moving on to a new Kirby game. This is unexpected, considering his dedication to Smash. Kirby's Air Ride on the GameCube was visually appealing but lacked fun gameplay. However, given Sakurai's deep connection to Nintendo's pink hero, his new take on the franchise is sure to be more refined and enjoyable. It's time for Sakurai to take a well-deserved break.
Control issues.
The Pro Controller 2 announcement was almost overlooked, but it promises significant improvements. It now includes an audio jack, a welcome feature that's long overdue. More importantly, it features two mappable extra buttons, which I find incredibly exciting. These small enhancements can make a big difference in gameplay.
No Mario?!
The absence of a new Mario game was a genuine shock. It seems the team behind Mario Odyssey has been working on Donkey Kong Bananza, a captivating new 3D platformer focused on destructible environments. Nintendo is once again defying expectations, betting on hardcore fans to embrace Donkey Kong's biggest game in years while saving Mario for later. The Switch 2 will launch with extensive third-party support and Mario Kart World, which appears to be a system-seller. Nintendo is confident in Mario Kart 8's success and believes that, alongside Bananza, it will drive sales of the Switch 2.
Forza Horizon x Nintendo was not on my bingo card.
The introduction of an open-world Mario Kart experience is both thrilling and unexpected. The zany physics, unique vehicles, and combat mechanics of Mario Kart should translate well into navigating and battling across a continuous world, similar to Bowser's Fury but on a much larger scale with multiple drivers.
It's very expensive.
The Switch 2 comes with a high price tag. At $449.99 USD, it's the most expensive launch in Nintendo's 40-plus year history in the US. This price is $150 more than the original Switch and $100 more than the Wii U. While global economic factors contribute to the cost, Nintendo has traditionally relied on lower prices to differentiate its products. The Switch 2 will need to prove its worth without the advantage of a lower price point.
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