Nintendo’s highly anticipated gaming console arrives with enhanced features, GameChat connectivity, and the biggest Mario Kart experience yet created.
After eight years of waiting (check out when I first got invited by Nintendo for the original Switch launch in Australia and my review on the console), Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived in stores alongside Mario Kart World, marking one of the most significant gaming launches in recent memory. The new console brings substantial improvements over its predecessor whilst maintaining the hybrid portability that made the original Switch such a phenomenon.
The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a genuine leap forward in handheld gaming technology. The standout feature has to be that massive 7.9-inch LCD screen displaying full HD at 1080p – it’s genuinely impressive seeing games run this crisp on a portable device.
And then there is the new GameChat functionality. Being able to voice chat with up to 12 friends whilst gaming feels like something Nintendo should have implemented years ago, but better late than never. The fact that you can also video chat with four people using a compatible USB-C camera shows Nintendo is finally embracing the social connectivity that modern gamers expect.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers bring some interesting innovations to the table. The magnetic attachment system sounds much more reliable than the original’s sliding mechanism (that can get a bit fiddly), and the new mouse controls – where you can slide the controllers across surfaces like a tabletop – opens up interesting possibilities for strategy games and creative applications. It’s exactly the kind of inventive thinking Nintendo does best.
Performance-wise, the specifications are impressive for a handheld system. The 256GB storage capacity is eight times larger than the original Switch, addressing one of the biggest complaints about the platform. The new dock supporting 4K output and up to 120fps gaming brings the console closer to current-generation home console performance, though real-world results will depend on individual game optimisation.
Mario Kart World delivers the series’ biggest playground yet
Mario Kart World sounds like the most ambitious entry in the franchise’s history. And here I thought Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (check my review) would always be the best one.
Supporting up to 24 drivers simultaneously represents a massive technical achievement – managing that many players whilst maintaining the series’ trademark smooth gameplay can’t have been easy to implement. The interconnected world concept, where the paths between courses become part of the racing experience, could fundamentally change how we think about Mario Kart progression.
The new Knockout Tour mode adds a competitive edge that longtime fans have been requesting, whilst Free Roam mode provides a more relaxed exploration experience. Having hundreds of single-player missions in Free Roam suggests there’s substantial content beyond traditional racing, which should appeal to players who enjoyed the adventure elements in games like Diddy Kong Racing.
CameraPlay integration with compatible USB-C cameras brings real-time facial expressions into gameplay, adding another layer of social interaction. Whilst this might seem gimmicky, Nintendo has historically excelled at making such features feel natural and engaging rather than forced.
Launch lineup provides strong third-party support
The launch catalogue demonstrates Nintendo’s improved relationships with major developers. Having Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition available from day one is particularly significant – CD Projekt Red’s ambitious title running on Nintendo hardware would have been unthinkable on the original Switch. The inclusion of the full experience plus the Phantom Liberty expansion shows serious confidence in the new hardware’s capabilities. And we all know the grunt required for that game to run.
Street Fighter 6’s arrival with Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive features like Local Wireless One on One and new party modes utilising Joy-Con 2 controllers demonstrates how developers are thinking creatively about the platform’s unique features. The gyro-based party games could provide excellent local multiplayer entertainment.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII with native mouse controls addresses one of strategy gaming’s biggest challenges on console platforms. If the implementation works well, it could open the door for more complex PC-style games to find success on Nintendo hardware.
Enhanced backwards compatibility adds value
The free update system for select Nintendo Switch games provides excellent value for existing owners. The enhanced editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership represent significant added value, particularly since these remain two of the finest games available on any platform.
The Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics library launching with F-Zero GX, The Wind Waker, and SOULCALIBUR II addresses long-standing requests from fans. Higher resolution versions of these beloved titles should provide excellent nostalgic entertainment whilst introducing younger players to classic Nintendo experiences.
Australian Pricing and Availability
The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle offers reasonable value for newcomers to the platform at A$769 but if you just want the console, it’s currently retail at A$699. Nintendo Switch 2 is available at many retailers around Australia including JB Hi-Fi and EB Games – among many others.
