Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Our reaction to everything Nintendo showed off

By Tomas Franzese Published April 2, 2025 9:28 AM

The Switch 2 next to a TV with Mario Kart. — Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct reveal just happened, and we recapped everything announced at the show live.

The Nintendo Direct had some baffling omissions, like the Switch 2’s $450 price tag, but was a generally entertaining showcase that gave us an idea of what to expect from Nintendo’s new system throughout its first year on the market. That includes Mario Kart World at launch and a new Donkey Kong 3D platformer in July. Read on for expert analysis and insight into everything Nintendo showed… and didn’t show.

Watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 – 4.2.2025

The biggest announcements from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct:

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct live blog

LiveLast updated April 02, 2025 9:28 AM

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A former Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese now reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…

Gaming

This underrated Switch 2 feature demonstrates why Nintendo handhelds thrive

GameShare on Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was filled to the brim with information about all of the new system's unique hardware and software compatibilities. Most of the discussion and allure of Switch 2 comes from features like GameChat, the mouse capability of the Joy-Cons, and the Nintendo Switch camera peripheral. One notable feature of Switch 2 is flying a bit under the radar, though: GameShare. "With GameShare, a new Nintendo Switch 2 feature, players can share and play the same game with others who do not have the game," the official description of the feature reads in a press release.

"If one person has a Nintendo Switch 2 system and a game compatible with GameShare, that person can invite others to temporarily play the same game together via local play with their Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system," it continues. As someone who owns multiple Switch systems and knows other Nintendo fans, I find a feature like GameShare alluring. It also made me look back and think about the importance of connectivity has historically played in Nintendo handhelds, from the Game Boy's Link Cable to the DS' Download Play.

Gaming

Switch 2 vs. Switch: should you make the switch?

Mario kart running on a Switch 2.

In what may go down in gaming history as the worst-kept secret of all time, we finally have concrete information about the Nintendo Switch 2. This is the latest Nintendo console that succeeds the Switch as the premier system. However, not everyone is convinced that this new system is worth the price, somewhat like the PS5 vs. PS5 Pro. Unlike comparing the Switch vs. Switch OLED, the Switch 2 is a full generational leap with better specs, a new design, updated controllers, and, of course, games. Let's compare every aspect of these two systems so you can make a fully informed decision on whether or not the Switch 2 is for you.
Switch 2 vs. Switch Specs

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2

Gaming

Every Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game trailer from the latest Nintendo Direct

Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Nintendo's beefy hour-long Direct dedicated to Nintendo Switch 2 was entertaining to watch, but it was packed to the brim with information. Some Switch 2 games were shown off, but their announcements were surrounded by hardware overviews, third-party port sizzle reels, Nintendo Switch 1 port announcements, and more. To get the best idea of what Nintendo's new system is capable of, though, you'll want to see the Switch 2 exclusive games in action. To help with that, I've rounded up every trailer for a Switch 2 exclusive game that was shown off during the latest Nintendo Direct, and will be sharing my thoughts on each.
Mario Kart World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pE23YTYEZM

Mario Kart World's trailer is nearly five minutes long and gives an extremely thorough overview of the new kart racer. The first half of the trailer is an exciting sizzle reel of gameplay, showing off many of the beautiful tracks, helpful power-ups, and iconic characters players can experience while playing the game. It also confirms some odd kart racers, like the cow from Moo Moo Meadows and Biddybud from Super Mario 3D World. While its $80 price tag stings a bit, this trailer suggests that it'll be worth that price as it's packed to the brim with content.

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