The video game world has been anticipating the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 for months. Fans finally got their first look when the Japanese company released an official console reveal trailer. They dropped some nuggets about the next-gen console, helping give fans a look at what is coming. However, every answered question added five more questions they left unanswered. There is still a lot we don’t know, including the release date. Here are three critical questions that fans really want answers to.
1. What Will The Launch Games Of The Nintendo Switch 2 Be?
It doesn’t matter how cool or innovative a new console is. The success of the release is only as good as the titles gamers can play when they buy the new console. The original Switch trotted out an impressive lineup in the first year. At launch, the first open-world Legend of Zelda game was released, which was a massive success. That game, along with Mario Kart 8, gave long-time Nintendo fans plenty to play with at the release date. Later that year, Super Mario Odyssey was released and was another critically acclaimed title. If the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be a success, the launch titles need to be great.
In the reveal trailer, there was only footage of one game. While it wasn’t confirmed, the gameplay looked like the next installment of the Mario Kart series. Given the success of releasing the popular racing game at release last time, it would make sense for the company to want to do it again. Similarly, fans have speculated that another Legend of Zelda title would be released as well. Even if it was a remake, it would still give another fan-favorite title to draw people in at launch. Nintendo has done this before and will no doubt have everything lined up for a successful launch.
2. Which Games Won’t Be Backwards Compatible?
Fans cheered when the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer said most games from the original console will be backwards compatible. One roadblock many people have when deciding whether to upgrade to a new console is they don’t want to make all the games they already have obsolete. The new console won’t have this problem…probably. The key word there is most. In the trailer, there was a disclaimer that said not all games will be compatible.
This is a classic example of answering one question but opening a can of worms to many more. Which ones won’t be? The Switch library goes all the way back to 2017. Are we talking about just some of the original games? Certain types of games? Certain franchises? Speculation has been rampant about which titles will be included and which ones won’t. It seems safe to say that all of the Nintendo franchises are a good bet. Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess.
3. OLED Screen Or No?
The Switch had one major hardware upgrade during its lifespan. Four years after the original release, Nintendo launched the Switch OLED, giving fans a giant upgrade visually. The brighter screen made it easier for gamers to see every detail in the fun worlds they are immersed in. Will the Nintendo Switch 2 have an OLED screen at launch? While it would undoubtedly be higher quality, it would also be higher cost. One key point of a console launch is making it affordable enough that people make the jump.
Personally, I’d rather see a higher-quality screen. I’m all for keeping costs low, but the difference between an LCD/LED screen and an OLED screen is very noticeable. The question of cost is always there, but I don’t think a massive number of people would all of a sudden not buy the console over $50. The hardware specs as a whole are lingering questions. For the casual fan, this doesn’t matter, but for hardcore gamers, the hardware is everything.
Final Thoughts
I’ll give the company this. They knew what they were doing with the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer. It has gotten the video game world buzzing. People are highly anticipating the launch even without a date. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer praised the console, stating he was “looking forward” to making Xbox games available on the new console. Until these questions and more are answered, the new console will continue to be the talk of the video game world.
