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Excuse me.
Nintendo just did WHAT??
I must be dreaming! They really just blew our sleepy little minds awake on the morning of January 16th by revealing a two minute teaser trailer for the new Nintendo Switch 2. The worthy successor to the original Switch that we have all been feverishly waiting for over two years now.
When the original Nintendo Switch came out in 2017, people did not initially take it seriously, thinking it was geared more for children. It quickly proved everyone wrong and became the most popular sought after handheld. Nintendo had created something that the other huge gaming behemoths, PlayStation and Xbox, have been unable to make successfully. A handheld gaming device that you’re able to play as a portable device and one that you can play on a TV using the dock. Every kid’s fantasy gaming device, a truly portable console. Something they could play in the backseat of their parent’s car or school bus and something that they could carry with them to school or their friend’s house. Not only is it truly portable, but they are able to take off the two adjoining Joy Cons so that two players can play simultaneously. Sharing is caring of course, creating future childhood memories of sharing Joy Con controllers while savagely gaming away.
So why did Nintendo decide to drop this trailer now for our groggy little minds? They could have traditionally announced it at Nintendo Direct, which is only a couple months away starting April 2nd? Most likely because there have already been lots of hacks and leaks online recently showcasing the Switch 2.
The first thing of note that is revealed when watching the trailer is the sleek console with a very dark slate grey color. Nintendo decided to forego the bright vibrant palette from the original Switch for a more sophisticated, darker, modern look for Switch 2. There are still some colors used but more for just accents. This Switch definitely looks like it’s geared more for the adult Nintendo fan base, and most likely with the price increase on it, it’ll have to be. Not to mention a lot of those kids that played on the original Switch are now teenagers. It’s a well designed, artsy tech piece worthy of even the Apple logo.
The body looks very similar to the original Switch, with this one being about fifteen percent bigger and the screen taking up more real estate. No news yet on whether they will have an OLED version again or just stick with a standard LED screen. There are triggers on the side of the console that release the Joy Cons which look to be magnetically held in.
One surprising clip from the trailer showed the Joy Cons sliding around a surface as if they were a mouse. The takeaway would be that we will be able to use them like a mouse in certain game scenarios which is unexpected and mind blowing.
Another surprising feature is that there is an extra USB port on the top edge of Switch 2. The USB charging port is still on the bottom of the unit, just like with the original Switch. This means that the extra port will most likely be used for peripherals or extra accessories. I definitely get excited when I think of the dozens of possibilities that the additional port could be utilized for!
This time around the speakers are on the bottom, instead of on the rear like on the original Switch. We are hoping this means that the sound quality will be even better.
Another thing to note is that the joysticks are a bit longer and are more rimmed than the original ones. Most likely to help with increased thumb grip and to help delay stick drift.
The kickstand on this new Switch still looks very thin and flimsy to me and not hefty enough to hold the weight of it.
The biggest shocker of this whole trailer comes at the end, and it literally jolted me awake!
Was I dreaming?
Nintendo not only revealed the next highly anticipated Switch but also the new Mario Kart!! We have been waiting for a new Mario Kart for a decade now. Nintendo ever so slyly revealed some short game play clips from it and it looks to be even more chaotic than the Mario Kart before.
Alright then. Nintendo. Take my money.
As if the design of Switch 2 and the ice skating Joy Cons didn’t already sway me to get this, the new Mario Kart just cemented it!
Nintendo knew they had to cause quite the commotion with this trailer and they were able to pull the rabbit out of the hat with this one! The strongest competitor to the Switch, the OLED Steam Deck, now has a lot of future customers contemplating getting the new Switch now instead of Steam Deck. With the new Mario Kart coming out, you will not want to miss getting your hands on this so that you can play Mario Kart with your friends and not be left behind in the dust when one of the hottest games of the year comes out.
The Switch 2, with this more sophisticated design is of course going to cost more than the original Switch. There are rumors online that are stating it looks like it might go for around $400.
More details and specs will be announced at Nintendo Direct later this year on April 2nd, as well as hopefully pre-orders. Nintendo needs to tread carefully regarding the price, if they make it too high they will risk losing the parents that would buy one for their kids. The adults will still buy it though, including me!
When I had tested out Unc’s OLED Switch, looking for a portable gaming device I could travel with, I was worried about the lag I was getting on Fall Guys. I knew if I was getting lag on Fall Guys, that Rocket League would be much worse on it.
With Switch 2, it’s rumored that it may even be 120hz. Even if it’s not that high, I’m fairly confident I’ll be able to play Rocket League on it without any lag spikes. So it’s a must buy for me as well as for Unc. Unc will be able to play his beloved Skyrim, especially the new one whenever that finally comes out. I just know that the year the new Skyrim comes out that I, and others, will not see him for months.
Stay tuned for more upcoming announcements on this MONUMENTAL year of gaming with releases that we have been waiting for over a decade for like Mario Kart, Doom Dark Ages and the biggest one of all time, Grand Theft Auto 6!
Until then, check out another one of our articles and GAME ON!! 
