On Wednesday, April 2, Nintendo will lastly host its first Direct fully devoted to Nintendo Swap 2. Whereas everyone knows what the console seems to be like by now, there are nonetheless loads of questions left for Nintendo to reply (and I am anticipating solutions.) This is what I am looking for, and the place you’ll be able to watch the Nintendo Swap 2 Direct.
The reality is, we actually do not know what Nintendo goes to share throughout Wednesday’s Direct. What we all know for certain is that this: The presentation itself is going to run about 60 minutes. That is a very long time for a Nintendo Direct. The corporate’s final presentation on March 27, for instance, was slightly below 37 minutes, which suggests Nintendo will need to have fairly a bit to share in regards to the Swap 2. However except for that, Nintendo is tight-lipped in regards to the precise content material of its upcoming Direct.
What we all know in regards to the Swap 2
That stated, Nintendo has already proven off fairly a bit in regards to the Swap 2. In its authentic announcement earlier this 12 months, the corporate unveiled the brand new {hardware}, revealing a bigger show and console, and a redesigned kickstand that provides steeper angles to play in handheld mode. It additionally sports activities two USB-C ports as a substitute of 1 (the brand new one is on the highest of the console), and the dock now sports activities a “2,” so you recognize you are taking part in on the most recent Swap.
Probably the most noticeable change within the announcement video, maybe, was the Pleasure-Cons: These Swap 2 controllers are beefier, with bigger shoulder buttons and an adjusted form. In case you did not discover these changes, you might in all probability inform these Pleasure-Cons have a distinct shade design than the originals, as these new controllers are largely black, with shade accents beneath the joysticks and alongside the rails. (The Swap 1 Pleasure-Cons, after all, are the other: very colourful, with black rails and accents.) These Pleasure-Cons connect with the Swap 2 magnetically, versus the slide-rail mechanism of the unique console. I am certain Nintendo will showcase extra about this performance tomorrow.
The video did verify a rumor that Nintendo would add a brand new “C” button to the console, however Nintendo didn’t elaborate additional. What does it do? We merely do not know.
We additionally know that Swap 2 might be backwards-compatible with Swap 1, which supplies gamers lots of flexibility. In fact, Swap 1 gamers seemingly will not have the ability to play Swap 2 video games (although you by no means know), so the brand new Mario Kart that Nintendo teased in its announcement may simply be a new-console unique.
What we have discovered because the announcement
Whereas Nintendo confirmed most of the leaks and rumors that had been circulating on-line for a while, there have been nonetheless many questions left unanswered. Whereas there are nonetheless loads of unknowns right here, we’ve discovered extra within the months because the official Swap 2 announcement.
In February, a Nintendo patent surfaced exhibiting off a characteristic that allows you to use your Pleasure-Con as a pc mouse. It appears to trace with the Swap 2 announcement video, which reveals the brand new Pleasure-Cons dragging alongside a floor—like a mouse. Whereas Nintendo hasn’t publicly acknowledged this performance but, it may open up completely different sorts of gameplay mechanics. (Maybe we’ll have touchscreen-based DS and 3DS recreation help on Swap 2.) Then, final month, Nintendo submitted a variety of filings with the FCC, which revealed three key issues in regards to the Swap 2: The brand new console helps NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and charging by way of each USB-C ports.
What’s left to study
In all, we all know so much right here: We all know what the console seems to be like, a lot of its options, and that there is no less than one new recreation within the works. However there’s nonetheless lots to study.
What do you suppose to this point?
We do not know, for instance, the console’s true specs but, nor do we all know how highly effective it truly is. Whereas analysts suppose the Swap 2 may very well be considerably extra highly effective than the unique Swap, it is all hypothesis till Nintendo demos the video games the console can run. Will we lastly get a Nintendo console to run at 4K (ideally at 60fps)?
Talking of video games, what’s going to we truly have the ability to play on Nintendo’s shiny new console? Rumors counsel third-party builders are planning titles together with Murderer’s Creed, Halo, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, whereas beforehand introduced first-party Nintendo titles that have not launched but, like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 will seemingly have a Swap 2 debut.
We additionally do not know in regards to the worth. Rumors had prompt a $399 MSRP, which would appear cheap when in comparison with the Swap’s $299 price ticket, however Nintendo hasn’t confirmed a method or one other. We additionally do not have an official launch date. Hopefully, we’ll study all these particulars tomorrow.
I would not be shocked if Nintendo has some wild-card bulletins to generate buzz for the Swap 2. May there be a 3D Zelda announcement? Will the corporate announce high-performance modes for older Swap titles? It is actually a guessing recreation at this level. However it will not be for lengthy.
The best way to watch the Swap 2 Nintendo Direct
Nintendo goes to stream stay beginning at 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT) on Wednesday, April 2. You possibly can catch the present from Nintendo’s official YouTube web page.
