Nintendo Wii U, 3DS News & Features

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A reboot that should be Contra-banned.

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Hands-On at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience

A beautiful Saturday on the Thames, and the perfect day to spend four hours in a windowless hall with the latest (maybe greatest) piece of Nintendo hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2. Now that preorder anxiety has come and gone, it's time to see whether the next iteration of the much-loved Switch is as good as it seems, or all hype and no trousers.

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Firstly, credit needs to be given to a fantastically run event. Pretty much everyone in the joint is in full Nintendo swing, cheering as another kart crosses the finish line, and even just entering the event itself. Knowledgable staff, but most importantly, people that love the environment and, even more so, love to talk about what is in front of them.

Special mention also needs to be given to the man who appreciates and accommodates the curse of the left-handed. All queues were manageable, and no game really seemed out of reach. In comparison, press events from other companies meant it was simply not possible to try the big titles. Spacious, friendly and inviting; the perfect start.


 
The Nintendo Switch 2 hardware was displayed before getting the hands-on and instantly tempts the weak willed like myself. A welcome addition is the new charging Joy-Con controller, a neat little nod that Nintendo, although updating and not outright reinventing, is thinking of what little revisions will benefit a gamer. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller steals the show with a beautiful new finish, and after using it, reconfirms the belief that it is the most comfortable of any controller on the market.

Games-wise, this reviewer took a bit of a detour from the norm to try some stuff maybe not showcased in other articles. Obviously, Mario Kart World is fantastic, with an absolutely gorgeous look and the same great gameplay. What does seem apparent, however, is that races seem a lot fairer than previous iterations. No more pulling out miles in front, races can change in an instant, and that little tweak does wonders. Enough said there; everyone is getting it on release anyway.

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Mouse controls are seamless, as showcased by Sid Meier's Civilization VII, and there's real potential for these PC style offerings to fly on the Switch 2. It's a genius move tempting a whole new section of gamers that don't want to fork out on a brand-new gaming PC, but still enjoy the tight control system. Seeing a few Metroid players picking off everything in sight confirmed that this will be the go-to control system for a first-person shooter, as well as something a bit slower paced.

One of the stars of the experience to really show off the proposed upgrades and expansions was Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World. Quite simply, it's beautiful. A complete graphical overhaul with our little pink pal bursting with life on the screen. New abilities and content seamlessly integrate into the already great platformer, and again, makes the mind wander to what other potential upgrades could be coming. Nintendo has never shied away on improvement, and it could be lucrative for the developer if they put this much effort into some other classics from the past.

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Best graphics in the show, though, goes to Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. As someone that never owned a Steam Deck, the thought of a portable title like this is baffling, and the Switch 2 seems to have everything under the hood to deliver - smooth as silk, with the looks to match an equally smooth thing, like silk. CD Projekt Red staff were also on hand to discuss the port and seem really happy with the results. No confirmation on The Witcher 4 on Switch 2, though.

Overall, this was a great, well-run experience that has certainly only raised the level of excitement for the new Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. It's a bright future indeed, and with those rumblings of the price hike and strife in other countries, it's time to get those preorders in early and get in on the ground floor. After what was seen in London, there is something for everyone. Nintendo has always been this good, but until now, has maybe (unrightly) taken criticism for its looks. Never again. This is really playing with power.

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