It’s been a blowout week of news and announcements for the Nintendo Switch 2, and we were lucky enough to be invited out to the hands on event in Paris to experience everything that’s new and coming to the console. An awful lot of people are going to still be on the fence (especially as other world events occurred), but there are some exciting games and intriguing features to entice through the first year of Switch 2, I think.
In the News This Week
Naturally all the headlines were dominated by the Nintendo Direct for the Nintendo Switch 2, with big game reveals, price and release date, and then the scramble to find all the little asides and caveats that didn’t make it into the main 60-minute stream.
- Nintendo Switch 2 release date set for June 5th 2025 for £396
- Mario Kart World revealed as Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, and it’s going open world!
- Nintendo Switch 2 US preorders delayed due to tariffs, but release still set for June
- Nintendo Switch 2 tech specs confirm a shorter battery life than Switch 1
- FromSoftware announce The Duskbloods, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
- Donkey Kong Bananza revealed for Nintendo Switch 2, coming in July
- GameCube games join Nintendo Switch Online, exclusive to Switch 2
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition paid upgrades come to Mario Party, Zelda, Kirby, Civ 7 and more
- Here’s how Nintendo Switch 2 GameShare lets you share multiplayer games with other Switches
- Coffee Stain tease the next Goat Simulator 3 paid expansion
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a new open world survival game in the MMO universe
- The Sinking City Remastered announced
Games in Review & Featured Articles
In a change of pace, I’m going to highlight the flush of game previews from going hands on with the Nintendo Switch 2 at the in-person hands on event in Paris.
Mario Kart World is looking to really shake up the familiar Mario Kart format with its big open world map and tracks, while keeping the gameplay feeling as crisp and tight as ever. Meanwhile, Donkey Kong Bananza brings a lot of punching and smashing to the 3D platformer on Nintendo Switch 2.
I also got to share some hands on time with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, using the Switch 2 Edition’s enhanced mouse controls which, in general, feel like they can be a game changer for Switch 2 players… even if they’re doomed to be a niche control option.
Elsewhere, Dom went hands on with Den of Wolves, the new Inception-infused heisting game from former Payday and Payday 2 developers at 10 Chambers. Miguel called The Last of Us Part II on PC another stellar port by Sony, and I spent a couple hours with Hitman on PSVR 2, a VR adaptation which is just on the cusp of greatness.
With all of that, we had just two reviews:
- Bleach: Rebirth of Souls – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, PC – 8/10
- Croc: Legend of the Gobbos – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 5/10
Finishing up for the week, What We Played featured Monster Hunter Wilds, Atomfall and a bunch of Nintendo Switch 2!
Trailer Park
Your Achievements
What have you been playing this week?
- TSBonyman is trying to get the very most amount of playtime from Atomfall, and is enjoying despite a few inventory and travel foibles. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth upgrade has also bolstered that game’s longevity.
That’s the round up for this week. Hope you have a great weekend ahead with all the lovely weather!
