Switch 2 Direct Unveils Top 7 Surprises

Announcements for new video game hardware can often feel predictable. With every new console generation, certain features are almost guaranteed: enhanced graphics, quicker loading times, and fresh entries in beloved franchises featuring familiar characters like plumbers and turtles.

Nintendo, a company known for consistently innovating across generations—from the N64's analog controller and the GameCube's small discs to the Wii's motion controls and Virtual Console, the Wii U's tablet screen, and the Switch's inherent portability—has continued this trend with the Switch 2.

True to form, however, Nintendo managed to surprise everyone during the Switch 2 Direct with a few genuinely unexpected reveals.

Online Play Arrives in 2025

My history with Nintendo runs deep. Back in 1983, when I was four years old, my babysitter would roll footballs at me like Donkey Kong hurling barrels at Mario. I'd leap over them, mimicking the iconic sound effect, then grab a toy hammer to smash them. That's how long I've been a fan. So, I say this from a place of long-standing, affectionate frustration: it's hard to discuss this exciting news without acknowledging a bit of past disappointment.

As most fans know, Nintendo's approach to online multiplayer has historically been lacking. With a few exceptions like Satellaview and Metroid Prime: Hunters, the company has never fully embraced the potential of a unified online platform like those offered by Sony and Microsoft. Finding and chatting with friends on a Nintendo system has never been as straightforward, with even the Switch requiring a separate app for voice chat.

Remarkably, that seems to be changing. During the Direct, Nintendo introduced GameChat, and it appears... genuinely impressive. It's a four-person chat system featuring noise suppression, video camera support to see your friends, and screen sharing across consoles, letting you monitor up to four different screens simultaneously. The Switch 2 accessibility page confirms GameChat also includes text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality, offering players multiple ways to communicate.

We haven't seen a unified matchmaking system integrated with this yet. Nevertheless, this is a significant leap forward, and I'm hopeful it spells the end for the cumbersome friend code system.

Miyazaki Brings a New Exclusive to Nintendo

The initial moments of the trailer made me think I was watching Bloodborne 2. The atmosphere, character designs, and settings were quintessential FROM Software. Thanks to Eric Van Allen at IGN, I learned I was actually seeing The Duskbloods, a multiplayer PvPvE game directed by the master of challenging gameplay himself, Hidetaka Miyazaki.

It's a mystery where Miyazaki found the time to direct a Nintendo-exclusive title. One might suspect he never leaves his office or sleeps, much like the tormented, hollowed characters from his own games. Regardless, I'm grateful. FROM Software has a stellar track record, so anticipation is high for another exceptional experience.

An Unexpected but Pleasant Surprise

Speaking of developers who deserve a break, it appears Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has shifted focus from Smash to a new Kirby game. That was unexpected. Someone get that man some rest!

To be direct, the original Kirby's Air Ride for GameCube was visually appealing but ultimately lacked fun. Sakurai, however, has never hidden his deep fondness for Nintendo's pink, spherical character. A Kirby game under his direction is almost certain to be a far more polished and enjoyable adventure.

Addressing Control

It was a brief mention, but the Pro Controller 2 seems to live up to its "Pro" name this time. Nintendo confirmed it now includes an audio jack—a feature that's welcome, albeit about a decade late. More significantly, they've added two mappable back buttons. As a huge fan of customizable controls, this small addition was a delightful surprise.

Where's Mario?

This was a genuine shock. I, like many, assumed Nintendo's top Mario developers had been hard at work on his next major 3D title, expected to be the Switch 2's big summer release. I was mistaken. It turns out the team behind Odyssey is actually developing Donkey Kong Bananza, an intriguing new 3D platformer focused on destructible environments. Once again, Nintendo defies expectations, trusting its dedicated fanbase to embrace Donkey Kong's most ambitious game in years while saving Mario for a future date.

The Switch 2 will also launch with robust third-party support and Mario Kart World. While World looks like a potential system-seller, I expected it to be positioned as a holiday family game. Nintendo typically relies on Mario or Zelda to drive early console adoption. However, buoyed by the record-breaking sales of Mario Kart 8, Nintendo is betting that their most popular party game, alongside Bananza, will be enough to ensure a successful launch.

A Nintendo and Forza Horizon Crossover Was Unexpected

Open-world Mario Kart is now a reality. I believe this is a positive development; the series' quirky physics, unusual vehicles, and combat mechanics seem perfectly suited for a vast environment where players can race, battle friends, and cause mayhem across interconnected tracks. The brief glimpse we saw suggests a seamless world, similar to Bowser's Fury but on a much larger scale and populated by numerous drivers.

A Premium Price Point

The Switch 2 comes with a high price tag. I understand that current economic factors like tariffs, currency fluctuations, and inflation play a role. Still, $449.99 USD is a significant investment by any measure, making the Switch 2 the most expensive console launch in Nintendo's over 40 years of US sales. It's $150 more than its predecessor's launch price and $100 more than the previously most expensive Wii U. Historically, successful Nintendo consoles have often leveraged lower prices as a key advantage. The Switch 2 will attempt to find success without that pricing edge.