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Geek Culture
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Nintendo Switch 2 — Review
Before 2017, the idea of playing games on a home console that could double as a portable gaming device remained a pipe dream for many, until the reigning king of video games introduced, well, a game-changer (pun intended). Nintendo packed the best of both worlds into the Nintendo Switch, which served as a strong bounce back for the Japanese giant following the commercial failure of its previous Wii U console. The hybrid 6.2-inch offering, which came with a home docking station, went on to become the third-best-selling console of all time, behind the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS, even as its distinctive red/blue controller design became a household sight. While its first-party titles certainly worked their magic, the extended support for third-party games and lack of region lock also contributed to its overwhelming popularity, prompting two more hardware revisions along the way – the handheld-only Switch Lite in 2019, and an upgraded model with a 7-inch OLED display in 2021. Suffice it to say, the arrival of its successor has been hotly anticipated. The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a monumental shift in the industry giant's strategy, introducing the next technological leap to address the original's increasingly ageing gameplay experience. But the price to pay for monolithic success is sky-high expectations, and this follow-up system falls short of the mark, bogged down by a difficult-to-justify price tag, especially since it no longer brings the same lustrous novelty as before, and puts itself on a two-steps-forward, one-step-back situation. The familiarity hits right out of the box, except everything is bigger. As the scaled-up version of the original, the Switch 2 measures 272 x 116 x 13.9mm, and weighs 535 grams with the new Joy-Cons, versus 238 x 102 x 13.9mm and 399 grams on the original, and 241 x 102 x 139mm for the 422-gram OLED iteration. At first glance, the extra screen real estate is immediately prominent and the added heft does little to disrupt its existing streamlined silhouette, as the unit comes with a new kickstand, sleeker buttons, and an all-black aesthetic lending a refined touch to the hardware. In hand, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels luxurious, as the solid chassis shows no hint of flex. Meanwhile, the build quality of the larger Joy-Con controllers is a step up, offering firmer key presses and a more satisfying tactile experience. A welcome tweak sees a second USB port on the unit, opening up the option for users to charge in handheld mode – a godsend for those travelling on long-haul flights – and connect external devices like camera accessories simultaneously, including an official one sold separately from the device. Building on its predecessor's signature slide-and-click mechanics, the Joy-Con controllers are now held together and detached using a new magnetic attachment system. The process works as seamlessly as before – simply press down on the protruding button on the rear, located directly below the shoulder trigger, triggers a crisp-sounding snap. Gone, too, are the concerns of loose controllers, which were a drawback of the original railing system, as these sturdier Joy-Cons won't budge unless the release lever is pressed. It's too early to determine how this overhauled feature will hold up in the long run, but its intuitive and clever design makes the Nintendo Switch 2 feel more cohesive than before. Still, there's a lingering sense of loss – more than just a pop of colour as the red-and-blue styling gave character to the previous Joy-Cons – as the subtle detailing here robs them of that charm. Based on personal experience with the original model, the rubber rims may also experience wear and tear more quickly than expected, especially in tropical and humid climates like Singapore. The other gripe lies in middling ergonomics. While Nintendo's latest is less bulky than the Steam Deck and most of its portable contemporaries, the placement of the joysticks and directional buttons are no less cramped than before and not using the larger real estate of each controller, causing heavier strain over prolonged use in handheld mode, which is already exacerbated by the increased weight and size. While the bigger, firmer ZL and ZR trigger buttons make things slightly more tolerable in horizontal placement, it'd be good if the straight edge could have a groove for a tighter, more comfortable grip. Speaking of grip, users can now rotate each Joy-Con on its flat side (that connects to the display) on a table, and use it as they would a computer mouse, to move a cursor around the screen. It works on most surfaces, from fabric to even the palm, but not glass, extending smooth and easy control over actions like navigating menus, scrolling, and in specific cases, gaming. Using mouse controls in Fortnite at the preferred sensitivity level yielded precise aiming and responsive wrist flicks, as well as fluid on-screen tracking, although the swiping and sideways grip require some getting used to. The initial experience can feel weird, and it's only normal with any introduction of a previously unheard of interface feature. In Epic Games' battle royale shooter, one controller will be face-down while the other remains upright, and each is tied to different functions – the former to rotate the camera, picking up or using items, and switching between weapons, and the latter, primarily for controlling player movement. Get into the swing of it, and the gameplay will start becoming more intuitive and enjoyable, even as game compatibility of this feature is currently limited to 18 other titles, including Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition , Fortnite , Metroid Prime 4: Beyond , and Donkey Kong Banaza . Call it a gimmick or a quirk (Nintendo needs to maintain its 'weird uncle' reputation after all), but there's little to complain about the execution. Porting over from an older-gen Switch proves to be a breezy affair, too. As with data transfer between Apple devices, it involves logging into a Nintendo account and placing both devices within proximity after downloading an update via an Internet connection. In our case, the whole set-up took around 20 minutes, with all save files, settings, and captured content perfectly intact. There's just one caveat to note – instead of using standard microSD cards, owners looking to expand their storage will have to use microSD Express cards. Although the 256GB of internal storage here, which is already an upgrade over the 32GB and 64GB on the base and OLED model on the original console is sufficient to tide things over temporarily, the lack of options on the current market can be inconvenient, especially since microSD Express cards are the newer and pricier of the two. In terms of processor, the Switch 2 boasts a custom-built NVIDIA processor featuring eight ARM Cortex A78C CPU cores and a T239 chipset running on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture – the same one used to power the RTX 30-series of graphics cards. The Nintendo Switch 2 promises, and delivers, vast improvements in performance and visuals, and ray tracing is supported, and loading speeds are noticeably faster, whether it's accessing the Nintendo eStore – a choppy mess on the Switch – or navigating in-game menus. More importantly, its backwards-compatible nature means older Switch titles can be enjoyed on this newer, enhanced system. Docked play outputs 4K resolution (3,4820 x 2,160) at 60 frames per second (60 fps) for supported games, as compared to 1080p previously. Dropping the resolution to 2,560 x 1,440 or 1,920 x 1,080 pushes frame rates up to 120 fps, while handheld mode caps out at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 120 fps (versus 720p at 30 fps on the original). In reality, though, the performance gap between the Switch 2 and its predecessor varies from one title to another, even if all of them runs smoothly in both TV and handheld mode. Mario Kart World , released exclusively for the sequel device, delivered an optimised, fluid experience with little to no frame rate dips, whereas both enhanced editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom meant for the Switch 2 kept stutter to a minimum, showcasing game environments and animated cutscenes in sharper detail. Pokémon Scarlet , available as a free update on the Switch 2, is easily the best point of comparison, transforming the notoriously laggy Casseroya Lake into a pleasant free-roaming experience and bringing a velvety quality to Koraidon's movements. As for third-party games, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 , Bayonetta 2, and Fire Emblem Warriors all registered an impressive uptick in performance. Where the heavy particle effects would send the Switch into a sluggish state, the fighting action now flows a lot more seamlessly, which is important for the fast-paced gameplay such titles demand. Conversely, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim isn't quite as impressive, with flat textures, murky detail, and stilted movement showing its age. Here's where the inconsistencies of backwards-compatible optimisations come into sharp focus, amplified on the larger TV display. When docked, the artefacts and jagged edges in Marvel Ultimate 3 are more prominent to the eye, and it's harder to ignore visual imperfections like motion blur in Pokémon Scarlet . Handheld mode remedies (not solves, because its bigger-than-the-first display leaves it susceptible to similar issues) the situation, although Switch OLED owners should lower their expectations for visual enjoyment. In an unexpected and bizarre back-pedal, the Switch 2 has opted for a wide colour gamut LCD panel, so expect duller colours, lower brightness, and weaker contrast levels than its higher-grade OLED predecessor. Users who prefer docked play will be less affected by the downgrade, but the disappointment is justified, especially since Nintendo has already set a precedent with an OLED option and it's not that the display is bad by any stretch, mind you, as it's more than decent on its own, delivering a snappy and immersive experience. No matter the mode, the next-gen offering tends to run hot. Diving back into Hyrule for a mere 10 to 15 minutes, peppered with the occasional battles, was enough to push our review unit beyond lukewarm standards, and Fortnite 's constant firefights called for the need to cool down after a few rounds. Fortunately, the heat doesn't throttle performance, and the welcome handling is undermined by a subpar battery life that leaves much to be desired. Compared to the original's 4,310mAh battery capacity, the Switch 2 marks an improvement with a 5,220mAh one, though its duration takes a hit. A 40-minute Pokémon Scarlet romp drained around 25 percent of the battery bar (in comparison, the official website puts 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on a single charge), with third-party titles seemingly consuming more juice at a quicker pace. In a separate test, Mario Kart World registered an almost 40 per cent dip after three rounds of Grand Prix races, totalling up to 16 races for two players. Also new to the device is a nifty lending system that makes it easier to share and access titles between consoles. Designed to function similarly to physical ones, Virtual Cards are created automatically with every digital purchase from the Nintendo eShop, and can be loaned out to members of the same Nintendo Switch Family account one at a time for up to two weeks. Personally, though, physical cards are still the way to go, and here, a bright red design has replaced the original black cartridge. GameChat is another Switch 2-exclusive feature, accessed through the 'C' button on the right Joy-Con and enabling users to chat with up to 11 others, share their screen, or activate a video call with a compatible camera accessory. While there wasn't any opportunity to test it out, the setup process was quick and easy to follow. On the flip side, the official launch of the free Nintendo Switch app means users in Singapore can now get the most out of experiences that are linked to it, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom , with the fuss-free setup serving as a sweet bonus. Alas, the biggest bone of contention is price. The Nintendo Switch 2 costs a whopping S$719, nearly twice the base price of the OLED model (S$369), or S$769 for the Mario Kart World Bundle, which comes in at S$195 less than a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (S$669) and PlayStation Portal (S$295) combo that offers a bigger game library. At launch, only two exclusives will be available – Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour , with the latter more of a glorified tech demo than a full-fledged release. Then, there are the upgraded versions of existing games, not to be confused with updates. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom , as mentioned previously, fall into the first category, whereas Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is an example of the second, joining the likes of ARMS , Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain , Captain Toad Treasure Tracker , Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics , Game Builder Garage , New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe , Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury , Super Mario Odyssey , and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Link's Awakening . The neat thing is that the above game updates will be available at launch for free, though what's not is the additional bucks needed to complete the upgrade jump. For starters, both The Legend of Zelda upgrade packs set existing users back by US$9.99 each, and unlike PlayStation's very own tech demo Astro's Playroom , Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour isn't included as part of the free package. The Nintendo Switch 2 titles, exclusives or otherwise, aren't the most wallet-friendly, either – while prices vary across the board, the S$119.90 price tag of Mario Kart World is telling, considering the S$60-plus average previously. To be fair, jacked-up prices aren't unique to Nintendo. Triple-A gaming has gotten expensive in recent years, with standard PS5 prices ranging anywhere from S$60 to over S$100. Still, the Japanese giant has built a reputation for being kid and family-centric, and well, that's certainly not something a child can afford (unless they are a scion of a rich family or of that ilk). Let's not forget other hidden costs that will add up over time, too, from microSD Express cards to the various subscription features. The Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a shiny new toy. Between impressive technological refinements, intuitive design tweaks, and a great deal of visual polish, the follow-up device presents a compelling proposition for fans of the brand and its exclusives. The absurd price hike from its predecessor makes it difficult to recommend, however, compounded with mild frustrations that outweigh the benefits, and especially with more affordable and powerful alternatives on the market. As is always the case with new tech offerings, it's also an advisable option to ride out the hype for now and wait until more choices are available. In the same breath that it introduces delightful surprises, there are also accompanying downsides, but those who don't mind shelling out some extra cash will likely learn to live with them, and appreciate the fresh touches on existing experiences, in addition to the promise of more to come. Summary Picking up from where the original left off, the Nintendo Switch 2 represents the zenith of hybrid console gaming, despite some rough ends left in its wake. Price is its greatest enemy and the deal breaker for most, though. Aesthetics - 8.5/10 Build Quality - 9/10 Performance - 8.5/10 Value - 5.5/10 Geek Satisfaction - 8/10 Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. Hybrid Console Nintendo Nintendo switch 2 Review
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mario Kart World Review: A Wonderful New Spin on Nintendo's Arcade Racer
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Mario Kart 8, the Wii U game that became a Nintendo Switch mainstay, wasn't just the franchise's sales apex; it also represented the final form for a traditional take on Nintendo's mascot kart racing series. Mario Kart World ($80) for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a Breath of the Wild moment for the series, blowing up longstanding norms while keeping its core appeal. It's a thrilling combination of retro and modern open-world freedom. Naturally, the transition comes with a few growing pains and room for future evolution. Even so, the wildly entertaining Mario Kart World is a fantastic next-generation racer for all ages, and the first Switch 2 game to earn our Editors' Choice award. Mario Kart World is a game I've wanted for more than 15 years, not just because it's another sequel in one of my favorite racing series, but because it's a spiritual successor to . After Criterion's 2008 masterpiece shook up the racing genre, I've been convinced that the ideal racing game features an open world that captures the real-life joy of casually driving to interesting locales, but with a recklessness that's only safe in a video game. Until now, no follow-ups have fully recaptured Burnout's magic. Forza Horizon is too boring, sedate, and realistic. doesn't fully deliver on the promise of its Lego landscape. Does anyone even remember The Crew? But Mario Kart World, with its Nintendo levels of AAA polish on the company's most powerful platform yet, is the wild and whimsical open-world racing game I've dreamed of. Mario Kart World's huge, open map is its central hook, but how does that impact one of the most beloved series? Quite a bit. Even something as basic as a Grand Prix takes on an entirely new form. First, you race the standard three laps in the first course. Afterward, all racers must drive from the end of that course to the starting line for the next one, because everything now takes place within the same map, with the courses connected by roads. The whole affair feels more organic and dynamic, as you focus more on adapting to situations on the fly rather than memorizing lap layouts. These intermediary races feature plenty of their own tricky designs to bridge one track to the next. One minute you're in a snowy cosmic observatory, and the next you're in a haunted movie theater. The game features both new and returning tracks, 32 in total, but even the retro courses are heavily reimagined to fit the new context. The most brilliant use of the new format is the Knockout Tour. In this mode, you race across the map, like a point-to-point cross-country rally race, with the bottom players being eliminated at various checkpoints until only the winner remains. It's addictive and exhilarating, similar to a gripping match. The checkpoints provide a satisfying series of small triumphs, making being in the middle of the pack meaningful, even if you don't win. Mario Kart World supports 24 racers, with Mario and Luigi facing off against deep-cut characters like Cow and Dolphin. Knockout Tour showcases the added chaos from the extra racers, where one unlucky red shell can send you plummeting down 20 spots. It's like Mario's take on The Cannonball Run. Unfortunately, many routes connecting these courses consist of boring, straight lines or empty, Wave Race-esque open patches of water. Lanes in open roads and more traditional courses are wider to support the additional racers, which reduces the challenge. However, savvier drivers will quickly learn that seemingly basic roads are packed with multiple paths that may lead to more optimal routes. By being more low-key, the connecting roads also create a buildup that makes courses more dramatic in comparison. Mario Kart World also uses its open map to deliver the franchise's most substantial single-player mode. Taking influence from Diddy Kong Racing and Mario Kart DS' mission mode, the new Free Roam lets you drive around the map at your leisure, having fun wherever you find it. Free Roam has more than 100 missions, activated by hitting the blue P-Switches densely scattered across the land. These bite-size challenges feature the creative designs you expect from Nintendo, presenting clever and surprisingly tough scenarios you won't see during normal races. You can bounce off music blocks from Super Mario Bros. 3 to collect blue coins, rocket up a waterfall and glide to the goal, and boost through swamp shortcuts. These challenges typically last only a few seconds, so it's easy to say "just one more" when you get into the groove. Like shrines in , completing a mission or two is a breezy delight while playing on the go in the Switch 2's portable mode. As for rewards, missions unlock stickers you can place on your kart, although they're often too small to see. To unlock new characters and karts, you must complete Grand Prix races and collect coins. Along with the missions, you can search for secret coins and panels, pipes to new areas, or temporary vehicles like a UFO. Once, I spotted Nabbit stealing coins and quickly had to take him down. Those random emergent encounters add a wonderful sense of mystery. Free Roam's exploration also encourages you to practice Mario Kart World's new racing mechanics, which add a nice layer of increased technical skill. Along with the typical powerslide boost, you can do a charge jump to hop onto nearby walls and grind on rails. This is still Mario Kart, so a random powerful item like a Bullet Bill or lightning bolt can and will ruin your day. However, these tricks empower anyone who puts in the work to master them. In solo modes, you can rewind if you mess up and want to quickly try again. These controls also just feel fantastic in their own right, with physics as kinesthetically pleasing as a skateboarding game or a full-on 3D like . The movement is inherently fun, even when nothing is really happening. That last part is crucial because there's one major knock against Free Roam: It doesn't have things to do. Eventually, I wanted a little more meat and a meaningful sense of larger progression. Give me a story to play through, or boss races unlocked by finishing missions in one area, for instance. Free Roam doesn't even support easy local split-screen multiplayer. You can only play with friends online, a disappointing limitation. There's value in open worlds that are charmingly quaint, as they provide a nice antidote to bloated blockbusters desperate to shovel as much distracting content down your throat as possible. But Mario Kart World's Free Roam sometimes seems more like a -style blueprint for a more fleshed-out take on this idea. Mario Kart World's most unexpected joy is simply vibing inside an extremely cool, big environment. It's such a novelty seeing Mario's world expanded into a space where you can imagine these characters actually existing and living. It naturally motivates you to seek out and investigate neat little scenes, like Yoshi and friends sitting at a campfire or a train you can ride on top of. I spent hours aimlessly cruising across the map, unlocking new costumes by eating regional food, because I simply wanted to absorb it all. An open world set in a fantastical land provides a different kind of transportive fantasy than Forza Horizon's real-world locales. Gorgeous as they are, they cannot match Mario Kart World's whimsy. There are familiar biomes, from deserts to beaches to snowy mountains. But here, the highways turn into giant beanstalks, dinosaurs smile at you, and you ride on rainbows. I am tired of Earth, get me to Mario's country. It helps that, thanks to the added power of Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World is a visual feast. Even compared with prior Mario Kart games, Mario Kart World features a more exaggerated, cartoonish aesthetic. The emphasis on character personality recalls . Running at up to 1440p/60fps, fast races and scenic vistas look stunning in motion. Changing weather and the day/cycle dramatically alter the mood of any given area. The in-game photography tool makes you slow down and appreciate the craft and detail as you compose the best shot. Meanwhile, the is Nintendo's best remix album since , offering more than 200 live arrangements of Mario music from various eras. There are too many amazing tunes to list, but Super Mario 64's file select theme is now a chillwave banger. Hearing these tracks kept my spirits consistently high, even while driving to nowhere in particular. I wish I could pick specific songs to listen to on an in-game radio station. Mario Kart World's new modes and systems are so fascinating that they can make you forget the strength of the normal modes, even if they aren't a revolutionary upgrade from prior Mario Kart games. Accessibility features help younger players stay on track, while time trials push pros to shave seconds off their record. Or, you can ignore the interconnected map and just participate in traditional versus races. You can play local split-screen mode with up to four players, as long as you can tolerate the halved frame rate. Or, you play online with 23 other humans. With the Switch 2's new feature, you can talk with friends or see their faces if you have a USB-C webcam. Even during local play, the camera has a use, putting your face in the game. Finally, there's Battle Mode, a mix of nostalgic maps and new arenas derived from existing tracks. It's a lot of fun shifting the focus from being fast to being furious as you blast opponents with weapons. But by not taking advantage of the open world, Battle Mode feels like a missed opportunity. The formula was right there. Plus, with only Balloon Battle and Coin Runners, Mario Kart World doesn't have as many battle modes as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Engadget
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
The Morning After: Our verdict on the Switch 2
You forget how much of a hit, how much of a turnaround, the Nintendo Switch turned out to be. After the major wobble (and baffling form factor) of the Wii U, Nintendo came back with a hybrid console that would replace and fuse its handheld and home console lineages. The console had no right being as playable (and enjoyable) as it was. Now, finally, its successor has landed . And for once, Nintendo's calling its new console a sequel. Nintendo took the best features from the original and upgraded nearly all of them. The major upgrades in hardware include a bigger 7.9-inch LCD screen, a more mature design that feels more solid and significantly upgraded performance and power. The only major drawback is battery life. Nintendo says it should provide between 2 and 6.5 hours of runtime on a single charge, but that depends on how resource-intensive your games are. According to Sam Rutherford's review testing: 'In Mario Kart World , the Switch 2 lasted two hours and 23 minutes, which is on the lower end of Nintendo's official estimate. Meanwhile, in the NS2 edition of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , the console fared a bit better with a time of 2:56.' Compared to the OLED Switch's battery life, it's a reduction, but it's also equivalent to other high-powered handhelds, like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck. Check out our full review (and perhaps our guide to the best games on the original Switch — because backward compatibility)., — Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! If you're struggling to find a good present for Father's Day, MasterClass has discounted its subscriptions by up to 50 percent. I grabbed a similar deal for myself, unfortunately only 40 percent off, and I've been pleasantly surprised at the solid interface and how many courses are available. Many course videos can even be downloaded for viewing offline. Continue reading. Nothing CEO Carl Pei has been teasing this news since April, but now it's official: You might actually be able to buy the company's next flagship phone. The Nothing Phone 3 will be available to purchase from Amazon or directly from the company. Until now, only the Phone 2 has made it to general sale in the US. For the other models (including the very impressive Phone 3a), users would have to buy a unit via a beta program, which has no after-sale support. Any caveats? Well, there will be no carrier discount. The Phone 3 will support 4G and 5G with AT&T and T-Mobile. While there's no explicit support for Verizon, the Phone 2 worked well with its network, so that'll probably be the case with the third phone. How much? There's no official US price yet. Pei recently said it would cost £800 in the UK at launch, which would translate to around $1,080 in US dollars. Continue reading. Infinite Machine made waves with its retro-futuristic P1 electric bike, and now it's back with the Olto. Its new e-bike boasts 40 miles of range and a top speed of 33 mph, with a 20 mph limit while riding in the bike lane. Just like the P1, the Olto e-bike looks both futuristic and retro, (like a transformer that turns into a vape.) What's notable is it can carry two riders at the same time, and you can add accessories, like child carriers. Continue reading.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Switch 2 sells 3.5 million units in just 4 days to become the "fastest-selling Nintendo hardware ever," and it's already a quarter of a way to the Wii U's lifetime sales
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nintendo has sold 3.5 million Nintendo Switch 2 consoles in the first four days it was available, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console ever. The console maker confirmed the news on the Nintendo of America Twitter account. On the leadup to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo forecast that the console would sell 15 million units over the first year, and has hit over a fifth of that number in just four days, which makes that goal seem pretty likely to happen at this rate. Nintendo hasn't released any other sales numbers, such as the number of sales for Mario Kart World, but you'd have to imagine those were also pretty high given that it's the big launch game for the system. Considering the original Nintendo Switch sold 2.7 million consoles during its first month (thanks, Bloomberg), it really puts into perspective how much momentum Nintendo picked up during the Nintendo Switch era. And by comparison, the PS5 – which Sony dubbed its biggest console launch ever – had sold 4.5 million consoles in the first two months, something Nintendo is sure to surpass if it keeps up this momentum. And because it's customary to dunk on Nintendo's most underrated console, according to Nintendo's numbers, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over a quarter of the Wii U's lifetime sales in four days. Although to be fair to the Wii U, it had hit over 3 million sales within the first two months. Plus the Switch 2 doesn't have the best version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, so who is the real winner here? "It looks like Nintendo did a good job" – Sonic boss Takashi Iizuka says Mario Kart World looks more like an action game, whereas Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds "really" focuses on racing and competitive play.
Bloomberg
05-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Nintendo's Switch 2 Has the Handheld Market All to Itself
Eight years since the launch of Nintendo Co.'s original Switch, the new console is finally here, in stores Thursday and online Friday. To greet the Switch 2, the return of what I feel is a much-missed staple, there was a frenzied midnight launch. Reports the Guardian: When the first Switch hit the market in 2017, rival console makers paid little attention. Nintendo was the walking wounded, reeling off the back of a highly disappointing Wii U, which sold a mere 13.6 million units, an extreme disappointment after 100 million in sales of the groundbreaking Wii. Its choice to separate from the pack, to not create a traditional home console to compete with Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and Sony Group Corp.'s PlayStation, was seen as an admission of having fallen behind.
