Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 | June 5th release

Some reports out there today that SW 2 will not have VRR in docked mode. Hoping this is not true!
 
The Mario Kart World Direct this morning was wildly underwhelming. The fact that this game is the flagship launch title is really disappointing.

I'm still baffled that they don't have a new 3D Mario ready for launch. I guess the argument there is that they've got the new 3D Donkey Kong title releasing, but to be honest, after waiting 25 years since the last open world Donkey Kong, this one looks like it's just a repetitive gameplay mechanic on a mostly empty map.
 
The Mario Kart World Direct this morning was wildly underwhelming. The fact that this game is the flagship launch title is really disappointing.

I'm still baffled that they don't have a new 3D Mario ready for launch. I guess the argument there is that they've got the new 3D Donkey Kong title releasing, but to be honest, after waiting 25 years since the last open world Donkey Kong, this one looks like it's just a repetitive gameplay mechanic on a mostly empty map.
You can jump red shells again! That alone is worth its weight in gold in terms of competing online or competitively.

If they get the play mechanics right, it's likely to be a classic.
 
I was thinking there would be some kind of single player adventure mode on Mario Kart, but the extra things to do in free roam feels like it could add a lot of value for me.

Overall play seems great, I love the addition of more tricks that adds another layer of skill to the game. This makes a lot of sense as the increase of racers will mean more items.

I can understand why some people think this game isn't worth $80 in the US, but I do disagree. Again, UK price is where I'd expect it. US price is a tad high, but the people that will play this a lot should get that value from it IMO. I think they'll be some free content updates as well as more substantial, paid ones over the lifespan of the console.

To me, this is the only kart racer I need now for 5+ years of playing Switch 2. It will get more content. Not many games will have me still playing from console release until the next console, but this will.
 
I was thinking there would be some kind of single player adventure mode on Mario Kart, but the extra things to do in free roam feels like it could add a lot of value for me.

Overall play seems great, I love the addition of more tricks that adds another layer of skill to the game. This makes a lot of sense as the increase of racers will mean more items.

I can understand why some people think this game isn't worth $80 in the US, but I do disagree. Again, UK price is where I'd expect it. US price is a tad high, but the people that will play this a lot should get that value from it IMO. I think they'll be some free content updates as well as more substantial, paid ones over the lifespan of the console.

To me, this is the only kart racer I need now for 5+ years of playing Switch 2. It will get more content. Not many games will have me still playing from console release until the next console, but this will.
If you buy it as part of a bundle it's down to $50 and you kinda need a Switch 2 to play it, so I don't really see the big issue.
 
If you buy it as part of a bundle it's down to $50 and you kinda need a Switch 2 to play it, so I don't really see the big issue.
Yeah, I got the bundle here and it's £429 vs 395~. Makes the most sense even if it was a £60 game.

I can understand the uproar and it's to be seen if any other company's try to charge $80 for a third party game on Switch 2. But what I think is likely to happen, is that Nintendo probably tries to charge $80 for the next big 3D Zelda & Mario games, but just sticks with $70 for everything else.

Also, as I said and is already being evidenced by Street Fighter 6 & Bravely Default prices, it's highly likely that the vast majority of games will be far, far cheaper than whatever the suggestions are. Like it always is.
 
Yeah, I got the bundle here and it's £429 vs 395~. Makes the most sense even if it was a £60 game.

I can understand the uproar and it's to be seen if any other company's try to charge $80 for a third party game on Switch 2. But what I think is likely to happen, is that Nintendo probably tries to charge $80 for the next big 3D Zelda & Mario games, but just sticks with $70 for everything else.

Also, as I said and is already being evidenced by Street Fighter 6 & Bravely Default prices, it's highly likely that the vast majority of games will be far, far cheaper than whatever the suggestions are. Like it always is.
Isn't SF6 cheap because it's that game card download thing even if physical?
 
In shocking news, Digital Foundry was wrong once again. This time about DLSS.

In even less shocking news, looks like I'm once again bang on and it's not DLSS 4, it's custom. It had to be at those resolutions. It's going to be very interesting as to what exactly it's doing, the only thing I'll be fair to DF about is Cyberpunk isn't the best game to be studying for it anyway.
 
Apparently the DLSS will only activate if you get within half a second of the nearest Switch 2
DF's latest video?


I joke, but I'm allowed to be a little smug. People tend to believe everything on YT videos these days as if it's gospel, but never read words written from someone who has called this all out from since before the dawn of time. There was a time where YT channels and "gaming journalists" legitimately copied my words on here. The PS4/Xbone memory leak comes to mind :lol:

I continue to know my shit.
 
Still waiting for word if VRR will be present in docked mode. How hard is it to get an answer from nintendo on this?!
 
DF's latest video?


I joke, but I'm allowed to be a little smug. People tend to believe everything on YT videos these days as if it's gospel, but never read words written from someone who has called this all out from since before the dawn of time. There was a time where YT channels and "gaming journalists" legitimately copied my words on here. The PS4/Xbone memory leak comes to mind :lol:

I continue to know my shit.

I legit admire your unwaivering confidence in yourself. Here I am still not sure what DLSS is except - I think - some kind of AI rendering tool for increasing performance?
 
I legit admire your unwaivering confidence in yourself. Here I am still not sure what DLSS is except - I think - some kind of AI rendering tool for increasing performance?
It's an AI powered tool by Nvidia that increases image quality by upscaling resolution and I think it also enhances performance/quality.

Games like RDR2, Cyberpunk etc use it from what I've read in the past.
 
It's an AI powered tool by Nvidia that increases image quality by upscaling resolution and I think it also enhances performance/quality.

Games like RDR2, Cyberpunk etc use it from what I've read in the past.
In very simple terms if you’re playing the game at 1080p it will actually render it at a lower resolution like 720p and use AI upscaling to make the game look like it’s being rendered at 1080p. It’s cool, it’s come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, especially Nvidias version of it (dlss). Dlss 4 in particular seems very impressive.

Some people don’t like it because you’re not technically playing at the resolution it says you are but it has gotten so good recently that most people wouldn’t be able to notice.
 
I was thinking there would be some kind of single player adventure mode on Mario Kart, but the extra things to do in free roam feels like it could add a lot of value for me.

Overall play seems great, I love the addition of more tricks that adds another layer of skill to the game. This makes a lot of sense as the increase of racers will mean more items.

I can understand why some people think this game isn't worth $80 in the US, but I do disagree. Again, UK price is where I'd expect it. US price is a tad high, but the people that will play this a lot should get that value from it IMO. I think they'll be some free content updates as well as more substantial, paid ones over the lifespan of the console.

To me, this is the only kart racer I need now for 5+ years of playing Switch 2. It will get more content. Not many games will have me still playing from console release until the next console, but this will.
I actually love the concept of open world and free roam, without being forced to 'complete' anything really. I am probably only going to pick one more game at launch (likely Cyberpunk), upgrade Tears of the Kingdom and that should easily suffice until Donkey Kong is out. One resolution I have for this generation is to not overwhelm myself with the amount of games in my pipeline, I will only buy as many games as I need (helps that I am going to carry over all the games I bought for the first Switch, where I still have probably north of 50 games that I had bought and barely played since).
 
I actually love the concept of open world and free roam, without being forced to 'complete' anything really. I am probably only going to pick one more game at launch (likely Cyberpunk), upgrade Tears of the Kingdom and that should easily suffice until Donkey Kong is out. One resolution I have for this generation is to not overwhelm myself with the amount of games in my pipeline, I will only buy as many games as I need (helps that I am going to carry over all the games I bought for the first Switch, where I still have probably north of 50 games that I had bought and barely played since).
Yeah, same! I'm interested to learn if the free roam stuff is basically just another way to unlock things? Eg. Perhaps you can still unlock everything in the game by collecting coins or completing races etc if you're only interested in multiplayer. It'll just take quite a lot of time to do it that way compared to having a nosey around the open world.

I have been following that methodology for a while myself, which is probably why I'm more content with what Nintendo is offering in the immediate future than some others. I have only bought two games for quite a while if I'm remembering correctly... Power Rangers Rita's Rewind and Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door which both released last year. My next game will be Fantasy Life which I'll get a lot of mileage out of, although it'll be competing with Mario Kart now as they release within about 2-3 weeks of one another. I tend to get what I'd say is good value out of each game I buy, so I'm happy! I will most likely upgrade Kirby The Forgotten Land in August and grab Pokemon ZA on Switch 2 instead now. I don't think I'll be buying Donkey Kong, but may borrow it if a friend decides to.

I still have one burning question that doesn't seem to have a full answer. Nintendo says some Switch games will just naturally run better on a Switch 2 than Switch - but I wouldn't be surprised if some just run the same or even worse due to the workarounds they've had to put in place to make this backwards compatible. I'm hopeful they give us more detail on which games they anticipate to give free or paid updates to, and which are just going to be fine to just play on Switch 2 for a better experience without the need of any update.

This is important to me for Fantasy Life - I'd hope to know by the time this game comes out because if it isn't Switch 2 compatible immediately after the new console releases, it's going to be a tough decision to migrate my account right away.

But also, games like Super Mario Wonder, Paper Mario, Xenoblade Chronicles X etc. I just want to know some kind of plan because I'm sure Nintendo is being cautious with how many games receive a £10-20 uplift to get that better experience.
 
Yeah, same! I'm interested to learn if the free roam stuff is basically just another way to unlock things? Eg. Perhaps you can still unlock everything in the game by collecting coins or completing races etc if you're only interested in multiplayer. It'll just take quite a lot of time to do it that way compared to having a nosey around the open world.

I have been following that methodology for a while myself, which is probably why I'm more content with what Nintendo is offering in the immediate future than some others. I have only bought two games for quite a while if I'm remembering correctly... Power Rangers Rita's Rewind and Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door which both released last year. My next game will be Fantasy Life which I'll get a lot of mileage out of, although it'll be competing with Mario Kart now as they release within about 2-3 weeks of one another. I tend to get what I'd say is good value out of each game I buy, so I'm happy! I will most likely upgrade Kirby The Forgotten Land in August and grab Pokemon ZA on Switch 2 instead now. I don't think I'll be buying Donkey Kong, but may borrow it if a friend decides to.

I still have one burning question that doesn't seem to have a full answer. Nintendo says some Switch games will just naturally run better on a Switch 2 than Switch - but I wouldn't be surprised if some just run the same or even worse due to the workarounds they've had to put in place to make this backwards compatible. I'm hopeful they give us more detail on which games they anticipate to give free or paid updates to, and which are just going to be fine to just play on Switch 2 for a better experience without the need of any update.

This is important to me for Fantasy Life - I'd hope to know by the time this game comes out because if it isn't Switch 2 compatible immediately after the new console releases, it's going to be a tough decision to migrate my account right away.

But also, games like Super Mario Wonder, Paper Mario, Xenoblade Chronicles X etc. I just want to know some kind of plan because I'm sure Nintendo is being cautious with how many games receive a £10-20 uplift to get that better experience.
I'm kind of stalling finishing my third playthrough of Mario Odyssey because of that, I'm midway through it now but wanted to wait to see how it runs & looks on Switch 2 before I progress any further...

I'm finding it hard to keep myself away from TOTK as I went back to it recently to refresh my memory on mechanics (which are still surprisingly easy to grasp despite not playing for 18 months) but really want to leave it for S2... I'll probably easily clock in another 100 hours before I'm done with it.
 
I legit admire your unwaivering confidence in yourself. Here I am still not sure what DLSS is except - I think - some kind of AI rendering tool for increasing performance?
It's an AI powered tool by Nvidia that increases image quality by upscaling resolution and I think it also enhances performance/quality.

Games like RDR2, Cyberpunk etc use it from what I've read in the past.
In very simple terms if you’re playing the game at 1080p it will actually render it at a lower resolution like 720p and use AI upscaling to make the game look like it’s being rendered at 1080p. It’s cool, it’s come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, especially Nvidias version of it (dlss). Dlss 4 in particular seems very impressive.

Some people don’t like it because you’re not technically playing at the resolution it says you are but it has gotten so good recently that most people wouldn’t be able to notice.
Pretty much these. The ps5/Xbox upscales, TVs do too (on a basic level), but DLSS is easily the most advanced and specifically targets advanced stuff like Raytracing.

The specific reason it's such a big deal on the Switch2 though, is that it's not a system that can just bump up any old machine. You still need a decent level of power and image quality to run DLSS, as realistically anything less than 1080p (and even that's pushing it) doesn't look great with any upscaling system, including DLSS.

So what's tricking the likes of DF, is that for SW2 to use DLSS with as low as 720p resolution and it to still look as good as those screens, it needs to be doing something different to the main DLSS4 version. Of course, what's not helping the first impressions of what is going on, is that the likes of Cyberpunk and Elden Ring run on ropey as feck engines anyway. The real show of what it can do will, as always, come later in the machine's life as people get to grips with it.


Still waiting for word if VRR will be present in docked mode. How hard is it to get an answer from nintendo on this?!
It's very likely they are having the issues people thought they might with getting it stable on the HDMI side. It surely will come when they figure it out, they must have designed the dock for it in the first place! That all being said, it does of course not matter if they are running stable framerates when docked. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out in any case.


@Havak I’ve been meaning to ask for a while. How are you the jolliest person on the caf and why hasn't the relentless march of time and all the world's chaos dulled your radiant spirit?
It's my alt account. I get all the hatred out on this one, so I can be all sunshine as "Havak".
 
I'm kind of stalling finishing my third playthrough of Mario Odyssey because of that, I'm midway through it now but wanted to wait to see how it runs & looks on Switch 2 before I progress any further...

I'm finding it hard to keep myself away from TOTK as I went back to it recently to refresh my memory on mechanics (which are still surprisingly easy to grasp despite not playing for 18 months) but really want to leave it for S2... I'll probably easily clock in another 100 hours before I'm done with it.
Mario Odyssey has at least been announced to have a free update, which is good! I thought they'd charge for this one, but I suppose they're more likely to add paid content to Wonder (120 FPS, new levels etc) and release new versions of Mario Kart (which they have) and a new 3D Platformer (which is surely coming by Autumn 2026 at the latest?). They've done paid content for Mario Party which I think is fine, but I wouldn't be surprised to see something done with Paper Mario & Super Mario RPG as well.

That paragraph just shows how up in the air things are though! :lol: Basically a bit of pot-luck right now as to which older games Nintendo decides to give any treatment to. I assume most bigger games that release after the Switch 2 will have full releases for both consoles (unless it's S2 exclusive). I should probably do more real work than looking at lists of Nintendo games and assigning what kind of update I think they should get...
@Havak I’ve been meaning to ask for a while. How are you the jolliest person on the caf and why hasn't the relentless march of time and all the world's chaos dulled your radiant spirit?
I'm not sure I'm that jolly! Maybe I get all of my rage out at Man Utd performances, although even that has mellowed now! I accept what we are.
Pretty much these. The ps5/Xbox upscales, TVs do too (on a basic level), but DLSS is easily the most advanced and specifically targets advanced stuff like Raytracing.

The specific reason it's such a big deal on the Switch2 though, is that it's not a system that can just bump up any old machine. You still need a decent level of power and image quality to run DLSS, as realistically anything less than 1080p (and even that's pushing it) doesn't look great with any upscaling system, including DLSS.

So what's tricking the likes of DF, is that for SW2 to use DLSS with as low as 720p resolution and it to still look as good as those screens, it needs to be doing something different to the main DLSS4 version. Of course, what's not helping the first impressions of what is going on, is that the likes of Cyberpunk and Elden Ring run on ropey as feck engines anyway. The real show of what it can do will, as always, come later in the machine's life as people get to grips with it.



It's very likely they are having the issues people thought they might with getting it stable on the HDMI side. It surely will come when they figure it out, they must have designed the dock for it in the first place! That all being said, it does of course not matter if they are running stable framerates when docked. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out in any case.



It's my alt account. I get all the hatred out on this one, so I can be all sunshine as "Havak".
:lol:
 
Mario Odyssey has at least been announced to have a free update, which is good! I thought they'd charge for this one, but I suppose they're more likely to add paid content to Wonder (120 FPS, new levels etc) and release new versions of Mario Kart (which they have) and a new 3D Platformer (which is surely coming by Autumn 2026 at the latest?). They've done paid content for Mario Party which I think is fine, but I wouldn't be surprised to see something done with Paper Mario & Super Mario RPG as well.

That paragraph just shows how up in the air things are though! :lol: Basically a bit of pot-luck right now as to which older games Nintendo decides to give any treatment to. I assume most bigger games that release after the Switch 2 will have full releases for both consoles (unless it's S2 exclusive). I should probably do more real work than looking at lists of Nintendo games and assigning what kind of update I think they should get...

I'm not sure I'm that jolly! Maybe I get all of my rage out at Man Utd performances, although even that has mellowed now! I accept what we are.

:lol:
I love the Jamboree update, I've been playing that game a lot with Mrs Sarna since it came out.
 
Very underrated game. One of the best Mario Partys they've put out for a long time.
It's excellent. I had Superstars before which I very much enjoyed as well, but Jamboree feels much more fresh and creative. The only area where Jamboree is lacking is the amount of games but that will probably be addressed with a (paid) update.
 
If anyone cares the GameCube controller is now available for pre-order on Nintendo Online without the need of an exclusive invite
 
Expect they will remove the 2 per lifetime limit eventually - this will just be because they want everyone who wants one to get one on release.

£60 is a bit steep, I suspect it has put off a few early adopters (at least in terms of buying 2 rather than just 1). That's why they've gone on general sale for NSO Members I imagine!