Nintendo could also be hiding a Change 2 secret in plain sight

At first blush, little of Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 announcement was unsurprising. The brand new handheld was thoroughly leaked beforehand and is not radically completely different from the earlier Change. The physique is a unique form and the display is slightly larger, however the standout, genuinely new function lives contained in the console’s removable controllers; it seems just like the Change 2’s model of Pleasure-Con controllers can be utilized as a mouse.

That would open up all new methods to manage Change 2 video games and new sorts of ports — extra video games for what’s rumored to be an much more highly effective console. However the true motive why Nintendo is exploring this management methodology in any respect may very well be even easier: the corporate desires it to be simpler to emulate older handhelds.

The Change 2 is not making an attempt to reinvent the wheel

Nintendo’s first Change was all about flexibility

If there’s one defining high quality of the unique Change, it is that Nintendo designed it to work wherever. From the start, the corporate targeted on emphasizing the advantages of a handheld that may be docked as a house console. The Switch’s launch video highlighted how adaptable it’s, exhibiting individuals docking it of their lounge, propping it up on its kickstand to play exterior, or simply utilizing it as a handheld.

That flexibility is why so many individuals anticipated — and finally, demanded — that video games get ported to the Change. It made titles that had been historically chained to a TV in a position to be taken on the go for the primary time. The Change wasn’t at all times highly effective sufficient to run these video games properly, however the truth that it made enjoying Skyrim on a bus potential was no small feat.

Over 146 million Switch’s have been offered, which is proof sufficient that the concept labored, and that is not even making an allowance for the explosion of handheld PCs that took the concept even additional that adopted. Mouse help, or at the least utilizing a Pleasure Con extra like a mouse, would make it potential for an entire new grouping of video games to make the leap to Nintendo’s new handheld. Conventional PC video games that thrive with mouse and keyboard help are much more engaging on the Change when you possibly can management them with a pointer somewhat than clumsy sticks and buttons.

If the Steam Deck contains trackpads for video games that want the advantageous management of a mouse, the Change 2’s up to date Pleasure-Con controllers may simulate a mouse for the very same goal.

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Did all the Nintendo Switch 2 leaks spoil the reveal trailer for you?

In the end, Nintendo has formally unveiled its next-generation online game console to the world, which it calls the Nintendo Change 2. The Kyoto, Japan-based gaming big unveiled its new two-in-one hybrid system within the type of a brief first-look trailer, which is obtainable to observe on its official YouTube channel.The Change 2, which can be getting its personal in-depth convention occasion on April 2, 2025, seems to be a reasonably iterative launch total. As a direct followup to the immensely profitable Change, this successor platform seems to construct on the identical sturdy foundations pioneered by Nintendo again in 2017.The core parts of the unique Change are all current right here, from the dockable nature of the system, to the card-based bodily sport media, to full-blown backwards compatibility with unique Change software program. Removable controllers and a kickstand for tabletop gameplay have additionally made the minimize as soon as once more.Forward of this much-anticipated teaser video, there was an abundance

There’s an essential handheld Nintendo hasn’t emulated

Nintendo’s DS used a stylus that successfully labored like a mouse

There may be a fair easier motive Nintendo is exploring this new management methodology. In addition to on-line multiplayer, the massive good thing about being a Nintendo Switch Online member is entry to a collection of emulation apps Nintendo launched over the course of the Change’s life. The corporate received so far as emulating N64 video games when it comes to the corporate’s house console, and the Sport Boy and Sport Boy Advance earlier than it launched the Change 2.

The preferred handheld Nintendo has ever offered is the dual-screen Nintendo DS. By 2016, Nintendo says it had offered over 154 million units of all the assorted DS fashions mixed. It will make a whole lot of sense if Nintendo tried to emulate DS video games on the Change 2, and the “mouse” controls of those new Pleasure-Cons may very well be the way in which it occurs. For many video games on the DS, stylus enter labored rather a lot like a mouse, letting you drag issues across the backside touchscreen, work together with menus, and transfer your character round.

The corporate must discover some approach to carry the knowledge that was on the underside display of the DS to the Change 2’s single display, however that is that onerous to handle. The strongest argument that that is Nintendo’s plan is that it already did one thing related for Wii video games on the unique Change. Every of the unique Pleasure-Con controllers had built-in accelerometers for movement controls, one thing that the corporate used sparingly for brand spanking new Change video games, however steadily for ported video games from the Wii and Wii U.

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What game would you like to see on the Switch 2?

This morning. after months of hypothesis, Nintendo lastly took the wraps off the Change 2, giving avid gamers their first official look not solely on the new {hardware}, but additionally a forthcoming Mario Kart title, which is rumored to be launching alongside the brand new console later this yr.Whereas particulars across the new Mario Kart title haven’t been shared, rumors are swirling about new titles that would seem on the Change 2, together with Metaphor Re:Fantazio, an untitled Halo sport that includes Grasp Chief, Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and even the upcoming GTA VI. With that in thoughts we would like to know, what video games would you like to see on Nintendo’s latest console? Hold forth beneath! 

There’s nonetheless going to be Change 2 surprises

We all know rather a lot, but additionally little or no

Nintendo

That I may even speculate about what these new Pleasure-Con controllers can do exhibits how a lot management Nintendo nonetheless has over the Switch 2 info atmosphere. The {hardware} might need leaked, however we all know subsequent to nothing concerning the software program that may truly run on it (and what it is going to let that {hardware} do). It is backwards-compatible with the overwhelming majority of unique Change video games, however that is about all I do know.

That makes this brief wait till Nintendo shares extra concerning the Change 2 all of the extra thrilling. These new controllers may very well be meant to switch a mouse, or they may do one thing fully completely different. We cannot know till Nintendo tells us.

Nintendo Change OLED

Nintendo’s Change OLED is the very best Change at the moment accessible, but it surely’s prone to be utterly changed by the enhancements of the Change 2.

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Mario Kart 9 teased as potential Switch 2 launch title

A brand new Mario Kart sport was teased throughout the first-look trailer for the Change 2.