After I wrote about Nintendo’s 2024, I waxed lyrical about what number of nice Change video games there have been, however the hybrid handheld console was actually exhibiting its age.
The Nintendo Change 2 did lastly launch in 2025, but it surely did so in June, that means it’s truly an oddly-paced 12 months for the corporate that’s accomplished an ideal job lately of drip-feeding compelling exclusives.
In consequence, I’ll cut up this 12 months into Nintendo pre-Change 2 and after the console had arrived, but it surely’s price stressing that it’s been a fairly nice 12 months – and {hardware} gross sales are trying promising for the newest system, too.
Earlier than Change 2
Whereas Nintendo kicked the 12 months off with a brief teaser concerning the Change 2 on January 16, we didn’t get extra spec information till a full Direct presentation on April 2, earlier than the console launched on June 5.
That meant the heavy lifting for the corporate’s first six months of the 12 months was all concerning the software program, and to its credit score, the hits stored coming throughout each first and third-party titles. Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD, Civilization 7, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Version, and extra helped the Change gallop off into the sundown with loads of positivity.
And but, it could be truthful to say we had been all ready for that June launch. We had been getting Cyberpunk 2077 on a Nintendo system, Hitman on the go, and large hitters like Mario Kart World. And whereas pricing and the prevalence of ‘Sport Key Playing cards’ stays a contentious situation locally, neither has stopped the Change 2, and its software program, from promoting large.
The large arrival
The Change 2, in some methods, arguably had among the best launch lineups of all time. That’s partially as a result of we bought a brand new Mario Kart title in World (extra on that shortly), but in addition right down to the truth that third-parties flocked to the system in the identical method they did just a few months into the unique Change’s life cycle.
Whereas final time we noticed a ‘wait and see’ strategy, we bought an entire bunch of video games revealed and launched inside the console’s first six months. Certain, a few of them had been older video games repackaged for Change 2, however getting the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Final Version to tackle the go, with mouse controls, nonetheless feels novel months later.
Then there’s Nintendo’s personal output. Mario Kart World arguably wasn’t fairly the slam dunk that its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, was, but it surely certain appears to be like like a system vendor from right here. And, when that began to path off, Pokémon Legends: Z-A was rolled into bundles to exchange it, providing one of the best ways to play the newest critter-catching journey.
Maybe better of all is simply how welcoming the Change 2 is for those who didn’t play the unique console. Not performed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom? They’re right here, operating higher than they ever did on the last-gen console due to some improbable Change 2 Version upgrades.
There are nonetheless some appreciable caveats. For one, backwards compatibility is nice, however Nintendo’s paid upgrades have been inconsistent. Tremendous Mario Get together Jamboree’s extra Change 2 content material feels barely well worth the value of admission, however then you may play an entire new array of remixed ranges in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Among the free upgrades are nice, too, like Tremendous Mario Odyssey and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet operating significantly better.
That brings us properly to what Nintendo hasn’t proven us but. Whereas Donkey Kong Bananza is a superb platforming journey, we’re but to get a brand new 3D Mario title, whereas the Metroid fanbase appears considerably divided about Metroid Prime 4: Past. We’re getting Fireplace Emblem: Fortune’s Weave subsequent 12 months, which is thrilling, however Nintendo’s big array of IP is presently unaccounted for.
On the one hand, that’s very thrilling, particularly with issues like Tremendous Smash Bros. or Animal Crossing but to come back, however however, it makes you marvel the place the subsequent large system vendor is coming from. In the event you don’t look after Mario Kart or Pokémon, there’s not likely an on-ramp for you at current.
Third events, fortunately, are working to choose up that mantle. I’d a lot reasonably play Madden NFL and EA Sports activities FC on my PS5, however the truth that each are right here already, and never simply watered-down ports, is an instance of how the Change 2 is getting help that its predecessor simply didn’t actually have.
A storm brewing?
One of many fundamental criticisms of the unique Change was its lack of graphical grunt in comparison with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on the time. Whereas this was actually negated by the truth that you might take it anyplace, the Change 2 arrives when handheld PCs that pack far more energy are launched seemingly each month.
Nintendo’s assertion that the Change 2 would help 4K visuals (in docked mode) and as much as 120fps in each docked and handheld was a shock on the time, however we’d already be seeing some {hardware} limitations. Borderlands 4 and Elden Ring: Tarnished Version, Change 2 ports of video games you may already play elsewhere, have each been delayed into 2026, actually elevating considerations over their high quality.
Will we be left questioning if the Change model of a recreation will run effectively sufficient once more? The extra I take into consideration ARK: Survival Developed on the 2017 system, the extra I actually hope we will keep away from that form of mess once more, particularly since one of many console’s largest launches in January is 2020’s Closing Fantasy 7 Remake.
Nonetheless, 2026 appears to be like promising – we’ll have a full preview within the coming days, however between third-party video games like Resident Evil: Requiem, Pragmata, Monster Hunter Tales 3: Twisted Reflection, and even 007: First Gentle, it’s clear that builders are prepared to face up and be counted for on Change 2. We simply hope the Change 2 can arise for them, too.
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