Final Switch 2 Direct Predictions

Here are my final predictions for the Switch 2 Direct and everything I am expecting or hoping to be explained in this event.

Console Features

Specs

The overall specs are mostly known already. It will output 4K and probably have hardware AI upscaling, so that a 720p game can be scaled up to crystal clear 4K. I’m really interested in the performance and if we can get 4k 60fps for most Nintendo games. Can we replay Tears of the Kingdom in 4K 60fps? Is GTA 6 possible?

Another very important hardware spec will be SSD read speeds. The difference between PS4 and PS5 was huge. I would love to have a similar jump from Switch 1 to Switch 2. I hope they’ll show how fast games can load now.

“C-Button”

The C-Button is a much discussed, but still very mysterious new feature of the new console. Why is it so mysterious? Because it is a standalone button on a controller. It must be very important, or rather, always be available to the player. So it is either Game related, or related to a feature that will be launched during a game.

If it were a System feature, then Nintendo could simply add a button on the Homescreen. Simply pause the game and activate the feature, but Nintendo decided to add an extra button on the controller, which is massive in my opinion.

Some people say it is the ominous Cast feature, where the Switch 2 will turn into a WiiU, where the dock gets enabled and displays the game on the TV and the console itself turns into just a controller and offers a second screen. This sounds cool and I would love to have this possibility, however, this feature will only work under very specific circumstances. You must be playing Handheld and the TV must be available. This feature won’t work in the Bus on the way home or when playing in table top mode in the garden. Why would a extra button on the controller be necessary for a feature that only works when you’re home on the couch?

I think it is rather a Community button, something you can launch anytime, and enabled chat or social media functionalities.

Mouse Functionality

This is very interesting. The reveal Trailer even showed us the mouse functionality. I think it is a given, that this feature will be coming and I’m expecting it to be a very important feature. I’m really curious how it works exactly and what Nintendo thought about players playing on the couch or in bed, when there is no table. I trust Nintendo to figure it out.

System

Themes. Will we finally get Themes? I hope so. I must say, though, the current System UI is basically perfect. It is super simple and only shows the most important features.

Besides Themes, I might expect a Community feature, like Sony has. See what friends are playing, something like that.

I don’t expect many more new System features.

Virtual Game Cards

Nintendo already revealed Virtual Game Cards in the last Direct and explained how they will work. I believe Nintendo will have a short section about it again, but this time explaining how it will work seamlessly with Switch 2 consoles.

Games

Launch Lineup (until Christmas)

Mario Kart

This game is a given and we even saw it shortly in the reveal. I hope we get a full trailer with all new features and modes. I hope for an adventure mode, just like Diddy Kong Racing or Crash Team Racing had. This will be a Launch game on Day 1.

Metroid Prime 4

While Metroid Prime 4 is a Switch 1 game, I believe it will release at launch of the console or shortly after. The game will have better performance and better graphics on the Switch 2, but more on that topic later, when I’m discussing Backwards Compatibility and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.

New IP to showcase Controller features

Similar to 1-2-Switch and Snipperclips, Nintendo will probably have a game to showcase the Mouse Functionality. In case the C-Button is not a Community button, but rather a new Controller or System feature, then that game might showcase that feature.

3D Mario

I expect a new 3D Mario game. Odyssey was phenomenal and it has been 8 years since the release of that game. Browsers Fury was great and might be showcasing what we could expect from this new 3D Mario game: an Open-World Mario game. This game will probably release in the Fall this year.

Mario Sports Game

Not sure which Sports game, because we already had all on Switch. Baseball is not very big outside of USA, so I don’t think it will be Baseball. Maybe Basketball like NBA JAM?

Zelda

It is very unlikely that we will see anything related to a new 3D Zelda or even 2D Zelda. However, it is possible that we see a Remake or Remaster. Maybe Wind Waker 4K or Twilight Princess 4K, or even a full Remake of Ocarina of Time? Another Zelda related game could be a new Hyrule Warriors game with the story of Tears of the Kingdom: Hyrule Warrios: The imprisoning War.

We could also see an upgrade to Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom.

Filler Games

Some smaller games to fill the empty months. Kirby or Yoshi.

Few rumors suggested a new Sakurai game, maybe Kid Icarus?

Star Fox was rumored as well.

Splatoon 4?

I wish, but do not expect a Splatoon 4 release this year. It is too early. Maybe a teaser and a release date of 2026.

Pikmin 5?

I never understood why Nintendo didn't release DLC for Pikmin 4. Only reason is that they already worked on Pikmin 5. I don’t see it releasing this year though. Probably next year or even 2027.

Animal Crossing?

Animal Crossing is probably also a 2026 or rather 2027 game. I can’t see them having a game ready this year.

Smash Brothers?

I don’t think we will see a new Smash game, however, it could be possible to have new DLCs, new fighters for Smash Ultimate. I think it’s unlikely though. Nintendo is probably working on a complete new Smash, unrelated to Ultimate. A hard reset basically.

Prediction of the full year for Switch 2 Nintendo Games

Launch: Mario Kart, Metroid Prime 4, New IP to showcase the new hardware features and first few Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades

July: Mario Sports Game

August: Filler game (Kirby, Yoshi, etc.)

September: Zelda Remaster or Remake or Hyrule Warriors

October: 3D Mario

November: Pokemon Legends: Z-A

December: Nothing.

Third Party Games

Basically, all big PS4 games will run fluently on the Switch 2 and many developers will launch their games at launch. Final Fantasy Remake, Elden Ring, Baldurs Gate, etc. It will be interesting to see which new generation third-party game could make it to the console and how it will look different to PS5.

Backwards Compatibility and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Since Backwards Compatibility has already been officially announced, the question remains, will there be upgrades to older games to make use of the better performance? We also saw official documents of something called “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” games, which hints at upgrades for older games. Now, will these updates be free, one time purchase, or included in NSO?

I expect “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” to be explained in the Direct and showcased via Breath of the Wild. It will enhance the game to 4K60 and will probably cost around $5-$10. It might also be possible that upgrades will be included for all NSO subscribers of the highest NSO Tier.

Release date and price

Finally, maybe the most important part, the release date and the price of the console.

I am expecting the console to launch in June the latest, however, I could imagine that they release it in late May.

The price will probably be about $399 USD and for us in Germany, it will probably be like 429€ including Taxes.