The Switch 2 was announced earlier this year, but we were informed that more details would be forthcoming. Today, we learned a lot more. Due for release on June 5th, the Switch 2 has some cool elements! It will feature an open-world Mario Kart game at launch ("Mario Kart World,") plus a number of 3rd-party titles as it'll have a lot more tech. It will also have a degree of backward compatibility with original Switch games (some will even be enhanced). Plus, there is a camera you can use to video-chat with friends you're playing online with! There are issues already, however. You see, the battery life will be sucky, a number of games will not work on the new console, and then there is the price of the Switch 2 and its games.
A Switch 2 is going to cost $450 (it could even be more with inflation from tariffs), and some games will be $70-$80 for digital copies, and up to $90 for a physical one. The backward compatibility will have games cost extra if you want any enhancements. The camera will cost extra too. Nintendo is, in essence, squeezing fans for every dollar that they can. In the old days, Nintendo could say, "We're known for slightly cheaper and less powerful but very fun consoles!" Now, they can state, "Screw you, pay me for this tech!" There are pluses and minuses to the Switch 2 news, clearly.
It is exciting that the Switch 2 is coming out soon, but is also discouraging how it will be expensive. Then again, I think that is a trend that will continue with future consoles due to general inflation and how unsteady the economic and political landscape can be. I do wonder if the Switch 2 is different enough that folks will feel it is worth the cost. Will people look at their somewhat similar Switch and say, "Eh, this is good enough," and pass on the Switch 2 until the price drops? Will it be a big hit and sell like hotcakes even if it is slightly more of the same--but with more power and features? I don't know, but I'll be watching what happens with great interest.