In the form of a first-look trailer on YouTube, the popular video game company Nintendo finally announced their brand-new console on Jan. 16 — the Nintendo Switch 2. The Japanese-based company is responsible for iconic video game characters such as Mario from “Super Mario Bros.,” Link from “The Legend of Zelda,” and Pikachu from “Pokémon.”
Nintendo’s line of game consoles originated with the Nintendo Entertainment System, but has since included the GameCube, the Wii, and 2017’s Nintendo Switch, as documented by Nintendo’s website. Nintendo has become known for their home consoles, such as the Wii, and their handheld consoles, such as the 3DS and the Game Boy Advance. The Nintendo Switch was a marriage of the two consoles — the console could connect to a television and act as a home console, or it could function as a handheld console with a bigger screen and improved graphics.
Nintendo traditionally has very unique consoles designs, but the company tends to follow up one console with a similar one before moving to a new idea. The Nintendo Entertainment System was succeeded by the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Wii was replaced by the Wii U. As such, the idea of a Nintendo Switch 2 has always been a possibility, one that was only affirmed when details of the console were leaked, as reported by IGN.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is filled to the brim with new features, although not all of them have been explained. The first-look trailer only acted as a reveal of hardware, not of future games the console might have. However, the question still remains: is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it for college students?
The original Nintendo Switch’s portability has always been a plus for some players — especially for casual gamers as the Switch doesn’t require a television to use. This portability makes it perfect for college students. The Nintendo Switch 2 follows the exact same design model as its predecessor, playable as a handheld, a tabletop or a home console. It’s likely the console will lose some portability, however, due to its larger screen size.
Despite this, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be an improvement for those who prefer tabletop mode, as the pop-up stand on the console stretches the entire length of the device. The original Nintendo Switch’s stand was thin and attached to only one side of the console which led to instability and a tendency for the stand to snap off.
As for the overall appearance of the Nintendo Switch 2, there are few differences from the original. The Switch 2 is larger, with a sleeker look; the Joy-Cons depicted in the first-look trailer are nearly all-black, instead of the original Switch’s classic blue and red. However, no other designs for the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons have been revealed at this time.
The Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 also operate differently from the original Switch, snapping into the side of the screen as opposed to sliding in. Furthermore, the Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 might have added functionality, with many speculating they will be able to act as computer mice for the console.
Any college student looking for a console to use while in school will find the original Nintendo Switch to easily fit their needs. The ability to fully use the console without a television is perfect for college dorms, and Nintendo’s love of party games means there will always be something to play with friends. Based on the first-look trailer alone, the Nintendo Switch 2 is everything above and more.
One of the best features of the Nintendo Switch 2 is that many of the game cards for the original Switch will be usable in the Switch 2 through backwards compatibility. For anyone wondering if an upgrade is in-store for them, there at least won’t be the expense of purchasing an entirely new library of ports from the original Switch.
As it stands so far, the Nintendo Switch 2 will surpass its predecessor as a college-friendly console. For those who already own a Nintendo Switch, it’s possible an upgrade will be redundant, as these changes may not be significant enough to warrant one. However, for anyone who has been considering purchasing a Switch of their own, the Switch 2 might be worth the wait.
More information about the Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed during the next Nintendo Direct on Apr. 2 of this year.
