One of the gaming industry's most anticipated moments was the official announcement of Nintendo Switch 2. After much speculation about various aspects of the Kyoto-based company's next-gen console, including the system's branding, it has finally been revealed in one of the industry's most impactful announcements in recent years. This represents not only a leap forward for Nintendo, but a massive departure from the Japanese company's previous approach. For the first time, one of their consoles will carry the number 2 in its name, positioning itself as a direct successor to the Nintendo Switch, a machine that has enjoyed continuous success since its 2017 market debut, helping erase memories of the catastrophic Wii U era.

Nintendo will reveal all details about this new system during April, aiming to revolutionize the industry. Not through a radically different never-before-seen concept, but by building on its predecessor's strengths while addressing its shortcomings to become the ultimate entertainment system. The console is expected to be not only more powerful and capable of handling the best upcoming titles in the coming years, but also to enable the Kyoto-based company's flagship franchises to make a qualitative leap forward, delivering completely new experiences and stories never before seen in the Nintendo ecosystem.

The official Nintendo Switch 2 presentation was simple yet effective. Nintendo's new console increases in size, refines the Joy-Con for better controller handling, and includes features that enable new ways to play. While everything remains familiar in the new system, which should help drive massive initial sales through name recognition and model continuity, Nintendo's biggest asset is the game that will accompany the system.

A new Mario Kart to start the generation strong

It's hardly surprising that Nintendo has chosen to launch Nintendo Switch 2 alongside a new Mario Kart title. The Mario franchise has seen steady growth in recent years, especially since its theatrical debut. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has maintained its position at the top of Nintendo Switch's best-selling games chart, despite originally being a Wii U release. The promise of a new installment suggests that Nintendo Switch 2 could break all console launch records.

The Nintendo Switch version has sold over 67 million copies worldwide, meaning that nearly half of all hybrid console owners have purchased Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during the console's eight-year market presence. Given these figures, the future Mario Kart is expected to generate massive initial sales for Nintendo Switch 2, paving the way for other major titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends Z-A, which could be adapted to the new system, along with other prestigious franchise titles like The Legend of Zelda, a new 3D Mario entry, or Super Smash Bros., among many other projects potentially in development.

Without question, the release catalog has been one of the Nintendo Switch generation's greatest strengths, and the company appears set to continue this approach, generating content consistently and frequently to ensure Nintendo Switch 2 owners always have something new to play.

Price, Nintendo Switch 2's big unknown

Beyond its release date, Nintendo Switch 2's other major unknown is its price point. While Kyoto remains silent on this matter, rumors suggest a price around $400-450, translating to approximately 450 euros and 400 pounds. This would position Nintendo's new console below its major competitors, PS5 and Xbox Series X, maintaining its essence as a family console while offering an attractive market presence.

Currently, many questions remain to be answered regarding Nintendo's new generation, but what has been presented so far by Shuntaro Furukawa's company suggests a repeat of its predecessor's great success. The Nintendo Switch brand has secured an important position in the video game industry, and its continuation may mark a new era for the Japanese giant, following a less revolutionary model while committing to hybrid format gameplay without sacrificing group entertainment.