Yesterday, Nintendo Australia hosted an exclusive event in Melbourne, offering us a first look at the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Alongside some other select media and content creators, we were allowed four hours with some of the most anticipated titles coming to the Switch 2, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4.
Event Overview
The event, held near Rod Laver Arena, was meticulously organised and provided us with four hours of hands-on gaming time with some other media and content creators. Participants were rotated through various stations, beginning with the main attraction, Mario Kart World. From there, each game was divided into different sections, with the centrepiece, a Mario Kart multiplayer challenge which featured 24 Switch 2 consoles all connected to play a competitive knockout round, complete with a hilarious MC who did not miss a beat.
As you moved through each station, some games boasted no lineups due to the sheer amount of consoles and screens that Nintendo had set up, like Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4. There was even a section for the third-party games that were releasing in the first few months of the console’s launch, so it was great to get some representation from there as well.
Hardware Impressions
The Nintendo Switch 2 demonstrates a significant upgrade from its predecessor. It feels familiar, but slightly different as well. The console has a premium matte quality to the finish and feels lighter to grip compared to the original. The screen, while not OLED, is still able to showcase the massive leap forward this new hardware can deliver. With Mario Kart World now boasting HDR and a solid 60fps, Nintendo’s classic franchises have never looked so good.
Games consistently ran at 60 frames per second in docked mode, addressing a long-standing concern with the original Switch. While we weren’t able to press the Home button or play around with the new Chat button or feature on our own, we still got to experience the majority of the new features of the highly anticipated console.
The kickstand also feels sturdier, and the benefit of having it run along the console made it feel more secure when adjusting the viewing angle. I was fortunate enough to play one round of Mario Kart and some of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom directly in handheld mode, and the upgrade from the original Switch is noticeable.
Lakes in Tears of the Kingdom are incredibly detailed and realistic now. The lens flare from the sun shines through, and even grass, while still sprouting in the animated style, has individual blades, enhancing the game. Suppose I had any doubts before about pre-ordering a Switch 2. In that case, they have all but vanished now, the intense competitiveness in Mario Kart World, the beauty of the upgraded Zelda titles, and some other games, which I’ll dive into in future articles, have completely sold me on Nintendo’s next console release.
Game Lineup
Attendees had the opportunity to experience a diverse range of titles, including:
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Donkey Kong Banaza
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Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2 versions)
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World
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Nintendo Switch 2 – Welcome Tour
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller Games (Soul Calibur, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD)
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Drag x Drive
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
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Hogwarts Legacy
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Street Fighter Collection
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Cyberpunk 2077 (not the final version)
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Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
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Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster
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Hades II
Event Management
The event was expertly managed, with wait times for games averaging between 5 and 10 minutes. Each console was programmed to reset after 15 minutes of playtime, ensuring fair access for everyone there. The recruited staff members were readily available to assist and guide us throughout the experience. The flow of the event setup also helped to stop people from pooling in the same area for too long, which reduced queue times.
What was also exciting to see was that he staff were just as excited as we were to play these games. In dry spells, you could hear the team cheering, screaming and whooping while playing the new Mario Party Jamboree features with the Nintendo Camera, competing against each other in Mario Kart World and fighting over who was racing as Cow (everyone’s favourite new racer!) It elevated the event and just made it that more special. Huge shout out to the Nintendo Team and everyone who was there working so hard.
Our Thoughts
The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event successfully showcased the new console’s capabilities and upcoming game lineup. The improved performance and visual fidelity of the Switch 2 address key criticisms of its predecessor, while the diverse game selection demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to both first-party titles and third-party partnerships.
As the launch approaches, anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to grow based on these positive initial impressions. I, for one, am now even happier with my pre-order and cannot wait to dive into more Mario Kart World and everything Switch 2 when it launches in June. A huge thank you to Nintendo Australia for inviting us out to the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in Melbourne.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in Australia on June 5. Stay tuned for more as we get closer to the console’s release.
