
I played 11 games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here are my thoughts on each one.
It's been an eventful week for Nintendo enthusiasts. On Wednesday, the company unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 during a well-received Direct presentation. However, that excitement quickly turned to concern as fans grappled with the system's contentious new pricing model. The situation intensified further when President Donald Trump's newly announced tariffs on foreign imports led Nintendo to delay preorders for the console in the U.S. It's understandable that fans are feeling somewhat overwhelmed at this time.
The silver lining is that the Switch 2 is still set to be released on June 5, accompanied by an impressive lineup of games. At a press event on Wednesday, I had hands-on experience with nearly a dozen Switch 2 titles, ranging from big first-party releases to Switch 2 Editions of classic favorites. I shared my thoughts on several games throughout the week, but to make it easier, I’m compiling all my impressions here. Curious about the quality of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond? How does it feel to use mouse controls for maneuvering a wheelchair? Is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour truly worth the price tag? All those answers are found right here.
**Mario Kart World**
Regarding Mario Kart World, my opinion has fluctuated since Wednesday. Initially, I found it enjoyable but was put off by its steep price. After taking a moment to reflect on my first impressions, my enthusiasm has returned. I had a blast with the section I played, which captures the core enjoyment of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe but on a much larger scale. The elimination-style Knockout mode particularly stood out, allowing for a thrilling race through interconnected tracks. I’m still replaying my close loss to Bowser in my mind, eager to jump back in for a rematch. I also want to explore more of its open-world aspect, as I only caught a glimpse of freeform exploration that didn’t fully reveal the possibilities available to players. Mario Kart World seems filled with potential that I barely scratched during my playtime. I’m ready for another round.
**Donkey Kong Bananza**
To be honest, I have no idea how Donkey Kong Bananza will be received upon release, but I’m already fond of it. The ape's first 3D adventure in years was a joy to experience, immersing me in an open, fully destructible world filled with collectibles. It reminded me of my first time playing Super Mario Odyssey, seamlessly bouncing from moon to moon while experimenting with my cap. Swap out the T-rex possession for environmental destruction that showcases the capabilities of Nintendo's new system, and you have a game that feels distinctly Nintendo yet completely original. It’s vibrant and lively, while also powerful and full of character—reminiscent of titles from the GameCube era.
**Metroid Prime 4: Beyond**
Having played through the introduction of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, I’m reluctant to see any more footage. The segment I experienced was so impressive that I want to dive in blind and discover what Retro Studios has been developing all this time. This highly anticipated game feels like a return to the Metroid Prime series but with the expansive world-building of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, now fully realized on enhanced hardware. The combat was intense, the hint of the main antagonist was thrilling, and the visuals were stunning. What impressed me most was the excellent implementation of mouse controls for first-person aiming. The setup worked exceptionally well, providing pinpoint accuracy akin to that experienced on a PC. You truly won’t believe what the new Joy-cons can do until you get your hands on Metroid Prime 4 yourself—believe me.
**Drag X Drive**
Another standout demonstration of the mouse controls was Drag X Drive, which was among the most enjoyable games I tried on Switch 2. Admittedly, it’s a fairly straightforward game resembling a mini-game from Nintendo Switch Sports expanded into its own title, but it effectively showcases the benefits of dual mouse controls in combination with gyroscopes. I participated in (and won) a three-on-three ball game at the event, which required me to quickly learn to use the mouse. Initially, I found the tutorial confusing, but once the buzzer went off, I adapted to the controls and found myself working up a sweat as I maneuvered my wheelchair around the court. It’s fun and active, following a design philosophy similar to Arms but within a more suitable scope. While it may not become the next big esports title, it will be an enjoyable way to introduce your friends to using mice.
**Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour**
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour stands out among the new first-party games I experienced. It serves more as a digital instruction manual, presented in a uniquely Nintendo manner. Over ten minutes, I took quizzes on the system's new features, piloted a spaceship with mouse controls, and utilized the HD rumble to find a frequency, among other activities. It cleverly demonstrates the system's capabilities and offers a











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I played 11 games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here are my thoughts on each one.
This week, we played 11 games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here’s the current status of each one.