Nintendo could also be hiding a Swap 2 secret in plain sight

At first blush, little of Nintendo’s current Switch 2 announcement was unsurprising. The brand new handheld was thoroughly leaked beforehand and is not radically completely different from the earlier Swap. The physique is a distinct form and the display is somewhat greater, however the standout, genuinely new characteristic lives contained in the console’s removable controllers; it appears just like the Swap 2’s model of Pleasure-Con controllers can be utilized as a mouse.

That would open up all new methods to regulate Swap 2 video games and new sorts of ports — extra video games for what’s rumored to be an much more highly effective console. However the true cause why Nintendo is exploring this management methodology in any respect could possibly be even easier: the corporate needs it to be simpler to emulate older handhelds.

The Swap 2 is not making an attempt to reinvent the wheel

Nintendo’s first Swap was all about flexibility

If there’s one defining high quality of the unique Swap, it is that Nintendo designed it to work wherever. From the start, the corporate targeted on emphasizing the advantages of a handheld that may be docked as a house console. The Switch’s launch video highlighted how adaptable it’s, displaying individuals docking it of their lounge, propping it up on its kickstand to play exterior, or simply utilizing it as a handheld.

That flexibility is why so many individuals anticipated — and ultimately, demanded — that video games get ported to the Swap. It made titles that had been historically chained to a TV capable of be taken on the go for the primary time. The Swap wasn’t all the time highly effective sufficient to run these video games nicely, however the truth that it made taking part in Skyrim on a bus potential was no small feat.

Over 146 million Switch’s have been bought, which is proof sufficient that the thought labored, and that is not even considering the explosion of handheld PCs that took the thought even additional that adopted. Mouse help, or no less than utilizing a Pleasure Con extra like a mouse, would make it potential for a complete new grouping of video games to make the leap to Nintendo’s new handheld. Conventional PC video games that thrive with mouse and keyboard help are much more enticing on the Swap when you may management them with a pointer relatively than clumsy sticks and buttons.

If the Steam Deck contains trackpads for video games that want the high-quality management of a mouse, the Swap 2’s up to date Pleasure-Con controllers might simulate a mouse for the very same function.

Associated

Did all the Nintendo Switch 2 leaks spoil the reveal trailer for you?

In the end, Nintendo has formally unveiled its next-generation online game console to the world, which it calls the Nintendo Swap 2. The Kyoto, Japan-based gaming large unveiled its new two-in-one hybrid machine within the type of a brief first-look trailer, which is accessible to look at on its official YouTube channel.The Swap 2, which can be getting its personal in-depth convention occasion on April 2, 2025, seems to be a reasonably iterative launch general. As a direct followup to the immensely profitable Swap, this successor platform seems to construct on the identical robust foundations pioneered by Nintendo again in 2017.The core components of the unique Swap are all current right here, from the dockable nature of the machine, to the card-based bodily sport media, to full-blown backwards compatibility with unique Swap software program. Removable controllers and a kickstand for tabletop gameplay have additionally made the reduce as soon as once more.Forward of this much-anticipated teaser video, there was an abundance

There’s an essential handheld Nintendo hasn’t emulated

Nintendo’s DS used a stylus that successfully labored like a mouse

There could be a fair easier cause Nintendo is exploring this new management methodology. Apart from on-line multiplayer, the massive good thing about being a Nintendo Switch Online member is entry to a sequence of emulation apps Nintendo launched over the course of the Swap’s life. The corporate acquired so far as emulating N64 video games when it comes to the corporate’s dwelling console, and the Sport Boy and Sport Boy Advance earlier than it launched the Swap 2.

The preferred handheld Nintendo has ever bought is the dual-screen Nintendo DS. By 2016, Nintendo says it had bought over 154 million units of all the assorted DS fashions mixed. It will make a whole lot of sense if Nintendo tried to emulate DS video games on the Swap 2, and the “mouse” controls of those new Pleasure-Cons could possibly be the best way it occurs. For many video games on the DS, stylus enter labored loads like a mouse, letting you drag issues across the backside touchscreen, work together with menus, and transfer your character round.

The corporate must discover some method to deliver the knowledge that was on the underside display of the DS to the Swap 2’s single display, however that is that tough to deal with. The strongest argument that that is Nintendo’s plan is that it already did one thing related for Wii video games on the unique Swap. Every of the unique Pleasure-Con controllers had built-in accelerometers for movement controls, one thing that the corporate used sparingly for brand new Swap video games, however ceaselessly for ported video games from the Wii and Wii U.

Associated

What game would you like to see on the Switch 2?

This morning. after months of hypothesis, Nintendo lastly took the wraps off the Swap 2, giving avid gamers their first official look not solely on the new {hardware}, but in addition a forthcoming Mario Kart title, which is rumored to be launching alongside the brand new console later this 12 months.Whereas particulars across the new Mario Kart title haven’t been shared, rumors are swirling about new titles that would seem on the Swap 2, together with Metaphor Re:Fantazio, an untitled Halo sport that includes Grasp Chief, Closing Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and even the upcoming GTA VI. With that in thoughts we would like to know, what video games would you like to see on Nintendo’s latest console? Pontificate under! 

There’s nonetheless going to be Swap 2 surprises

We all know loads, but in addition little or no

Nintendo

That I may even speculate about what these new Pleasure-Con controllers can do reveals how a lot management Nintendo nonetheless has over the Switch 2 info setting. The {hardware} may need leaked, however we all know subsequent to nothing concerning the software program that can really run on it (and what it can let that {hardware} do). It is backwards-compatible with the overwhelming majority of unique Swap video games, however that is about all I do know.

That makes this brief wait till Nintendo shares extra concerning the Swap 2 all of the extra thrilling. These new controllers could possibly be meant to switch a mouse, or they may do one thing completely completely different. We can’t know till Nintendo tells us.

Nintendo Swap OLED

Nintendo’s Swap OLED is the perfect Swap at the moment accessible, but it surely’s prone to be utterly changed by the enhancements of the Swap 2.

Associated

Mario Kart 9 teased as potential Switch 2 launch title

A brand new Mario Kart sport was teased through the first-look trailer for the Swap 2.