Written by Matthew Whitaker

On June 5th, the Nintendo Switch 2 system launched worldwide – and it’s already the fastest-selling video game system of all time. I received mine that night. Verdict:  I’m loving it! The data transfer from my original Nintendo Switch system to the Nintendo Switch 2 was totally seamless. Before I knew it I was playing Mario Kart World like a savage. There are far more options than just Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive games though. The consumer can choose some free (and paid) upgrades to original Nintendo Switch games, as well as Nintendo GameCube games added to the Nintendo Classics service. My experience with Nintendo Switch 2 is outstanding.

Image via Nintendo

No Nintendo system would be complete without a major Nintendo-developed title available on launch day. The original Nintendo Switch kicked into action with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, showcasing the idea that players could enjoy home console-size experiences while not connected to a TV. Mario Kart World demonstrates this to an even higher degree and offers a Mario Kart experience that could only be enjoyed with the increased technical performance of the Nintendo Switch 2. In this new entry, players can drive anywhere on a vast continent in which all racetracks are connected and you are at liberty to drive from one racetrack to the next. Races now feel like adventures across a whimsical landscape to be enjoyed with friends and family.

Even better is the new Knockout Tour mode, where you participate in one long, uninterrupted race from one point on the map to another. Players are eliminated if they don’t place high enough at a checkpoint. This gives players a frantic Mad Max-style road race rush! I played this mode with my friends and it was a blast; only one out of four of us made it to the end. Players can roam the open world freely and participate in P-Switch missions almost everywhere – a great way to relax if the core racing gets too intense. I have been playing Mario Kart World non-stop since its launch, though I took some breaks to try out Nintendo Switch 2’s other offerings.

Official Nintendo Stock Image

Along with the launch of Switch 2, Nintendo released performance upgrades to the original Nintendo Switch system. Several of these upgrades are free, ie: Super Mario Odyssey and Pokémon Violet. The visuals are improved by boosting the image resolution and frame rate. Paid upgrades for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are labeled as “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” with new features and improved graphical performance. These already-excellent games in their upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 incarnations are a whole new experience – especially for Pokémon Violet which suffered from severe performance issues in its original incarnation.

Even better: Nintendo isn’t done with performance upgrades to original Nintendo Switch games! The popular multiplayer shooter Splatoon 3 received a free update on June 11, greatly improving the game’s graphical performance and augmenting its content. I played plenty of Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 3 this week exploring the upgrades. They look stunning!

And if that wasn’t enough…Nintendo also added three Nintendo GameCube games to their Nintendo Classics service!

Image via Nintendo

Nintendo GameCube was the video game system I mainly played growing up. Seeing games added to the Nintendo Classics service makes me a veteran Nintendo fan for sure. The three games added were The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soul Calibur II. While I never had any of these games growing up, I did play the HD version of The Wind Waker on Nintendo’s Wii U system and loved it, so I am incredibly happy that I can now take this wonderful adventure on the go with me. 

Additionally, I really wanted to try F-Zero GX, so getting to play it without paying an exorbitant price for a pre-owned copy has been a real treat. F-Zero GX is exhilarating, a racing game which puts you in a trance with its smooth visuals and hyper-fast gameplay. As for Soul Calibur II, I only played this once as a kid; I’ll definitely try it out on the Nintendo Classics service.

Nintendo has pledged to add many more Nintendo GameCube games in the future. This includes beloved titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi’s Mansion, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. I’m so excited to revisit all these classics on Nintendo Switch 2, now in improved visual resolution with added online multiplayer support! For dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 owners, this is halcyon.

Official Nintendo Stock Image

The Nintendo Switch 2 system’s a blast.

Mario Kart World is an ongoing thrill – providing races and adventures that can be shared with friends both locally and online. Upgraded games for the original Nintendo Switch let players revisit beloved games with a fresh coat of paint as well as some new bells and whistles.

Longtime Nintendo fans also have the treat of revisiting Nintendo GameCube classics on the go and online. Plenty of new Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive software is on the way too:  Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Splatoon Raiders among them.

Overall, Nintendo knocked it out of the park with the launch of Nintendo Switch 2. Players who picked up the system are psyched.

I’m happy to count myself among them. Game on!