We additionally see an additional button on the face of the right-hand Pleasure-Con, beneath the House button. Whereas that is unlabeled within the teaser, it might see some type of “C-button” performance, which Nintendo utilized in numerous kinds on the N64 and GameCube previously. It is also price noting one significantly pointed shot centered on the left Pleasure-Con thumbstick rotating—might this be meant to focus on improved thumbsticks for the brand new technology, probably incorporating Corridor impact expertise? Given the drift points that plagued the unique Swap, it might be a wise transfer on Nintendo’s half.
{Photograph}: Nintendo
The most important adjustments to the principle console itself, past the elevated bodily measurement, are the addition of an additional USB-C port on the highest and a brand new U-shaped kickstand. Whereas the previous is a superb addition, opening up the potential to assist extra equipment, the latter seems a bit flimsy—higher than the nub that propped up the unique Swap however much less sturdy than the Swap OLED’s stable back-panel kickstand.
Talking of the OLED Swap, and judging purely from the chunky bezel proven within the Swap 2 reveal, the brand new console could also be reverting to an LCD panel. Once more, this has been rumored for some time, however it is going to be exhausting to not see it as a little bit of a step backward.
The most effective takeaway from the reveal, although, is Nintendo instantly confirming backward compatibility with present Swap video games, each bodily and digitally (albeit with just a few as-yet -unspecified exclusions). That is implausible information for gamers who’ve spent the higher a part of a decade increase their libraries, and one other instance of Nintendo’s quiet confidence and sense of continuity. While you’ve racked up 1.3 billion software program gross sales in your extremely profitable platform, why threat alienating these clients?
And that is seemingly Nintendo’s technique for Swap 2, in a nutshell: If it ain’t broke, why repair it? Gamers love the Swap as it’s, the corporate’s primary rivals are all emulating it to higher or lesser extents, and all indicators level to “extra however higher” being a compelling promoting level. It’s enjoying it secure—however it does not must do anything.
