We additionally see an additional button on the face of the right-hand Pleasure-Con, beneath the Residence button. Whereas that is unlabeled within the teaser, it may see some type of “C-button” performance, which Nintendo utilized in varied types on the N64 and GameCube up to now. It is also value noting one notably pointed shot targeted on the left Pleasure-Con thumbstick rotating—may this be meant to focus on improved thumbsticks for the brand new era, probably incorporating Corridor impact know-how? Given the drift points that plagued the unique Swap, it would 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 wonderful addition, opening up the potential to assist extra equipment, the latter seems to be a bit flimsy—higher than the nub that propped up the unique Swap however much less sturdy than the Swap OLED’s strong 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 laborious to not see it as a little bit of a step backward.
The perfect takeaway from the reveal, although, is Nintendo instantly confirming backward compatibility with current Swap video games, each bodily and digitally (albeit with a couple of as-yet -unspecified exclusions). That is improbable 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. If you’ve racked up 1.3 billion software program gross sales in your extremely profitable platform, why threat alienating these prospects?
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 principal opponents are all emulating it to higher or lesser extents, and all indicators level to “extra however higher” being a compelling promoting level. It’s taking part in it secure—nevertheless it does not have to do the rest.