After months of speculation, Nintendo has confirmed the successor to its wildly popular Switch console will be released on 5 June, when it will cost £395.99 to buy in the UK. The new Mario Kart World that is being released alongside it will cost £74.99 for a physical copy. Fans will have to wait weeks before seeing what the new console and game are like, and whether they are worth the price.
When I first got my hands on the Switch 2, one thing became very clear: like the name suggests, Nintendo wants you to know this is a direct sequel to the Switch. This isn’t like the jump from the Wii to the confusingly named Wii U, swapping motion controllers for a tablet that looked dated even back when the console released. Instead, the Switch 2 looks and feels just like its predecessor, with buttons in the places you’d expect – and a much larger (and nicer) screen.
The console seems to be the same size as the original, with the same weight and ergonomics. The joy-cons are still detachable and can be used wirelessly, and the switch from handheld to docked mode is as seamless as ever. But there are some new additions that make a big difference.
It’s fair to say Mario Kart World makes a fantastic first impression, thanks to the console having more power under the hood. It looks spectacular compared to previous Switch titles, though we’re still talking about cartoony graphics – make no mistake, the console is more powerful, but it’s no match for the higher spec PlayStation 5, let alone PS5 Pro.
And in my three races the standout feature wasn’t the swishy new graphics or the controller, it was a trick that is becoming Nintendo’s hallmark: making the new feel familiar. Despite having never picked up a Switch 2, I stormed my way to consecutive first place finishes, much to the chagrin of those around me.
The digital version of Mario Kart World costs £66.99, it’s another £8 on top of that for a physical copy, or pay an extra £35 for a version of the Switch 2 with it built-in, which pushes the console price to £429.99.
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