Start your engines and get ready to switch to high gear. The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming, along with Mario Kart World, a console-exclusive and the latest installment in the long-running racing franchise.
Announced during its Nintendo Direct presentation, the Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen than its predecessor, which can also support 4K resolution for compatible games. Additionally, the Joy-Con controllers can now function like a computer mouse.
Meanwhile, a new “C” button activates the GameChat feature, which requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. This feature lets players chat with friends and family, share their screen, and use a built-in microphone for voice chatting, allowing gamers to connect more easily.
The Switch 2 is backward compatible, so you can play your old Switch games, both physical and digital, though you will need to purchase a microSD card. Plus, Switch Online subscribers have access to a limited selection of GameCub titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and Luigi’s Mansion.
Mario Kart World will offer players different game modes, such as the classic Grand Prix, where you race for first place against players across four courses. Races can feature up to 24 different drivers from around the world. The Knockout Tour is a game mode that offers non-stop racing from one course to another, with players being eliminated at each checkpoint.
In addition to the new roads and worlds, Free Roam mode allows karts to be taken off-road, exploring new areas, open environments, and beyond the typical race tracks. Players can also explore landscapes and discover hidden paths, allowing for an immersive experience.
The Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on June 5 and is priced at USD 449, or roughly PHP 26,000, in the United States. The console, along with the limited-time Mario Kart World bundle, is priced at USD 499.99, or roughly PHP 29,000. The console will be released in the Philippines between July and September, according to the Switch 2 landing page.
Pull on the brakes just a bit and watch the Mario Kart World launch trailer below:
Other than Mario Kart World, Nintendo also announced two more console-exclusive games: Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17 and Kirby Air Riders later this year.