Nintendo’s consoles have always been go-to platforms for casual multiplayer and party games. Long-running first-party series likeMario Kart,Mario Party, and the variousMariosports titles are often some of the most popular casual multiplayer experiences around, and Nintendo’s consoles have often offered gimmicks that reinforce this casual-fun identity, such asthe Wii’s motion controlsor the Wii U’s GamePad. TheNintendo Switch 2looks like it’ll continue this long-standing pattern.
Finally revealed after years of constant rumors, theNintendo Switch 2is about what fans expected it to be. To many, the Switch 2 looks essentially just like an improved version of the original Switch model, and if the rumored specs are accurate, then that’s pretty much true. But while it may not be a groundbreaking reinvention, the Nintendo Switch 2’s improvements look like they might finally offer a satisfyingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatelocal multiplayer experience.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Could Finally Be The Perfect Casual Smash Bros. Multiplayer Platform
The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons Are Much More Suited to Multiplayer Than The Switch 1’s
Whenthe original Nintendo Switchwas first announced, a major part of its marketing was the ability to turn a Joy-Con sideways and use it as a standalone controller. In theory, this meant that (for most games) Switch owners would always have at least two controllers at any time, allowing for casual multiplayer sessions just about anywhere.
But while that was great in theory, early adopters of the Nintendo Switch soon found a fatal flaw in the concept’s execution. Though they technically worked as advertised, theNintendo Switch’s official Joy-Conswere pretty uncomfortable to hold for long durations, with the compact button layout being much too cramped for most adult hands.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Conslook much more suited to local multiplayer, however. Though the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons aren’t wider than the original model’s, they’re much longer, giving the buttons much more room to breathe. This is especially noticeable with the shoulder buttons on the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, which are no longer tiny, thin buttons hidden underneath an awkwardly raised line of plastic. This more comfortable button layout should make it much easier to play fighting games likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The Nintendo Switch 2 also seems to be shipping with a new Joy-Con grip, though the only major difference appears to be new rails for the magnetic Joy-Cons.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s Screen Size Makes It a Worthy Party Piece
Another key selling point that went hand-in-hand with the sideways Joy-Con concept was the notion that the original Nintendo Switch could technically be used for quick, casual local multiplayer sessions anywhere, with players being expected to huddle around the Switch’s screen. Of course, theoriginal Nintendo Switch’s 6.2-inch screenwasn’t really big enough for any multiplayer games that involved a lot of on-screen action, such as the relatively chaoticSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
This is where the Nintendo Switch 2’s alleged 8-inch screen could come in and finally deliver the satisfying local multiplayer experience that Nintendo advertised so long ago. The Switch 2’s kickstand should also help to make local multiplayer sessions a bit more enjoyable, with it now stretching across the entire length of the console rather than just propping up one corner, hopefully making the console a bit more sturdy in a party setting.
Nintendo Switch 2
The successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on July 10, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
