Urgent Report] “Switch2” will change the world as I actually played and found out how great it is!

Former TBS announcer and game distributor Risa Unouchi was also surprised by the new features.

On June 5, “Nintendo Switch 2” (hereafter referred to as “Switch 2”), which the whole world had been waiting for, was finally released.

I tried to enter every lottery I could, but I was unsuccessful in all of them. I can’t tell you how many times I read the word “unsuccessful. ……

It is no wonder that Risa Unai, a former TBS announcer who is now active as a video game distributor, says with a wry smile, “The number of people who wanted to buy the game was outstripping the number of people who were able to purchase it. It is said that only one in several dozen people were able to start playing the game on the day of its release, as production could not keep up with the number of people who wanted to purchase it.

So this time, with the cooperation of a lucky person who miraculously obtained a Switch 2, we actually played the launch title “Mario Kart World” with Ms. Unouchi. A true gamer by nature, Mr. Uuchi was first surprised not by the content of the game, but by the design of the console.

The screen is a little bigger than the original,” he said. It looks very satisfying even without connecting it to a TV. The Joy-Cons 2 (separate left and right controllers that come with the main unit) are now magnetic, so they can be attached and detached smoothly!　However, the larger screen may make it a little heavier than the first generation. It might be tiring if you keep holding it in a portable way.

Nevertheless, the stand attached to the unit is firm and stable, and the angle can be changed. The screen orientation can be adjusted depending on the height of the table, and the kind design makes it safe while traveling on bullet trains and airplanes. This is great because the first generation’s stand had a tendency to fall over in shaky locations.”

The Joy-Con 2 also includes a mouse control function, greatly expanding the range of games. In addition, the Switch 2 Pro Controller (grip-type controller, hereafter referred to as Pro-Con 2) has an additional rear button, which was not present on the original.

The Pro-Controller 2 will be a big help in shooting games such as “APEX LEGENDS,” which has many complicated button operations, and in gaming. At 9,980 yen for a high-performance controller with rear buttons, it seems like a pretty good deal.

The appeal of the new “Marika

Mr. Unai’s excitement peaked when he played “Mario Kart World”. The Switch 2 has a much faster refresh rate and processing speed, so the characters move smoothly and load times are much shorter.

In the new “Free Run” mode, you can go to places off the course that you can’t drive in a race,” said Uuchi. You can enter other cars that are running, and even enter a boat to run on the water gimmick. …… It’s like I’m fulfilling my childhood curiosity of wondering what’s going on out there!

Next year, From Software, well-known for “Eldenring” and other games, will release a game called “Duskblood,” developed for the Switch 2. I was worried about the capacity of “From games” because they are heavy, but with the Switch 2, I don’t have to worry. I want to enjoy “Duskblood” while voice chatting with friends, so I appreciate the C button on the controller for chatting.

After playing for about two hours, we asked Mr. Unouchi again about his impressions.

He said, “The ease of removal of the Joy-Con 2, the size, the repulsion of the buttons, and the voice chat functionality on the back buttons of the Pro-Con 2. …… I think the Switch 2 is a console that has been carefully designed with fine attention to detail for a variety of demographics, from core gamers to children. When the first generation was released, the shock the world received was probably not as great as it is now. It’s sure to get game fans all over the world excited!”

As Mr. Unai said, the impact Switch 2 is having on the world far exceeds that of the first generation. Game analyst Hisakazu Hirabayashi spoke.

When the first Switch was announced, Nintendo’s stock price actually fell. However, the company’s developers continued to release software every month, and hit series titles such as “The Legend of Zelda” and “Animal Crossing” to boost its reputation.

The Switch 2, released as the successor to the Switch, was greeted with great expectations by the market. It also proposes new gaming experiences, such as the mouse function of the Joy-Con 2. Perhaps Nintendo is aiming for global market dominance by bringing PC games to the Switch 2 in the future.

Switch 2 will change the world – maybe.

From the June 27 and July 4, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY