The Nintendo Switch 2 launch is just around the corner, and Nintendo offered the first in-person look at the console in Canada. Nintendo transformed Toronto’s Enercare Centre’s Heritage Court into a massive showcase with wall-to-wall Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, games, and accessories, offering a firsthand look at the future of Nintendo gaming.
I’ve been a Nintendo fan all my life, so when news broke that the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience was coming to Toronto, my excitement was sky high. Not only was it an opportunity to see Nintendo’s latest console, but it was a chance to share these moments with my 10-year-old son, a gamer who is a big Nintendo Switch fan. Let’s dive in for a virtual tour of the event and share our first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Toronto experience
The venue was divided into themed sections, showcasing different aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2 ecosystem. Each zone in the experience was themed after hardware or specific games. This offered a look at everything in the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch line-up and beyond. Here’s what we experienced as we moved through each area from start to finish:
Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and accessories showcase
The first stop offered our first in-person look at the console and accessories. Seeing the Nintendo Switch 2 first-hand was genuinely impressive; it looks very sleek in person. The console’s design feels both familiar and refreshingly modern. In my hands, it was thinner than I expected, but it felt extremely solid overall. The 7.9-inch 1080p HDR LCD screen delivers vibrant colours and extremely sharp visuals, making games like Mario Kart World look stunning in handheld mode.
I do all my Nintendo gaming on the Nintendo Switch OLED model console, and I found the Nintendo Switch 2’s bigger LCD panel just as impressive to game on. I didn’t get a chance to compare them side-by-side, but the new larger screen on the Nintendo Switch 2 looks great. The colour expression is extremely vibrant, and the black tones are dark and rich; my first impressions overall are very positive.
The Joy-Con 2 offers new features
The redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers felt great and enhanced my gameplay experience. There are new improvements to both their form and functionality. One key improvement to their functionality is that they now attach magnetically to the console. This replaces the previous rail slide system. This magnetic connection provides a secure and seamless attachment, making the controllers and console feel like a single solid unit. Detaching them is much easier, thanks to a simple release mechanism that eliminates the need for sliding or forceful pulling.
Controller refinements and enhancements
Ergonomically, the Joy-Con 2 controllers are refined for enhanced comfort. They are slightly larger, accommodating a more natural grip, with enlarged SL and SR buttons. I immediately noticed this while holding the console. In terms of smaller hands on a bigger controller, my 10-year-old son also had nothing but praise for the new remote. Although bigger than he’s used to, he really liked the new button placement.
“Mighty” mouse mode is excellent
The Joy-Con 2 controllers introduce an innovative “Mouse Mode”, allowing them to function like a computer mouse. This is made possible by two new sensors in each of the controllers. I was pleasantly surprised at how seamlessly and accurately this new mode performed.
Not all titles support mouse mode, but the ones that do, like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, bring gameplay to exciting heights. I’ll touch on these improvements with my gameplay impressions below.
More detailed tactile feedback with HD Rumble 2
Complementing the Joy-Con 2’s upgrades is HD Rumble 2. This advanced haptic feedback offers more nuanced vibrations, enhancing the tactile experience. The controllers no longer just “shake” but offer refined sensations with better accuracy. Whether it’s the subtle feel of the track in Mario Kart World or the intense recoil of Samus’ powerful weapon, HD Rumble 2 delivers a spectrum of tactile feedback that deepens immersion. Collectively, these enhancements in the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware and controller design mark a significant step forward. This delivers a more immersive and user-friendly gaming experience.
Mario Kart World hands-on
After exploring the hardware and accessories, we eagerly entered our first gameplay experience with Mario Kart World. We participated in a 24-player race, and the action was fast and furious. Larger tracks, multiple alternate paths, and dynamic hazards made for all-new fun and exciting challenges.
I was able to play in both docked and handheld modes. The graphics were impressive on both the large and small screens. The tracks, characters, and karts were rendered in remarkable detail. Along with stunning looks, the game also introduced new moves and power-ups. I detail all of them and more in my Mario Kart World Direct highlights. My favourite new power-up has to be the Hammer. Tossing these at other karts and creating obstacles on the course to create extra chaos really adds to the fun. The increased number of racers adds a layer of chaos and challenge that invigorates the classic Mario Kart formula.
Mario Kart World Knockout Tour mode impressions
Next, we were ushered into a new area to play the new Knockout Tour mode in Mario Kart World. This pitted us against other real drivers at the event. It was extremely fun dialling up the tension in each leg of the race. Knockout Tour mode is new to the series; you must maintain a certain placement at each checkpoint to avoid elimination. Missing the cutoff results in being knocked out of the race. I was able to make it through the first few waves of the tour, but I was eventually eliminated. Racing for your life definitely created some white knuckle moments, and I can’t wait to play more. This “Battle Royale” racing intensified the competition and made it more of a thrilling survival race.
Donkey Kong Bananza first look
The next Nintendo Switch 2 title we played was Donkey Kong Bananza, which was a welcome surprise. Nintendo’s latest 3D platformer redefines the Donkey Kong gaming experience, blending open-world exploration and dynamic destruction. Donkey Kong can smash through walls, dig tunnels, and manipulate terrain to uncover hidden paths and collectibles. It was fun to tunnel and smash through Donkey Kong’s world. The gameplay mechanics are engaging and very satisfying. I was able to play through an intricate underground cavern and defeat a mini-boss. The game’s art direction draws inspiration from previous Donkey Kong titles, while introducing fresh, modern aesthetics that look incredible. It’s poised to be a must-play title for the Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches this July.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond–mouse mode hands-on
I also went hands-on with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and was able to thoroughly test out the mouse controls using the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The mouse control feature in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond leverages the new Joy-Con 2 sensors, allowing you to aim with precision akin to a PC mouse. This feature offers more pinpoint accuracy, especially in combat scenarios. The transition between traditional analog controls and mouse mode is impressively smooth. You can switch on the fly without disrupting gameplay. Graphically, the game is stunning. The environments are richly detailed, with dynamic lighting and atmospheric effects that bring the alien world to life. Between the innovative mouse features, gameplay, and graphics, I can’t wait to play more.
The next chapter begins with the Nintendo Switch 2
From the moment we stepped into the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in Toronto, it was clear that Nintendo isn’t just iterating—it’s innovating. The Nintendo Switch 2 blends powerful new hardware, a stunning display, and redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers with exciting new features like Mouse Mode and HD Rumble 2. Whether racing through chaotic 24-player tracks in Mario Kart World, tunnelling through destructible terrain in Donkey Kong Bananza, or aiming with pinpoint precision in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, every moment felt fresh, immersive, and distinctly new.
This hands-on preview only scratched the surface of what Nintendo’s new system has to offer, but one thing is certain—the Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be a game-changer for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
If you’re ready to level up your gaming experience, be sure to keep an eye on BestBuy.ca, for your opportunity to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2.
