As you’d expect, there have been a lot of things said about the Nintendo Switch 2 since it was properly introduced with release date and controversial pricing earlier this month. Now, ex-PlayStation exec Shuhei Yoshida has had his say on the new console, and he reckons it might be a sign of Ninty losing its historic identity.

Hey, regardless of whether you agree or reckon this is a good or bad thing, at least it’s not more news that makes you clutch your wallet a bit tighter or allow yourself a rare smirk at something cheeky that’s been done by a CEO guy who makes more money in a year than most of us probably will in 10.

Anyway, Yoshida’s comments about the Switch 2 and what it could mean for the Mario company’s soul came during an interview with Easy Allies, during which Yoshida was asked for his thoughts on the big April Direct.

“To me it was a bit [of a] mixed message from Nintendo,” he replied, “In a sense, I think Nintendo is losing [its] identity, in my opinion. For me they are always about creating some new experience, designing hardware and games together to create [some] amazing new experience.

“But Switch 2, as we all anticipated, is a better Switch, right? It’s a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K 120 FPS. They even had a hardware person starting the stream, like other platforms do, right? And because it’s a better Switch, the core premise of the whole Switch 2 is ‘we made things better’, and that’s something other companies have been doing all the time.

Of course it’s a more powerful Switch,” he added, “so it’s great if your gaming was only on Nintendo hardware, [and] it’s the first time for you to be able to play amazing games like Elden Ring, but for us, the ‘core’ gamers who own multiple [types of] hardware and play games on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, the games they showed off, especially from third parties – in theory, it’s amazing to have all these all-stars of industry games on Nintendo hardware – however, what they showed was like…‘ooh’.” For context, that seemed to be an ‘ooh’ with more of an ‘oh, ok’ sentiment, rather than the sound of someone being blown away.

So, it sounds like Yoshida wasn’t that impressed by the stuff you could class as innovative about the Switch 2, such as that mouse joy-con functionality and the C button that lets you yell at your mates via GameChat.

Would you like to have seen Ninty push the boat out a bit more with the Switch 2, or are you cool with it just delivering a refined version of an already good thing? Let us know below!

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You. Do you crave more Nintendo Directness than you’ve already had this month? Do you want to learn more about Mario Kart World? Well, big Ninty has confirmed hoe long the special MKW Direct it pencilled in during the Switch 2 Direct will run for. You can also watch it right here.

Hey, it’s not like you’ll have anything better to do on a Thursday than watch Mario and Luigi show off their latest attempt to run each other of the road, because only one brother can remain.

You’ll be able to tune into this Mario Kart World Direct via the video above on April 17, 2025. It’s set to kick off at 2PM BST, which is 6AM PT, 9AM ET, and 3PM CEST. Just press play at that time wherever you are and boom, racing action with Toad, Daisy, and all the other characters who’re riding their coat-tails if we’re being honest.

It’ll run for “roughly 15 minutes” – about the length of a Grand Prix – and tell you a bunch more stuff about the game on Switch 2. Will the entire chat be screaming ‘DROP THE PRICE’, like they were during the Treehouse livestreams the other week?

We’ll have to see, but Mario Kart World’s price tag has definitely been a part of all that controversy, though it certainly hasn’t been the lone source of ire. The console itself, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and most recently the Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have all caught flak from fans due to Nintendo’s pricing decisions.

In other recent Nintendo news, a leaker has claimed that Switch 2 pre-orders in the US and Canada could be back on soon, after Ninty delayed them so it could see how those pesky tariffs played out.

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Nintendo is introducing a new account-history requirement for Switch 2 purchases in Japan to keep consoles away from resellers. The move targets the multi-language Nintendo Switch 2 sold through the official Japanese Nintendo Store, which scalpers have been buying in bulk because it can be bought for less in Japan and resold abroad.

The price difference explains why scalpers are interested. In Japan, the multi-language Switch 2 is considerably cheaper compared to some other markets. That gap gives resellers room to import units and mark them up overseas, especially while official stock remains limited. The Japan-exclusive model, which only supports Japanese text and characters, is not affected by the new rule.

Nintendo is using account history as a filter

Nintendo said on X that it had found multiple orders linked to suspected resale activity and temporarily paused sales of the multi-language model. When sales resume, buyers will need to meet stricter conditions. Their Nintendo Account must show at least 50 hours of playtime on the original Nintendo Switch by 11:59 PM on May 31, 2026. Playtime from demo titles and free software will not qualify.

Nintendo StoreにおけるNintendo Switch 2（多言語対応）の販売につきまして、買い占め等の疑いがある注文を複数確認しましたので、一時的に販売を停止しておりました。…

— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) June 11, 2026

The company is also limiting purchases to one console per Nintendo Account. That gives Nintendo a way to reduce repeat buying while making fresh accounts less useful for resellers.

Nintendo takes a page out of Valve’s playbook

The Switch 2 has become one of the most practical handheld gaming console options, especially after Valve’s Steam Deck price hike made PC handhelds a bigger expense for many buyers. Still, Nintendo’s console will not stay immune to higher pricing for long, with its own price increase expected soon.

Scalpers have been a thorn in the side of gamers for years. Valve faced a similar issue with the recent Steam Controller launch, where units quickly sold out and appeared on resale sites at inflated prices. Valve responded with a reservation queue, purchase-history checks, and a one-controller-per-account limit.

Nintendo is now applying a similar idea to the Switch 2. Fresh accounts will have a much harder time passing the check, which could reduce bulk buying through the Japanese store.

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Right, if you were hoping to play a single copy of the same game online across two Nintendo Switch 2s, it appears you’re out of luck. Nintendo’s rolled out its new Virtual Game Cards to the classic Switch via an update that lays the groundwork for the new console, and it’s reportedly gotten rid of the ability play the same digital copy online on two systems simulataneously.

This was first identified by folks on ResetEra, who clearly downloaded the Switch software version 20.0.0 that Ninty’s just released and immediately decided to have some fun with a mate. The change itself is seemingly a bit of murky one – the method it’s nixed was viewed by some players as a cheeky “loophole” and its striking from the record looks to just be down to the different way that Game Cards handle Switch games.

Basically, what people had previously been doing in order to play Switch games online with a mate is logging into the game owner’s account on two different Switch consoles – a ‘primary’ one and a ‘secondary’ one. The primary one would see the game owner set up their copy of the game, then hand over to the second player who’d sign in to their own account and still be able to fire up the instyalled game to play online.

Then, the game owner would turn on the ‘secondary’ Switch, log into their account to install that same game, then be able to play it online. Boom, two people on two Switches playinmg the same digital copy of a game online together, via a method that’s a lot easier to do than it to explain without twisting your tongue and tonsils together.

However, with the deployment of these Virtual Game Cards, it’s reportedly no longer possible to follow that and play online, because the Game Cards treat digital games like a single cartrige. However, simultaneous offline play looks like it’s still on the table, even if it’ll require you to set your Switch as offline via a new Online License option in the settings.

Naturally, folks who love a good bit of online play with a mate and don’t want to have to buy two copies of a game are pretty unhappy with Nintendo having gotten rid of something they’d been doing on the reg just before it drops its new console. The word “downgrade” is being chucked about in the thread I linked earlier

Now, the Switch 2 isn’t here yet, so there’s a chance Nintendo sees the backlash and comes up with a solution – or at least makes it clear whether features like Gameshare, which has also been rolled out with this Switch update and currently will let you play some games online together via local wireless, will become a fully-blown catch-all replacement for the method that’s been taken off the table.

Were you regularly using this method to share your Switch library and play online with your mates, partner, or Grandma? Let us know below!

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We’ve subbed a few younger players into the squad — which now features Switch 2 players — and many of the games below are on sale right now, to boot. Enjoy! *blows whistle*

Football is the world’s most popular sport, from the elite level of child-like millionaires with dazzling skills and impressive diving techniques, to actual children on playgrounds using jumpers for goalposts.

Being a football/soccer fan who owns a Switch (or Switch 2), however, can be slightly confusing. Nintendo’s system somehow misses out on the ‘Premier’ games while getting bombarded with loads of smaller releases, and it can be hard to know which ones are worth a kickaround.

We haven’t reviewed every football game on Switch 1 and 2, so let’s be upfront and say that some will be missing on this list that may be worth checking out. However, we’ve reviewed enough of them to share a winning 11 (plus five subs) of the better ones here — oh yes, how very clever of us — and there’s plenty of variety to be found. If you want simulation, tactics, comedy, or arcade action, there’ll be something here for you.

So, let’s have a look at the best football games on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, in alphabetical order. Grab your jumpers, set out your goals, and enjoy!

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Nintendo has made its projection for the Switch 2 launch sales numbers public, and while analysts are suggesting the console maker’s erred on the “conservative” side, it’s still expecting its latest hardware to bag some impressive numbers. Though, its president has said that the price of the console could potentially still rise, depending on how the whole US tariff situation plays out.

The sales estimate comes as part of Ninty’s forecast for the coming fiscal year, which is set to conclude in March 2026. How well does it think the Switch 2 will do? Well, 15 million units sold during the launch window is the number it’s touting.

That – along with 45 million games sold – is the bar Ninty set itself for this first year. The 15 million units sold figure would mean the Switch 2 outdoing the original Switch, which sold 14.87m units during its debut year.

Though, while these numbers might look big to the untrained eye, plenty of analysts think Nintendo’s being a bit cautious with its estimates due to the US tariff uncertainty that’s in the mix. “Conservative forecast from Nintendo here,” tweeted Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad, “Likely factoring in unpredictability around tariffs, pricing and production despite the positive pre-order momentum.

“For reference, our forecast was 14.5 million units by the end of December 2025, and that was already considered conservative by most of the industry. For what it’s worth, I do think Nintendo will raise its forecast if (big if) the tariff situation is reversed. However, main issue right now is knock on effects that are already in motion and creating a difficult environment for a console launch.”

Speaking of those pesky tariffs, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa hasn’t ruled out the possibility of them potentially leading to a Switch 2 price rise, depending on how things play out, according to report from Yahoo News translated by Genki.

“At this time, the top priority is to quickly popularize the Switch 2 hardware,” the exec said, “If the assumptions regarding tariffs change significantly, we would like to consider what price adjustments we should make and implement them after considering various factors.”

Damn, given fans have already called on Ninty to “DROP THE PRICE”, one can only imagine how ballistic things will go if the tariffs are deemed to necessitate a price change. How are you feeling about getting hold of a Switch 2 right now? Let us know below.

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Nintendo put out an updated version of its Nintendo User Agreement last night. While this may not sound especially exciting, some of these changes and additions to the fine print set the stage for some serious consequences to those looking to mess around with the Switch 2 and its various games and services.

Spotted by Stephen Totilo at Game File, the changes seem to target those who like to modify Nintendo hardware, which would imapct those who hack the consoles for emulation purposes or otherwise. The cost of doing so (and getting caught) may now “render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part.”

The old clause in the User Agreement was written as follows: “You are not allowed to lease, rent, sublicense, publish, copy, modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble all or any portion of the Nintendo Account Services without Nintendo’s written consent, or unless otherwise expressly permitted by applicable law.” Now, additions extend both the actions that breach the user agreement and the the punishments for doing so extensively.

It’s now stated that to “distribute, offer for sale, or create derivative works” breaches the agreement, which appears to be a direct blow against the creators of emulators (a topic that has been brought into the spotlight recently with the shutdowns of Yuza and Ryujinx last year).

There’s more. The User Agreement goes on to state users may not, “bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services, including through the use of any hardware or software that would cause the Nintendo Account Services to operate other than in accordance with its documentation and intended use; […] obtain, install or use any unauthorized copies of Nintendo Account Services; or […] exploit the Nintendo Account Services in any manner other than to use them in accordance with the applicable documentation and intended use, in each case, without Nintendo’s written consent or express authorization, or unless otherwise expressly permitted by applicable law.”

That’s a lot of words to essentially say that any modification of Nintendo hardware or software which differs from the intended purpose of both (buying the console and games to play them without Nintendo giving the go ahead) is against the new rules. To breach this risks the permanent nonfunctionality of the the Nintendo games and/or consoles. A steep price for certain.

Okay, so what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re a standard user that just buys the consoles and games, not much. However, if you’re a fan of jailbreaking consoles or getting all up in the guts of hardware/software, doing so will prove a touch riskier. It also will make future emulation attempts harder, which strikes a blow against attempts at game preservation. That is, unless these folks in the future manage to get explicit permission from Nintendo to do so, something the company certainly hasn’t given up to this point.

What are your thoughts on these changes? Let us know below!

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Nintendo’s Japanese branch has announced it’s placed new purchase requirements on the Switch 2, after discovering “multiple orders” suspected of scalping consoles.

The notice specifically highlights the Switch 2 “multi-language” model sold on the Nintendo Store in Japan. To purchase one of these units, customers will now be required to have “50 hours or more” of play time on the original Switch (as of the end of May 2026) before they can purchase this new unit.

As further noted, this does not include the hours spent on demo software or free software, and Nintendo is also limiting Switch 2 orders to one purchase per Nintendo account. Here’s the full translated notice about this via social media:

Nintendo: Regarding sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 (Multilingual) on the Nintendo Store, we have temporarily suspended sales after identifying multiple orders suspected of hoarding or similar activities.

To ensure we can deliver the product to as many customers as possible, we will now limit sales to customers who meet the following conditions. We appreciate your understanding.

Please note that there are no changes to the purchase conditions for the Nintendo Switch 2 (Japanese/Japan-only).

<Requirements for Purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2 (Multilingual Version)>

・As of 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 31, 2026, you must have played the Nintendo Switch for 50 hours or more.
*Excludes demo versions and free software.
*The purchase limit is one unit per Nintendo Account.

In case you missed it, Nintendo’s new price for the Switch 2 will come into effect this September in Western markets. In Japan, the new prices have already been applied as of May 2026. The company is also increasing the price of the original Switch hardware in Japan as well as its Switch Online subscription in this location.

The reasoning for these price increases are due to “changes in market conditions” and “global business outlook”. This isn’t isolated to Nintendo, either. Every major player in the console space has announced price increases in recent months in response to global supply shortages and other market factors. It’s even ignited rumours about next-generation hardware delays.

You can find out more about the new prices for the Switch 2 and original Switch in our previous story here on Nintendo Life:

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Well, it’s happened. The Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly emerged into the wild ahead of time, into the hands of people on the internet who’re keen to make videos showing off the fact that you open the box and boom – there’s a Switch 2 in there. It doesn’t look like any such folks are actually able to play games on the console though, thanks to an impending update.

As spotted by IGN, a YouTuber with the handle a2dubai appears to have posted a short video of them unboxing what’s either a Switch 2 or a convincing replica of the new console on May 27. In case you forgot, the Switch 2 isn’t set to properly come out until June 5.

Said video has since been nuked via a copyright claim by Web Capio, a company which “offers bespoke anti-piracy services”.

Prior to that, a commenter had reportedly asked for “more video please” – very polite for a Youtube comments section, good work rando – leading a2dubai to respond: “Nintendo locked the Switch 2, it needs [an] update to function, so I’m waiting for June 5th to unlock it.”

So, no clips of this potentially real Switch 2 actually playing any games, with news and deals aggregator Wario64 having claimed to have heard from a second person who’s acquired a Switch 2 early. “I have no permission to post pics but can share that when they try to boot a Switch 1 game, a message prompts ‘Please connect to the internet and update your system’,” they posted, “Needs update to boot a game.”

As fellow poster Stealth40k put it, if these are real Switch 2s and the need for an update’s also genuine, that would mean the console’s “basically a very nice paperweight” until release. To be fair, that’ll at least be handy for these alleged early adopters if Ninty and its lawyers decide to hunt them down and deliver some sheets of paper that say something to the effect of ‘please don’t do this again’ in legalese.

Do you think this is all a sneaky 4D chess marketing campaign to make us all want Nintendo to start selling actual Switch 2-shaped paperweights? Let us know below, and make sure to check out the rest of our Switch 2 coverage in the run up to release. You know you’re keen to find out more about Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut’s Red Light Raid Mode.

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You. You’ve asked an elderly or non-gaming person to buy you either games or a console before, right? Well, the Nintendo Switch 2’s latest discourse is all about whether doing that with Ninty’s latest hardware is likely to result in you accidentally getting an OG Switch instead.

Yep, people are fiercely debating whether a box having a fairly big number two on it next to the words ‘Nintendo Switch’ is enough to stop it being mixed up with another box that doesn’t have a two on it, but does also say ‘Nintendo Switch’. This is important, please stop rolling your eyes.

The chatter about this kicked off yesterday thanks to a tweet from YouTuber BeatEmUps, who shared a picture of Switch 2 box next to the classic Switch box, and declared that they reckon two are “far too similar and a bit confusing for the general public”.

Cue a bunch of people across Twitter and ResetEra pointing out that the Switch box’s got a fairly sizeable number two on it, while a bunch of folks who’ve worked in retail argue that probably won’t be enough to stop some people from buying the wrong one.

So, why am I writing about this? Well, for one, funny headline, and for two, I’ve made sure to do some important journalistic looking into this important issue. I reached out to members of my own family to ask whether they reckon, having seen the two boxes side by side, my grandparents or any other potential would-be Switch 2 purchasers who might not be immersed in gaming or its culture would be at risk of buying the wrong thing because of box similarities.

“Put it this way, I’d want to be with [them] when [they] bought it,” my sister responded, adding that she could see my grandparents in particular thinking they were getting a bargain on a Switch 2 by picking up an OG Switch. My dad, on the other hand, reckoned the placement of the number two was key, arguing that making sure to put it directly to the right of the words ‘Nintendo Switch’ rather than next to the Switch logo might help erase potential confusion.

Naturally, I wasn’t done journalisming there. I asked multiple members of the VG247 team for their views, with the general consensus being that it’d obviously be no problem for those in the know, but that non-gamers could well struggle. As for what Nintendo could or should potentially have done with the packaging to help minimise any confusion, there were no solid answers. The obvious would be not making both of them red boxes of a similar size, but that’s Ninty’s branding.

So, what do you do? Make sure whoever’s asking someone who might get confused to buy them a Switch 2 goes along to see that the right thing’s bought. You might have to sacrifice Santa Claus if it’s a holiday-season related purchase, but needs must.

In other Switch 2-related news, the console’s already reportedly made its way into the hands of some online folks, but they seemingly can’t actually play any games until it gets an update.

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