We additionally see an additional button on the face of the right-hand Pleasure-Con, beneath the Dwelling button. Whereas that is unlabeled within the teaser, it may see some type of “C-button” performance, which Nintendo utilized in numerous kinds on the N64 and GameCube prior to now. It is also price noting one notably pointed shot targeted on the left Pleasure-Con thumbstick rotating—may this be supposed to focus on improved thumbsticks for the brand new technology, probably incorporating Corridor impact know-how? Given the drift points that plagued the unique Change, it might be a sensible transfer on Nintendo’s half.
{Photograph}: Nintendo
The largest modifications to the principle console itself, past the elevated bodily dimension, are the addition of an additional USB-C port on the highest and a brand new U-shaped kickstand. Whereas the previous is a superb addition, opening up the potential to help extra equipment, the latter seems slightly flimsy—higher than the nub that propped up the unique Change however much less sturdy than the Change OLED’s stable back-panel kickstand.
Talking of the OLED Change, and judging purely from the chunky bezel proven within the Change 2 reveal, the brand new console could also be reverting to an LCD panel. Once more, this has been rumored for some time, however it is going to be arduous to not see it as a little bit of a step backward.
The very best takeaway from the reveal, although, is Nintendo instantly confirming backward compatibility with current Change video games, each bodily and digitally (albeit with a number of as-yet -unspecified exclusions). That is unbelievable information for gamers who’ve spent the higher a part of a decade build up their libraries, and one other instance of Nintendo’s quiet confidence and sense of continuity. If you’ve racked up 1.3 billion software program gross sales in your extremely profitable platform, why danger alienating these clients?
And that is seemingly Nintendo’s technique for Change 2, in a nutshell: If it ain’t broke, why repair it? Gamers love the Change as it’s, the corporate’s major rivals are all emulating it to higher or lesser extents, and all indicators level to “extra however higher” being a compelling promoting level. It’s enjoying it protected—nevertheless it does not must do anything.