From a new Mario Kart to mouse-like controls, these are my six biggest takeaways from the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal

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The wait is over for some exciting news! The new Nintendo Switch 2, also known as a long-awaited follow-up, has finally been revealed by Nintendo, after a mysterious preview trailer was posted on January 16.

There were some exposed areas, but there were still many unexpected discoveries.

If you happened to miss the announcement or just want a quick reminder, don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the five key takeaways from the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal.

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One of the first things noticeable in the release trailer is how much larger the Nintendo Switch 2 is compared to the original Switch. Not only is the tablet unit size increased, but the Joy-Con controllers are also larger.

Nintendo hasn't given us the exact measurements, but that hasn't kept me from trying to figure it out. One shot in the trailer shows the old and new consoles side by side, which has given me a basis for estimating the dimensions.

The width of the Nintendo Switch image is 534 pixels wide and 226 pixels tall. The width of the Nintendo Switch 2 image is 607 pixels wide and 258 pixels tall. On using a like-for-like comparison, this comes out to a 13.7% increase in width and a 14.2% increase in height.

We are aware that the original Nintendo Switch measures 9.4 inches / 238 millimeters wide and 4.01 inches / 102 millimeters tall in real life. Based on this information, I estimate that the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to be approximately 10.7 inches / 270.6 millimeters wide and 4.6 inches / 116.5 millimeters tall - that's quite bulky!

There's a curious new button

The button layout of the Nintendo Switch 2 appears similar to that of the regular Nintendo Switch, but there is a slightly different control element visible in the promotional clip.

Located below the home button on the right Joy-Con, it appears blank. My guess is that Nintendo is concealing the actual text on the input so as to avoid revealing too much information at this point, but the purpose of what it might be is open to speculation.

New social features within its software could be the solution, but only time will tell.

The new kickstand is a significant improvement.

One thing we can be certain of is that we won't have to endure the weak, unhelpful kickstand of the original Nintendo Switch anymore.

The U-shaped stand featured in the trailer appears to be a significant improvement, enhancing the stability of the chunky stand that comes with the Nintendo Switch OLED while reducing its size to a much sleeker design.

If you're someone who enjoys diving into games with friends in tabletop style, this upgrade is going to be a total game-changer.

4. The majority of your older games should still function.

I was a bit concerned that I'd have to purchase all my favorite Nintendo Switch games again, this time through ports or remasters on the Nintendo Switch. Happily, that concern has been largely alleviated.

In simple terms, Nintendo said that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be compatible with both the physical and digital games of Nintendo Switch. However, keep in mind that "certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible."

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I suspect that the bigger Joy-Con controllers may not be compatible with the required accessories, which could restrict your ability to play those games with the required gear.

5. A new Mario Kart game is on its way.

One thing that really stood out in the reveal trailer was a lack of many new games, yet we did catch a glimpse of at least one highly anticipated title, which is going to be extremely exciting for Nintendo enthusiasts.

It looks absolutely amazing too, with newly designed characters and lively animated sequences.

We're shown a couple of glimpses of what appears to be a massive racing track and markings for as many as 24 vehicles, which makes it no surprise if this next installment goes big and provides a scale that's unprecedented in the franchise so far.

6. Mouse-like controls had been teased

This one's a bit more speculative, but it's still an intriguing rumor. Leaks have been circulating for weeks suggesting the Nintendo Switch 2 will come with a mouse-like gaming system, allowing you to attach the Joy-Con Controllers on the side to interact with the screen using new optical sensors.

Unfortunately, the trailer doesn't explicitly confirm this, but Nintendo is making it clear that something is going on. The new Joy-Con controllers are shown speeding by, attached to a nifty grip add-on featuring a cord that looks rather like a mouse's tail as it waves around.

Could this potenially be Nintendo's next major innovation? I believe it's quite probable that it could be.

See it for yourself

The reveal trailer also provided a glimpse into a few other intriguing details, including the system's new logo and a sleeker dock. We also caught our first look at the Nintendo Switch 2's accessory, which is an updated version of the iconic Joy-Con grip.

Take a look at the trailer for yourself and share your thoughts, or if there's anything else that comes to mind, be sure to leave it in the comments.

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• These are the backwards compatible games I want to play first on the Nintendo Switch 2.