Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived

Well, now we've seen the Nintendo Switch 2 in all it's glory. Nintendo has given us a glimpse into their future and for the most part it looks very bright. Nintendo did not go fully in-depth with the tech in terms of confirming or denying the use of DLSS or Ray Tracing. From what I can see, neither of those features were present. At least I couldn't tell. That being said, the visuals look incredible. I would go so far as to say that the visuals in some of the 3rd party ports and EXCLUSIVES (more on that later) actually looked better than some of the 1st party titles shown. Nintendo really went through a lot of effort to enhance the gameplay experience as much as possible. Particularly in portable mode. This is still a very "Nintendo" like device. Lots of gimmicky features that may or may not pan out. The "C" button opens up a whole new world for communication on the Switch 2. I think that Nintendo is definitely trying to make up for the Voice Chat debacle on the original Switch. There were a lot of patents filed for something called a "Virtual Camera" and the camera shown in this Direct showed off a lot features that were described in those patents. So, now we know what the Virtual Camera was all about. It seems like Nintendo is using the increased power of the Switch 2 to expand the scope of the games rather than bleeding-edge visuals, but the visual still look really good. When I first saw the brief footage of Mario Kart World during the Nintendo Switch 2 teaser, I was kinda like "Eh....ida know about this." Now that I see the sheer size and scope of the game I can understand why the visuals aren't at peak level. This is essentially a Mario Kart platformer. This is WAAAY beyond just a racing game, and there seems to be more to explore and do outside of the racing. Now I can understand why the game is exclusive to Switch 2. The game is just too huge and too robust to run on the Switch. They also had taken the traditional gameplay as far as they could. This was the next logical step. The number of 3rd party titles and the QUALITY of 3rd party titles coming to Switch 2 was impressive. To get an exclusive title by From Software I didn't see coming. I expected Elden Ring because that had Been long rumored, but a brand new exclusive title? That's nuts! That's a HUGE get for Nintendo.

I expected a Final Fantasy game coming to Switch 2, and we got that. I expected Madden and NBA2K, and we got that. I was puzzled as to why Yakuza 0 was not included with the recent bundle released on the Switch. Now I know why. Yakuza 0 Director's Cut is coming to Switch 2. If I may be so bold, that is the best game in the series. I've played through the story twice, and I'll do it again! It will be interesting to see if the motion-controls and mouse functionality will be worked into the gameplay. Plenty of opportunity for it. I'm also very impressed about the sheer number of titles both 1st and 3rd party that are going to be available on launch day. These are QUALITY titles too. Not just random filler titles. As I stated before, there was no mention of any upscaling or Ray Tracing that I saw unless I missed something. The visuals from what I can tell don't look as good as the PS5/XSX, but Nintendo is in the room. The wide chasm that was between Nintendo and the other companies in terms of visuals, resolution, and frame rates at least for the short-term has been greatly diminished. 4K60, 1080p120? That's pretty good. In terms of raw horsepower, that is definitely above the PS4 and even above the PS4 Pro. Not as powerful as the XBOX One X, but maybe outperforms it due to having a newer and faster CPU, as well as newer and faster RAM, and more of it. It seems like without any tricks the actual horsepower of this device is enough to get the job done for now. Nintendo has to save some stuff for Switch 2 Pro. I have a funny feeling about a new 3D Donkey Kong game, and I'm glad to see one. It was time. We haven't seen one in 3 decades. I also think it's time to give Mario a rest. There are enough games out there that can be remastered and upgraded that haven't been yet. Super Mario Sunshine probably won't be one of them as the game is going to be a part of the GameCube Classics coming to NSO. Overall, I am impressed. It launches June 5th, 2025 with the retail price of $449. The bundle that includes Mario Kart World is $499 which is interesting. It makes me wonder how much the games will be themselves. Am I impressed enough to purchase a Switch 2? Yes. However, $80 dollars for Mario Kart World? That sucked all the air out of the room for me. I expected games to increase at least to $70 dollars, but $80-90? That's a bit much Nintendo.

The Switch is going nowhere any time soon

I'm not sure why so many people are so obtuse these days. Well, actually I do know why, but that is a different conversation. What I'm seeing is that the level of idolatry is so high with some people that they don't even have the ability to stay loyal a piece of plastic they already worship. As soon as a new and more shiny piece of plastic arrives, the previous one that THEY CLAIMED was the greatest-thing EVER gets tossed aside like yesterday's trash. At the time of this blog, we are exactly 1 week away from the full blowout of Nintendo's next device at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and apparently Nintendo will also have a 30-minute Nintendo Direct on March 27th, 2025 solely focusing on games for the original Switch. I find that interesting and peculiar in regards to the timing. What we will see at the April 2nd, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Direct I'm not sure for certain. I think it's likely we will see new games designed specifically for it. We probably will get more of a detailed explanation of the features. Most likely we will get a price and release date. Those are the only things that are a shoo-in I would venture to guess. It's possible that we will get one surprise title, but who knows. I'm not going into this Direct with high expectations. I set a VERY low bar, and I'm just gonna watch to see what they do. However, this isn't about the Direct. This is about the notion that "some" Nintendo fanatics think that just because the Switch 2 is on the horizon that the original Switch is going into the bargain-bin at Wal-Mart. First of all, Nintendo has clearly stated that the Switch will be supported well into the lifecycle of the Switch 2. Secondly, Nintendo of Japan President, Shuntaro Furukawa, emphatically stated that there will be NO PRICE DROPS for ANY Nintendo Switch device. That's all the proof that you need that the Switch isn't going anywhere, but allow me to indulge you even further. It is a good business practice to keep supporting successful products after the launch of a new version of said product. Nintendo has done this numerous times. The NES, SNES, GameBoy, N64, DS, and Wii all were supported and manufactured well into their next generations. Some were supported longer than others depending on the level of success. Sony has also done this with the PlayStation brand. Every PlayStation has sold well into the next generation. We are 5 years into the PS5 and only now in 2025 is the PS4 being phased out. It is still sold on store shelves and has new games coming to the device yet. The most successful console of all-time as of now, (the PlayStation 2,) stayed on store shelves for 13 years. With the Switch within striking distance of being the best-selling console of all-time and with it still selling strongly you think Nintendo is gonna just pull the plug on it? That makes no sense. From whatever device you are reading this blog from, there is an older version of it still being sold and has been sold for years. The car you drive has a older version that is still being manufactured and sold. Appliances in your home have older versions that are still being sold and have been for years. It is just good business to keep supporting successful products until they no longer are successful and THEN.....you pull the plug on it. Like I said in the beginning. This is the result of people worshiping pieces of plastic again. The SAME PEOPLE that are so anxious to kick the Switch to the curb because of the prospect of having a "more powerful" Switch (and thus far that is the only tangible difference between the two consoles we have been made aware of) are the EXACT SAME PEOPLE that for 8 years have incessantly told us that....... POWER DOESN'T MATTER....

Anyway, I can't wait to see what happens next week. Regardless if Nintendo lays an egg, the Direct is just "mid," or if they blow our socks off, there will be plenty to talk about for a long time. This is a jolt that the gaming industry desperately needs right now. I think that the entire gaming world is waiting to see what Nintendo is going to do.

You Control Your Own Peace

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.

If you are anxious you are living in the future.

If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

~ Lao Tsu I just heard someone mention this quote the other day. There definitely is some truth to that statement. However, upon reflection I feel like I disagree somewhat. Let's break this down into sections. "If you are depressed, you are living in the past." Well, that all depends. What precisely in the past are you focusing on and why? What is your motivation for focusing on the past? If you are thinking about regrets, missed opportunities, failures, things that you have lost, people that you have lost, or not being able to do things today that you could yesterday then yes, I would agree with that statement. However, there is another side to this. You can CHOOSE to look at the past a different way. You can remember good times that you have had with people or things that you no longer have. You can remember goals that you set, and have accomplished. You can remember personal triumphs or even public ones. You can think about how far you have come in your life in various endeavors. Most of all, you can be GRATEFUL for all of those things. There is nothing "depressing" about any of that. In fact, it can be energizing for the present. If things aren't exactly hitting on all cylinders at the moment, you can reflect on a time when they were and have proof that it can happen again.

"If you are anxious you are living in the future." Again, it all depends on what you are focusing on, why you are focusing on that particular thing, and what you hope to accomplish doing so. If you are focusing on the uncertainty of ANY situation whether it be financial issues, personal relationships, your health, world events, your job or career, your family, your friends, anything in general that is BEYOND your control then yes, I would agree with that statement. However, if you can understand that you cannot control what you cannot control, that goes a long way to diffusing anxiety. You can only control what YOU can control. You aren't meant to control anything else but that. Anger, fear, jealously, and other negative emotions are born out of your perception of the LOSS of control, and that is like rocket fuel for anxiety. The less you feel like you are in control, the more potent and dangerous anxiety gets. It's similar to what happened to Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars saga. The whole reason why Darth Vader exists, is because Anakin Skywalker let his anxiety of losing control of the situations around him deteriorate into madness. As Yoda said... "Fear is a path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." This is true for MANY people these days, tragically. Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi all warned Anakin of this, but he didn't listen and we saw what happened. Instead of focusing on the things we can't control, freedom comes when we focus on the things that we CAN control and let He who has ALL control take care of the things we can't. This is the benefit of having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When you know who you are and WHOSE you are, it makes things very simple. You may not know what your future holds, but you know Who holds your future. You don't have to worry about ANYTHING quite frankly. Not that worrying would accomplish anything anyway. It never does. It is empowering to take action in your life. The journey often reaps it's own rewards. Putting everything in God's hands that seems to big for you to handle is one of the most liberating things that you can do. It feels like a million tons are lifted off of your chest and it frees your ambition to do whatever it is you want to do, because you know that no matter what happens, you are gonna be alright. You feel like there isn't anything thing that you can't do (Phillippians 4:13,) and thus that makes you excited for the future! "If you are at peace you are living in the present.” This part I 100% agree with. When you are focused on what you are doing, you are indeed at peace. Whatever is that you love to do, or do well, or what you feel you were called to do, there is no greater peace when you are doing that. Or, when you CHOOSE to live in the moment and maximize any and every opportunity that presents itself. Never taking anything for granted. Enjoying each situation to it's fullest.

There is so much beauty and wonder in this world. In nature alone there is enough for personal discovery and fulfillment. Just going outside, breathing fresh air, and being around nature. Looking at the designs of plants, flowers, animals, terrain, etc. Listening to the sounds of nature. All the different types of bird calls in whatever region you live in. Looking at the beautiful patterns and design on birds. This is just one example of HUNDREDS of things that anyone can do everyday to bring them peace. We all have things that we do that is our "happy place." Something that we love to do that is just for us. Something that puts a smile so deep and so hard on your face that it has to be surgically removed. It is SOOOO okay to do that, and most assuredly, necessary. Choosing to have peace in the present, allows you to be grateful for the blessings of the past, and frees you to be hopeful for the future!