Japanese online game firm Nintendo has revealed the small print of its first substantial console redesign in eight years, the Swap 2, in a presentation live-streamed at the moment.
Set for launch on 5 June, Nintendo’s Swap 2 encompasses a bigger display, redesigned Pleasure-Con controllers that magnetically connect to the console physique, and new functionalities catered to multiplayer gaming – together with the choice to combine video calls by way of a brand new digicam.
Lots of the Swap 2’s new features are geared round chat and group interplay, united beneath the title GameChat and accessible by way of a brand new “C” button on the Pleasure-Con that brings up a chat menu.
A microphone is constructed into the console, enabling non-compulsory voice chat whether or not in handheld or docked mode. As soon as turned on, the characteristic will activate robotically upon detecting the participant’s voice.
In a characteristic that’s extra uncommon in gaming, the Nintendo Swap 2 may also incorporate video chatting via the addition of a digicam accent.
This may permit a stay video stream of the consumer’s buddies to seem on the display as they play – together with, within the case of some specifically developed video games similar to Tremendous Mario Social gathering Jamboree, built-in into the gameplay.
Nintendo’s presentation confirmed gamers’ video streams showing in little speech-bubble-like home windows close to their characters whereas they performed the sport.
“In growing GameChat, our purpose was so that you can get pleasure from taking part in on-line with others extra intently, together with household and buddies – nearly as when you’re all taking part in collectively in the identical place,” Ninendo Swap 2 director Takuhiro Dohta mentioned within the presentation.
Different key options of the redesign embody a brand new black color and bigger display that make the Swap 2 resemble the newer Steam Deck gaming pc when in handheld mode.
The display is 7.9 inches in dimension in comparison with the 6.2-inch LCD display of the unique Swap, launched in 2017, and the 7-inch OLED display of 2021’s higher-end mannequin.
The Pleasure-Con controllers – which, as standard, separate from the principle physique to change the gameplay from handheld to console mode – have been given a facelift with bigger sticks on each side.
The SL and SR buttons are larger for simpler entry, and so they’re additionally fabricated from steel to allow the controllers to connect magnetically to the principle physique of the console.
A brand new performance for the controllers is that they may be capable of be used as a mouse in appropriate video games. As an illustration, with one in every hand, customers can movement rolling wheelchair wheels to play a brand new 3v3 wheelchair basketball sport, Drag x Drive.
The Swap 2 will incorporate a stand so it might sit at any angle, and can proceed to assist Swap video games in addition to unique Swap 2 titles.
The Nintendo Swap has been one of many bestselling gaming consoles of all time, with over 150 million models bought.
Different Nintendo design tales coated by Dezeen embody a shrine designed for its Nineteen Eighties console and a tool for enjoying previous Sport Boy cartridges.
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