Tag: Switch 2

  • The Witcher 3 Remastered: 7 Key Changes and What Players Need to Know

    The Witcher 3 Remastered: 7 Key Changes and What Players Need to Know

    Geralt returns with a major upgrade: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered brings CD Projekt Red’s celebrated RPG into a new technical era. The upgrade arrives with visual improvements, gameplay changes, and expanded features. Existing owners can upgrade for free within the same platform ecosystem. It launches September 29, 2026.

    A Major Visual Makeover

    The remastered version introduces improved textures, models, lighting, foliage, and environmental rendering. Its updated shading and image-based lighting aim to make the Continent look more natural. Tone mapping and bloom have also been reworked. The result is a more detailed and cinematic visual presentation.

    Combat Gets More Dynamic

    Combat receives animation and behavior improvements designed to make encounters feel smoother and more responsive. Monster attack patterns, movement, and reactions have been polished. The remaster also adds visual effects for Signs and skills. On supported hardware, new rendering technologies further enhance the presentation.

    The Skill System Is Reworked

    Geralt’s progression system has received one of the biggest changes. Skills are reorganized into a redesigned tree with prerequisite-based unlocking and three ranks per skill. Existing bonuses and synergies have also been rebalanced. Players should know that skill points are reset after the upgrade.

    Transmog Finally Adds More Style

    The remaster introduces equipment reforging, allowing players to change the appearance of eligible gear without changing its statistics. This means Geralt can maintain a preferred look while keeping useful equipment. The feature is available through master craftsmen and works with applicable equipment appearances.

    Photo Mode Gets Seriously Bigger

    Photo Mode receives a substantial expansion with new poses, expressions, characters, lighting controls, and environmental presets. Players can adjust weather and time of day, save camera presets, and change screenshot aspect ratios. A first-person camera and placeable props add even more creative possibilities.

    PC and Switch 2 Get Extra Features

    PC players gain technologies including Path Tracing, DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 2.0 on supported hardware. Switch 2 adds motion controls, mouse-sensor controls, touch input, and VRR support. The remaster also brings updated system requirements, so check compatibility before playing.

  • 7 Must-See Games for Nintendo Direct September 2026

    7 Must-See Games for Nintendo Direct September 2026

    As the Nintendo Direct September 2026 presentation draws near, speculation is at an all-time high. Fans are eagerly anticipating major reveals for the Switch 2 lineup, and several titles have emerged as top predictions. Here are the seven games generating the most buzz:

    1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

    Fans expect a major update on the Switch 2 remake, with Nintendo potentially showing gameplay, revealing launch details, and confirming its release window. The dedicated Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct makes this one of the most anticipated announcements.

    2. New 3D Mario Game

    A new 3D Mario adventure remains one of the biggest hopes for the September Direct. Fan polls and industry speculation have placed a potential 2027 reveal among the showcase’s most exciting possibilities, although Nintendo has not confirmed the project.

    3. Metroid Ravenous

    Fans are hoping for a new Metroid announcement, with Metroid Ravenous emerging as a notable prediction ahead of the showcase. A surprise reveal could give Switch 2 another major first-party adventure while expanding Nintendo’s sci-fi lineup for future releases.

    4. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave

    Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is another title fans expect to see during the Nintendo Direct. A fresh trailer, gameplay footage, or release information could provide a closer look at the tactical RPG and its role in Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 lineup.

    5. Xenoblade Chronicles: Genesis

    Xenoblade Chronicles: Genesis could receive another substantial showcase following its earlier reveal. Fans may expect fresh gameplay, story details, or launch information as Nintendo continues building its Switch 2 role-playing game lineup for the coming months.

    6. New Animal Crossing

    Animal Crossing remains a popular fan request, with players hoping Nintendo finally announces a new mainline entry. A Switch 2-focused Animal Crossing reveal would instantly become one of the biggest surprises of the September presentation.

    7. Pikmin 5

    Pikmin 5 has appeared among fan predictions for the September Nintendo Direct. Nintendo could surprise viewers with a first trailer, although there is currently no official confirmation that the next Pikmin game will appear during the showcase.

    With so many potential reveals, the September 2026 Nintendo Direct is shaping up to be a landmark event for Switch 2 owners and Nintendo fans worldwide.

  • Nintendo Moves to Dismiss Class Action Over Switch 2 Tariff Refunds

    Nintendo Moves to Dismiss Class Action Over Switch 2 Tariff Refunds

    Nintendo has filed a motion in a U.S. court to dismiss a lawsuit demanding refunds for Switch 2 buyers following adjustments to import tariffs. The company argues that customers are not legally entitled to refunds because it never promised price reductions if tariffs changed.

    The lawsuit, initially filed in April 2026 by two consumers in California and Washington, claims Nintendo used tariff refunds to grow the company instead of returning the extra charges to gamers. The dispute stems from price hikes on Switch 2 controllers and the original Switch after U.S. tariffs were imposed—tariffs later declared illegal by the Supreme Court.

    In its legal filing, Nintendo stated it did not assure customers that the console’s price would fluctuate with tariff changes. “Customers knew the price before placing their orders and chose to buy the console at that amount,” the company said, emphasizing there are no legal grounds for refunds.

    Background of the Lawsuit

    The controversy began during the Switch 2 pre-order period. Nintendo delayed U.S. pre-orders to assess tariff impacts, but when orders opened, the console price remained unchanged—though the controller cost $5 more. After tariffs were overturned, Nintendo reportedly secured refunds on those duties, prompting the lawsuit.

    Plaintiffs Gregory Hoffert and Prashant Sharan seek class action status for all U.S. purchasers of price-hiked Nintendo items between February 1, 2025 and February 24, 2026. Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa previously stated the company views tariffs as a cost factor and incorporates them into pricing.

    Broader Implications

    The case raises a fundamental question for businesses: when a company saves money from reduced tariffs, must it lower prices for customers? Legal experts note that in most cases, companies are free to set their own prices unless they made explicit promises or violated consumer protection laws. Lower costs do not automatically translate to lower retail prices.

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Gets User-Replaceable Battery Ahead of EU Right-to-Repair Rules

    Nintendo Switch 2 Gets User-Replaceable Battery Ahead of EU Right-to-Repair Rules

    Nintendo is making a small but important change to the Switch 2. The company is working on an upgraded version with a replaceable battery before new repair rules come into effect in the European Union. The update is expected to make the console easier to repair and help players use it for longer.

    Many gamers wonder how to extend the lifespan of their consoles. As batteries get older, they hold less charge. Until now, replacing them has often meant paying for repairs or opening the device with special tools. Nintendo’s new design could make that process much simpler.

    Switch 2 Gets a Repair-Friendly Battery

    Nintendo is expected to roll out the updated design before the Switch 2 reaches more markets, including the UAE and 27 European Union member states. Ahead of the launch, in a post on its website, the console maker has said that Switch 2 will have a 5,172mAh battery, which is 1% smaller than the current version’s 5,220mAh cell. Furthermore, the console will weigh 10 grams more with user-replaceable batteries.

    The primary reason for this change is EU-specific regulations that require consumer electronics to have removable, replaceable batteries. Instead of waiting for the rules to take effect, Nintendo appears to be preparing early. This also means the company may not need different versions of the console for different regions.

    The updated design is expected to make it easier for users to replace the battery when it wears out. Nintendo has not shared full details yet, but the goal is clear. Players should be able to keep using the same console instead of replacing it because of a weak battery. The change also shows that game companies are paying more attention to repair-friendly designs.

    A New Battery Can Add Years to the Console

    A replaceable battery is useful for more than repairs. It can help the console last much longer. Players can easily replace the battery after years of use instead of purchasing a new system.

    It can also help save money, as battery replacement typically costs much less than replacing the entire console. A healthy battery can also help the Switch 2 keep a better resale value if owners decide to sell it later.

    Another benefit is less waiting. If batteries become easier to replace, players may not have to leave their console at a service center for days.

    Could This Make the Switch 2 More Expensive?

    Repair-friendly parts can increase production costs. A replaceable battery generally means a different internal design and more parts. That could have a minor impact on the end price. Many players might find the extra cost worth it. Consoles that last longer save you money in the long run and reduce electronic waste.

    The move from Nintendo demonstrates how repairability is becoming a bigger deal in gaming hardware. If other companies follow suit, it could be much easier to own, fix, and use a console for many years to come.