Video Game News Roundup – April 04, 2025
Welcome to our daily roundup of the most recent video game news! In today’s highlights, you will find:
- Insights on how Nintendo could have borrowed ideas from Valve for creating an impressive handheld tech demo
- A statement from Nvidia detailing how their Nintendo Switch 2 chip has been enhanced, attributing it to ‘1,000 engineer-years of effort’, and boasting a 10x performance increase thanks to DLSS and dedicated ray tracing silicon
- News from the developers of Marvel Rivals, who are introducing new team-up abilities for Season 2, featuring the exciting combination of Captain America and The Winter Soldier
Here are the specifics of today’s happenings in the gaming world.
Valve’s Approach: A Model for Nintendo’s Handheld Tech Demo
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
This week’s eagerly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct held my full attention, particularly the intriguing tech demo titled ‘Welcome Tour’. Contrary to the popular belief that it would be free, it is priced at 990 yen, which roughly translates to around $6 / £5. However, I would not be surprised if the actual cost is slightly more. Although I refer to it as a ‘glorified tech demo’, I feel this term is perhaps overly generous based on what we’ve witnessed of ‘Welcome Tour’ so far.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Nvidia Claims ‘1,000 Engineer-Years of Effort’ Benefit Nintendo Switch 2 Chip with 10x Performance Boost and Dedicated Ray Tracing Silicon
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
In a recent blog post, Nvidia has enthusiastically highlighted the technical expertise and enhanced performance of their new custom processor for the Nintendo Switch 2. The new chip, yet to be named, is reportedly 10 times more powerful than the Nvidia chip used in the original Switch. However, specifics regarding this performance boost are currently lacking, as Nvidia has not clarified the basis for this comparison.
Additionally, Nvidia has stated that the new chip will facilitate DLSS upscaling through an AI algorithm. Drawing from past Nvidia statements, such as the comparison of the new RTX 5070 desktop GPU’s performance to the preceding RTX 4090, it can be inferred that the enhanced performance of the new chip might be in relation to its upscaling capabilities compared to the native rendering of the previous chip.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
New Team-Up Abilities Coming to Marvel Rivals in Season 2, Featuring Captain America and The Winter Soldier
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
When I first explored the team-up abilities offered in Season 0 of Marvel Rivals, I was perplexed by the absence of one particular duo – Captain America and The Winter Soldier. After being captivated by their dynamic in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I believed it was only logical for this iconic pair to showcase their synergy in the game. Now, it seems the developers have had a similar thought. Season 2 is set to introduce this long-anticipated team-up, among others. Entitled “The Stars Aligned,” this combination enhances both characters’ abilities. According to the patch notes, “As the lead in this team-up, Captain America benefits from a maximum health increase of 100 and a 5% boost in damage output.”
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
The Switch 2 Introduces a Less Impressive Version of Discord
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
Discord has become the go-to chat app for gamers, and for good reason. It’s easy to set up, has minimal latency, offers superior audio quality, and best of all, it’s free. Despite some minor annoyances such as frequent updates, ad-styled “quests”, and its overuse as a substitute for traditional forums, Discord remains the uncontested leader in voice and video sharing. It’s so efficient that leading consoles from Microsoft and Sony have integrated the app, notwithstanding their less successful attempts at creating their own voice chat options. However, it is not surprising that Nintendo, known for its less-than-stellar online features, has chosen to exclude Discord from its closed platform with the release of Switch 2.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Ex-Nintendo PR Managers Deem Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Price Backlash ‘A True Crisis Moment for Nintendo’
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
In light of the ongoing backlash against Nintendo’s surprising pricing for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, two former Nintendo PR managers have labeled the situation as “a true crisis moment for Nintendo.”
In a YouTube video on their channel, former Nintendo of America PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang expressed their criticism of Nintendo’s approach to unveiling the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price for Mario Kart World. “Without exaggeration, this feels like a genuine crisis moment for Nintendo,” Ellis stated.
Read the full article at IGN →
Is the Switch 2’s Price Tag Overshadowing Its Launch?
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
The thrill of a new console reveal is undeniable, and Nintendo certainly hit the mark with the advanced graphic capabilities of the Switch 2. Although there’s still no hint of a new 3D Mario game (it has been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and fans are getting impatient), we were introduced to the open-world Mario Kart World, welcomed Donkey Kong back into the spotlight, and saw a promising spiritual successor to Bloodborne with the reveal of The Duskbloods. However, one factor seems to be overshadowing the excitement – the price. It’s not just the cost of the console, which at $449.99 is not unreasonable for new technology in 2025, but the additional expenses required to fully enjoy the Switch 2 experience, including games and accessories.
Read the full article at IGN →
Will GTA 6 Carry the Same $80 Price Tag as Mario Kart World?
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
Mario Kart World, priced at a hefty $80, is making its way into stores, causing a stir among Nintendo enthusiasts. Despite their excitement over the impending Nintendo Switch 2, fans have expressed shock at the game’s cost. Understanding the reason doesn’t necessarily lessen the blow to the wallet. Additionally, we found out today that several Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, will also retail for $80.
Read the full article at IGN →
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Sizes Unveiled: 256 GB Internal Storage Expected to Satisfy Most Gamers
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
Nintendo has disclosed the game sizes for its upcoming Switch 2, which appear to be quite manageable. The Japanese My Nintendo Store has provided a list of games for the Switch 2, along with their respective file sizes. The new console boasts a generous 256 GB of internal storage, which is a significant improvement from the 32 GB offered in the original Switch and Switch Lite, and the 64 GB in the Switch – OLED Model. In addition, the Switch 2 has been designed to accommodate microSD Express cards, allowing for an additional 2 TB of storage. However, this means that the microSDXC cards compatible with the current Switch models will not be transferrable to the new console.
Read the full IGN article here →
Switch 2 Compatible MicroSD Express Cards Now Available for Purchase: Here Are Your Top Options
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
In a recent comprehensive 60-minute Nintendo Direct, Nintendo delved into the details of the upcoming Switch 2. Important information, such as the console’s price ($449.99), its release date (June 5, 2025), and an impressive lineup of new games, was revealed. Notably, it was confirmed that the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards, accommodating up to 2TB cards. This implies that users cannot carry their existing storage cards over to the new console. To enhance your storage capacity, you’ll need to explore the range of cards offered by SanDisk and Lexar on Amazon, which we’ve linked below. Additionally, GameStop is developing its own line of cards.
Read the full article at IGN →
Nintendo Unveils a More Affordable, Japanese Language-Only Nintendo Switch 2: Duolingo Responds with Humor
Source: IGN – April 04, 2025
Following the reveal of the release date and technical specifications for the much-awaited Nintendo Switch 2, attention has now turned to the pricing of the new console. Although no definite prices were announced during the Nintendo Direct presentation, regional prices have since surfaced on Nintendo’s country-specific websites. Intriguingly, it appears that the most affordable way to purchase Nintendo’s new hardware is in Japan. As pointed out in an amusing tweet from the language-learning app, Duolingo, Japan is offering two distinct versions of the Switch console: a multi-language variant priced at 69,980 yen (approximately $477), and a Japanese language-only version retailing at 49,980 yen (roughly $341).
Read the full article at IGN →
‘Thick thighs save lives’: Anticipation builds among Marvel Rivals players for the arrival of Emma Frost in Season 2
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
Marvel Rivals has released the Season 2: Hellfire Gala Official Trailer, and fans are excited. The new season, set to begin on April 11, introduces Emma Frost, also known as the White Queen, to the game. The initial response to this new character has been largely positive, not just because of her abilities, which are yet to be fully disclosed, but also because a significant number of players seem keen to engage with her unique character design.
Frost, a Vanguard character type, is known for her strong telepathic powers and her unique ability to transmute things into diamond. This could potentially offer interesting defensive strategies within the game.
For more details about Emma Frost’s arrival in Marvel Rivals Season 2, read the full article at PC Gamer.
Nintendo Reveals Why Not All Original Switch Games Run Perfectly on Switch 2
Source: GameSpot – April 04, 2025
One of the significant attractions of the upcoming Switch 2 is its backward compatibility with the original Switch games library, albeit with a few exceptions. However, Nintendo has clarified that not every game will perform seamlessly on the Switch 2 at launch. The reason being that the hybrid console doesn’t natively support original Switch games. Instead, the company employs a combination of hardware and software solutions to make these games playable on the Switch 2. Nintendo’s Takuhiro Dohta explained, “When we initiated the development of Switch 2, our primary focus was on enhancing its hardware performance and expanding its capacity, thereby making compatibility a secondary priority.”
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Elden Ring’s Switch 2 Extras to Launch on PC as Game Sales Reach 28 Million
Source: PC Gamer – April 03, 2025
Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct, primarily focused on the Switch 2, showcased a variety of new releases, including what appears to be a spiritual sequel to Bloodborne from FromSoftware. Also announced was the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for the new console. This edition not only packages the original Elden Ring game and its acclaimed DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, but also introduces some exciting extras. “New features in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition include four new armor sets and the ability to customize the spirit horse Torrent with three different appearances,” shared the FromSoftware X account.
Read the complete article at PC Gamer →
Join the Discussion
Which piece of news piqued your interest today? Is it Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 announcement, or perhaps the new season of Rivals? We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments section below!
