Today, I’m adding more games to the list of games that have seen improvements when played on Nintendo Switch 2. Let’s have a look!
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Genre: Kart Racer
Players: 1-8 Competitive (Local Split-Screen) 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless) 2-12 Competitive (Online)
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Review:
You may recall that I previously checked out Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch 2 to see what changes the game saw without any sort of patch or upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2. And the result was… not much. Pretty much the only difference I saw was an improvement to loading times. However, Nintendo has now released a free patch for the game on Nintendo Switch 2, so let’s take another look at this game and see how improved it is this time around.
As it turns out, this free update does quite a lot. Firstly, and perhaps most impressively, this expands the local split-screen multiplayer to support up to 8 players on one console. Ironically, this is more than Mario Kart World allows, and in terms of multiplayer support Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now only topped by the number of online players that can participate (still only 12 here as opposed to 24 in Mario Kart World).
In addition, this update includes support for CameraPlay in 4-player local games and online games, enabling players to display their face during the race. Perhaps not something everyone will want to do, but a nice addition all the same.
The resolution has gotten a bump as well, and even though I didn’t expect to see much of a difference (I still maintain that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best-looking Nintendo Switch games), I am surprised and delighted to say this does make for a cleaner, clearer image, with less aliasing.
Finally, as I always do, let’s look at loading times. I expected a similar story to my previous look, or perhaps a bit worse due to the improvements. So imagine my shock when I found these times are even more improved than they were in my previous tests. On Nintendo Switch, it took me 57 seconds to load to the title screen (specifically when you’re prompted to press L&R), and another 38 seconds to load up the first race in Grand Prix. On Nintendo Switch 2, those times are absolutely demolished down to 10 seconds and 8 seconds.
As a result, I will flat-out say that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe reaffirms its spot as the absolute best Kart Racing game, period. Yeah, if you get a Nintendo Switch 2 and want a Kart Racing game, the best one to get? This game. Hey, nothing against Mario Kart World, but this is still the king of the genre, and it is now somehow even better on Nintendo Switch 2, and significantly so… all with just a free patch.
tl;dr – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is not just a Kart Racing game, it is the Kart Racing game, removing the few flaws the Wii U version had and adding even more content to an already content-rich game, making this arguably the best-playing, best-looking and all-around best period when it comes to this type of racing game. And thanks to a Nintendo Switch 2 patch, this game is even better on Nintendo’s newest hybrid console, with cleaner visuals, 8-player split-screen support, and drastically reduced loading times. If you only get one Kart Racing game on Nintendo Switch 2, this is the one to get… yes, even better than its Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive sequel.
Grade: A++
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Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Genre: Real-Time Strategy / Action-RPG
Players: 1-2 Co-Op / Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online), Online Leaderboards, GameShare Support
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Review:
Nintendo has been odd in choosing which games to get Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases, which to give patches, and which games, as of the moment, have nothing at all. Case in point, as of this writing, the most recent game in the Pikmin series, Pikmin 4, has not received any Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade. Meanwhile, Nintendo has just rolled out a free patch for Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Let’s have a look to see what it includes!
Well, first things first, we have support for higher resolutions, making for a cleaner picture. This was definitely noticeable, making a much better-looking game overall, with less aliasing.
In addition, we now have added GameShare support… but only for competitive “Bingo Battle” matches, which is a bit disappointing – it would have been wonderful if the full campaign co-op that makes this probably my favorite game in the series were to be supported via online GameShare. Oh well, I take what I can get.
Also, a feature not present here is MouseMode support, even though I feel this would have added a lot to the game. Oh well, the current control options are all still excellent.
Finally, let’s look at the loading times, because those see a huge improvement on Nintendo Switch 2. On the original Nintendo Switch, it took me 1 minute exactly to load to the title screen (specifically the point where it instructs you to press L&R), and when loading a game save, it took me 1 minute 18 seconds to load up the game and skip past the text to get to the actual gameplay (on Day 3, for those wondering). Meanwhile, on Nintendo Switch 2, those same loading times were 11 seconds and 31 seconds.
This is an outstanding free update, and one that definitely improves on the game, even if it doesn’t drastically change it. However, Pikmin fans looking for a new reason to play this game on Nintendo Switch 2 (or Nintendo Switch 2 owners who never played Pikmin), you now have the perfect excuse to fire up this wonderful pint-sized space adventure on Nintendo’s latest hybrid console.
tl;dr – Pikmin 3 Deluxe is an outstanding and unique spin on the Real-Time Strategy genre that puts the focus on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than strategic combat, and this version of the game adds a slew of new features, including multiple good control options, and more extensive co-op play that I would argue is the absolute highlight of the game. Unless you played the original version of this game on Wii U and have zero interest in the new co-op play, consider this a game that you absolutely should not miss, with even more improvements on Nintendo Switch 2.
Grade: A
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I hope you enjoyed this latest batch of Nintendo Switch 2 Difference Mini-Reviews, and found them to be helpful! Want to see all Nintendo Switch 2 Difference comparisons? Check out this page for links to every article where I’ve included these comparisons!
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