Can you believe it’s been a whole year since the Switch 2 was released?!
Time flies when you’re having fun, and many of us have had plenty of fun both in our own spaces and as community events.
We asked around the community about the members’ favourite memories of the Switch 2, and, if you read through to the end, you can find out how to enter our competition to bag yourself a Nintendo Switch 2 goody bag!
Here’s what our community had to say:
North Wales’ Memories:
“My favourite memory was actually the launch event we hosted. We connected with Basildon and Manchester who had events on the same day, for a massive game of Mario Kart World. It was fab seeing everyone come together, and be able to communicate on screen via the gamechat camera!” Jen, co-founder of Nintendo North Wales
And this memory was also echoed by regular member of North Wales, Glyn:
“My favourite memory would be when the Switch 2 first came out. It was my first console launch and it felt like I was a part of a huge part of gaming history and playing Mario Kart when it was out with huge lobbies of friends was really fun.”
“I think my favourite memory is when Tomodachi life came out and how much fun it has been having my friends on my island and all the chaos that comes with!” Liesel
“Seeing how Donkey Kong Bananza really innovated and pushed the bar for 3D platforming both technically and design wise made me very happy, and I just had to borrow Sam’s Switch 2 to play it! (a difficult task considering how much he loves that thing!) I’m excited to see how Nintendo continues to take advantage of the Switch 2’s better hardware to continue to combine their mastery of design with the much larger amount of technical leeway they have now to innovate in their other properties, especially Zelda. I’m really excited to see what the next big Zelda game does.” Gwydion
“The instant speed boost, improved graphics and extra gameplay on existing games was well worth the upgrade””The instant speed boost, improved graphics and extra gameplay on existing games was well worth the upgrade” Dylan, Co-founder of Nintendo North Wales
“For me I think it’s been pouring way too many hours into Pokopia, all the Pokémon in that game have loads of personality and are mega cute…” Sam
Liverpool’s Memories:
“It was the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mom and I arrived at Currys, and saw the staff dressed up as Mario characters and Mario Kart World cardboard standout display which gives a welcoming atmosphere.
I had fun playing Mario Kart World with friends, (even finding that I can be quite good at it), voice chatting with them including when my Brother and I got back from our holiday in Copenhagen.
From that point on, I am enjoying many other games including Pokémon Legends Z-A, going back to Kalos while using Mega Evolution once again and TomoDachi Life Living the Dream with me happy that the game includes same-sex marriage as an LGBTQ+ individual. I look forward to playing many more games for the Nintendo Switch 2.” Stuart
And his brother Lewis had this to say about his favourite game:
Derby’s Memories
“Launch week was a very exciting time, so exciting that I’m choosing not to remember the stress I had trying to track down my parcel 😛 Mario Kart World was an amazing time, the new tracks were all incredible, and being able to free roam across them and the spaces in between really felt like all my childhood fantasies from when I played Mario Kart DS and Wii had been made into reality. Donkey Kong Bananza caught me by complete surprise, was my first DK game and scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Was a joy from start to finish. The Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild was a fantastic improvement. The game is silky smooth now and even prettier than ever. I recently found an excuse to replay it for the first time in years and had a great time. And finally, while it is an indie game not a Nintendo game, Silksong finally came out not long after the Switch 2, and that’s the platform I chose to play it on. It was well worth the wait!” Ben
Joe
South Wales’ Memories
I’m a Day 1 Switch 2 owner having managed to secure a pre-order when they went live. Easy enough process to secure one after it was revealed, and then all I needed to do was wait for it’s arrival. What excited me was some of the new features that the Switch 2 offered over it’s predecessor. Which was the new Mouse mode, Game Chat (much needed) and the improved Pro Controller which I picked up alongside the console. The new magnetic joy-cons were a pleasant surprise with how much more secure they felt by comparison to the original slide in/out Joy-Con’s. They do hold some weight, which is a good thing (not that I recommend holding the console for long with just a joy-con).
The console itself felt familiar enough, and with it being backwards compatible with the large library of Switch titles made it exactly (for me) what was needed, which was a more powerful version of a console I was already familiar with alongside a larger screen and better kickstand.
Mario Kart World came with my Switch 2, and I’ve had some great races over the last year. Not only online with other MKW players, but also online and locally with Nintendo South Wales. The addition of the races between the track races are a welcome addition as are the new powerups. They make for some great moments which I’ll hold onto.
As part of NSW, we’ve had some cracking events featuring Switch 2 over the last 12 months, some of which included Mario Tennis Fever, Super Mario Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Bella Bella Park (phew) and Suika Game Planet. I’ve met some fine people at these events, many of which I call friends now.
Being able to play some Switch 2 versions of Switch 1 games made (for me) Tears of the Kingdom a better experience, and it is one of the best Zelda games I’ve played across Nintendo platforms. And the addition of GameCube to the platform brings back some memories, being able to play Zelda: Wind Waker and Luigi’s Mansion on a modern platform again (games I played in my youth) brings back memories.
That’s not to say 1st party games are all I play, there’s plenty of smaller independent studios that have provided some great games as well over the last 12 months. Games like Deltarune Hades II, Sektori and Mina the Hollower add to the depth that the Switch 2 already offers.
The next 12 months are shaping up to be just as good as the 1st 12 months. Games such as Star Fox lead the way so far, and 2027 is shaping up with Pokemon Winds and Waves coming.
James
“My favourite Nintendo Switch 2 game moments in the system’s first year were firstly, the incredible surprise reveal of the true final boss and the fake ‘kredits’ at the end of Donkey Kong Bananza, and secondly, the extreme difficulty Unrivaled Boss Fights against Scylla and Charybdis with the Vow of Rivals active in Hades II. Charybdis battle theme is especially memorable.”
Jonathan
Competition Time!
We’d love to hear what some of your favourite Nintendo Switch 2 memories are so far, and to sweeten the deal, we have a Nintendo Switch 2 goody bag to give away. What’s in the goody bag, you say? It’s a secret to everybody… for now.
Just hit us up on Twitter/X or BlueSky, letting us know your favourite Nintendo Switch 2 memory, making sure to tag us (@NintendoPlayUK for Twitter/X or @nintendoplayers.uk for BlueSky), and include the tag #AYearOfSwitch2. These memories can take any shape or form, whether it’s a written memory, a short video from an event, or even a super sweet move you’ve mastered in Street Fighter 6.
You have until Friday 12th June 5pm to enter, and we’ll pick an entry at random to win the goody bag. In addition to this, we’ll also share a wide selection of your memories across our social media pages.
Best of luck, we look forward to going through your Nintendo Switch 2 memories.
Terms and Conditions:
The entry period takes place between Friday 5th June 5pm and Friday 12th June 5pm
To enter, make a post on Twitter/X or BlueSky that includes the following:
A memory from the Nintendo Switch 2 (written, pictures, videos, or captures are all accepted)
@NintendoPlayUK (if posting on Twitter/X)
@nintendoplayers.uk (if posting on BlueSky)
#AYearOfSwitch2
One (1) entrant will be selected at random to receive a Nintendo Switch 2 goody bag within 48 hours of the Entry Period ending
The winner will need to respond with 72 hours of being notified, otherwise a new winner will be picked
Entry is open only to those who reside in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland
Entrants must also ensure their social media account isn’t set to private and is able to receive DMs from NPUK accounts
Any use of inappropriate or AI-generated content will be disqualified
Any content submitted during the Entry Period may be shared through NPUK’s social media pages and/or website
