RE: Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

 

Well, it's finally here, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct~! I've been patiently awaiting this for months now, and was quite exciting to see. Although I didn't watch it live, I did wake up right after it finished airing and watched the recording immediately. I don't get many opportunities to talk about it, but I'm an avid gamer, and I love my Switch, so Switch 2 is something that I've been very interested in. That said, I have some mixed feelings on this Direct, it showed what I wanted to see, but not enough of it. I understand they want to compete with other consoles, but Switch 1 game re-issues and games already available on other consoles don't interest me a whole lot, but they did show some stellar looking exclusives and a lot of other interesting details.

First, let's talk about the games themselves. The new Mario Kart, dubbed Mario Kart World, was definitely the main game showcase here, and wow, this game looks absolutely insane. The whole world aspect looks very interesting, and I wonder how driving to and fro between tracks will work, will it be like those classic cartoon grand prix racing specials?

Anyways, lots of bonkers stuff in the preview, like that part where they took control of a big rig, and a lot of other little details. Also that many racers looks like pure chaos, hopefully they're mindful of item drops in it, since getting blue shelled by 20 racers would be torture. This game looks amazing though, I absolutely love Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but it's a tough game to follow considering how perfect that release is, they needed to mix things up and this new game certainly looks like it will do just that. Additionally, awesome it's a day one release, I was hoping it would be a launch title. I liked the graphics too, Peach looks cute as she should, nice costumes too, and interesting free exploration and photos and stuff.

The other big game showcase was the new Donkey Kong. I used to play an old Donkey Kong game as a kid, we got it from our babysitter, haven't really touched the series since childhood but I'm all for more 3D platformers being made, and the whole go wild and destroy everything aspect is a fun looking gimmick. I know the DK redesign is controversial but I honestly couldn't care less about that.

Kirby Air Riders also looks interesting, I used to play the original in Sunday School as a kid, lots of fond memories of that game, so a long-awaited sequel is both very unexpected but also very welcome. Pretty curious about this game and what it will entail, the trailer was incredibly vague but I'm excited for it.

It's also awesome that NSO Expansion is being expanded to include the Gamecube. I played Gamecube a lot in Sunday School, but sadly never actually owned one (and never got around to buying one later in life). The line-up of planned games looks amazing, especially Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness, I always really wanted that game as a kid but never played it, so I'm pretty excited for that to eventually become available to me. Also Soul Calibur II will be a blast from the past, I used to play Soul Calibur a ton on my Uncle's Dreamcast, and I was a fanatic on IV I believe, like was pro-level for a good while, so that will be fun.

Also, as I saw people joke prior to the Direct, seems they really are re-issuing games and doing dual-platform releases. I'm actually excited for Pokemon Legends ZA, I always wanted an urban Pokemon game, and it also being on the Switch 2 is excellent. I'll see about any of the other Switch 2 versions of games as they release, I certainly won't be re-buying any games though.

They teased a lot of games in the Direct, as said prior, re-issues and stuff from other platforms doesn't excite me too much, I already own a billion consoles. I also noticed that a lot of the teased third party games had stuff like "(Text Here) Edition" -- which I'm assuming is code for "not the same as the PS4/PS5 version".

They were some obvious tech demo games too, bizarrely the game that showcases the new features of the consoles is paid, seems like something that should be free (perhaps even pre-installed on the console). There was also that bizarre looking wheelchair basketball game, very unusual.

As for the tech itself, a lot of interesting stuff that I'm curious how it will be utilized in games. The main thing that stands out to me is the camera, and as shown in the Mario Party trailer, it can be utilized in games, so it seems like we're getting a spiritual sequel to when game consoles were randomly doing camera games, like the PS2 camera and all that jazz. Perhaps we'll get a re-issue of that one Cardcaptor Sakura PS2 game for the Switch (I know that would never happen, but would be funny). I do like motion controls though in games, so I'm curious how many games will implement the camera. Also curious if motion controls will be improved, Switch 1's motion controls were far lacking compared to the Wii, so I'm looking for an improvement.

While speaking on improvements, I hope the internet is better, especially with how more demanding this looks. The whole C Button, chat, live streaming, and so on, it will need much better internet to handle all of that without constantly disconnecting. So I'm hoping for better internet.

Going back to new features, the mouse is silly but interesting. As with the camera, I'm excited to see where developers take it and how it will be utilized in various games. It's certainly an interesting idea.

Also, I was weirdly really curious about how Switch 2 games will look physically, and I'm happy they showed they will be red, pretty nice and will be obviously different from Switch 1 cartridges. Now that said, I'm curious how the actual packaging will look, they're still using similar branding but they need to be mindful of consumer confusion, so I'm curious how different the cases and packaging will be (if at all).

I know they plan on showing the games more in the future, but that's my thoughts so far on the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct/current information. Now if I can actually get one is another question, took a long time for me to get Switch 1, so I'm hoping I can pick one up sooner than later. That said, getting game consoles later also means there's more games available (and cheaper used copies), so you win some you lose some.

A Peek Into The Spring 2025 Anime Season

Hey y'all, totally forgot this blog even existed. I won't make any promises of trying to be more active here, I simply don't know if I will be or not, but felt like posting here again so I shall. I mostly just want to talk about anime and stuff, more than I already do with friends, I really love anime a lot and want to talk about it more. Every season I always peruse the new anime coming out and add a boatload of them to my PTW list. I thought of doing a series of posts on this before but always forget about it, but not this season!

This is just my ramblings on some upcoming anime. This post will NOT include new seasons/movies/OVAs-of-franchises/remakes/etc -- though there are a lot of those coming out this next season too (like the Konosuba OVAs and the Maid Dragon movie -- which I do hope makes it to US theaters; I saw the Spy X Family movie in the theater and it was a lot of fun). All in all, I want to focus on new shows in these seasonal posts.

Just going to work through the Spring 2025 season top to bottom (order is meaningless outside of that), these are the shows that piqued my interest and some words about them. Also, I didn't watch any promotional materials, just going off of the MyAnimeList entries. Also, ironically it will probably be awhile til I watch these as I prefer to wait til a season has finished airing to watch it without waiting for new episodes.

As you'll see, this looks like an absolutely stacked season, added a ton of stuff to my PTW.

#1: Apocalypse Hotel
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59675/Apocalypse_Hotel

One of the main ones I'm looking forwards to. Robot girls in a hotel after humanity has died off, really interesting premise. Also hotels are an uncommon setting/theme, so I'm curious how it will play a role in the story. Looks quite interesting, certainly curious about it.

#2: Aru Majo ga Shinu Made
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59169/Aru_Majo_ga_Shinu_Made

I love witch girls, I also love emotional anime, and this new series looks like it combines the two. Witch girl who's slowly dying having to collect tears of joy to save herself, it's an interesting premise and has a lot of potential to be quite good. Also, curious how they'll combine these ideas -- witches and emotional dramas.

#3: Ballpark de Tsukamaete!
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60293/Ballpark_de_Tsukamaete

Ok, call me weird, but this is the anime of the Spring 2025 season that I'm looking forwards to the most. I love anime with odd settings and themes, and an anime focused on a concession girl at a baseball stadium most certainly fits the bill. I actually did little league baseball when I was a kid, I hated it then but now as an adult I have a weird affinity for baseball (I never watch it, but I like media based on it, like anime and video games). But(t) yeah, show looks based, cute baseball girl and interesting premise about baseball fans but not directly about the baseball itself. Reminds me of a Japanese movie I watched that was similar, was about the people in the stands and not the baseball itself, curious if this will be similar.

#4: Chotto dake Ai ga Omoi Dark Elf ga Isekai kara Oikaketekita
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59745/Chotto_dake_Ai_ga_Omoi_Dark_Elf_ga_Isekai_kara_Oikaketekita

Reverse tropes are interesting, and this is a reverse isekai -- cute dark elf girl from a fantasy world coming into ours. These types of reverse isekai anime tend to be fun and silly, and this one looks like it will include a healthy dose of ecchi as well (very welcome). Cute girls and fun premise, curious how it will play out!

#5: Danjo no Yuujou wa Seiritsu suru? (Iya, Shinai!!)
https://myanimelist.net/anime/52709/Danjo_no_Yuujou_wa_Seiritsu_suru_Iya_Shinai

First, something about the character designs in this makes me want to laugh. As for the actual show, looks pretty interesting, love polygon stuff I'm guessing from the synopsis on MAL. I do enjoy romcom anime, and this looks like a fun one with a nice setup.

#6: Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59457/Haite_Kudasai_Takamine-san

Modern ecchi anime with a ridiculous plot involving powers to redo things at the cost of stripping clothes. I like ecchi anime, including the absurd ones, and this looks pretty fun. Curious what situations will arise with the show's main mechanic. Episode duration isn't available on MAL yet, but curious if this will be more diverse full-length episodes or shorts all about the specific gimmick -- really can go either way.

#7: Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60658/Hibi_wa_Sugiredo_Meshi_Umashi

Looks like a fusion of gourmet and CGDCT, but with a university setting. Curious if the university setting will play a significant role or not, college anime can be quite interesting when done correctly, and this looks cute. As with the previous entry in this list, I just can't tell if it will be full-length episodes or shorts, but I'm curious about it either way.

#8: Isshun de Chiryou shiteita noni Yakutatazu to Tsuihou sareta Tensai Chiyushi, Yami Healer toshite Tanoshiku Ikiru
URL too long, breaks formatting, just look it up on MAL.

Modern fantasy anime, which I'm actually totally cool with. Looks like a significantly less "edgy" Redo Of Healer, a show which I actually liked (especially since it was basically a modern take on old pink anime, but without the actual hentai). Considering I liked the setup of that anime, this one also looks interesting, and the idea of an underground healer is a nice premise. Some cute girls in it as well.

#9: Kakushite! Makina-san!!
https://myanimelist.net/anime/58833/Kakushite_Makina-san

Not the first show to do something like this, but I ain't complaining. New robot girl ecchi anime, this time is about a sex robot, which I can only imagine will lead to a lot of lewd and humorous hi-jinks. Curious how this show will play out, I can foresee it playing around with trying to keep her functions hidden, her showing her true form (this isn't even my final form!), and various predicaments. Looks cute and silly.

#10: Kanpekisugite Kawaige ga Nai to Konyaku Haki sareta Seijo wa Ringoku ni Urareru
URL too long, breaks formatting, just look it up on MAL.

Really interesting premise of a "too perfect" saint girl being sold off by her fiance to another kingdom. The plot synopsis really piques my interest, curious what the story itself will entail after that initial fiasco. Kind of hard to put my thoughts into words on this one, but I'm definitely looking forwards to it, looks interesting.

#11: Katainaka no Ossan, Kensei ni Naru
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59452/Katainaka_no_Ossan_Kensei_ni_Naru

Every season I seem to add a few of these modern fantasy anime to my PTW, there's just so many of them made that it's hard not to. Something about this one piqued my interest a bit, having a "past their prime" protagonist leading the party, curious how that will effect things and the story.

#12: Kijin Gentoushou
https://myanimelist.net/anime/49778/Kijin_Gentoushou

Something about this one reminds me of older demon-themed anime, so that drew me in right away. Also add bandaged eye loli to the mix and I'm sold. The anime doesn't have the drama tag on MAL, but just from the look of it and the synopsis, I expect some nice drama mixed with the action and adventure stuff. Curious looking show though, wonder how it will feel.

#13: Kowloon Generic Romance
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60083/Kowloon_Generic_Romance

I love anime with unique settings, and Kowloon most certainly fits the bill. I highly suggest doing some research on Kowloon (the walled city), it's fascinating and really bizarre, is really cool seeing an anime themed around it. Really curious how the setting will apply to the characters, and what it will actually look like animated. Show itself looks like a romcom, which I do enjoy, and the idea of a normal story in such a unique setting piques my interest.

#14: Lazarus
https://myanimelist.net/anime/56038/Lazarus

There's like two seemingly COVID-vaccine inspired anime coming out this upcoming season, and Lazarus is one of the two, and is also the anime from the upcoming season that I've seen people talk about the most. Pandemic horror was a cool thing before the actual pandemic, so I'm curious how this will play out, and is certainly interesting we're getting two anime like this next season.

#15: Maebashi Witches
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59744/Maebashi_Witches

Cute and fun looking anime, wonder if it will be a new long shoujo anime, I love those and would definitely be down for more of those being made. Whatever this show may be, I'm quite curious about it, reminds me of other anime I really enjoy so I'm quite curious about this one. Hoping it's one of those anime with tons of episodes, but a normal sized season would be good too.

#16: Mono
https://myanimelist.net/anime/58492/Mono

Haha the audio better be in mono, haha if there's a sequel it better be called stereo, haha. Jokes aside, this one is another standout for me from the upcoming season. I actually quite enjoy photography and obscure cameras, like I own an early digital camera that uses floppy disks and it's stellar af. This looks like a very enjoyable CGDCT anime with a fun theme, curious what will be displayed here. Also, quite like tho logo, branding, and overall look of this anime.

#17: Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60377/Nazotoki_wa_Dinner_no_Ato_de

When handled well, detective anime can be amazing. I love a good mystery and seeing the characters collect clues and deduce things like motives, suspects, and so on. Happy to see a new detective anime being made (and yes, I know there's another detective anime coming out but it's a spin-off so won't be in this list). Happy that we're getting multiple anime of this genre, hoping they're good (one detective anime I dropped was total nonsense, hoping this isn't anything like that one).

#18: Ninja to Koroshiya no Futarigurashi
https://myanimelist.net/anime/58725/Ninja_to_Koroshiya_no_Futarigurashi

First, the idea of ninjas, assassins, and regular people in a comedy anime really makes me think of stuff like Kill Me Baby -- which is a must-watch masterpiece for all comedy anime fans. That said, this show's premise looks unique from that classic, with its own distinct personality and plot. Really fun looking anime, looks quite enjoyable and silly.

#19: Ore wa Seikan Kokka no Akutoku Ryoushu!
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60154/Ore_wa_Seikan_Kokka_no_Akutoku_Ryoushu

SF isekai? That alone makes this interesting, though I am a bit worried about those mechs in the images (always been very picky about mech stuff), curious looking show nonetheless. Protagonist at the lead of a galactic kingdom trying to do evil but having it constantly backfire is a fun premise, curious how this will play out, and again, having a sci-fi isekai is cool.

#20: Princession Orchestra
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59078/Princession_Orchestra

Everything I said about Maebashi Witches also applies here as both anime look incredibly similar. Hoping for an entertaining long shoujo anime, it certainly has that colorful and distinct look to it. Really happy to see more anime like this being produced, excited to watch it~!

#21: Rock wa Lady no Tashinami deshite
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59360/Rock_wa_Lady_no_Tashinami_deshite

One of the upcoming standouts for me personally, really excited about this one. Girls in a prestigious academy playing hard rock music and rebelling -- it's just so cool, really love the theme and really looking forwards to this one. I expect a lot of clashing, great music, and a punk spirit. Looks awesome, and girl band anime are cool (hence my obsession with K-On!). Have high hopes for this one.

#22: Shiunji-ke no Kodomotachi
https://myanimelist.net/anime/58131/Shiunji-ke_no_Kodomotachi

Romcom love polygon possible harem anime? Cute characters, fun plot setup, nice bright aesthetic, looks like an enjoyable watch. Pretty diverse looking cast (from what I can tell). Something about this one just looks very fun, and like a 2020s spin on an early 2010s set of tropes, which is definitely cool.

#23: Summer Pockets
https://myanimelist.net/anime/50694/Summer_Pockets

Another potential banger and one I'm quite looking forwards to, really reminds me of all of those VN adaptations the industry used to produce. Nice looking cast, beautiful artwork, and very cool setting (a small island with only 2000+/- inhabitants). I love stuff like this, and although I do think it should've aired in the Summer considering the title and summer theme, Spring is close enough, a wonderful looking anime for sunny days.

#24: Uchuujin MuuMuu
https://myanimelist.net/anime/60401/Uchuujin_MuuMuu

Comedy anime with a cool art-style and an alien cat? Looks fun, so sign me up. Really curious how it will be with the whole appliance theme, can't even begin to imagine what kind of jokes this show will have trying to fuse together alien cats with random household appliances, but it certainly sounds interesting, so will check it out~!

#25: Witch Watch
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59597/Witch_Watch

First, a witch/mage girl with a human familiar makes me immediately think of Zero no Tsukaima, the show itself looks different though, but interesting to see that same idea repeat so many years later. Anyways, pretty fun looking anime with a nice looking cast. Curious how it will differentiate it from the human familiar anime that came before it.

#26: Your Forma
https://myanimelist.net/anime/55995/Your_Forma

The other seemingly COVID-vaccine inspired anime, and this one, to me at least, looks a bit more interesting than Lazarus (though I do want to watch both of them). Interesting to see recent events seemingly inspire new stories, curious how it will play out, and with both of these, really hoping they're better than Western COVID-inspired media.

#27: Zatsu Tabi: That's Journey
https://myanimelist.net/anime/55514/Zatsu_Tabi__Thats_Journey

Another upcoming anime that I'm really looking forwards to, absolutely love the modern adventure theme of a girl exploring and meeting people and seeing various sights. Ever since I was a kid I loved the idea of just setting off for adventure (mostly Pokemon inspired fantasies), and I have done some "walking missions" before around San Francisco. Anyways, very interesting looking anime, really excited about it~!

#28: Virgin Punk
https://myanimelist.net/anime/59848/Virgin_Punk

Last but not least, one of my most anticipated for the upcoming season. I absolutely loved A Kite and consider it a must watch, so more of that is insanely exciting to see. Although I predict it might not be as brutal (or as pornographic), I'm still really excited to see it, really curious about this and love to see 90s style anime being made in the current era.