Former Blizzard boss says it's a "hard pass for me on Switch 2" as he points out its high cost and expresses uncertainty about its performance: "Same low frames, $80 games"

Nintendo Switch 2 in dock next to JoyCon controller grip and red backdrop
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has now fully lifted the veil on the Switch 2, and while yesterday's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct news was full of exciting reveals for upcoming Switch 2 games alongside a better look at the new hardware, not everyone is impressed. Namely, former Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra says it's a "hard pass for me on Switch 2."

Reacting on Twitter shortly after yesterday's Direct wrapped up, Ybarra, who left Blizzard last year, explains his reasoning: "I basically play Mario and Zelda on it. Switch 2 will cost more, same low frames, $80 games, etc. I'll stick with PC and skip Mario and Zelda for a while."

Yesterday, Nintendo confirmed that the upcoming console boasts a 1080p 120fps LCD screen, so its frame rate should be significantly improved from its predecessor. That also means that upgraded Switch 2 Edition versions of original Switch games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom can run at a higher frame rate than what we're used to. The console also has 4K support in docked mode, although frame rate will be capped at 60fps in 4K.

Even with these promises of a smoother experience, Ybarra doesn't seem entirely convinced about the console's improved frame rate being as good as it appeared in yesterday's Direct. "Having built consoles and watched marketing at work, never believe frames in marketing material until third-party folks test it and publish results in games," he adds. "It's less powerful vs. today's consoles and they barely do 4K 60 uniformly."

Nintendo will be showing off seven hours of hands-on Switch 2 gameplay over the course of today and tomorrow thanks to its upcoming Treehouse streams, so that should help give a better idea of how games will run on the console. We'll be given a deeper look at Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and more.

Be sure to check out our roundup of everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders so you can be ready to get the new console on its launch day, June 5.

Catherine Lewis
News Writer

I'm one of GamesRadar+'s news writers, who works alongside the rest of the news team to deliver cool gaming stories that we love. After spending more hours than I can count filling The University of Sheffield's student newspaper with Pokemon and indie game content, and picking up a degree in Journalism Studies, I started my career at GAMINGbible where I worked as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming's news writer, where I sourced stories and wrote about all sorts of intriguing topics. In my spare time, you're sure to find me on my Nintendo Switch or PS5 playing through story-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking old Pokemon games, or going for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

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