"Switch 2: A Major Leap in Accessibility for Nintendo"

After months of intense speculation, rumors, and leaks, Nintendo finally unveiled the Switch 2 in a dedicated Direct presentation. Not only did we get exciting trailers for new games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, and exclusive Nintendo GameCube titles for Switch 2 Online, but we also got a detailed look at the system itself. From an accessibility perspective, I'm thrilled to report that the Switch 2 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor in nearly every aspect.

Several months ago, I shared my accessibility predictions for Nintendo's latest console. I hoped for more robust accessibility features, enhanced Joy-Con functionality, and unique inclusive design practices. To my delight, Nintendo not only met these expectations but exceeded them with additional enhancements. Let's dive into the confirmed and exciting accessibility features of the Switch 2 in this Access Designed segment.

New Accessibility Settings

The Direct itself didn't showcase many tangible accessibility options, except for fully customizable controls for each virtual GameCube game, tailored according to system settings. However, Nintendo released a comprehensive accessibility page that outlines a range of returning and new features.

Fully customizable controls make a return, functioning similarly to the original Switch. The option to adjust text size to three different variants is back, now with the added ability to implement High Contrast and change general display colors. The Zoom functionality, crucial for players with blindness or low vision, also returns. But the most surprising addition is the new "Screen Reader" setting.

Individuals with blindness or low vision often rely on Text-to-Speech to navigate menus and settings. The Screen Reader feature, available for the HOME menu and system settings, is a vital tool that enables disabled players to independently navigate the Switch 2. Users can choose from different voices, adjust read speeds, and control volume levels. While it's unclear whether individual games will support these tools or offer their own accessibility features, Nintendo's focus on their disabled audience is encouraging and sparks optimism about the future of accessibility within the company.

Innovative Design

Outside of specific menus, Nintendo introduced an inclusive tool that enhances both a beloved franchise and accessibility across cognitive, physical, and vision-related disabilities. The renamed Nintendo Switch App now includes Zelda Notes, a companion app for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. With the Navigation option, players can locate shops, areas of interest, and even elusive Koroks using the app's GPS-like UI. The app, equipped with audio cues and voices, directs players to their selected destinations. Although it doesn't assist with precise navigation or combat, it significantly aids blind and low-vision players in navigating the overworld and reduces cognitive overload when exploring vast worlds.

For cognitive, blind/low vision, and physically disabled players, the app also offers the Autobuild Sharing tool, allowing players to share custom Zonai tech creations. By scanning a QR code, disabled individuals can automatically construct a Zonai machine if they have the necessary materials. This feature alleviated my struggles with the control layout and required buttons for building Zonai machinery in Tears of the Kingdom. Now, I only need to focus on gathering materials, not the construction process itself. This tool is a testament to Nintendo's commitment to inclusive design, which I've consistently praised in the past.

Additionally, disabled players can share items with each other through Item Sharing, similar to Autobuild Sharing. By scanning a QR code, I can instantly access items sent by friends, reducing the physical strain of searching the world for weapons and food. While this doesn't make Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom fully accessible, it's a remarkable step forward.

Wheelchair Sports

The biggest surprise for me was the announcement of Drag X Drive, a Rocket League-esque game where players control characters in manual wheelchairs on a basketball court. This announcement not only showcases proper disability representation but also highlights one of the Switch 2's new hardware features: mouse control.

By turning the Joy-Con on its side, players can move the controller across any surface, mimicking a computer mouse. While we don't yet know the required force to move the cursor (my ultrawide monitor mouse has a DPI of 6400 for comparison), this new method of play will undoubtedly benefit a wide range of disabled players. It's exciting to envision how Nintendo will leverage this feature, but more importantly, it's another tool for disabled individuals. Combined with the various controller types already available for the Switch and Switch 2, Nintendo continues to innovate in controller usage.

As a lifelong Nintendo fan, I'm incredibly excited about the Switch 2. Although I'm hesitant about spending upwards of $450 for the system, my passion for gaming began with Nintendo. Each new system brings exciting accessibility enhancements, demonstrating Nintendo's ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusive design. While we don't have a first-party accessible device like the Xbox Adaptive Controller or PlayStation Access Controller, Nintendo is innovating in its own way by providing new ways to play for disabled individuals. Coupled with the recent announcement of Nintendo joining other developers to create standardized accessibility tags, I believe Nintendo will continue to elevate accessibility standards for the better.