Before committing words to paper, I think to really fairly analyse a new system, you need to give it time.

For the process of this review, over the past month, I’ve sat with multiple launch titles, played the system nearly every day, travelled with it, tried out a bunch of Switch 1 titles, and made sure to check out all of the functionality bundled in on day one. I wanted to be thorough and really understand what Nintendo Switch 2 is. Today, I feel confident in finally sharing my thoughts on that.

I’ll break this down into sections for ease and flow as, fair warning, this will be a long piece, but I hope by the end of it you’ll also feel you have a good understanding of the console.

Here we go…

Introduction

Numbering this as a Switch 2 definitely feels like the smartest and most logical approach Nintendo could have done. At a fairly crass, high-level point of view, this definitely feels like a sequel system. Not in the sense of a PlayStation which sees large upgrades between systems, but largely in that it’s the same as its predecessor in some ways and very different in others. But fundamentally, both systems share a lot of DNA.

This isn’t the difference of a Base Switch System versus a Lite or an OLED, though. Far from it. Switch 2 definitely offers a lot of new functionality that the Switch 1 would never have been capable of achieving. And on a shocking level, Switch 2 is actually outperforming or even performing to the same standard as an Xbox Series S in some cases.

Where I think things will become more interesting for Switch 2 is when it starts getting parity releases with other platforms. Titles like Borderlands 4, for instance, feel like massive upcoming tests for a brand new game that simships on all platforms and where that means Switch 2 will stand in the pecking order.

But for this review, we’re looking at what Switch 2 is doing today and TL:DR I am extremely impressed.

Tech Specs

Let’s start with the basics. By now, you probably know the key fundamental differences that Switch 2 is bringing to the table, but for the sake of this review I’ll list out the main ones, bit by bit.

Firstly, from a hardware point of view, Switch 2 is an enormous upgrade from Switch 1. If you need some quick proof of that, watch this video of Hogwarts Legacy from Digital Foundry as they compare releases. Right now, I think this is about as good of a visual comparison as I’ve seen to show you just how much better Switch 2 optimised games look between the systems – it’s absolutely generational!

True, it also shows you just how much Switch 1 was hacking and coughing its way over the finish line but it also does give you a really good idea of just how well Switch 2 is going to be able to handle the latest and most demanding games. DF’s videos of Streetfighter VI and Cyberpunk 2077 are also very much worth a watch on the subject.

In its simplest terms, Switch 1 had 4GB of RAM whereas Switch 2 is using 12GB. Switch 2 also has 256GB of Internal Memory versus 32GB on Switch 1 (64GB on OLED) but it also has support for the brand new MicroSD Express Cards that are super fast to run! A quick note on that, you cannot use existing OG MicroSD cards you were using on Switch 1 and so if you’re not sure if you have one, that probably means you don’t. The official branded line are probably the best around.

Switch 2 is also using custom Nvidia processors and can output at 1080p in handheld, with up to 4K HDR in Docked! To give you some further context on that, Switch 1 was generally outputting 1080p Docked (720p Handheld) but not consistently. This also means that depending on the game, Switch 2 can deliver up to 120FPS. There’s also an interesting point on this which we’ll come back to in regards to VRR.

For now, the other thing to note is battery life and this is actually where Switch 2 is clocking below its predecessor, from 2 hours to 6.5 depending on the game. I’ve found that Switch 1 games are generally a lot less demanding, but play a game like Mario Kart World handheld and you will notice the battery drain is faster. Particularly when you’ve got HDR on. I imagine this will only become an increased problem in a year with more intensive games and Donkey Kong Bananza should be a very interesting test of this.

But yes, at a high level, Switch 2 is a much more powerful, intensive system and has a lot more going underneath the hood. It also has better fan placement, which means the system doesn’t get quite so hot during extended play sessions and the same applies to the dock as well, meaning the system is set up for playing over longer periods.

A final note on the battery – you can actually set Switch 2 up so it doesn’t overcharge the battery to keep it healthier for longer by stopping charge at 90%. Considering the system will always be charging when it’s docked and you’ll definitely find yourself playing Switch 2 docked more than before, this will hopefully mean the system is more durable over the long term. It’s a great touch!

Software and Backwards Compatibility

As a console, Switch 2 is glorious. On day one, it has better third party support than perhaps any other Nintendo system before it and for the most part, all games it has available are running brilliantly. Split Fiction perhaps looks a bit underpar compared to other platforms and the Hogwarts Legacy port, unfortunately, seems closer to last-gen than current. But Cyberpunk 2077, for example, is phenomenal and at least as good as Steam Deck, and Street Fighter VI is actually outpacing Xbox Series S in many respects.

But it’s in Mario Kart World the system shines. It’s obviously a different proposition to Breath of the Wild day one, but certainly not in terms of hours played and spent, especially with Mario Kart’s new modes, the online options and the amount of racers who can now join the fray.

You can read our full impressions on Mario Kart World here and check out some gameplay below…

The way it has also handled native Switch 2 upgrades of existing games is absolutely night and day. The obvious contenders for that are both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom – both games absolutely sing in 4K at a level few of us can quite believe, but even the Switch 1 backwards compatible titles, most notably Pokemon Scarlet/Violet are completely transformed.

Another to note is the Link’s Awakening remake. The game’s performance was very under-par before but is completely renovated and restored here to make the game infinitely more enjoyable.

I tested a bunch of Switch 1 titles, some really obscure ones too, and they all ran without any noticeable issues and some even got performance and quality boosts. You cannot say fairer than that.

Notoriously terrible ports like the Batman Arkham Series now run stable at 30FPS and games like Bayonetta 3 are now running at a locked 60FPS. Which, for such a fast-paced, action heavy game, is music to the ears.

And for a system that isn’t exactly boasting must-have new titles day one – aside from its own first party release and the remake of Bravely Default, being able to play your Switch 1 games or even games you didn’t pick up because you missed them or were off-put by performance and quality, increases the library exponentially.

It’s also any excuse the revisit the Zelda games, really. But I think it also says a lot about how timeless Nintendo titles truly are and still look as breahttaking now as they did 8 years ago, only even more so. Even the Nintendo Switch Online classic range, checking out old NES, SNES and GBA games on the new LCD screen just breathes new life into their vintage catalogue.

Take a look for yourself at just how transformed Breath of the Wild looks, and you can also check out our coverage of that and Tears of the Kingdom.

On that note, the other new addition is the Gamecube games on Switch 2. The lineup is a little limited for now, but it arguably has the Gamecube’s best game already – The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. And so far, they all run brilliantly, no stutters or hiccups. No issues with compatibility or unexpected issues that crop up. It’s a wonderful inclusion.

F-Zero is a lovely unexpected treat and Soul Calibur 2 was definitely not on my bingo card but very welcome to have it all the same! I’m excited to see the library grow and it already has with the brilliant Mario Strikers, which you’ll definitely get  a kick out of. Between fighting, racing, footballing and RPG’ing, there’s something for everyone, at least, and I’m hoping all libraries continue to grow at a healthy pace with so many obvious misses so far.

It’s wonderful the program is carrying over from Switch 1, meaning you’ve got a huge library to dive into day one. And it opens up a lot of possibilities just not available on other systems, emulating a wide range of systems, striking licensing agreements with all these vendors, and maybe opening doors to lost classics like Simpsons Hit and Run, and Eternal Darkness.

But just by adding Gamecube support, there’s a whole wealth of incredible games Nintendo can add that from their own library that will just continue to enhance the value proposition of Nintendo Switch Online. And it’s a format that definitely feels great docked with HDR as it is enjoyable to play handheld.

Things I love

From this, you can probably gather there’s a few immediate things that helped me fall in love with Switch 2 quickly. Firstly, and not the most obvious for some people, was the ability to plug the charger in at the top of the system, not at the bottom. This just makes for much more comfortable, relaxed play and means your cable will probably last a lot longer now as it’s not in the way as much / not being bent in by your leg. This used to really bug me with Switch 1, so I’m so pleased to see players have options now. It’s also nice to have another USB-C to plug into the system for other compatible hardware.

The system also feels a lot more comfortable to hold now. And I really noticed this by going back to holding my Switch again after playing with Switch 2 so much. The JoyCon 2 now feels like part of the system and better embedded and implemented with the magnets whereas the OG JoyCons definitely feel more like extensions. The magnets really help the JoyCons to stay more secure and the way they’ve been designed is a lot smoother to hold in the hands.

Also the size difference is massive. I’m pretty blown away by how big Switch 2 is compared to the original base unit, but also how much dead space the Switch 1 actually had around the screen. It’s staggering to look back and how we used it for so long and how much cleaner and more expressive games can now be on the Switch 2 screen. That alone is a massive upgrade worth the price tag.

Other notable things I really love are obviously having a headphone jack on my Switch Pro Controller – as I mentioned before – this has just been such a miss for me previously and something I’ve used pretty extensively as I’ve been playing. The Pro Controller 2, itself, also being a must own, as I talked about here.

The other surprise for me is just how good Switch 2’s microphone pick up is. It does such a tremendous job at noise cancellation that voices come through clearly and can be heard succinctly, despite how loud things might be around you. It’s about as good as any I’ve heard, honestly and that’s without using a headset, just the built in Switch 2 mic.

The Switch 2 dock is also a lot better at protecting your screen as the system slides in more smoothly, it’s well ventilated, is more economical to grab and take around with you and certainly feels a lot sturdier. As an output to the TV as well, it’s incredible to see some of my favourite Nintendo games in 4K, though a lack of VRR for right now feels a bit of a miss and surprise. Hopefully that gets patched in soon as it was with PS5.

But I also have to commend the feel of the JoyCon 2 versus the original. The buttons are much bigger and less clicky than the originals. The analogs also have a lot more of a natural feeling rotation and are easier to grip without your fingers slipping off. Also the shoulder buttons are much, much better and appropriately sized, especially with the new Mouse-like functionality.

Speaking of, what a game changer this also is! It sounds silly, but the ability to actually use an in-built mouse pointer on a console menu screen and even be able to carry that into some of the games is amazing. I tried the Mouse in several games – Puyo Puyo, Nobunaga’s Ambition, and Kunitsu-Gami, as well as Welcome Tour – and all were very, very impressive and responsive.

You kind of get a feel for this with the DualSense trackpad but it’s nowhere near as responsive or efficient as the JoyCon 2. I’ll do a whole seperate post on this subject matter in general, but this might actually be my favourite feature in Switch 2 so far. I’m very excited to try it out in first person games, for sure!

The only thing that could compete is actually another lesser talked about feature – GameShare. Understandably, GameChat, JoyCon 2, docking at 4K and the bigger system / processing power are getting all the headlines, but something enormous that Nintendo are doing is still making sure to keep Switch 1 relevant. This is incredibly smart since there’s a 150 million userbase there and as people have been commenting about the price being an issue for them, it keeps the system active for a little while longer. But that’s not the biggest story..

In the case of Split Fiction, for example, a game that’s not currently purchasable or natively playable on Switch 1, a user with the game on Switch 2 can actually GameShare / live stream the game to a friend’s Switch 1 console and they can join in for the full co-op experience. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the best way to play since you can play it locally or with a friend using Friend Pass. At first, it’s laggy and texture pop-in is a bit dicey, as well as input lag on controls. But the fact you can do at all and for it to be playable, is a pretty massive feature and huge statement of intent.

It gets even more exciting when Nintendo themselves are saying this will be possible with the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza. Essentially, not only do you not have to own the game to play the full thing, but you can play it streamed to your OG Switch even if you can’t buy and play it there. What other system can say the same? You’d certainly not be able to play PS5 games on a PS4.

This is, of course, going hand in hand by creating Switch 1 versions of many of the big Nintendo games this year – notably Metroid Prime 4 Echoes and Pokémon Legends Z-A, meaning the first year at launch, Switch 1 users don’t need to feel entirely left out. Of course, GameShare isn’t all generous – it’s not compatible with Mario Kart World, for example, though obviously you can play that in multiplayer in many other different ways.

I’m fascinated to see what sort of role GameShare will play in the future and how much it will be supported deep into Switch 2’s lifespan – if at all – but this is a wonderful way of making Nintendo games more accessible, coupled with the Virual Game Cards feature where you can essentially loan digital games to people in your family. In this regard, Nintendo is really leading the way in the console space. Steam, of course, still very much in the lead on these features.

GameChat is also a very welcome inclusion, finally removing the whole process of chatting to friends on your phone and giving a Nintendo console a genuine means of chatting to friends natively on Switch 2 in parties and groups, as well as plugging in the camera for that extra breed of authenticity and interactivity. It sort of takes me back to the old Xbox 360 days where cameras were a more used thing on consoles and where I would say multiplayer was at its peak for me personally, partially because there was more personality in the way you’d interact. The focus on adding camera and being able to share what you’re playing with friends adds a real personal touch and it’s nice to see Nintendo fully embracing the idea and giving home to it in ways others aren’t. I can see this being a real blast in Mario Party later this month!

Finally, the biggest for me is how much they’ve cleaned up the eShop. Oh my goodness, it’s night and day! There were simply too many games there to comb through and it was getting really clogged and slow. The Switch 2 interface is cleaner, easier to find what you’re looking for, there’s actually a way to get to recent releases, it’s faster and there’s clear places to access your wishlist and even have a ‘For You’ section where Nintendo suggests games you might like. Though so far, I’d say it hasn’t quite understood my tastes. I’ll give it time.

Other things…

There’s drawbacks, though. Switch 2 is not a perfect machine nor would you expect it to be, but you feel like some of this can and probably will be addressed in the future with content updates. And probably a future iteration.

The obvious, of course, is the screen isn’t OLED. While I absolutely love the LCD look Nintendo have gone for here and think it suits many of the games, plus the screen is a massive upgrade on the OG Switch, there’s still some blurring on some images and distortion. Not hugely, but definitley noticeable.

Immediately comparing Switch 1 and Switch 2 screens, you can see just how dull Switch 1 was and how clean the new screen is. Aside from the aforementioned dead space, it’s an absolutely massive upgrade and means playing games like Mario Kart World handheld shines and sparkle, as well as breathes new life into OG Switch 1 games. especially Pokemon Scarlet which I’ve been spending a lot of time with!

On that note though, and not necessarily a Nintendo fault, but quite a few games don’t appear to be using HDR when docked. Which baffles me. Games like Sonic X Shadow Generations which refused to offer a purchase path from the Switch 1 version to Switch 2 and an upgrade cost, isn’t offering HDR, 4K in docked. You can force this, of course, another interesting feature in Switch 2 where you can have an ‘always-on’ HDR effect, but it does cause some compatibility issues with some games. For the most part, though, I haven’t had too many bad experiences.

When even games like Super Mario Odyssey and Mario 3D World are providing it, you wonder why some much newer games which offer the same functionality on Xbox Series X and PS5 are not doing the same on a 4K compatible dock. I wonder if we’ll see some 4K patches on some third party games soon, but for now, some games are not natively fulfilling their full potential on Switch 2, which feels a bit of a shame.

You do also need to do a little bit of fiddling around in the settings as the Switch 2 HDR is actually overly brightened and can look a bit washed out. When you try to adjust the display, the sun on the right hand side isn’t fully visible, but a few guides online can help with this to make the images seem less flattered.

One other very minor gripe, I seem to have more trouble putting in the HDMI into the dock than I ever did with Switch 1? I’m not quite sure why but it feels more resistant and frustrating to put in. This coupled with the bizarely short cable length for the adaptor are the only other less technical things I’d flag.

But I really am scraping the barrel a bit here.

Final Analysis

In case it isn’t clear by now, I think Nintendo Switch 2 is a fantastic machine that I’ve basically been exclusive to for the past month. The fact that I’ve been having as much fun playing my old games, comparing new releases with other platforms and just having a general blast with Mario Kart and my Classics Collection and not wanting to look up elsewhere is a huge win for Nintendo.

From day one, Switch had issues competing third party with other platforms as ports definitely needed lots of work done to make them even somewhat passable. But Switch 2 is already outperforming some existing platforms at market. You can buy third party titles from as recent as a few months back on it and huge third party experiences like Elden Ring, Borderlands 4, WWE 2K25, and even this months’ Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3+4 will be imminently available.

The upgrades from Switch 1 are massive, noticeable, appreciated and offer exciting potential for the future and it’s possible Switch 2 could offer a preferred way to play on some third party releases with its Mouse Controls, GameShare, and the convenience of portability or being able to go 4K docked. It’s something Sony and PlayStation have benefited from thanks to DualSense this generation and the added possibilities their controller can offer over competition, but Nintendo have a real horse in the race now and it’ll be interesting to see how much it can keep up.

There are some minor drawbacks, as mentioned, with the screen not being OLED which feels a bit of a shame, and some games not fulfilling their full potential for one reason or another, but this is not a technical issue on Nintendo’s part and perhaps is more a developer understanding what the system is truly capable of.

All in all, Nintendo Switch 2 is an incredible machine with a must-own game already available in Mario Kart World, an exciting massive 3D platformer out in just a few weeks in Donkey Kong Bananza, and later this year, massive new entries in the Pokemon and Metroid franchise.

It’s a system that hugely transforms several Switch 1 titles to make them better than ever, and it has become a true home for quality third party software, a battle Nintendo have been fighting for many years, playing catchup since the Wii U days.

It’s clear what this years’ must-own Christmas present is going to be, and with a start like this, one can only imagine what records Nintendo are set to break next. Switch 2 is an essential upgrade from Switch 1 and a must-own if you’ve been waiting for an entry point to get back into the Nintendo family eco-system with access to games from the beginning of its console history on the NES to its most ambitious online offering to date and the biggest Mario Kart ever made.

I look forward to revisiting this review in six months and a year from now to see what other secrets Nintendo have cooking up for us but as of today, the Switch 2 is already pretty incredible!

Verdict

Nintendo Switch 2 does a job two-fold … revitalises its classic Switch 1 library at a volume and level that few can scarcely believe, even outside of official upgrades, while also providing a high quality first-party launch title out of the gate and boasting third party support at a level they’ve never achieved before, even making definitive editions of several iconic franchises and titles.

Meanwhile, on a hardware and technical level, offering a hybrid device that is capable of outperforming competitive hardware on some titles when playable on a 4K TV and offering buttery smooth performance from the palm of your hand. It is yet again a further sign of just how good Nintendo’s handheld, hardware division is and despite the landscape never being more competitive than it is today, showing they’re still capable of standing side by side with the competition and at times, even surprising and surpassing it!

 

Pros

---

Nintendo Switch 2 is now available

Hardware kindly provided by Nintendo for review purposes