The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a sense of familiarity, yet it’s distinct in its own right. At a recent hands-on event in New York, I was lucky enough to experience Nintendo’s next wave, following in the footsteps of their wildly successful console. After diving deep into the games, I walked away eager but found myself more thrilled by what the games offer than the console itself.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the Switch 2 is impressive. But let’s face it, this $450 hybrid console shines brightest when paired with the creative titles Nintendo and other developers bring to the table.
Though it’s unmistakably a successor, the Switch 2 feels like a natural progression of Nintendo’s gaming philosophy. The few hours I spent exploring its early lineup left me buzzing with anticipation. Time to start putting some money aside!
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware
When I first laid eyes on the system, the black matte finish of the Joy-Con 2 controllers and the console itself struck me. Weighing in at 1.18 pounds with the controllers attached, it’s slightly heavier than you’d expect from a Switch. But that larger 7.9-inch screen more than makes up for it. (And hey, it’s still lighter than other gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, which clocks in at 1.41 pounds.)
The absence of bold colors, save for a few neon accents, does feel a bit off-brand for Nintendo. Even the GameCube days offered some colorful options. Yet, as a past owner of a black GameCube, I’m convinced we’ll see more color variants down the road.
The Joy-Cons detach with ease, thanks to release buttons on either side. I didn’t get a ton of time to toy with attaching and detaching them, but on one setup I tried, the connection felt snug. I wouldn’t recommend yanking them around recklessly, but there’s no concern about them slipping off unexpectedly.
The updated controllers, which are a bit longer, offer a better fit for my hands than the originals. They’re still slender, but the extra length brings a more comfortable grip, though the difference might be subtle for some.
Same potentiometer-style analog sticks as the original, although the developers promised a new design for smoother movement. The magical phrase "hall effect" wasn’t mentioned, so if you were hoping for that, you might be disappointed. Alas, my limited time with them wasn’t enough to discern a tangible difference.
The kickstand has also been redesigned—no more teeny-weeny, flimsy piece like the original Switch’s. This version is robust and adjustable to any angle, making it actually practical for tabletop use, say, on a flight.
Once you start up a game, the primary improvement over the original becomes obvious: the upgraded display. It’s not OLED, which may seem like a downgrade from the OLED Switch model to some. But this LCD packs a punch with its 1920 x 1080 resolution, 120 Hz variable refresh rate, and HDR10 support. Mario Kart World looked stunning on it. Personally, the lack of OLED didn’t bother me during the demo—even though most were played on TVs—I can’t wait to explore more titles.
As docking goes, I managed to catch a glimpse of it, complete with the Nintendo Switch 2 camera. It’s definitely bulkier, likely to accommodate a cooling fan, but otherwise operates similarly to the existing dock.
Nintendo Switch 2 Specs
Here’s a breakdown:
- CPU and GPU: Custom Nvidia processor with DLSS and hardware ray tracing.
- Display: 7.9-inch, 1920 x 1080p touch screen, HDR10, 120 Hz with VRR.
- Storage: 256GB (UFS), expandable via microSD Express cards up to 2TB.
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Ethernet on the dock.
- Audio: Stereo speakers, monaural mic with noise cancellation.
- Ports: 2x USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack, game card slot, microSD slot (console); 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI, Ethernet (dock).
- Battery Life: 2 – 6.5 hours as per Nintendo.
- Price: $449.99, or $499.99 with Mario Kart World bundle.
- Release Date: June 5, 2025.
Mouse Controls
Nintendo’s known for user-friendly consoles focused on gaming, but the Switch 2 feels like it’s borrowing from the PC gaming playbook, especially with its mouse capabilities.
That’s right—both Joy-Con 2 controllers now double as mice, equipped with sensors and built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes. I was eager to try this feature in action during the New York showcase, curious to feel how using a mouse on modern Nintendo hardware would pan out. The new wrist straps even include little skates for smoother scrolling.
Did it deliver? Well, it was a bit of a mixed experience in the short time I had. In Metroid Prime 4 Beyond’s Switch 2 version, you can toggle between traditional controller modes and mouse mode. With the latter, my precision with Samus Aran’s arm cannon was notably enhanced compared to using a joystick. But despite the controller’s larger buttons, I found prolonged mouse mode use a bit uncomfortable. I eventually switched back to the traditional setup.
In contrast, the Switch 2 version of Civilization VII felt much closer to a PC experience, with its slower pace proving more comfortable. Only one Joy-Con is needed for mouse mode, though programming quick actions to the other would have been a neat feature.
Some might find Drag x Drive’s use of dual mice intriguing—think Rocket League meets wheelchair basketball—offering a fresh take that could even influence PC gaming controls. You control each wheel independently. It’s a clever setup, though the intense movements might beg for a more conventional option like a joystick in future iterations.
Another game, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, uses a Pro controller, but CD Projekt Red is planning to introduce mouse support—I’m curious to see how successful that’ll be.
Practically speaking, few might find themselves using the mouse function often. At a desk, sure, but my usual spot is the couch with my Switch far from a convenient mouse mat. Nintendo did provide plenty of flexible gaming setups during demos, which left me pondering how well this feature will fare long-term.
Resolution Options and Quality Modes
The Switch 2 also steps into the more enthusiast realm, offering various resolution and quality settings spotted on systems like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. On the original Switch, you’d toggle between 720p handheld and 1080p docked. Now? The Switch 2 can pump out 4K at up to 60 fps docked. Lowering the resolution, say, to 1080p or 1440p, enables a 120 Hz variable refresh rate.
Moreover, the built-in screen supports 1080p at up to 120 fps, offering a significant upgrade for those of us who love couch gaming in handheld mode.
Games come with their own graphics options, too. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers both quality and performance modes. During the showcase, Nintendo specifically noted Metroid Prime 4 at docked 1080p 120 fps in performance mode—a noticeably responsive experience that felt decidedly like a marrying of Nintendo’s style and PC gameplay.
Apart from that, a developer from Civilization VII mentioned their goal of achieving 1080p 60 fps, a perfect fit for that game’s style.
Pro Controller and Nintendo Camera
Nintendo’s introducing a $79.99 Pro Controller and a $49.99 Camera. The Pro Controller carries a familiar feel, though the buttons seemed clickier. The standout feature? Two customizable back buttons, though they weren’t demonstrated. Similar to the new Joy-Con’s C button, they empower in-game chat.
The Nintendo Camera is a novelty, designed for Game Chat or even to place player faces in games like Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Animations had rough edges during demos though, struggling with a green screen effect. Fortunately, you can opt for any "compatible USB-C camera," says Nintendo’s site, so holding onto external webcams might be wise.
Game Notes
Remember the games? Nintendo showcased a bevy of titles. They aim to pack system-selling prowess in their first-party lineup, launching with a star player: Mario Kart World—Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was no slouch, so this one’s set to be massive.
Mario Kart World was the standout. Racing was smooth, seemingly running around 90 fps. Its visuals popped both on TVs and the Switch’s own HDR screen. However, Knockout Tour mode stole the show—race to milestones, trimming down the contenders through each phase. Its chaotic fairness, combined with unpredictable strategizing and a vast character lineup, showed off Switch 2’s potential in spades.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition surprised at first, marking the system’s power. But visual fidelity fluctuated, with rough edges and bland textures. An early demo mark assured viewers that improvements were pending. Performance modes in use were unspecified.
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour feels like a misstep compared to pack-ins like Astro’s Playroom for PS5. It’s a curated showcase of Switch 2’s features, cute but short-lived. Guessing frame rates was a highlight—hey, I can tell 120 fps from 60 fps!
Donkey Kong Bananza was a joyful bout of cathartic chaos, harnessing the Switch 2’s capacity for dynamic destruction. Practically anything was fair game for demolition, creating sprawling underground paths in levels. Expect a collectible-rich experience that completionists will adore.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition stood out as polished and highly enjoyable. Support for both standard controller and mouse modes, though not explicitly for the latter, enriched exploration and combat.
In Drag x Drive, you could sense potential cult status. Controlling with dual Joy-Cons in mouse mode required unexpected coordination but demonstrated deeper strategic plays. A more conventional control layout could broaden its appeal.
Nintendo Classics: GameCube brought back retro titles like Soul Calibur II and F-Zero GX, hitting all the nostalgic beats. Controller issues like lack of rumble didn’t impact the enjoyment. Access is tied to a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and an Expansion Pack—a fair trade for gems like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Super Mario Strikers.
It seems like Nintendo has another winner on its hands, with a robust roster to boot. Other standouts were Civilization VII, Hades 2, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and Kirby and the Forgotten World — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
As always, Nintendo shows it’s about more than just the hardware, but the experiences it allows us to dive into.
