After months, nay, years, of speculation and leaks, the Big N finally pulled back the curtain on the Switch 2, and frankly, it’s exactly what most of us expected – an evolution rather than a revolution. But does this iteration do enough to justify the upgrade? Let’s dive into the technical nitty-gritty and see what this Nintendo Switch 2 review reveals.
Release Date and Price
First off, the essential details: the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on 5th June. Now, about the price – it’s a bit steeper this time around. The standalone console will set you back £395.99 in the UK ($449.99 / AU$699.95 elsewhere). There’s also a bundle available with Mario Kart World for £429.99 ($499.99 / AU$769.95).
Compared to the original Switch’s launch price of £259.99, that’s a significant jump. Some community members feel this price is absurd, especially with no bundled game. However, it’s worth noting that factoring in inflation since the PS4’s launch 12 years ago puts its adjusted price over $500 today, making the Switch 2’s $450 price for a portable hybrid seem “pretty solid” to some. DFC Intelligence even considers the $450 price a “solid value”. Still, it’s definitely a higher barrier to entry than its predecessor.
Design and Display
Visually, the Switch 2 looks largely like its older sibling, just… bigger. It sports a larger 7.9-inch capacitive touch LCD screen, up from the Switch OLED’s 7 inches. The bezels appear thinner, giving you more screen real estate. The big news here is the display specs: it’s got a 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution in handheld and tabletop mode, doubling the original Switch’s resolution.
Disappointingly for some, Nintendo opted for LCD rather than the vibrant OLED found in the current Switch model. This was likely a move to keep costs down, and while it lacks the deep blacks and contrast of OLED, this new LCD panel does support HDR10 and boasts a variable refresh rate (VRR) of up to 120Hz.
Design-wise, the most noticeable change is the new kickstand. It runs the full length of the console’s back, similar to the OLED model, and is adjustable, which is a huge improvement over the original’s flimsy effort. The Joy-Con controllers themselves look bigger, and critically, the railing system is out, replaced by a new magnetic connection that looks pretty satisfying to snap into place. You’ll find a second USB-C port on the top edge for accessories like the new camera, and the 3.5mm headphone jack makes a return. It also features downward-firing speakers for an audio boost.
Specs
This is where the core upgrade lies. The Switch 2 is powered by a custom chip made by Nvidia. While Nintendo is tight-lipped on the specifics (it’s just a “custom NVIDIA process”), leaks and other sources point to it being the NVIDIA T239 with an 8-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU. Crucially, the GPU is based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture and supports DLSS and ray tracing. This is a game-changer for visual quality and performance.
Memory is getting a bump too, with 12GB of RAM. Internal storage is significantly increased to 256GB UFS, a welcome change from the paltry 32GB/64GB of the original. This is expandable via microSD Express cards up to 2TB.
In docked mode, the console can output up to 4K resolution at 60fps, and supports 120fps at 1080p or 1440p. Handheld and tabletop modes max out at the screen’s native 1080p. Sources suggest the dock itself has enhanced power delivery, aiding upscaling and graphical performance when connected to a TV.
Compared to the original Switch, this is a substantial leap. While not matching the raw power of a PS5 or Xbox Series X, it’s expected to handle PS4-level ports on the go and is described as a “mid-tier PC” or a “big leap from the original Switch” built for efficiency and portability rather than just brute force. Reports suggest it’s roughly 4x as powerful as the original Switch.
New Features
Beyond the hardware, Nintendo is adding some quality-of-life features. GameChat is a big one, finally bringing integrated voice chat to the console. It uses a microphone on the console, features noise cancelling, and a dedicated “C” button on the Joy-Con 2 controllers for muting. You can chat across different games and share your screen with friends.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers also include a mouse sensor, allowing you to use them like a mouse on a flat surface. The Switch 2 also features GameShare, allowing two players to enjoy local co-op with just one copy of a compatible game like Split Fiction.
The Games
A console is only as good as its library, and the Switch 2 is launching with a decent line-up. Highlights include the brand new Mario Kart World, the return of Donkey Kong Bananza, and ports/enhanced versions of popular titles. Many big third-party games that struggled or were cloud-only on the original Switch are arriving, such as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Hogwarts Legacy, and Hitman World of Assassination. The inclusion of DLSS and ray tracing means these games should run and look significantly better than on the first Switch.
Nintendo is also bringing enhanced “Switch 2 Editions” of classics like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These promise higher resolutions, HDR support, and smoother framerates, addressing performance issues from the original releases.
Game pricing is a point of contention, however, with some new first-party titles like Mario Kart World reportedly costing $79.99 or $80-$90 for physical copies. This is causing significant concern among potential buyers. Even the interactive demo, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, will cost $9.99 instead of being bundled for free.
On the flip side, there’s excitement for console exclusives like a new FromSoftware IP (The Duskbloods) and the confirmed console exclusivity of Hades 2. Nintendo’s strength has always been its first-party titles, and fans are eager for future releases like 3D Mario, Super Smash Bros, and Zelda games that are sure to come.
Battery Life and Dock
The internal battery is 5220mAh. Nintendo’s estimate for battery life is approximately 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game and usage. This is roughly comparable to the shorter battery life model of the original Switch (XA serial), but potentially less than the longer-lasting models (XK/XT serial and OLED), which were rated 4.5 to 9 hours. Charging the console takes about 3 hours while in Sleep mode.
The dock has been redesigned with softer, rounded edges and includes a fan. Its power delivery enables higher resolutions and framerates when connected to a TV.
Compatibility
Good news for existing Switch owners: the Switch 2 is backward compatible with compatible physical and digital games from the original system. However, the hardware differences mean some games may not be fully supported or compatible. Notably, certain Nintendo Labo kits that require the console to physically fit into an accessory (like the VR Goggles or Vehicle Kit stand) are incompatible as the Switch 2 console won’t fit. It’s also worth noting that your old microSD cards might not be compatible; the Switch 2 uses microSD Express.
Early Thoughts
So, is the Switch 2 worth it? From a hardware perspective, this Nintendo Switch 2 review shows it’s a solid step up. The increased power, DLSS support, higher resolution screen, VRR, and integrated features like GameChat are genuine improvements. It maintains the brilliant portable/docked form factor that Nintendo has refined over decades.
However, the price point for both the console and individual games is a major hurdle for many. While inflation is a factor, the jump is significant. The lack of an OLED screen at this price also stings for some, especially coming from the Switch OLED model.
Ultimately, the Switch 2 feels like Nintendo doing what it does best – iterating on a winning formula and leveraging its unique library. It’s poised to continue appealing strongly to the casual market who just want more Mario and Zelda, while also offering a significantly better experience for third-party games, potentially drawing in more traditional gamers who own PS5s or PCs.
It’s not the paradigm shift some might have hoped for in terms of brand new hardware concepts (aside from the mouse Joy-Cons, which need to prove themselves), but it’s a much-needed power bump that opens up a lot of possibilities for games moving forward.
For me, the enhanced versions of classics and the promise of smoother third-party experiences in handheld mode are huge draws. The price is steep, no doubt, but the unique blend of portability and Nintendo’s first-party magic, now with more power, makes it hard to ignore.
