When it comes to consoles, few match Nintendo’s vision and boldness. From the NES to the Wii and beyond, the company dares to dream and constantly reshapes the gaming world. This is especially true with the Switch, arguably one of gaming’s greatest comeback stories. Off the back of that success, we now have Nintendo Switch 2. A sequel that builds on the original’s success, enhances nearly every feature, and adds a few fresh ideas, all while remaining firmly within the same ecosystem.
Read More: Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions and Press Kit Contents
A quick note: this is a hardware review of the Nintendo Switch 2 console only. Add-ons like the Pro Controller and camera, along with individual games, will be reviewed separately.
Focused Upgrade
Straight from the box, the Nintendo Switch 2 console is larger, more powerful, and packed with features. It now supports HDR and 4K when docked, and runs at 120fps in handheld mode. Joy-Cons can even be used as a mouse. This isn’t a radical reinvention—more of a substantial upgrade, much like the Xbox One X to the Series X. But that’s exactly what many fans wanted, as the original was starting to show its age.
In hand, the Switch 2 feels solid and refined. Gone is the slightly toylike feel of the original—everything now feels premium, from the Joy-Cons to the kickstand. Nothing seems flimsy or fragile, which you’d expect at the €469.99/US$449.99 price point. It’s an expensive machine, but it feels like one too.
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The Joy-Cons now attach with a magnetic locking system, replacing the old slide-in runners. It’s a definite improvement—no wobble or flex when in use. The kickstand follows the OLED model’s example, running the length of the console in a sturdy U shape, made of metal for improved durability and adjustable across 90 degrees.
Visual Sibling
Visually, the console resembles a souped-up Switch. The button and trigger layout remains familiar, aside from the addition of a C button. There’s also a new top-mounted USB port for charging or connecting the camera.
A minor complaint: at launch, the console is only available in black. Other than some coloured accents under the sticks, there are no Joy-Con colour options yet. Unlike the original, which launched with red and blue variants. Not a major issue, but worth noting.
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It could be inconvenient during multiplayer sessions. If you had several identical Joy-Con sets out before a round of Mario Kart, telling them apart might be tricky. You can use the console to make them vibrate or beep, so maybe that’s nit-picking.
The mouse function works when you turn a Joy-Con on its side. It’s classic Nintendo, quirky, unexpected, and currently underused. Still, the feature works well, and hopefully more developers will support it.
Home Transformer
At home, most will dock the console. The new dock includes an active cooling fan to keep things running smoothly. It also features HDMI out, a LAN port, and USB-C for power. Otherwise, it’s the usual unassuming black box, destined to live behind the TV like every other Switch dock.
You also get a Joy-Con grip cradle and wrist straps. I’ve tested it both docked and on the go. It performs flawlessly in both setups. You will need a larger carry case, though.
Read More: Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions and Press Kit Contents
The 7.9-inch LED screen supports 1080p, HDR10, and 120fps, depending on the mode. It’s crisp and bright in handheld mode, although technically a step down from the OLED version.
Battery life is a slight drawback. Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t last as long as my Switch 1 OLED model, averaging around five to six hours in handheld mode. The console can also run hot during longer sessions or while charging. Still, that’s probably down to the more powerful internals. Adjusting brightness and other settings can squeeze out a bit more battery life, but overall, it’s a step back compared to the OLED and Lite variants I’ve used before.
Gaming on Switch
The gameplay has experience has been brilliant. From new to older titles, everything runs sharper and cleaner. Some first-party games receive Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades to get the most out of the hardware, while native Nintendo Switch 2 titles shine straight away. You can also play original Switch games without issue.
Certain titles, like ARMS and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, benefit from updates that improve resolution, frame rate and add HDR. It’s a game changer—these were rough on the original Switch, but now run dramatically better.
Other games offer paid upgrades, like Breath of the Wild and Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World. Prices vary, from £7.99/€9.99 to £16.99/€19.99, and many upgrades add new features beyond visual improvements. Most first-party games will likely get visual touch-ups to optimise them for Switch 2, though whether that upgrade is free or paid depends on the title.
Some titles won’t receive updates at all, but thanks to the extra power under the hood, even those run better, at full resolution, with smoother performance. Take Batman: Arkham Knight, for instance, it plays far better on Nintendo Switch 2. It’s a huge bonus to be able to link your account and download your entire digital library with full backwards compatibility at the press of a button.
Hardware Backwards Compatibility
Switch 2 also supports all previous controllers and accessories, though Labo and the original dock aren’t compatible. Still, there are a few minor annoyances. One is the shift to the micro-SD Express format—older memory cards don’t work unless they’re this newer type, which most people won’t already own.
On the plus side, the console comes with 256GB of internal storage—eight times that of the original. That gives you some breathing room before needing a new memory card.
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Another gripe is the Virtual Game Card system. You can link two consoles to the same account to share your game library, but only one can play a title at any time. If you own multiple models—like the original, OLED and Switch 2—you can only have two active at once. This means, for now, one of mine sits idle unless I unlink another.
There’s been plenty of discussion about this, and chances are it’ll evolve over time. Still, it feels like a big step backwards for Nintendo, especially given the family appeal of their consoles. With most households having more than one player, at least one family member is likely to miss out.
Ecosystem Iteration
Once the console is running, the user interface feels very familiar. It mirrors the original Switch, with only minor colour tweaks. A bit of a letdown, really. This would’ve been a good chance for a fresh UI and OS design.
This familiarity reinforces the sense that Switch 2 is an upgrade rather than a complete reinvention. The positive side of that? You’ll know where everything is immediately, and the system runs extremely fast and smoothly—especially the eShop, which used to be painfully slow.
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That’s likely thanks to the inclusion of a Wi-Fi 6 chip, which boosts connectivity, download speeds and online play quality. It’s still early days, and this console could easily have a decade-long lifespan. Expect updates and revisions down the line. Switch 2 OLED, anyone?
Safe, Solid Next-Gen
Right now, Nintendo Switch 2 refines the original Switch’s core strengths. It improves build quality, raises performance, and delivers meaningful changes. While a few early missteps are frustrating, it still feels like a confident evolution.
All in all, the Switch 2 isn’t just a solid console—it offers a glimpse of Nintendo’s future. With smart design choices and genuine improvements, it’s a worthy follow-up to a gaming icon and a promising start to the next chapter.
Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Specifications
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 7.9 inch LED screen, 1080p resolution, HDR10, Up to 120Hz |
| Processor | Octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C @ 998 MHz (docked), 1101 MHz (undocked) |
| Graphics | Docked: 1007 MHz, 3.09 TFLOPS Undocked: 561 MHz, 1.72 TFLOPS |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Battery Life | 2-6 hours, depending on usage |
| Docking Capabilities | 4K output when docked |
| Backward Compatibility | Support existing Switch games, physical and digital |
| Controllers | Improved Joy-Con with enhanced durability |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6 support |
| Dimensions | 272 × 116 × 13.9 mm |
| Introductory price | €469.99/US$449.99/A$699/ CA$629.99/ £395.99/¥49,980 |