Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: First Impressions

Considering a Legacy Name for the Nintendo Switch 2

During the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, veteran Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto disclosed that the console’s successor was, at one point, considered to be named the “Super Nintendo Switch.”

This title would have served as a direct reference to Nintendo’s acclaimed second console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which debuted approximately 35 years after the original NES.

The Decision to Reconsider the Name

However, Kawamoto, alongside directors Tetsuya Sasaki and Takuhiro Dohta, ultimately determined that “Super Nintendo Switch” didn’t fully encapsulate the console’s identity.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 undeniably offers enhancements, it’s designed to build upon the success of the original Switch rather than represent a radical departure.

The Switch's Rise in Popularity

The Nintendo Switch garnered positive reception upon its 2017 launch, but its popularity surged dramatically during the global lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sales experienced a more than twofold increase between March 2019 and March 2020, fueled in part by the phenomenon of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Even prior to this surge, this core team within Nintendo had already begun planning the next generation of the Switch.

Early Development Stages

“Our assignment to [the Nintendo Switch 2] began in 2019,” Kawamoto stated.

“The hardware division had consistently explored potential hardware advancements for future iterations, making it difficult to pinpoint a precise starting point for the project.”

Navigating High Demand and Global Challenges

Nintendo unexpectedly faced the challenge of meeting exceptionally high demand for the Switch, exceeding production capabilities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the development and design phases,” Sasaki explained.

“Despite the ongoing chip shortages, we collaborated with our partners to find innovative solutions.”

The Impact of Chip Shortages

Although five years have passed since the pandemic’s onset, chip shortages continue to affect various industries, exacerbated by the recent boom in generative AI.

This situation may present challenges for both the Switch and the Switch 2, as both consoles utilize Nvidia processors.

A Gradual Evolution

Perhaps this explains the extended development timeline for a console that essentially represents an enhanced version of the original Switch.

The question arises: why introduce a completely new console when the Switch maintains its popularity after eight years on the market?

What Distinguishes the New Model?

The dimensions of the Switch 2 represent a slight increase compared to the original model, measuring 4.5 inches in height and 10.7 inches in width with the Joy-Cons attached. This translates to approximately one inch longer and half an inch taller than the previous iteration, while maintaining a comparable thickness.

While marginally heavier, the weight difference is not substantial. Adjusting to the Switch 2’s feel after prolonged use of the original Switch is akin to acclimating to a new mobile phone; the initial difference is noticeable, but quickly becomes familiar.

Enhanced Display Capabilities

The screen size has been increased to 7.9 inches, utilizing LED technology with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. When connected to a television, select games are capable of rendering at 4K resolution at 60Hz.

Furthermore, the console supports HDR10 and variable refresh rates reaching 120Hz, enhancing the visual experience.

Graphical Improvements

Despite typically favoring Nintendo consoles and not prioritizing cutting-edge graphics, the improvements in graphical fidelity offered by the Switch 2 are readily apparent. The console delivers a noticeable upgrade in visual quality.

Details previously unseen, such as the texture of Bowser’s scales or the individual strands of Donkey Kong’s fur, become visible. This enhancement significantly elevates the visual presentation of games like Tears of the Kingdom.

Even in 2D titles like Hades II, the increased graphical capabilities are discernible, resulting in a more refined visual experience.

Battery Performance and Storage

Nintendo has been reserved in providing specific details regarding the Switch 2’s battery life, noting that utilizing new features, such as GameChat, will accelerate battery drain. Estimated battery life ranges from two to 6.5 hours on a single charge, compared to the original Switch’s 4.5 to nine hours.

However, the inclusion of a USB-C port facilitates continued gameplay while charging. The Switch 2 also boasts 256 GB of internal storage and features a significantly improved, functional kickstand.

Innovations in the Joy-Con 2 Design

The recent presentation featured a wealth of announcements – including anticipation for Silksong’s 2025 release – but the updated Joy-Con controllers for the new console generated significant discussion among attendees who had the opportunity to test them.

Addressing the prevalent issue of joystick drift in the original Switch’s controllers was a primary concern, and considerable interest centered on how the revised version would perform. While my hands-on time was limited to a few hours, I cannot definitively state the Switch 2’s joysticks will be entirely free of drift; however, Sasaki expressed optimism regarding the improvements.

Enhanced Movement and Connection

“The Joy-Con 2 controllers, designed for the Nintendo Switch 2, represent a complete redesign,” Sasaki explained. “They’ve been engineered to provide both larger and smoother ranges of motion.”

A novel approach to connecting the Joy-Cons to the console body has also been implemented: magnetic attachment. This design offers a more intuitive experience compared to the original Switch’s sliding mechanism, which utilized a narrow plastic rail. The controllers are securely held in place, requiring a button press for detachment.

Nintendo explored the possibility of magnetic connections during the development of the initial Switch. Kawamoto reassured that the magnetic system would maintain a secure hold, despite potential concerns about stability.

“The connector incorporates a degree of flexibility,” he stated. “This allows it to absorb impact forces, preventing excessive stress on the connector itself.”

Introducing Mouse-Like Functionality

A key differentiator for the Joy-Con 2 is its ability to function similarly to a computer mouse. Each controller incorporates a mouse sensor, alongside a gyro sensor and accelerometer, enabling gesture-based camera control within games.

Nintendo demonstrated this capability with Drag x Drive, a 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball game. Players manipulate the controllers like wheelchair wheels, sliding them on a surface to move, and flicking their wrists to shoot.

“While playing PC games, I considered how we could integrate this functionality into the Nintendo Switch 2,” Kawamoto shared. “Recognizing that tables are often distant when using a sofa, we’ve made adjustments to allow control even on fabric surfaces like pants.”

This revelation from Kawamoto came after the Drag x Drive demo, so its effectiveness on various fabrics remains to be verified. Apparently, your trousers can now serve as a makeshift desk.

Implementation and Compatibility

While games like Drag x Drive are specifically designed around the mouse feature, its long-term appeal may be limited. The functionality proves more compelling when integrated subtly into gameplay, rather than being the central mechanic.

For instance, in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the right Joy-Con seamlessly switches between mouse mode and standard control. Players can move the controller to adjust their viewpoint, instead of relying on the joystick. This could appeal to first-person shooter enthusiasts accustomed to mouse-based aiming on PCs.

Fortunately, Nintendo maintains compatibility with original Switch Joy-Cons via Bluetooth, allowing their use with the Switch 2. However, they cannot be physically attached to the console for handheld mode.

A First Look at Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza

Nintendo recently provided previews of the forthcoming Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza titles. Notably, Mario Kart now features a cow as a playable character, alongside a refined aristocratic costume for Boo.

Both titles appear to incorporate elements of an open-world design. While not offering the extensive exploration of a game like Breath of the Wild, they share similarities with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, allowing players freedom to traverse the landscape while pursuing defined objectives in a sequential manner.

Mario Kart World: A Connected Racing Experience

Mario Kart World presents all playable race courses superimposed onto a unified world map. This design raises intriguing questions about the game’s internal consistency, such as the coexistence of fantastical courses like Rainbow Road and realistic tracks like London Loop within the established canon of Mario’s Brooklyn origins.

The implementation of this concept is quite innovative. Departing from the traditional grand prix structure of previous Mario Kart games, races now seamlessly flow into one another.

In a 24-player grand prix, progression is determined by performance; only the top 20 racers advance to the subsequent race. This continues with the top 16, then 12, culminating in a final showdown between the remaining four players. There are no interruptions between races, creating a continuous racing experience.

During the matchmaking phase, players are granted the ability to freely explore the game world. Falling off a track no longer results in an instant game over; instead, players continue their journey. Even entering the water simply leads to driving until reaching another landmass and, subsequently, another course on the map.

Although the demonstration was limited in scope, the potential for Nintendo to successfully implement this broadly explorable Mario Kart concept is substantial.

Donkey Kong Bananza: A Return to 3D Platforming

Donkey Kong Bananza signifies the gorilla’s return to 3D platforming after a decade-long absence. The demo showcased players, controlling Donkey Kong, collecting bananas and defeating enemies through punching.

Enemies can be defeated with punches, but certain opponents require specific attack methods—for example, flying enemies are vulnerable only to thrown rocks. Fortunately, Donkey Kong can readily convert ground materials into throwable projectiles.

The full extent of the Bananza world remains unclear, but the 20-minute demo only provided a glimpse of its potential. A noteworthy detail is the game’s response to accidentally punching Diddy Kong, prompting an in-game high-five instead.

Switch 2 Enhancements and Mario Party Jamboree

Certain Switch games, including Mario Party Jamboree, are slated to receive additional features through Switch 2 expansions. These expansions will leverage the Switch 2’s attachable camera for unique mini-games that incorporate a live video feed of each player.

The camera serves as a social feature for GameChat, but also integrates players directly into the gameplay. One mini-game, for instance, challenges players to stack as many Koopas as possible on their heads, requiring physical movement to catch falling Koopas.

While the camera’s image quality is not exceptional, it functions effectively and, importantly, provides a second USB-C port – a welcome addition.

Considering a Purchase of the Nintendo Switch 2?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is available for $450, representing a significant investment for a portable gaming system.

While the entry-level Steam Deck is priced at $400, with its dock costing an additional $79, the Switch 2’s cost isn’t entirely unprecedented. However, Nintendo’s previous handheld offerings, the Switch and Wii U, debuted at $300 each, potentially causing some existing fans to experience price surprise. It's important to acknowledge that increased production costs and inflation are impacting hardware pricing across the industry.

The enhanced specifications of the Switch 2, the inclusion of a GameChat function, and the anticipated release of exclusive titles make it a compelling option. Nevertheless, those unfamiliar with terms like VRR or without a strong affinity for Nintendo may find little urgency in an immediate purchase – particularly if the current exclusive game offerings don’t strongly appeal.

Nintendo has already unveiled several upcoming games, including Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Kirby AirRiders. Furthermore, the next core installment in the Pokémon series (separate from Legends Z-A) is expected to launch on the Switch 2.

Beyond Nintendo’s first-party titles, the console will also feature releases like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, and Yakuza 0. Notably, The Duskbloods, a new game from FromSoftware, will be exclusively available on the Switch 2.

If experiencing a 3D Donkey Kong platformer isn’t a priority, delaying a purchase is a reasonable strategy. Historically, Nintendo rarely offers price reductions on its consoles. Therefore, if you anticipate eventually buying the system within the next several years, securing it now might be the most practical approach.