Nintendo Switch didn’t just revolutionize the market for embracing a hybrid system; it proved that players were ready to break away from the way they had been gaming their whole lives, either handheld or on tabletop mode. Now, with the Switch 2 Nintendo wants to take that concept even further, keeping the modular essence while aiming for an ambitious evolution. Nintendo Switch 2 builds on the same versatile spirit as Nintendo Switch but introduces major changes that come with both notable improvements and some questionable decisions that might not sit well with everyone.
Build Quality & Design
The first impression when holding the Nintendo Switch 2 is that the overall material quality and feel are clearly superior to the original model. Its more refined and elegant finish immediately conveys a premium sensation, standing in stark contrast to the previous console, which sometimes felt more like a toy.
This time Nintendo has significantly increased the size of the console, adding a 7.9-in screen that directly impacts the console’s weight and dimensions, including the new Joy-Con 2. In this regard, we believe that Nintendo may have gone a bit overboard, making the console heavier and less comfortable for users with smaller or even average-sized hands. Weighing in at 534 g with the controllers attached and measuring 27.2 x 16.6 cm, that’s 100 g and several extra centimeters compared to the Switch OLED model.
Playing with the Joy-Con 2 in horizontal mode, where the controller stick is no longer as close to the edge on the right controller, also feels a bit more awkward. However, the modular essence that defines the Switch remains and is significantly improved in this new version. The Joy-Con 2 now attaches magnetically to the console and the grip, a clever touch that’s both highly functional and very sturdy.
The dock used for the TV mode has received a major redesign featuring rounded edges that make it much easier to insert and remove the device and including a necessary internal fan to improve cooling. Dock has USB Type-A ports on the side and a single USB-C power port on the inside. While functional, the lack of at least one additional USB-C port is noticeable, especially for connecting accessories like the external camera, which can only be plugged directly into the top of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Joy-Con 2 stands out for its build quality and texture, which prevents slipping and significantly improves grip. The magnets Nintendo uses to connect to controllers are a clever innovation that probably only they could pull off successfully. However, the overall increase in size and weight comes with drawbacks, noticeably reducing comfort in handheld mode and making the console less suitable for Nintendo’s usual younger audience. This clearly signals a need for a future lighter and more manageable version, perhaps a Nintendo Switch Lite.
Joy-Con 2 Features
Nintendo decided to retain the core functions of the original Joy-Con while improving motion control reliability and removing the infrared camera, a feature few are likely to miss. In return, there are significant upgrades like a revamped HD rumble that can convey sensations of weight or recoil with a precision very close to that of the PlayStation 5 controller. However, since the motors are arranged differently, it performs better at simulating weight and slightly less effectively when reproducing sharp recoil, such as trigger feedback.
The standout innovation is the addition of an optical sensor that allows each Joy-Con 2 to work as a mouse. This feature is seriously efficient; it works so well on all kinds of surfaces, including smooth tables, fabric, or even couch cushions, with impressive accuracy and responsiveness. We actually consider this one of the most meaningful evolutions Nintendo has introduced since the original Switch.
NFC reader for amiibo figures is still present, just like in the original Joy-Con. We don’t expect to use it much more than before, but it’s still good to have it included as expected from the system. In our past experiences with Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, they often suffered from disconnection issues in challenging situations, which was frustrating for many players. Fortunately, in our test with a Joy-Con 2, we didn’t experience a single disconnect, even in the kinds of scenarios where the original controllers frequently failed. We believe Nintendo has finally resolved this nagging problem, significantly improving connection reliability.
Power & Specifications
The partnership between Nvidia and Nintendo has proven to be one of the most fruitful collaborations in video game history. The two companies complement each other perfectly, and in Nintendo Switch 2, they’ve integrated a Tigra Air T239 chip, delivering performance between 1.72 and 3.0909 teraflops along with support for Nvidia’s DLSS technology. With 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of UFC memory, and dedicated cores for ray tracing and DLSS, the focus is clearly on smart, efficient power rather than just raw power.
Original Nintendo Switch already showed us that maximum horsepower isn’t always necessary to create great games and achieve massive success. However, the leap offered by Nintendo Switch 2 is spectacular, reaching roughly 10 times the performance of its predecessor even without accounting for AI-driven enhancements.
This results in two major benefits outstanding backward compatibility that visually enhances all Nintendo Switch games, and stunning quality graphics for a handheld device capable of rendering fast, detailed, hyperrealistic open worlds right from launch. The Nintendo Switch 2 represents the biggest leap in innovation and power across all Nintendo generations, considering the full scope of improvements, which honestly points to a very promising future for the console. I mean, if Nintendo and developers managed to work wonders with the technical limitations of the original Switch, we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve with all the power, versatility, and optimization potential packed into the Nintendo Switch 2.
The console shines in TV mode. The new built-in 1080p screen ditches the OLED seen in the last Switch in favor of HDR support, but it is an absolute battery drainer, forcing Nintendo to limit performance in handheld mode to avoid overheating and sudden shutdowns. As a result, the gap between playing in handheld and TV mode will be more noticeable than ever.
Gaming Experience
Nintendo managed to strike a careful balance between power and efficiency in collaboration with Nvidia. With the premium external feel of the console and the performance it delivers, we are closer than ever to achieving the dream of a hybrid platform that works flawlessly.
The Nintendo Switch 2 stands out for its impressive versatility, allowing you to play comfortably in handheld mode or on the TV. While the larger screen makes playing in handheld mode with friends more enjoyable, this does come at the cost of some discomfort due to the increased size and weight. Still, the hybrid concept is now more versatile than ever, solidifying itself as a golden idea for Nintendo.
The new U-shaped kickstand not only allowed for a complete internal component reorganization but also adds new use cases by letting you hang the console or set it on uneven surfaces. This may seem like a minor upgrade, but trust me, it’s surprisingly practical.
Backward compatibility with nearly all games, controllers, and accessories from the original Switch makes the Nintendo Switch 2 a very appealing option for the more than 150 million current Nintendo players. It’s reasonable to expect that most of them will eventually upgrade, taking advantage of everything they already own from the previous generation.
Usability
The larger a console is, the better its heat dissipation typically becomes. This principle – along with increased power demands – explains why the Nintendo Switch 2 is noticeably bigger than its predecessor. The size increase significantly impacts portability: it’s no longer a device you can easily slip into a pocket, even with Joy-Con detached. While still transportable, it now requires a backpack or case for proper protection – one of our main criticisms of the Switch 2’s design.
We recognize these changes serve important purposes: balancing performance, thermal management, battery life, and physical dimensions. However, many players may find the compromises uncomfortable. The redesigned dock now includes an Ethernet port and supports 4K HDR output at 60fps, delivering superb image quality. Its larger footprint presents challenges for some entertainment setups, requiring substantial clearance for console insertion. Nintendo missed an opportunity by not including horizontal placement options.
Connectivity improvements include a new top-mounted USB-C port, enabling flexible charging and accessory connections during TV mode play. However, the dock would benefit from additional USB-C ports to reduce cable clutter. Bluetooth now supports low-latency headphones and third-party controllers, while 3.5mm jacks on both console and Pro Controller accommodate wired audio devices. The system introduces 3D surround sound processing; while speaker hardware matches the OLED model, improved acoustics and software processing create convincing directional audio – though only audiophiles may fully appreciate the difference.
Network performance shows dramatic improvement, with wired connections achieving 400+ MB/s downloads and 100+ MB/s uploads. Wi-Fi speeds, while lower, still represent significant gains over the original Switch. These upgrades prove essential as game sizes balloon, with many titles now exceeding 70GB. The 256GB UFS 3.1 internal storage fills quickly, making external storage nearly mandatory for extensive libraries. The exclusive support for microSD Express cards ensures performance parity with internal storage, despite higher costs.
Innovative features include enhanced camera processing for background removal and Game Chat for shared streaming experiences. While the streaming refresh rate appears limited, the focus remains on social connectivity rather than visual fidelity.
Disappointingly, the interface remains largely unchanged from the original Switch – clean and intuitive but inadequate for large libraries. The absence of modern features like achievements, themes, or advanced online functionality suggests limited ambition in system software evolution.
Limitations & Drawbacks
Despite the capabilities of the new hardware, the increasingly noticeable loss of portability does not benefit the Switch 2 at all. It now feels like a beast in your hands rather than a small manageable console. It has evolved in nearly every aspect but at the cost of significantly increasing both weight and size which also affects ergonomics and comfort during handheld play.
Nintendo estimates battery life between 2 and 6 hours but in our tests with demanding titles like Mario Kart World at max brightness and no auto-adjust the battery barely lasted 2 hours. You can slightly extend this by tweaking brightness and volume but the limited battery life is clearly another sacrifice for this level of power and quality.
The console tends to get really hot in docked mode when running demanding games. The built-in fan in the dock is essential to dissipate heat as we measured surface temperatures reaching up to 55°C on the back. While these temperatures shouldn’t directly impact critical components like the CPU or RAM they could shorten battery lifespan long-term even with the optimized internal layout.
Picking up the console right after removing it from the dock isn’t pleasant. It honestly feels like pulling something hot right out of the oven.
Conclusion
Nintendo Switch 2 takes the revolutionary hybrid concept introduced by the original Switch even further, enhancing its flexibility as both a home and handheld console. It’s undeniably a technical achievement, capable of delivering stunning visuals and innovative features like DLSS and ray tracing. However, this power comes with inevitable trade-offs: a noticeable increase in size and weight, reduced handheld comfort, shorter battery life, and some heating concerns that we hope won’t harm the hardware over time.
Built with excellent craftsmanship and packed with brilliant ideas like the magnetic Joy-Con 2 and their mouse-like functionality, Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t fully overcome the expected limitations of a hybrid design. While its hardware marks a significant leap in innovation, graphical power, and versatility, it makes major sacrifices in portability and battery life.
This leaves players with a definitive—more and better—version of the original Switch and a lingering question: Is this truly the power-portability balance that should define the future of hybrid consoles?
