Nintendo Switch 2 review
Feature
Straight out of the box, there are clearly some differences in Nintendo's new console. It has a larger 7.9 inch screen that provides a larger viewing area than the 6.2 inch of the original. Not only is it larger, but it is also much clearer with the 1080p resolution. The bright colours that Nintendo are synonymous for, pop with vibrancy and clarity. Watching as Mario or Peach fly around the different tracks on Mario Kart World is a joy on the handheld screen. An increased refresh rate of 120Hz (up from 60Hz of the original Switch) ensures that animations are smooth throughout.
Dock & Connectivity
The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, an upgrade from the original Switch's 32GB. Having said that, many of the Switch 2 games will require larger downloads, and so the increased storage will likely be required. When playing Mario Kart World on the handheld with a friend, an improved kickstand allows players to view the screen at various angles. The stand feels much sturdier than the original.
After setting up the dock and connecting to my TV via the included HDMI cable (my existing HDMI cable did not seem to want to connect), the clarity of the switch is further accentuated, with the console now being able to produce 4K resolution on the big screen. This will certainly allow gamers to partake in some of the visual splendour that their console brethren already have access to. Games such as Cyberpunk 2077 can now be played with improved visual clarity.
The handheld device comes with a couple of USB inputs, but can also connect to devices via Bluetooth. I had no issue connecting a non-Nintendo controller and my gaming headset, ensuring that cables aren't sitting all over the floor being tripping hazards - something that a family with younger gamers will no doubt appreciate.
Weight and portability
Despite the larger configuration, the Switch 2 hasn't added much weight to the previous instalment. At just 401 grams (with the JoyCons attached), the Switch 2 feels quite light. Sure, it is heavier than the original Switch (which was 297 grams), but I’ll easily take the added weight for the larger screen size. The handheld is still portable enough to take on your morning commute to work or school, or on family holidays. Whether it is in the back seat of the car, or cramped inside an aeroplane, players will feel comfortable hitting the tracks with their favourite Mario Kart racer, or smashing through levels looking for bananas with Donkey Kong.
Because of the larger screen size, the JoyCons too have increased in size. As mentioned during the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, the Joy Cons for the Switch 2 are probably the biggest difference between the previous console and the Switch 2. Although they have similar designs apart from the colour change, the tech team at Nintendo have packed more functionality into the Joy Con 2 controllers. One of the most important features of the Switch 2 JoyCons is the fact that they magnetically clip into the console - no more accidentally sliding them upside down into the wrong side and not being able to get them out again.
Size matters
Although a single JoyCon 2 can be used as a separate controller for games such as Mario Kart World, it does feel small in an adult’s hands, with the buttons still feeling somewhat cramped. This is accentuated when using the JoyCons in mouse mode, as I found myself accidentally pressing multiple buttons on the slim-line mouse. Of course, this will unlikely be a problem for younger members of the family.
The mouse mode works surprisingly well however, and although I currently do not have a game (apart from the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour) to play it on, I did have ample time with the mouse controls during the Switch 2 Experience. Mouse mode is activated by placing the JoyCons onto a flat surface, with the magnetic connectors face down on the surface. The bumper button is then used similarly to the left mouse button on a standard mouse. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is a great example of how the mouse controls work, allowing for more accurate targeting as you move the mouse across the surface. With games like Cyberpunk 2077 and the upcoming Borderlands 4, the mouse controls will make the Switch 2 feel so much more like a portable PC. I did find that with the thinner design than a normal mouse, the JoyCons can get a little uncomfortable after extended periods of play - so that may be a consideration when deciding which mode to use.
Software
At present, the list of playable Nintendo Switch 2 titles is short, so it is difficult to gauge how the games effectively use the new functionality of the console. However, for those who already own a Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible for most titles, allowing players to upload their games onto the new console. Of course, users can access the Nintendo Membership (at an additional charge) which then allows access to an extensive back catalogue of Nintendo Entertainment and Super Nintendo titles. This certainly allows older gamers to relive some nostalgia (and give younger gamers a perspective of classic gaming).
I have to admit, it would have been difficult to review the Nintendo Switch 2 console without the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. As a "game" that would need to be purchased in addition to the console, it wasn’t overly entertaining. But at present there are a limited number of titles that effectively feature some of the new aspects of Nintendo’s latest console. This is where the Welcome Tour does make an impact, displaying some of the functions on the new JoyCons.
However, I did get a chance to play some of the upcoming titles at the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Experience. From the games I have had a chance to test out, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Drag x Drive, as well as portions of Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV make wonderful use of the mouse controls. Although Nintendo are largely known for their family friendly titles, shooters such as Metroid are ideally suited to the mouse based controls of the JoyCons - even if the buttons can feel somewhat awkward.
Verdict
The Nintendo Switch 2 is definitely a vast improvement on the previous Nintendo console. Although it is still just catching up to the other major consoles in terms of technical capabilities, the innovation of the JoyCons and the portability of the Switch 2 are a compelling reason to, well…switch. The larger screen and improved resolution of the handheld looks great, and is still lightweight enough to be portable. The list of Nintendo Switch 2 games may not yet be huge, but if you have the original Switch or a Nintendo membership, there's ample games that you can play whilst you wait for games such as Drag x Drive that show the full potential of the improved JoyCons.
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