The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been released after much anticipation, and while there is still much to be uncertain about, we can finally get a good look at the console itself. In this feature, we’ll be giving you our hands-on look at the console and our first impressions of the new system.
The Hardware
The Switch 2’s hardware is a massive improvement over the original’s. For starters, the build quality is far superior, being made from a much more rigid and durable plastic. The build quality is more reminiscent of the Steam Deck, and it is a vast improvement. The Joy-Con 2s, likewise, have a far superior build quality over the original. They have more of a heft and less of a plastic feel than the Switch 1 counterparts.
Speaking of the Joy-Con 2s, a lot is going on with these little controllers. The magnetic mechanism that connects the Joy-Con to the Switch, the grip, and the straps work very well. It’s as easy as snapping it on and, using the little button on the back, snapping it back off. These magnets are a massive step up from the original Switch’s rails, which were very much prone to failure.
Another major improvement the Switch 2 has over its predecessor is its kickstand. The original Switch’s kickstand was atrocious. It was small and made out of a flimsy plastic that was prone to falling off. It also wasn’t adjustable in the slightest, which meant it was impossible to reposition. While the Switch OLED did improve the kickstand, it still wasn’t perfect. The Switch 2, on the other hand, has a magnificent kickstand. Slimmer, more sturdy, and far more adjustable. It’s seriously night and day compared to the kickstand of the original Switch, and I’m excited to have one that’s finally usable.
The biggest improvement, for me anyway, is the screen. The screen is a vast improvement over the original Switch. It was honestly really shocking going from playing on the Switch’s small screen to the Switch 2’s big screen. It felt like upgrading from an early 2010s smartphone to a modern-day flagship. It’s so nice to have such a high-quality screen in handheld mode, and it makes me more inclined to actually play the console in handheld.
While the big screen is a welcome change, it does have its downsides. The bigger screen, inevitably, makes the console larger and bulkier, making it harder to hold and transport. The biggest gripe with the screen, however, is that it’s an LCD. An OLED screen would have enhanced the visuals and made the Switch 2 the ultimate Switch. Instead, we’re likely just going to get a Switch 2 OLED in a few years that we’ll have to buy just to get a better screen.
My other gripe is with the console itself is a minor one, but I really don’t like the game card slot. More specifically, I’m not a big fan of the flap. I’m used to opening it from the front, like on the original Switch. Now, there’s a little gap on the back that you have to open it from, which makes it more awkward to insert a game. I know I’ll get used to it eventually, but I can’t help but miss how it was on the original Switch.
My last gripe with the hardware is with the dock — I really don’t like the dock.
It’s barely just as sturdy as the Switch 1’s dock, and the fully removable back plate doesn’t win any favors with me. While I think the dock’s design is better overall, I wish it was a little more rigid.
The Software
The software, for better and for worse, is very similar to the original Switch. The home menu has been a little more refined, but it ultimately doesn’t look that different, which is a shame. There are still no themes, and there still really isn’t a way to customize your menus. Furthermore, certain features, such as the trending tab under the user profile, are now gone. While there have been a few things added, like new profile icons, it’s still a bummer to see features being removed.
Apps like the Nintendo Switch Online and the eShop do run better now, and in the case of the eShop this is now more well organized than before. That said, neither app really feels like it has a personality. There’s no music, no fun loading screen, anything. It still feels sterilized, just like it did on the original Switch. I wish we could have seen some personality with the menus and applications, it would’ve given the console a little more character.
While there aren’t a ton of launch titles, there’s plenty for players to get started on. Besides the Switch 2 exclusives, almost the entirety of the Switch 1’s library is available to play, with several getting upgrades either at launch or later this year. Having this many games to play at launch is great and will definitely tide me and many others over until more exclusives release.
The Gameplay Experience
Overall, the gameplay experience was great. Games run smoothly with little lag, even games like Fortnite, which have historically run very poorly on the Switch. Now, the game finally achieves a consistent frame rate, features stable graphics, and exhibits minimal to no pop-in. Being able to play games in handheld and have them look and run this well is a dream come true. Docked mode also runs quite well, but there’s something so novel about getting this level of performance in handheld mode.
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are a few games that still don’t run perfectly. Most notably in my testing, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet had some issues with pop-in textures. While the game does have better performance overall, I wish that we could have seen the pop-in issues fixed in addition to the higher framerate. Besides that, my only real gripe with the gameplay experience was with the feel of the console in my hands. Due to the Switch 2’s size, trying to play in handheld mode for long periods can get quite uncomfortable — that is the price we pay for a larger screen size.
Final Thoughts
The Switch 2, despite its flaws, is truly a step up from its predecessor. The bigger screen, the better performance, and the superior build quality make the Switch finally feel like a premium gaming experience. If you really want a Switch 2, this purchase is a no-brainer. The negatives really don’t outweigh the positives, and at $450, the upgrades from the original Switch justify the price. If you’re not chomping at the bit for a Switch 2, or just not a fan of Nintendo and its brand, this is not the console that’ll change your mind. At the end of the day, it’s nothing more than a beefed-up Switch, and you’re money is better spent elsewhere. For those looking for the upgrade, however, the Switch 2 is more than worth the purchase.
Have you picked up the Nintendo Switch 2? What do you think about the console? Let us know in the comments and on our social media!
