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Nintendo Switch 2: The final preview

A next-gen Nintendo only comes around once a decade, which makes the Switch 2's launch feel like a birthday, graduation and Christmas (or your holiday of choice) all rolled into one. However, like many gift-giving celebrations, obtaining the Switch 2 comes with several implications for your wallet and how it will fit into your life. So after getting the chance to play the Switch 2 for nearly 15 hours across two different sessions, I wanted to put together one last preview about Nintendo's next console and if you should (or should not) try to snag one when it officially goes on sale on June 5.
Note: Another big reason for this second preview/hands-on is because unlike in years past, members of the media won't be getting review units prior to launch. So this story features as much info as we have right now before open sales begin later this week.
Design




Sam Rutherford for Engadget


Nintendo hasn't deviated too much from the original Switch's template for its successor. You still get what is essentially a small tablet with two detachable Joy-Con, a built-in kickstand and a dock for hooking it up to your TV. That said, it feels like Nintendo has upgraded almost every component in some way.
The Switch 2’s screen is significantly larger at 7.9 inches across (up from 6.2 inches), while also having a higher resolution (1,920 x 1,080 vs 1,280 x 720). And while it's not an OLED panel, LCD tech has really come a long way to the point where it's honestly hard to tell (especially if you're in a well-lit room). You also get support for HDR and variable refresh rates at up to 120Hz on its native display.



You can see HDR support for the Switch 2's built-in display on things like the reflections coming from the truck's bumper.


Sam Rutherford for Engadget


The Joy-Con, while retaining a familiar shape, have also basically been redesigned from the ground up. Not only are they a bit larger, they also feature a new magnetic attachment system with a larger button that makes snapping them on and off a breeze. Haptic feedback has also been enhanced with HD Rumble 2, which provides a stronger and wider range of vibrations.
But that's not all because there's even a new C button for Nintendo's Game Chat feature (more on that later), along with what may be one of the biggest hardware surprises on the entire console. Thanks to small cameras built into the edge of each Joy-Con, when tilted on their side, they can turn into mice. This functionality is something I was skeptical about at first, but it quickly grew on me to the point where using the right Joy-Con as a mouse and the left as a traditional controller became my favorite way to play shooters like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.



You can activate mouse mode for the Switch 2's Joy-Con simply by turning them on their side in supported games.


Sam Rutherford for Engadget


As a mouse, the Joy-Con work surprisingly well even when you don't have a flat surface in front of you. I tried using them on the arm of a couch and my pants rather successfully. That said, if you're a true mouse and keyboard aficionado, there's still a gap in accuracy and responsiveness between Nintendo's Joy-Con and a traditional desktop mouse, though part of this is because when rotated sideways, the narrow controllers sometimes tilt over a bit too easily.
Sadly, the big question I can't answer yet is whether these new Joy-Con will suffer from drift similar to what many people experienced with the original Switch. Nintendo says it's using a new setup inside that should be significantly more robust, but only time and lots of mashing on those analog sticks will tell us for sure.
Performance




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While the Switch 2 is significantly more powerful than its predecessors, to what exact degree we may not know for some time. Its core specs include a custom chip made by NVIDIA that features support for real-time ray tracing, G-Sync, DLSS and what the company says is 10 times the graphics performance of the Switch 1. It also has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of built-in UFS storage (of which 232GB is available out of the box). There's also a microSD Express card slot for expandable storage, a 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 6 and not one but two USB-C ports (though only the bottom jack supports video out).
But what might be the biggest indicator of the Switch 2's improved horsepower is the sheer number of third-party ports that will be available at launch (or at least its first month on sale). This includes titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hitman World of Assassination and others, which are all games that developers didn't even really try to bring to the Switch 1 due to its more limited performance.
Battery life




Sam Rutherford for Engadget


Featuring a 5,220mAh battery, Nintendo's official longevity estimate for the Switch 2 ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the exact game you're playing. For a more real-world evaluation, during my second preview, I played Mario Kart World in handheld mode with the Switch 2's screen set to max brightness (with ambient lighting disabled) starting from 100 percent battery. After 30 minutes, the console had 81 percent left, so if you do some rough back-of-the-napkin math, that translates to a total runtime of around two and a half hours.
That number might seem a bit low, but in many respects, this represents a worst-case scenario, as the device was connected to Wi-Fi and its screen was on full power. Furthermore, while I can't say for sure the Switch 2 is like this, some gadgets discharge power slightly faster when their battery is at or close to max capacity. In short, I wouldn't be surprised that by tweaking its settings a bit, it would be possible to boost that time up to three hours or more. And of course, if you're playing a less demanding game (particularly an older Switch 1 title), I think Nintendo's upper limit of six and a half hours is very plausible.
Nintendo's launch titles and third-party games



It's important to note that the Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World comes with a digital download instead of a physical game cartridge.


Sam Rutherford for Engadget


Over time, the original Switch sort of became the system you whipped out when you wanted to play first-party Nintendo games or smaller indie titles as the console simply didn't have the horsepower to keep up with the latest Xbox or PlayStation. And while there are a number of third-party games like Elden Ring, Borderlands 4 and more that are planned to arrive on the Switch 2, the number of brand new games from Nintendo for the Switch 2's launch is rather thin: it's just Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.
Granted, by the end of 2025, that list will look a lot better with Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Kirby Air Riders slated to arrive later this year. The Switch 2 is also backwards compatible with games designed for the Switch 1, which gives it a rather large library out of the gate. But for anyone without a huge backlog, the lack of fresh launch titles is one of the biggest reasons that people shouldn't feel like they are missing out if they can't get their hands on a Switch 2 at launch.



The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome tour generally consists of tutorials and quizzes about the console along with mini games like this one which requires you to use mouse mode to help the UFO dodge spiky balls.


Nintendo


Furthermore, while I've warmed up to Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour as it's a great way to learn about the console's capabilities. I still feel like it should have been a free pack-in that comes with the system instead of an additional $10 purchase. It's not nearly as fun or endearing as Astro's Playroom was for the PS5 and I would say it's only a must-buy for the most die-hard Nintendo completionists.
On the flipside, Mario Kart World is everything you want from a new installment in one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises and then some. According to Nintendo itself, this game has been in development since 2017 and it really shows. Between the interconnected tracks and free roam mode, Mario Kart World's map feels absolutely massive. The full roster and list of vehicles is also immense and there's a fun new mechanic that allows you to generate boosts without needing to drift or jump up onto ledges, railings and walls to do tricks. I've even heard that you can use this skill to dodge blue shells, though I haven't been able to nail the timing myself just yet.



Cheep cheep might be my favorite new character in Mario Kart World. Seeing a fish drive a car and throw bananas will never not be funny.


Sam Rutherford for Engadget


At its core, the game has the same polished driving and item slinging that people adore. Just one word of warning: With the game now supporting up to 24 players in a single race, being in the middle of the pack is even more chaotic than before. You're basically asking to get constantly bombarded. Regardless, buying a Switch 2 without Mario Kart World feels like a mistake. That said, anyone planning on purchasing the bundle with both the console and game included should know that Mario Kart World comes as a digital download instead of a physical cartridge, which is a small bummer because otherwise the package essentially knocks $30 off the normal $80 price tag for the game.
Important add-ons and accessories
In addition to your usual assortment of cases, screen protectors and portable battery packs, there are two types of Nintendo Switch accessories you're going to want to give some extra special consideration. The first is a microSD Express card, because while the Switch 2 comes with much more onboard storage than its predecessor (256GB, up from 32GB), with games like Mario Kart World featuring a file size of 23.4GB, depending on how big your digital library is, you might run out of space faster than you think.




Nintendo


Furthermore, you won't be able to use the same basic microSD cards used by the OG Switch, as the Switch 2 is only compatible with the newer microSD Express format. The good news is that this memory is significantly faster than before (potentially up to four times speedier), which should provide quicker file transfers and loading speeds in games. The bad news is that microSD Express cards cost more than your garden-variety expandable storage with 256GB options costing around $60 or closer to $200 for larger 1TB models. For a more in-depth rundown, please check out our full guide on the best microSD Express cards for the Switch 2.
The other accessory you'll want to think about is a camera, as you need one if you want to use the Switch 2's new video chatting capabilities. On top of that, there are some features in titles like Mario Kart World and the updated version of Super Mario Party Jamboree that use the camera to superimpose you or your friends' faces inside the game to add some extra personalization to the fun. Thankfully, Nintendo's official camera is relatively affordable at $50, though there are some intriguing third-party options like this adorable Piranha Plant-themed one from Hori.
The importance of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
There are two different tiers for Nintendo Switch Online. The basic $20 per year plan includes support for online play and Game Chat along with access to select classic titles from the NES, SNES and Game Boy. You also need it if you want cloud saves or the ability to transfer saved data between your original Switch and a Switch 2.



While not strictly necessary, the Switch 2's Pro Controller is pretty much a must-buy for people who primarily play the console while docked to their TV.


Sam Rutherford for Engadget


That said, Nintendo makes a strong case for upgrading the more expensive NSO + Expansion Pack plan ($50 a year) which adds in games from the N64, Sega Genesis and Gamecube. But perhaps more importantly, this premium tier also gives you access to upgrade packs for original Switch games including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and more. The updates not only make these games run smooth, they also include some extra features like the Zelda Notes app and even support for HDR for select titles. So if you're worried about not having enough games to play on the Switch 2 at launch, NSO + Expansion Pack feels like a great way to instantly flesh that out.
Game Chat
One of the biggest additions to the Switch 2 is Nintendo's Game Chat feature (which includes a dedicated chat button). I admit, it's easy to write it off as Nintendo simply copying Discord and including similar functionality natively, but based on my experience with Game Chat so far, I've been impressed with how simple and convenient it is to use.




Nintendo


You can host your own chat room or join another (with people sourced from your friends list) and from there you can select between several sharing layouts and other options. There's a voice-only mode along with small and expanded views that show what your friends are playing in dedicated windows along the bottom of the screen. Up to four video streams can be open at the same time and a total of 12 people can be in the same group simultaneously. There's even a setting to turn on speech-to-text (or text-to-speech if you want to read what others are saying) with support for multiple languages as well.
Parents also don't need to be worried about who might pop into their children's rooms because they can manually approve who is allowed to participate in chat rooms with their kids via Nintendo's Parental Control app.
My only gripe is that some video features are a bit low-res, which results in some aliasing (aka jaggies) when you activate the face cutout mode or turn on the setting that removes your background.
TV compatibility
One potential complication you don't really need to think about with the Switch 2 is if your TV can take full advantage of the console's capabilities. As long as it can handle 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at 60 fps or 1440p at 120 fps, you're pretty much set. That's because while the Switch 2 technically supports VRR at up to 120 fps, that spec only applies to the console's built-in display.




Sam Rutherford for Engadget


That may be a bit of a bummer for some, though depending on the title, the Switch 2 may be able to send out 120 fps content at 1440p, which isn't quite as good as what you get from some games running on the PS5 or Xbox Series X. But considering the OG Switch couldn't do 4K at all, I'll take what I can get.
Budget considerations
Priced at $450 (or $500 for the bundle with Mario Kart World), the Switch 2 carries with it a bit of sticker shock compared to the $300 launch price of the original Switch. Now I'm not here to tell you if that's too much or simply too expensive in this economy. However, I think it's important to point out that when adjusted for inflation, $300 in 2017 is worth about $400 in today's money and that's before you factor in things like tariffs and taxes.
Furthermore, you'll want to consider your total spend, which may include the price of NSO, any games or accessories, or if you're lucky enough to buy multiple units, the cost to get more than one Switch 2.
Future outlook
When I got my original launch Switch back in 2017, I had no idea it would hold me down over the last eight years as well as it has. Personally, I'm planning to put my own money down on what looks to be a very thorough upgrade over its predecessor. And it's a similar situation for anyone lucky enough to snag a pre-order, as your mind is probably already made up.




Sam Rutherford for Engadget


The Switch 2 retains almost everything people love about its predecessor while adding extra polish and performance across the board. Yes, simply by the numbers, it's a lot more expensive than the original, but I'd argue that its upgraded specs and the ability to serve as both a home console and a portable game player puts it on equal footing when compared to similarly priced rivals from Microsoft and Sony.
I do wish Nintendo's first-party software lineup was a bit deeper at launch, but I think the Switch 2's backwards compatibility and much stronger third-party support are doing a lot to fill in the gaps until DK Bananza and Metroid Prime 4 arrive later this year.
That said, not being able to obtain a model at launch shouldn't be a major downer. Mario Kart World is the only major new first-party Nintendo game out of the gate and while it's so good that I'm certain everyone will be playing it for the next decade, those who can't won't be left in the dust. I feel like the real goal for serious gamers is to simply get (or save up for) one by the end of the year when more flagship titles become available. After all, as good as the Switch 2 has been during my previews, it becomes so much better when you can play it with friends and it's going to take time for supply to catch up to demand.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-the-final-preview-faq-140055895.html?src=rss