Nintendo’s highly anticipated successor to its bestselling console has arrived. The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on 5 June 2025, promising improved visuals, smarter hardware, and a more refined gaming experience. But is it worth picking up now or waiting until Christmas?
Design and First Impressions
From the moment you unbox it, the Switch 2 feels like a premium product. Its sleek matte black finish gives it a refined look, and the redesigned Joy-Cons come with pastel red and blue accents, stepping away from the bright neon of the original.
The display has grown from 6.2 to 7.9 inches, though it’s a step back in screen technology – Nintendo dropped the OLED panel seen in the previous OLED model in favour of an LCD, presumably to control costs. Still, the visuals look great thanks to improved hardware.
The layout remains familiar, but with welcome updates. A U-shaped stand gives better stability in tabletop mode, and there’s an added USB-C port on top. The biggest leap is the revised Joy-Con attachment: now using magnets, they snap into place more smoothly and securely than before.
Nintendo’s new “mouse mode” for Joy-Cons, which transforms them into motion-sensitive controls, is quirky but promising. While support is limited for now, future titles like Metroid Prime 4 and Drag x Drive will showcase the feature.
What’s in the Box?
The base bundle includes the console, redesigned Joy-Cons with colour caps, a chunkier dock with improved ventilation, a USB-C to USB-C charger, and a shorter 1.4m HDMI cable. Note: the original Switch HDMI cable won’t deliver full 4K resolution.
Hardware Comparison
In short, the Switch 2 outperforms its predecessors across the board. It offers 4K output, more internal storage (though older microSDs aren’t compatible), better battery life, and stronger performance. For those who care about specs, it’s a clear upgrade.
| Switch 2 | Switch OLED | Switch 1 | |
| CPU/GPU | Custom Nvidia | Custom Tegra | Custom Tegra |
| Storage | 256GB | 64GB | 32GB |
| Battery Size | 5,220 mAh | 4,130 mAh | 4,310 mAh |
| Battery Life | 2-6.5 hours | 4.5-9 hours | 4.5-9 hours |
| Video Output | 4K | HD | HD |
| Max Framerate | 120 fps | 60 fps | 60 fps |
| HDR, VRR Support | HDR / VRR up to 120Hz | N/A | N/A |
| Dimensions | 166 x 272 x 139.mm | 102 x 242 x 13.9mm | 102 x 239 x 13.9mm |
| Screen size | 7.9” | 7.0” | 6.2” |
| Weight | 401 g | 320 g | 297 g |
| USB and Ports | 2x USB-C, 3.5mm | USB-C, 3.5mm | USB-C, 3.5mm |
Setup and User Interface
Set-up is a breeze. Transferring data from your old Switch involves connecting both consoles to power and using the system settings. Your Nintendo account, saves and photos can be moved across in minutes.
The interface, however, remains disappointingly familiar. Apart from a few new toolbar icons, it’s largely unchanged. No themes, no custom colours – just the same light and dark modes. On the bright side, the eShop has had a much-needed overhaul. It now feels like a proper storefront, with better organisation, faster performance, and a “For You” tab offering tailored game suggestions.
New Features
One major addition is Gamechat, Nintendo’s in-built video chat service. Up to 12 players can join a session while gaming, and it’s free until 31 March 2026. A dedicated button on the right Joy-Con launches it instantly. You’ll need a webcam – Nintendo offers a 1080p model, but most USB-C compatible cameras work fine.
This isn’t just for chat. Expect clever uses in games like Mario Kart World, where your face can hover over your kart, or Mario Party Jamboree, where you can star in mini-games.
Also new is Nintendo’s virtual card system. Games can now be shared across consoles and even lent out locally to friends – a big win for families.
Day One Games
A console’s success often depends on its launch titles. The Switch 2’s big hitter is Mario Kart World, the first new entry in the franchise in eight years. It’s bundled with the console at a discounted price (£429.99 for the bundle vs £395.99 for the console alone). Be warned: standalone physical copies cost a hefty £74.99.
Other day-one offerings include:
Switch 2 Welcome Tour: A tech demo more than a game. At £7.99, it’s skippable.
GameCube Retro Collection: With titles like The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX, though it requires the pricier Switch Online expansion.
Upgraded versions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and others – each costing £7.99.
Third-party ports including Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Yakuza 0, showing the console’s improved capabilities.
Free graphical enhancements for past hits like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet and Super Mario Odyssey, fixing old performance issues.
Verdict
The Nintendo Switch 2 is undeniably a next-generation step forward, delivering sharper visuals, stronger hardware, and exciting new features. It’s a more premium, versatile, and socially connected console than its predecessor.
However, launch titles are thin – Mario Kart World is excellent, but few others stand out. For gamers eager to future-proof their collection and enjoy new capabilities, it’s a strong buy. For families or casual players, waiting until the holidays – when more games land and bundles sweeten the deal – might be the smarter choice.
