After nearly a decade, Nintendo finally returned with a true successor to the original Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled at Nintendo’s Direct event, brings long-awaited upgrades across the board – from display and performance to multiplayer features and accessories. I spent some hands-on time with the device at press-only Nintendo event yesterday, and as someone who has owned every Switch variant from the OG Switch to the Switch OLED, here are my thoughts.
Nearly 6 hours of hands-on time with the new Switch 2
The best part of the new Switch 2 is that it looks and feels like an upgrade in every way but is still familiar enough that you can learn the new nuances very easily. Nintendo struck a great happy medium between making it feel new but not foreign.
Be sure to check the video below to see an in-depth, hands-on look at all things Switch 2 and a an inside peak at yesterday’s private Switch 2 event in NYC!
- Larger 7.9″ display: Compared to the original’s 6.2″, the new screen is brighter and sharper.
- 1080p LCD display with HDR: While it doesn’t use OLED, it still supports HDR and looks great.
- 120FPS: Gameplay feels more fluid when supported (not all games support 120FPS)
- Joy-Cons 2: These snap on with strong magnets and feel secure, eliminating the old rail system.
- Bigger SL/SR Buttons: A small change that makes a big difference in comfort, especially in single Joy-Con mode
- Dual USB-C Ports: One on the top and one on the bottom for flexible charging and accessories.
- 256GB Internal Storage: A huge leap from the 32GB on the original Switch.
- Improved Audio: Louder and clearer speakers, plus a built-in mic with active noise cancellation.
- New stand: Wider and more stable with adjustable angles.
- 4K when docked: The new dock also includes a built-in fan for thermal management.
- Backward compatibility: Not every Switch 1 game will work, but ‘most’ should work with a list coming soon.
Hands-on experience
As you might have assumed, the new Switch 2 is better in every single way compared to the original. The spec list alone shows you that every piece of hardware was updated to 2025 standards. But does that translate to real world improvements? Yes, yes it does.
But I want to highlight a few things that really stood out. First off, the display looks fantastic in person – crisp, vibrant, and fluid. Playing the new Mario Kart World felt like a generational leap, with rich environments and fast, smooth performance. It also helps that the game itself is just an overall better experience.
The new Joy-Con controllers are surprisingly impressive. The magnetic attachment is strong and satisfying, with no risk of slipping off. I tested the strength with a few shake tests, and they held firmly in place. Each Joy-Con now also functions as a mouse, which opens up new gameplay possibilities. I tested this in Drag & Drive, which mimics wheelchair movement with mouse-like precision – super intuitive and surprisingly immersive. I also tested the mouse function in some Mario Party mini-games. While this feature is a cool demo, I can’t see myself using this feature past just the Mario Party mini-games. But again, surprisingly great!
Other tidbits
One other small thing that I noticed that was worth sharing is the new material of the Switch 2. It has this nice, soft touch, rubbery feel that really helps mitigate fingerprints and greasy smudging. I think the new material will hold up great over time.
You also might notice that there is a new button that does have the right Joy-Con with the letter C. This is the new Chat button that instantly puts you into a chat mode with other friends who are online. You will be able to have audio calls, video calls, screen share games, talk with multiple people, and play with people while video chatting, all enabled by the new Nintendo Camera. This was a big emphasis with the Switch 2. Nintendo has always preached community, and this new feature will continue to do so.
Accessories and New Features
Nintendo also introduced a few first party accessories that I wanted to touch on. There were two that really stood out to me:
Nintendo Camera:
- $50 webcam with ultra-wide lens and a physical privacy shutter
- Integrates directly into Nintendo’s new chat feature with a dedicated controller button
- Real-time face feeds during games like Mario Party, with screen sharing support
- Works across all play modes: handheld, tabletop, or docked
- One camera gives you four live video feeds with head tracking
The most impressive part for me was the fact that it can simultaneously track up to four people in the room with just the one camera. Felt like magic.
- Improved ergonomics and heft
- USB-C charging
- New programmable back paddle buttons
- Great haptics and fingerprint-resistant finish
- Sells for $80, a bit pricey for my liking but still a very well made controller that deserves the Pro name
Pricing & availability
The Switch 2 officially launches on June 5, with pre-orders starting on April 9th. Alongside that release, the Switch 2 will be sold in two variants. One has just the console, and the other is bundled with the new Mario Kart World game. Nintendo will also be releasing a slew of first-party accessories, which are listed below.
Final thoughts
After nearly six hours of hands-on time with the new Switch 2, I’ve concluded that this is a meaningful and well-rounded upgrade that addresses many of the original Switch’s shortcomings. From the better display and faster performance to the improved build and multiplayer features, it feels like Nintendo has thoughtfully refined the console without reinventing the wheel. They have added some fun new features, included some new updated games that I am excited to try, and kept the form factor extremely portable.
If you’re a longtime Switch owner or someone who’s been holding out, this feels like a worthy step forward and one that’s clearly built with both solo and social gamers in mind.
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