I have actually been playing the Nintendo Switch 2 for 2 weeks. Is it worth the hype?

The Nintendo Switch 2 has a lot to live up to. It's the follower to the extremely popular Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 152 million systems, dwarfing the appeal of almost every other home video gaming console in history. The only two exceptions are the PlayStation 2, which sold about 160 million units and the Nintendo DS, which offered around 154 million systems.

It's been 8 years given that the Switch released, and the gaming market has changed. Handheld gaming consoles are popular amongst players, with rivals like the Steam Deck OLED offering a robust experience with a huge library of PC games. Economic uncertainty has actually also altered the gaming market, with brands and items throughout all industries fluctuating in price due to possible tariffs.

I'm the tech press reporter at NBC Select, and I've been a gamer my entire life. I've owned Nintendo consoles, consisting of the Nintendo Switch, for the majority of that time. And I've been having fun with the Switch 2 because launch day. My take? It's tame by Nintendo's requirements (and history), but it's a rewarding update to a successful formula.

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What is the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo Switch 2 (Out of Stock)

- Larger, more in-depth screen

- More comfortable hardware

- Vastly improved performance


- Worse battery life

- Not many brand-new video games (yet).


The Nintendo Switch 2 is the follower to the original Nintendo Switch, and when you at first take a look at the console it works similar way. It's still a portable video gaming console with detachable controllers that connect to the side of the screen. It still has a docking station that, when plugged in, connects the console to your TV screen. And it can still play Nintendo Switch games, in addition to brand name brand-new Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World. You can even utilize Nintendo Switch controllers wirelessly with the Nintendo Switch 2.

Dive a little deeper though, and you'll observe that the Nintendo Switch 2 is very different from the initial. It's larger in nearly every method: the screen is larger (7.9-inches, up from 6.2), the controllers are bigger, the kickstand is larger and even the TV dock is bigger.

The greatest modifications are internal. In handheld mode, the screen can show a more comprehensive, brilliant, and smoother image thanks to 1080p resolution (up from 720p), 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz), and assistance for high vibrant variety (HDR) - all these improvements help games look more in-depth and feel more smooth while playing. The console also comes with 256GB of internal storage, up from 32GB in the initial.

My experience with the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a relatively tame sequel to the original. This is normal for every single other game company, however for Nintendo, who has a history of launching really different video gaming consoles each generation (remember the Wii and the Wii U), it's unexpected how comparable the Nintendo Switch 2 is to the initial.

I believe that's a good thing. I (in addition to millions of others), enjoyed the original Nintendo Switch, and am pleased the Switch 2 upgrades and refines a winning formula. It's a few of the most fun I've had playing video games in years, and is a practical plan for anybody who values mobility and flexibility.

What I like

Bigger, better screen

When I played portable mode on the initial Switch, I constantly felt like I was missing out on the "true experience" of playing the video game. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and even Mario Kart 8 Deluxe felt confined and underwhelming on the original's Switch's 6.2-inch, 720p screen. Maybe I'm just ruined from playing PC games on big screens, however I couldn't imagine playing video games like Elden Ring handheld on Switch.

I do not feel by doing this with the Switch 2: I have actually played a handful of video games on its larger, more in-depth screen, and didn't ever feel like I was getting a diminished experience. Games throughout all categories feel and look better to play compared to the original.

Better hardware style

Bigger is in fact better this time around. The larger Switch 2 Joy-Con 2s are more comfortable to hold, both together in the Joy-Con 2 Grip and split in half for multiplayer video games. The larger kickstand actually works, and is ideal for tabletop video gaming. I can not overstate just how much better the kickstand is on the Switch 2 compared to the too little, too unsteady initial Switch kickstand. I also love that there are charging ports on the bottom and top of the console now - the top port makes it a lot easier to charge the console while playing it. All this, created, makes the Switch 2 feel more polished to use compared to the initial.

Improved performance everywhere

The brand-new internals of the Switch 2 are significantly more powerful than the original Switch, and you can feel it all over. Nearly whatever on the Switch 2 feels smoother and more responsive than the initial. Switch 1 games like Pokemon Violet feel completely various on the Switch 2. The game loads quicker, plays smoother and never lags or hiccups throughout intense action. For games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you can purchase a $10 Upgrade Pack that enhances the resolution and frame rate, but even without this, the enhancements are noticeable. Even little things, like flipping through the home menu and Nintendo eShop feel more responsive.

It brings people together

When I say the Switch 2 brings people together, I'm not speaking about the new GameChat function, although GameChat is a large enhancement over Nintendo's previous online interaction tools.

Nintendo games tend to bring people together in a manner others just don't (Think Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Pokemon Go). The Nintendo Switch 2 continues that custom. Everyone I understand wanted to try the brand-new console, play video games together and simply hang out, whether they played their original Switch yesterday or haven't touched a video game in years. Playing Mario Kart World at the NBC Select office was some of the most fun I've had at work, and I know I am not alone in that viewpoint.

Sure, it may not be as practical as something like a smartwatch or set of over-ear headphones, however video games are expected to be fun, and Nintendo provides.

Potential drawbacks to keep in mind

There aren't a lot of new games (yet)

There aren't really numerous brand-new video games exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 at the time of writing: it's mainly Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Nearly every other game offered for the Switch 2 is likewise available on another video gaming console like PC, PlayStation 5 or the original Switch. This isn't surprising to me - an absence of brand-new games is typical for any brand-new video gaming console launch. If you want a lot of brand new games to play, you might want to wait a year or 2 before buying the Switch 2.

Worse battery life

The original Switch had a battery life that lasted between 4.5 and 9 hours. The Switch 2's battery life is rated between 2 and 6.5 hours. That's a substantial distinction compared to the original, however it doesn't shock me, given the much bigger screen and increased performance. Competitors like the Steam Deck OLED get between 3 and 12 hours of battery life, so, depending upon the video games you're playing, it's not much better.

You need to get a case

I bought a case for my initial Nintendo Switch immediately, however I understand a couple of people who didn't. The console wasn't too big, and might slide into a bag or backpack without much inconvenience. Because the Switch 2 and its screen is so much bigger, I would hesitate to toss it in a backpack without a case - there's a good opportunity things in your bag could potentially scratch the screen. The Switch 2 comes out of package with a screen protector built-in, however I without delay started using the thin and simple Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 with mine.

It runs out stock everywhere

Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch 2 runs out stock online at most sellers. If you want the brand-new console as quickly as possible, your best choice is going to a shop in-person. I would anticipate more online availability in a year or 2, along with more new video games to play.

Related

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Should you get a Nintendo Switch 2?

The Switch 2 is a worthwhile upgrade to the original, and games like Mario Kart World are a lots of fun to play with friends. If you currently have the initial Nintendo Switch, I do not see any reason to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 today - I would wait a year or 2 for more exclusive games to introduce. That stated, I would not purchase the initial Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED at this time - your money will go a lot even more in the long run putting it towards the Nintendo Switch 2, which will matter for several years to come.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am a press reporter at NBC Select who covers innovation and physical fitness consisting of current stories on point-and-shoot cameras, smartwatches, running shoes and more. I have actually covered the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 considering that launch, and have actually been utilizing the brand-new console for the previous couple of weeks. For this piece, I compared it to the original and tested its functions and video games by myself and with good friends.