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 measure up to. It's the successor to the hugely popular Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 152 million systems, dwarfing the appeal of nearly every other home gaming console in history. The only 2 exceptions are the PlayStation 2, which offered about 160 million units and the Nintendo DS, which sold around 154 million units.

It's been eight years considering that the Switch launched, and the gaming market has altered. Handheld gaming consoles are popular among gamers, with rivals like the Steam Deck OLED providing a robust experience with an enormous library of PC games. Economic uncertainty has likewise altered the video gaming market, with brands and items throughout all industries fluctuating in cost due to potential tariffs.

I'm the tech reporter at NBC Select, and I have actually been a gamer my entire life. I have actually owned Nintendo consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, for most of that time. And I've been playing with the Switch 2 since launch day. My take? It's tame by Nintendo's standards (and history), but it's a beneficial upgrade to a successful formula.

selectThe Nintendo Switch 2 is here - what to understand whether you're unboxing or contributing to cart

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What is the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo Switch 2 (Out of Stock)

- Larger, more comprehensive screen

- More comfortable hardware

- Vastly improved performance


- Worse battery life

- Very few new video games (yet).


The Nintendo Switch 2 is the follower to the initial Nintendo Switch, and when you initially look at the console it works similar method. It's still a portable video gaming console with detachable controllers that attach 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 video games, in addition to brand name new Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World. You can even use Nintendo Switch controllers wirelessly with the Nintendo Switch 2.

Dive a little much deeper though, and you'll discover that the Nintendo Switch 2 is really various from the original. It's bigger in almost every way: the screen is larger (7.9-inches, up from 6.2), the controllers are larger, the kickstand is bigger and even the TV dock is bigger.

The most significant changes are internal. In handheld mode, the screen can show a more comprehensive, vivid, and smoother image thanks to 1080p resolution (up from 720p), 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz), and assistance for high vibrant range (HDR) - all these enhancements 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 reasonably tame follow up to the initial. This is normal for every other game business, however for Nintendo, who has a history of launching extremely various gaming consoles each generation (remember the Wii and the Wii U), it's unexpected how similar the Nintendo Switch 2 is to the original.

I believe that's a good idea. I (in addition to countless others), loved the initial Nintendo Switch, and am pleased the Switch 2 upgrades and refines a winning formula. It's a few of the most enjoyable I've had playing games in years, and is a practical plan for anybody who values portability and flexibility.

What I like

Bigger, much better screen

When I played handheld mode on the original Switch, I always felt like I was losing out on the "true experience" of playing the 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 simply ruined from playing PC games on cinemas, however I couldn't picture playing games like Elden Ring portable on Switch.

I do not feel this way with the Switch 2: I have actually played a handful of games on its bigger, more comprehensive screen, and didn't ever feel like I was getting a watered-down experience. Games across all genres look and feel better to play compared to the initial.

Better hardware style

Bigger remains in fact much better this time around. The bigger Switch 2 Joy-Con twos are more comfy to hold, both together in the Joy-Con 2 Grip and split in half for multiplayer video games. The larger kickstand really works, and is best for tabletop gaming. I can not overstate how much better the kickstand is on the Switch 2 compared to the too little, too unsteady original Switch kickstand. I likewise like that there are charging ports on the bottom and top of the console now - the leading port makes it much easier to charge the console while playing it. All this, assembled, makes the Switch 2 feel more polished to use compared to the original.

Improved performance everywhere

The new internals of the Switch 2 are greatly more effective than the initial Switch, and you can feel it everywhere. Nearly whatever on the Switch 2 feels smoother and more responsive than the initial. Switch 1 video games like Pokemon Violet feel totally different on the Switch 2. The game loads faster, plays smoother and never ever lags or hiccups throughout extreme action. For video games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you can buy a $10 Upgrade Pack that enhances the resolution and frame rate, but even without this, the enhancements are obvious. 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 individuals together, I'm not discussing the new GameChat feature, although GameChat is a large enhancement over Nintendo's previous online interaction tools.

Nintendo video games tend to bring people together in such a way others just do not (Think Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Pokemon Go). The Nintendo Switch 2 continues that custom. Everyone I understand desired to check out the brand-new console, play games together and just hang out, whether they played their initial Switch yesterday or haven't touched a computer game in years. Playing Mario Kart World at the NBC Select office was a few of the most fun I have actually had at work, and I understand I am not alone because opinion.

Sure, it might not be as practical as something like a smartwatch or pair of over-ear headphones, but video games are supposed to be fun, and Nintendo provides.

Potential drawbacks to keep in mind

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

There aren't extremely many brand-new 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 video game available for the Switch 2 is likewise available on another gaming console like PC, PlayStation 5 or the original Switch. This isn't unexpected to me - a lack of new video games is normal for any brand-new video gaming console launch. If you desire a ton of brand brand-new video games to play, you may wish to wait a year or more before purchasing the Switch 2.

Worse battery life

The initial Switch had a battery life that lasted between 4.5 and 9 hours. The Switch 2's battery life is ranked between 2 and 6.5 hours. That's a considerable difference compared to the original, however it does not shock me, given the much larger screen and increased efficiency. Competitors like the Steam Deck OLED get between 3 and 12 hours of battery life, so, depending upon the games you're playing, it's very little better.

You should get a case

I purchased a case for my initial Nintendo Switch instantly, however I understand a few individuals who didn't. The console wasn't too big, and could slide into a bag or knapsack without much trouble. Because the Switch 2 and its screen is a lot bigger, I would hesitate to toss it in a backpack without a case - there's a likelihood things in your bag could possibly scratch the screen. The Switch 2 comes out of package with a screen protector built-in, however I without delay began using the thin and simple Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 with mine.

It's out of stock everywhere

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

Related

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Should you get a Nintendo Switch 2?

The Switch 2 is a beneficial upgrade to the initial, and video games like Mario Kart World are a lots of fun to have fun with buddies. If you already have the original Nintendo Switch, I don't see any factor to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 right now - I would wait a year or 2 for more special games to launch. That said, 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 be relevant for several years to come.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers innovation and fitness consisting of recent stories on point-and-shoot electronic cameras, smartwatches, running shoes and more. I have actually covered the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 since launch, and have actually been using the new console for the past few weeks. For this piece, I compared it to the original and tested its functions and video games by myself and with friends.