Away from the hullabaloo of price and pre-orders, the Nintendo Switch 2 makes an excellent first impression.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is (almost) here, and Thumbsticks had the chance to go hands-on at a recent preview event for the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in Toronto. Does it live up to the hype, the stress, and the panic? And does it deliver the upgrade we’ve all been waiting for?
The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience was held at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, an airy venue that gave attendees plenty of room to explore what the new system has to offer without the sweat and stink I can still conjure from E3s past.
The event was well-organised, with staff members enthusiastically applauding attendees as we moved from one gameplay zone to the next. This made me feel absolutely awkward, of course, but it was a fun touch and helped keep the energy up and cynicism at bay. I have never scored a World Cup-winning goal, but Nintendo’s cheer squad made me feel like a national hero just by picking up a controller to play Mario Kart World.
The sheer enthusiasm of these folks, which I assume is the same at Nintendo Switch 2 events worldwide, should be applauded in return for what must be a hugely tiring day’s work. (And bravo to Michelle, who gave it 100% to look ecstatically delighted as I bashed hooligans to a pulp in Yakuza 0.)
An Iterative Approach
It’s clear at this point that Nintendo’s approach is more about evolution than revolution, making Nintendo Switch 2 a fitting name for the new system that does its best to be a seamless upgrade.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a radical update, despite the system’s larger 7.9-inch screen size. This perception is partly due to the fact that it simply fits more comfortably in your hands. With the Switch powered off, it feels like a modest upgrade in size, and to my tired hands, it doesn’t feel significantly heavier either.
However, when the screen lights up, the Nintendo Switch 2 comes to life, and that is when you notice the difference. It has an LCD screen, but the gap compared to the Nintendo Switch OLED model appears surprisingly small. Thanks to the density of the 1080p VRR-capable panel, everything looks super sharp, with clear and vibrant image quality. Mario Kart World might not seem like a huge upgrade over Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in screenshots or YouTube footage, but in action, it clearly demonstrates the generational leap the system offers.
I was also impressed by how svelte the device looks and feels. Compared to the handheld PCs I have used, and even the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels like a truly premium piece of technology. Nintendo has come a long way from the chunky plastic casing of the Wii U gamepad.
Attaching the Joy-Con 2 controllers feels almost magical. They click into place with a satisfying firmness and do not budge. (I gave them a pretty aggressive tug for research purposes, of course.) Nintendo has taken a simple concept, in this case an electromagnet paired with metal SL and SR buttons, and turned it into something that feels genuinely delightful. It is a big improvement over the original console’s rail system.
The kickstand, which appears to be made of metal, feels sturdy and reliable, similar to the upgraded stand introduced with the Switch OLED model. I have never really been someone who plays in tabletop mode, but the larger, higher-resolution screen makes this a much more appealing and likely method of play, especially when paired with Joy-Con 2 in mouse mode for a game like Civilization VII.
The new dock was displayed behind glass and also has a premium finish. I did note that it only seems to have USB Type-A ports, meaning that the camera peripheral – used for the new GameChat feature – has to be plugged into the top of the Nintendo Switch 2 itself rather than the dock, which is a bit of a shame.
Interestingly, the only game on show in handheld mode was Mario Kart World. Everything else was demoed on 4K screens. Although many people think of the Switch primarily as a handheld device, it is clear Nintendo wants to re-emphasize its docked capabilities and its ability to bring people together in front of a TV screen.
Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza both make great showcases for the system’s power, but seeing games built for the original Nintendo Switch running at 4K and 60fps was equally reassuring. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looked fantastic and impressive enough to make revisiting them feel worthwhile. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was another highlight. You can still sense its roots as a Switch-era game, but the crispness and fluidity on display also made it feel like a generational jump.
The output of third-party titles was more of a mixed bag, as you might expect, but I will dig into that further in our upcoming games roundup.
Controller Joy
I have always been impressed with the versatility of the original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers. I have found them nicely comfortable in handheld mode, reasonably comfortable when slotted into a Joy-Con grip, and perfectly serviceable when held horizontally so you can make up the numbers in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers feel like a clear upgrade. In size and form, they are more comfortable for adults to hold, and they certainly feel like less of a compromise when used horizontally. I still wish the left Joy-Con 2 had a proper D-pad, especially since the directional buttons are so often used like one.
The Nintendo representative I spoke to had little to say about improvements to the Joy-Con 2 thumbsticks in response to questions about drift, other than to confirm that “all efforts have been made to ensure usability and reliability.” You would have to hope Nintendo is aware of the PR challenge around this issue and has implemented fixes to ensure longevity. In action, however, they feel great. The sticks seem to extend slightly higher than before and rotate very smoothly. These are small, subtle changes, but they make a difference.
The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond demo gave me my first opportunity to try the Joy-Con 2 controllers in mouse mode. There were no menu options needed; I simply placed them on the table and it worked instantly.
I would probably still prefer twin-stick or gyro controls for the final game, particularly when playing on a TV, but mouse mode is certainly a viable option. I could see myself using it in tabletop mode. I am also curious to see if Nintendo or any third-party developers find gameplay concepts that combine the mouse sensor and gyro controls. Still, I was impressed with the feel and responsiveness. It’s another example of Nintendo using familiar technology in a clever way to bring something fresh to the experience.
The already excellent Pro Controller has also received some welcome upgrades. The sticks feel just as smooth as those on the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. And the new mappable GL and GR buttons sit flush against the controller’s underside, are easy to access, and are not likely to be pressed inadvertently.
Finally, and praise the maker for this, there is now an audio-out socket on the controller. It is a simple addition, but one that is long overdue.
Price and Power
With analysts predicting huge initial sales, and with pre-orders reportedly sold out in many regions, it is safe to assume that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be a big success, at least in the short term.
I am not going to wade too far into arguments over price here. We would all like things to be cheaper, but to me, the Nintendo Switch 2 seems well-positioned for the power, performance, and flexibility it offers. The ease of use between handheld, portable, and desktop modes still gives the platform a point of difference over home consoles and portable PCs. And the step-up in visual quality and performance is very clear. It feels like a premium, modern product but it still retains Nintendo’s trademark accessibility.
The biggest challenge I can see is not the price; it’s that the hybrid concept is no longer new, and there is now much more competition in the portable gaming space. However, it’s the software that completes the story, and we’ll have more to report on that soon.
8hghgfhgAs it stands, from a hardware perspective, Nintendo has delivered a compelling, full-featured, and technologically impressive gaming platform. And that’s something to be excited about.
Cue more applause from the Nintendo cheer squad.
Read our hands-on report of the Nintendo Switch 2 game lineup.
