(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
After years of rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally on store shelves. We're currently putting the system through its paces as we work on our full review. But what's it like to play the system on day one? After spending a full 24 hours with the hybrid console, I can say that the console matches my expectations and gives me hope for an even better experience in the future, despite some concerning elements.
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware: Bigger and Better
Physically, the Nintendo Switch 2 is what it looks like: a bigger Nintendo Switch. The fact that the system retains the same 0.5-inch thickness despite the size increase makes it more comfortable and less cumbersome than, say, a Steam Deck. The matte finish improves your grip, too. But with a 7.9-inch display, a nearly two-inch bump from the first Switch, the system is noticeably bigger in hand. So, there's still potential appeal for a Switch 2 Lite down the line if you think this system is too large. I slid it inside my old Switch 1 Waterfield case, but only after removing the Joy-Con.
Many elements benefit from the size increase. The Joy-Con 2 controllers feel nicer in hand, with smooth sticks that have hopefully resolved the drift issue. The SL and SR triggers still aren't quite big enough (unless you slot them in a wheel controller with added triggers), but they're far more usable than before. With the improved kickstand and top-aligned USB-C charging port, propping up the screen in tabletop mode becomes more viable thanks to the bigger real estate.
(Credit: Jordan Minor)A bigger screen also gives you a more attractive gameplay image. However, the display isn't OLED; it's LCD. A direct comparison reveals that the Switch 1 OLED has a slight advantage over the Switch 2 in regard to color saturation. In addition, the Switch 2's 1080p panel makes 720p Switch 1 games look blurrier, like playing DS games on the 3DS. However, between the size and sharper resolution, the Switch 2 is just more pleasant to view, overall. Even the generic menu—one that's very similar to Switch 1's, but with new sounds—looks cleaner. And that's just in handheld mode. With a dock capable of 4K, the Switch 2 looked great on my TV. After years of using an upscaling add-on for my HDMI cable to get better image quality from my Switch 1, this was an especially appreciated bonus.
Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories: Controllers, Cameras, and More
The Joy-Con 2's magnetic connection makes attaching the controllers easy and satisfying. You can pair old controllers via Bluetooth or a wired connection, which I did. But several times, I forgot that I couldn't simply snap them onto the side of the tablet; the magnetic connection became my new default that quickly. Transitioning to mouse mode by simply placing the controller on a table made a potentially confusing input so much more intuitive. Although the Pro Controller 2 isn't radically different from its predecessor, the slicker texture gives it a more premium feel. It also has smoother sticks similar to the Joy-Con 2, a headphone jack, and programmable back paddles.
Another major Switch 2 selling point is GameChat, Nintendo’s new online communication platform that offers both video and audio chat with the press of the new C button. Although Nintendo sent me a camera along with the system and controllers, I wanted to test the claim that any generic USB-C webcam would work with GameChat. I purchased the cheapest, most generic camera I could find on Amazon, and the Switch 2 recognized it. The viewing angle wasn't as wide as Nintendo's camera, so it couldn't capture my whole couch for the group multiplayer shenanigans the service is built for. However, the freedom to explore other camera options is a good thing.
Honesty, though, one of the best ways to learn about and explore the Nintendo Switch 2 as a piece of technology is through the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game. Based on its premise alone, I agree this glorified manual should have been a free, pack-in title, even if $10 ultimately isn't a lot of money. Unfortunately, the game's instructional quizzes feel disturbingly close to corporate security training.
But there's something funny about turning dry explanations of 120Hz, HDR, and DLSS into whimsical demos. For example, my extended play session with Welcome Tour taught me more legitimately interesting tidbits about the system, like how the narrower kickstand saves space to put more guts in the tablet. If nothing else, the mini-games made me realize that cranking up the mouse sensitivity is the way to go for high scores.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games: A New Take on Your Switch 1 Library
Eventually, I figured I should play games on my new game console. Initially, I only had access to Switch 1 games. The system transfer quickly moved over all my save data and displayed my entire library (more than 600 titles) as virtual game cards.
After a slow start, perhaps caused by slammed servers, the download speeds eventually picked up. Downloading 20GB of Zelda took less than 20 minutes. However, the Switch 2's internal storage began to fill up quickly, even after doubling it with a 256GB microSD Express card. I also noticed the battery draining quicker than I would've liked, which was in line with the reported 2-6.5 hours of battery life.
Downloading new games also meant checking out the snappy new eShop. The online store is now far faster than it was on the original Switch. It’s a dramatic difference that goes a long way toward making me want to leisurely browse and spend money on new release. The eShop continues to serve both Switch systems, which leads to some interesting disclaimers.
You obviously can't buy Switch 2 games on Switch 1. But on Switch 2, you can see whether or not a Switch 1 game has resolved any backwards compatibility issues. If not, you can't purchase it; you can only download it if you already own it. Nintendo's emulation-based approach to backward compatibility introduces some concerning confusion. Unlike the convenience and certainty of console games, this experience is more like buying PC games. Sometimes I wasn't confident the downloads would run. But it was nice to have a Steam Deck Verified-style disclaimer system to clear up any confusion. Presumably, Switch 2-exclusive games will run without issue.
Playing Switch 1 games on the device can have a surprisingly large number of benefits, depending on the game. Patches come preinstalled in certain games, but you can check the software update page to see if you have the latest version. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's patch is transformative, turning a stuttering mess into a clean 4K/60fps experience that unlocks the game's open-world potential. The performance boost for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is just as breathtaking. However, whatever Nintendo did to New Super Mario Bros. U, I didn’t notice. I'm still waiting on a Xenoblade Chronicles X upgrade.
Other tests were less encouraging. Batman: Arkham Knight is one of the most infamous Switch 1 games, falling far below other impossible ports like Doom and The Witcher 3. The eShop said the game should at least run on Switch 2, describing game behavior as "consistent." Unfortunately, even with access to beefier hardware, the game's still unplayable, with constant freezes and hard crashes. On the other hand, even without a patch, Apex Legends ran better than before. However, I couldn’t ignore that this is an uglier version of the battle royale game, with lower-resolution textures clearly designed for weaker hardware.
Ironically, some games with reported issues actually performed OK. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville both suffered from graphical glitches during online play. These are releases Nintendo says it's "investigating" with publisher cooperation. But offline? They played fairly well. Other titles initially flagged for compatibility issues, like Alan Wake, Rocket League, and Wolfenstein II, have also been fixed for launch.
I hope Nintendo gets all of these games playable soon, or, barring that, helps partner publishers develop native Switch 2 versions. I would love a good portable Mortal Kombat 1. But the great news is that the vast majority of Switch 1 games run just fine or even better than before on Switch 2. Considering the size and strength of that library, this already gives the Switch 2 an enormous advantage, a killer app, out of the gate. Combine that with a retro subscription library that now includes GameCube games, and the Switch 2 becomes a portal to past hits.
Switch 2: Fun Now, With a Promising Future
All I want to do right now is stop writing this story and get back to playing more and learning more about Nintendo Switch 2. The central hook of playing all your games, big and small, at home or on the go remains as enticing as ever. Now enhanced by more powerful hardware, the game possibilities are even more expansive. There are plenty of things to be rightfully worried about, from questionable game pricing to stronger rival consoles looming on the horizon. But for me, at this moment, it comes down to this: the Nintendo Switch is one of the best video game consoles of all time, and the Nintendo Switch 2 maintains everything great about it while improving it across the board. I’m already having a great time on day one, and it’s only going to get better in the future.
For more on Nintendo Switch 2, learn about its accessibility features and check out our wishlist of games I hope make the leap to the platform.