On June 5, 2025, over eight years after Nintendo debuted its modern hybrid handheld/house console, the writer launched its successor – the Nintendo Switch 2.
4 days after launch, the console had already damaged inside data, reaching international gross sales of three.5 million models. It surpassed expectations within the US, with over 1.1 million models offered, and have become Japan’s greatest console launch up to now after shifting nearly a million models within the nation.
It is a far stronger begin than for the unique Switch, which offered 2.7 million inside its first month. Nintendo has predicted {hardware} gross sales of 15 million and software program gross sales of 45 million by March 2026.
Clearly, the Switch 2 has been met with an keen viewers of players. However as a result of critics needed to wait till launch day to get their arms on one, opinions have been gradual to return in as as to if it is definitely worth the $450 price ticket.
Secure guess
Game Informer’s Kyle Hilliard, who gave the console a B score, mentioned it was a no brainer for Nintendo to iterate on the Switch’s success.
“Nintendo has offered greater than 152 million Switch consoles, which works a good distance towards explaining why, for the primary time in its historical past, Nintendo launched a follow-up and added a sequential quantity to its title as an alternative of arising with one thing new,” wrote Hilliard. “In some ways, the Switch seems like a secure sequel to a earlier success.”
“The brand new {hardware} is all very acquainted,” Hilliard famous, “and in consequence, it does lack a lot of the thrill that often accompanies a brand new Nintendo console.”
Tabitha Baker supplied comparable sentiments in her 4.5/5 assessment for GamesRadar. “The Switch 2 takes its lead from its predecessor, providing (broadly) the identical performance and kind issue. At its core, that is an simply recognisable expertise, the identical docking system, identical management scheme. However it’s a lot greater than that on prime.”
Higher Pleasure-Cons
Regardless of trying comparable, the brand new Switch 2 Pleasure-Cons snap onto the console magnetically fairly than sliding into place. They connect to protruding pins that Baker feared might trigger issues.
“Having these protruding the aspect of the system felt like a recipe for catastrophe, even when they’re sheltered by the perimeters of the pill itself,” she wrote. “There’s slightly flex to those pins – however that might be a superb factor. If these pins had been inflexible, I would be apprehensive about snapping them straight off, however the additional flexibility does give me slightly extra peace of thoughts. Time will inform whether or not that flexibility turns into an issue in itself, although.”
Nonetheless, Hilliard thinks the brand new Pleasure-Con controllers are a marked enchancment: “The management sticks really feel smoother, the buttons are slightly larger, and the magnetic system […] is an improve in comparison with the button and rails system of the unique Switch.”
Mouse controls
The brand new Pleasure-Cons even have mouse functionality. “[It’s] both going to be the perfect factor this console has going for it or will likely be forgotten about in a matter of weeks,” mentioned The Gamer’s Jade King. “There’s potential right here, however at launch it looks like a gimmick.”
“There’s potential right here, however at launch [mouse control] looks like a gimmick”
Jade King, The Gamer
NME’s Ali Shutler, who gave the Switch 2 a 4 out of 5 score, famous that there is not a lot want for mouse management exterior of Switch 2 Welcome Tour and believed it is “the one a part of the Switch 2 expertise that feels awkward.”
Baker thought that the success of the mouse performance will likely be measured by which video games assist it. “If it is relegated to toggle-able mini-games and the odd shovelware escapade, it is an costly mistake.”
Nonetheless, she was impressed with the efficiency. “Monitoring is nippy, acceleration feels well-balanced, and response is constant. The slimmer kind issue of a Pleasure-Con below your hand would not really feel almost as comfy as a full mouse throughout longer play periods, and the skinnier R button has a very brief cease that is slightly susceptible to unintentional presses. However the precise sensor half? Good to go.”
Sport Chat and UI
One other new characteristic for the Switch 2 is its chat operate, enabling customers to play with pals with out having to make use of a third-party app through an in-built microphone and extra video capabilities.
Shutler known as this operate “maybe the largest innovation” for the console, because it “makes taking part in on-line much more communal”. He did word, nevertheless, that to make use of this operate you may finally want a Nintendo Switch On-line membership as soon as the free first 12 months provide runs out on March 31, 2026.
However Hilliard discovered the Switch 2’s UI to be underwhelming, calling it “sterile” in comparison with what was supplied on Wii, 3DS, and the Wii U. “Scrolling by means of video games on the Switch 2 is quiet and boring,” he expressed. “I hoped utilizing the Switch 2’s menu would really feel new and novel.”
King had comparable emotions, and remarked that it is “the identical template you have been utilizing for the previous eight years.”
“There is no getting round the truth that this underwhelms, and regardless of feeling like I can slide into this ecosystem with out concern of being misplaced and overwhelmed, I nonetheless crave one thing new,” she wrote. “A daring and contemporary manner for my video games to be introduced as an alternative of taking the most secure route.”
Battery life
The Switch 2’s battery was one other space that got here in for criticism.
“On the system’s most demanding, I managed two hours and 40 minutes of battery life,” Baker famous. “That was a take a look at from 100%, taking part in Breath of the Wild: Switch 2 Version at full show brightness. That is a downgrade from the way more power-efficient Switch OLED and a reasonably brief battery life even in comparison with the unique system.”
“Whereas it is actually lasting rather a lot longer than extra power-hungry units just like the Asus ROG Ally, Nintendo has produced extra battery-efficient handhelds up to now.”
Hilliard was of the identical opinion. “Nintendo studies that the Switch 2’s battery is about 1.2 occasions higher than the unique, however I admit skepticism. Throughout my hours of playtime for the reason that Switch 2 launch, the battery appears to empty sooner in handheld and tabletop play. Fortunately, the 2 USB-C port choices make charging simpler whereas taking part in, however this can be the first – probably solely – disappointment between the Switch and Switch 2.”
Nonetheless, The Guardian’s Keith Stuart, who gave the Switch 2 a 4 out of 5 score, was extra impartial.
“Nintendo is promising between two and 6.5 hours [for battery life],” Stuart wrote. “I did a blended take a look at wherein I performed Mario Kart World, downloaded and performed Hitman, and used GameShare and GameChat, and bought about 3.5 hours, which isn’t unhealthy.”
Show
One facet reviewers had been pleasantly stunned with on the Switch 2 was its bigger show, regardless of the console dropping again to an LCD display screen fairly than an OLED.
Hilliard anticipated to be disillusioned with Nintendo’s resolution “having spent a lot time with the OLED mannequin”, however was impressed with how comparable they look like.
“The Switch 2 doesn’t have an OLED display screen, however you could possibly have fooled me,” he expressed. “The display screen is vibrant and vibrant, and the HDR choices do make a constructive distinction with sure video games. The refresh charge is robust, and the video games that make the most of it profit tremendously.”
King mentioned she “hardly [noticed a] distinction” between the 2 as a result of Switch 2’s 7.9 inch display screen, elevated color vary, HDR choices, and the 1920×1080 decision.
GamesRadar’s Baker did a side-by-side comparability between the Switch OLED and Switch 2 taking part in Pokémon Violet. She discovered that whereas the “bounce from OLED display screen to LCD is noticeable, it is nonetheless a handsome panel.”
“The OLED introduced brighter yellows and greens a lot better, and a extra vivid image general and a punchier really feel. By comparability, the Switch 2 darkens these tones barely. Its blacks aren’t as deep as these of the OLED, however it’s vibrant the place it counts.”
“[While the] bounce from OLED display screen to LCD is noticeable, it is nonetheless a handsome panel”
Tabitha Baker, GamesRadar
Video games on the Switch 2 run between 720p and 1080p in handheld, and as much as 4K in docked mode. However The Gamer’s King mentioned that she hasn’t seen a lot proof of the latter.
“Claims that almost all of titles [support] a full 4K decision are exaggerated,” she mentioned. “I would not be stunned to see many peaking at 1440p or making respectable use of dynamic decision whereas docked.”
Stuart emphasised that for ports like Cyberpunk 2077, gamers is not going to get the identical expertise as on the next spec gaming setup. “[The game] caps out at 1080p with the framerate at 30fps in efficiency mode. Do not anticipate leading edge PS5 Professional or PC visuals – we’re taking a look at one thing between PS4 and PS5.”
As for HDR capabilities, Baker described it as “a barely extra difficult beast”.
“The system does appear to be slightly off in its implementation in sure video games. I’ve observed that Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild seem washed out with the HDR setting enabled,” she wrote. “Switching the characteristic off reveals a much more punchy image, with wealthy colors and larger impression general.”
“With HDR switched off and that display screen working at full brightness, this can be a actual delight. Smoother movement, a much bigger panel, and 1080p decision make for actual tangible upgrades over the earlier era and I would actually take them over a higher-contrast OLED expertise.”
Launch video games
Transferring on to software program, the Switch 2’s launch line-up did not impress critics. Mario Kart World is the one headline first-party title, adopted by Switch 2 Welcome Tour.
However as NME’s Shutler identified, there are ports, upgrades, and enhanced editions of standard titles to play on prime of that.
“The Switch 2 is highly effective sufficient to make outdated favourites really feel new,” he wrote. “From rediscovering the magic of GameCube software program through the expanded on-line library to travelling by means of the open-world Pokémon Scarlet with out all of the technical drawbacks, there’s one thing for everybody.”
Then there’s the ports of AAA video games like Cyberpunk 2077, which Baker famous supplied an “indication of the place Nintendo needs its system to be positioned.”
“If Nintendo can sustain with upcoming blockbuster releases, the Switch 2 might properly be in with a shot at changing into a major driver for lots extra gamers,” she mentioned.
King highlighted upcoming video games like Donkey Kong Bananza, Splatoon Raiders, The Duskbloods, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, alongside ports of Tremendous Mario Occasion Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
“By the tip of the 12 months, the Switch 2 library goes to be a possible power to be reckoned with, however proper now, it is vitally wanting,” she concluded.
Comparisons with rivals
By way of graphics capabilities, Baker identified that consoles just like the PS5 nonetheless “maintain the higher hand” towards the Switch 2.
“Aspect by aspect with PS5’s 4K efficiency, it is apparent this is not a miracle employee. The whole lot lacks that closing contact of sharpness in docked mode in comparison with the PS5.”
“However that is nonetheless all very spectacular. We’re speaking in regards to the distinction between a slimline handheld that has way more performance than the PS5 and measures in at a fraction of the dimensions besides.”
King is optimistic about blockbuster third-party titles on the Switch 2. “They’re nonetheless going to lag barely behind different variations on PS5 and Xbox, however now variations are a lot much less substantial,” she wrote. “In a few years, you must be capable to decide up main video games on Switch 2 and not really feel such as you’re having to compromise so drastically.”
When evaluating to different handhelds just like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and even the OLED Switch, GamesRadar’s Baker mentioned the Switch 2 “is not with out competitors”.
“The cheaper OLED model runs with higher battery life and the Asus ROG and Steam Deck OLED provide higher grip, a wider alternative of video games, extra storage, and a bigger set of controls.”
Nonetheless, Baker does recognise that the Switch is “threatening these handheld PCs for the primary time”, writing that it is “smoother in some situations, comes with its personal set of unique titles, and is way extra moveable than chunkier fashions.”
Conclusions
Total, the consensus amongst critics is that the Switch 2 is a worthy successor to the unique Switch, and the improve is greater than price it.
The Gamer’s King described the Switch 2 as a “basic enchancment” on the Switch, and “simply probably the most succesful console Nintendo has ever made with the {hardware} to show it.”
She added: “The Switch 2 is a refinement of all the pieces that got here earlier than. It seems like Nintendo seemed on the unique console and extra basic complaints and sought to create a successor that felt extra sturdy, appeared extra premium, and beneath the aesthetics, was extra succesful and highly effective.”
“You have got elevated potential for third-party blockbusters, a smoother person interface, and a straightforward transition to a brand new era that nearly makes up for its banal and predictable supply.”
“I prefer it when Nintendo tries one thing new in an try to provide me one thing I did not know I needed. It did not try this with the Switch 2″
Kyle Hilliard, Sport Informer
Sport Informer’s Hilliard felt the identical, stating that the Switch 2 felt “arguably too secure”.
“I prefer it when Nintendo tries one thing new in an try to provide me one thing I did not know I needed. It did not try this with the Switch 2. It improved on principally each aspect of the Switch (besides its battery life), made it backwards appropriate, and made it look really feel higher. My major criticism is that I’ve not been stunned.”
He concluded: “Reasonably, I’ve been nodding appreciatively, grateful that I’ve a model of considered one of my favorite consoles of all time that appears sharper, performs a few of my favorite video games at the next high quality. It is what I needed versus what I did not know I needed, and I’m pleased with that.”