Nintendo Switch 2 Review - Expected Successor That Fails to Surprise

Nintendo Switch 2 is exactly what you'd expect - higher performance, similar design, and backward compatibility. However, it lacks compelling game releases and the display suffers from ghosting issues. Perfect for newcomers, current Switch owners can wait.

What is Nintendo Switch 2?

I've been waiting for the Switch successor like salvation. And when it finally arrived, I got exactly what I expected. Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid console that builds on its predecessor's success - currently the third best-selling console of all time, right behind Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2.

Why didn't Nintendo innovate more? After the Wii U fiasco, it was clear they'd build on the proven concept instead of risking something completely new.

Switch 2 has been in players' hands for nearly a full month, and after initial impressions filled with passion, I'll look at where the new console excels and where it lacks something for perfection.

Design and Concept: Familiar Plus Enhanced 🎮

The original Switch had the advantage of being first of its kind. A hybrid console combining home and handheld gaming has no equivalent at Xbox or PlayStation. In comparison, Switch 2 has nothing to surprise with.

What You Get in the Box

Package contents:
✓ Console body with 8-inch display
✓ Pair of Joy-Con controllers with magnetic attachment
✓ Docking station for TV connection
✓ USB-C cable and power adapter

The concept is essentially identical, which isn't a tragedy. Looking at competitors, none of them made dramatically radical changes between generations in the last decade. But I would have expected something different from Nintendo.

💡 Practical tip: Magnetic Joy-Con attachment is significantly better than the first Switch - no accidental disconnections during intense gaming.

New Features: Mouse and Game Chat 🖱️

While Switch 2 got mouse functionality supported by both Joy-Cons, even after extensively testing it with Cyberpunk and Hogwarts Legacy, I'm not convinced it's an extra important addition.

Game Chat: Progress with Limitations

New communication feature:

• Dedicated button on controllers for Game Chat
• Works only through friend list invites
• Problematic connecting additional players during calls
• Quality microphone in console body with good noise filtering

Game Chat limitations:
❌ No direct game integration
❌ Can't add players to ongoing calls
❌ Limited use for casual players
❌ Insufficient functionality compared to Discord

For me personally, it won't be a frequently used feature. It deserves points at least for the console's built-in microphone, which is surprisingly quality.

Hardware and Build Quality: Elegant with Flaws 🔧

Switch 2 lacks the proverbial cherry on top from my perspective. On the other hand, I can't deny it's a well-crafted piece of hardware.

Positive Design Changes

Controller improvements:
✓ Magnetic attachment instead of mechanical
✓ Smoother analog sticks on first feel
✓ Better ergonomics during extended play
✓ Higher material durability

General quality:

• Aesthetically pleasing design
• Thinner profile compared to PC handhelds
• Good performance while maintaining portability
• Solid build quality without creaking

⚠️ Problem: Triggers are still ordinary buttons. While PlayStation works with them at a completely different level with DualSense, Nintendo still remains in the Middle Ages.

Display: Controversial Return to LCD 📺

The biggest debates about hardware erupted around the console's display. Instead of OLED, Switch 2 returned to LCD. Opinions that games are unplayable on it or that it looks much worse than its predecessor seem absurdly exaggerated to me.

Display Specifications and Issues

Biggest display problem: Suffers from ghosting, meaning moving objects leave their "shadow" behind. This can make especially fast games appear more blurry than the console is actually capable of displaying.

Reality vs hype:
✓ Average player won't have many complaints against it
✓ Image quality isn't tragic at all
✓ 1080p resolution is a noticeable improvement
❌ OLED would be better for handheld experience

💡 Practical tip: It's understandable if some players wait for a revision with better screen, even though Nintendo hasn't said a word about it yet.

Battery Life: Generation's Disappointment 🔋

More than display quality though, I would have welcomed OLED mainly for battery life improvement. That's the console's biggest problem in my opinion.

Battery Life Comparison

Official specifications:

• Switch OLED: up to 9 hours (undemanding games)
• Switch 2: maximum 6.5 hours
• Reality: I never even approached the maximum

Practical tests:
✓ Undemanding games: 4-5 hours
✓ Medium demand: 3-4 hours
❌ Cyberpunk 2077: about 2 hours
❌ Demanding titles: similarly short life

The first Switch probably spoiled me with its battery life. Compared to PC handhelds it's still good, but the regression from the OLED model is noticeable.

Audio Quality: Surprising Improvement 🔊

Besides the display, I also caught criticism regarding the console's speakers. I can't agree that their quality would be horrible.

Audio Enhancements

Positive changes:
✓ Better spatial audio than predecessor
✓ Cleaner reproduction at all volumes
✓ Better placement - in bottom frame instead of display cutouts
✓ Directional sensing - you know where characters speak from

Sound quality doesn't push dramatically beyond the predecessor, but they definitely work better with spatial audio.

Performance: Finally a Dramatic Shift ⚡

Switch 2 brings a dramatic performance shift, which is also noticeable from first try. I know it's petty, but I was immediately pleased that eShop doesn't stutter and you get into it within a second.

Performance Comparison

Obvious improvements:
✓ Instant eShop without stuttering
✓ Faster loading of all games
✓ Stable framerate even in demanding scenes
✓ Better textures in upgraded titles

Best performance showcases:

• The Legend of Zelda - upgraded version
• Super Mario 3D World - Bowser's Fury incredibly improved
• Cyberpunk 2077 - currently the best looking game on console
• Pokémon - significant visual enhancement

Third-party Support

Thanks to greater power, third-party developers can afford to port games to Switch 2 that older hardware simply couldn't handle. Polish CD Projekt immediately jumped on this with Cyberpunk.

💡 Practical tip: We definitely haven't seen the maximum of what Switch 2 can do yet. With consoles, the graphically best games always come out a few years after generation start.

Game Library: Slow Start with Good Foundation 🎯

Nintendo hasn't played for massive performance in recent generations. Its platforms attracted fans through strong offerings of creative games. What this time?

Launch Lineup Reality

Current situation:
❌ Only one major exclusive - Mario Kart World
❌ Mostly ports of older titles from other platforms
❌ Slow generation start
✓ Mario Kart World - excellent racing that entertains

Switch 2 went to stores with only one major exclusive, which is Mario Kart World. It's excellent racing and players can't get enough according to impressions, but what's next? Nothing yet.

Backward Compatibility as Salvation

Backward compatibility advantages:
✓ Massive game library from original Switch
✓ 8 years of accumulated quality content
✓ Frequent sales in digital store
✓ Ideal for new players without previous console

If you're among players who didn't have the first Switch, Switch 2 is ideal for you. You'll be able to choose from a pile of excellent games.

Resolution Problem

Backward compatibility has one wrinkle:

• Switch 2 has 1080p display
• Switch games run at 720p
• Stretched image often looks worse than on original console
• Yet every game handles 1080p when playing docked

Physical Games: End of Collector Era 📦

This probably won't affect most today's players, but as someone who swears by boxed games, I can't skip the current situation with Switch 2 games.

Game-Key Cards Issue

Nintendo introduced Game-Key Cards:
❌ You find cartridge in box, but game isn't actually on it
❌ When inserted, it starts downloading from eShop
❌ Collector community didn't like them
❌ Third-party games in boxes sell less

Only advantage:
✓ Cartridges can be resold further

Exceptions: Along with Mario Kart World, only Cyberpunk 2077 is at sales chart tops, which as the only major port has the entire game actually on cartridge.

Code in the Box Still Present

EA showed that even Game-Key cards aren't worth it - they sent Split Fiction on Switch 2 to stores only with activation key variant. The abomination called Code in the Box unfortunately didn't disappear.

Accessories: Pro Controller Excels 🎮

Along with the console, I got several pieces of additional hardware, of which the new Pro controller clearly became my favorite.

Pro Controller 2 Review

Improvements over predecessor:
✓ Incredibly pleasant texture to touch
✓ Quietest controller on market - sounds like quiet mechanical keyboard
✓ Excellent ergonomics during long play
✓ 40 hours battery life per charge
✓ Multiple times longer life than DualSense

Pro Controller verdict: I'd praise the new Pro controller as much as possible, but if you already have its predecessor at home, you don't need to rush the upgrade. It's a pleasant shift you can do without problems.

GameCube Controller

Retro controller for nostalgics:
✓ Works with modern games - e.g. Mario Kart World
❌ Missing ZR and ZL buttons - not all games playable
✓ Quality construction like previous retro controllers
✓ Wide compatibility beyond Game Cube games

Camera: Function for Minority 📷

Nintendo also released an official camera for the console, which you can use for Game Chat communication and some games support it.

Camera Specifications and Use

Technical parameters:

• 1080p resolution on usability border
• Handles good lighting conditions well
• Compatibility with most third-party cameras
• Limited game support - currently only Mario Kart portraits

My feeling from using: It's a function that a small portion of players will use. Plus not many games support it yet. Enhanced Super Mario Party Jamboree version intends to work more with it.

Price and Value: Reasonable Investment 💰

Price Analysis

Value proposition:
✓ Reasonable price considering performance
✓ Backward compatibility adds value
✓ Quality build justifies investment
❌ Accessories expensive as always with Nintendo

Competition Comparison 📊

VS PC Handhelds

Nintendo advantages:
✓ Simplest use - plug & play
✓ Thinnest design in category
✓ Most stable software without bugs
✓ Exclusive Nintendo games

Common Mistakes and Recommendations ❌

Purchase Mistakes

❌ Expecting PC-level graphics - Switch 2 still lags behind PS5/Xbox
❌ Relying on launch lineup - library is still being built
❌ Ignoring battery life - count on frequent charging
❌ Overvaluing new features - mouse and Game Chat aren't game-changers

Recommended Practices

✓ Buy if you don't have Switch 1 - huge game library awaits
✓ Wait for revision if display bothers you - maybe OLED version comes
✓ Invest in Pro Controller - significantly better than Joy-Cons
✓ Use backward compatibility - first few months you'll mainly play old games

Future and Long-term Outlook 🔮

What to Expect

Near future (6-12 months):
✓ More first-party titles from Nintendo
✓ Better third-party support thanks to higher performance
✓ More stable software with updates
✓ Possible revision with better display

Long-term trends:

• Gradual game performance improvements
• Expanding game library
• Possible price cuts of older versions
• Complete transition from Switch 1

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Q: Is upgrade from Switch 1 worth it?
A: If you have a rich library and Switch 1 works well for you, you can wait. For new players, Switch 2 is a clear choice.

Q: When will OLED version come?
A: Nintendo officially hasn't announced any revision. Based on history we can expect improved version in 2-3 years.

Q: Do all Switch 1 games work?
A: Yes, but they run in original 720p resolution, which may look worse on 1080p display.

Q: Is battery life really a problem?
A: Depends on your playing style. For home use with dock it's not a problem, for long trips it's limiting.

Q: Worth buying launch day?
A: Only if you really want to play Mario Kart World or have rich Switch 1 library. Otherwise you can wait for more games.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

Nintendo Switch 2 didn't surprise in negative or positive sense. It's exactly what I wanted from new generation of this console, and that's what I got.

Who is Switch 2 ideal for

Clear YES:
✓ Players without Switch 1 - huge game library
✓ Nintendo fans - future exclusives
✓ Handheld preferring - best portable console
✓ Family gaming - local multiplayer tradition

Consider later:
❌ Switch 1 owners with rich library - little new content
❌ Graphics purists - still lags behind competition
❌ Collectors - Game-Key Cards are problematic
❌ Budget players - Switch 1 will be cheaper

Key Insights

Positives:

• Significant performance improvement without losing portability
• Maintaining successful hybrid console concept
• Quality build with minor improvements
• Backward compatibility saves launch

Negatives:

• Problematic display with ghosting
• Worse battery life than Switch OLED
• Slow start in terms of new games
• Controversial Game-Key Cards for collectors

Bottom line: Switch 2 is safe evolution of successful concept. It lacks wow factor but meets expectations. Most missing currently are appealing game releases that would second the well-done Mario Kart.

My expert recommendation: If you don't have Switch 1, go for it without hesitation. If you do have it, you can afford to wait for more games or possible revision with better display. At least backward compatibility manages to save this problem.

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