Hands-On With the Nintendo Switch 2: Enhanced Size, Speed, and New Mouse Controls

Experiencing the Nintendo Switch 2 is like a trip down memory lane with a twist. At a special event in New York, I had the exclusive opportunity to test out the successor to Nintendo’s widely beloved console. While my enthusiasm leaned heavily towards the gameplay, the hardware itself offered its own dose of intrigue.

The Switch 2, priced at $450, has plenty to appreciate in its design, yet it ultimately hinges on the creativity of developers, both those in-house at Nintendo and third-party. It’s an obvious follow-up to a hit, yet it carves its own path by embracing new gaming perspectives. The brief gameplay session left me eager to delve deeper. It’s time to start setting aside some cash!

The Joy-Con 2 controllers and the console sport a sleek black matte finish, which really caught my eye. Weighing in at 1.18 pounds when the controllers are attached, it’s slightly heftier than the current Switch. Nonetheless, the larger 7.9-inch display makes the extra weight feel justified. It’s lighter than some leading handheld PC gaming machines, such as the Steam Deck OLED which weighs 1.41 pounds.

There’s a muted color scheme, save for some pops of neon around the joysticks and under the Joy-Cons. It feels a bit unlike Nintendo, a company known for vibrant colors even in devices aiming for edgier looks, like the GameCube. Yet, having chosen a black GameCube myself, I wasn’t put off. Plus, more color variants are likely down the line.

Removing the Joy-Cons is still straightforward, with buttons that release them from the sides of the console. My brief interaction found the click to be solid and reassuring; they didn’t feel likely to detach accidentally.

The elongated controllers are more comfortable in my hands compared to the original ones, though most won’t notice a drastic difference. Control sticks remain similar in design to the originals, reportedly redesigned for smoother motion but without adopting hall effect sensors.

One big upgrade is the kickstand, now significantly more robust and adjustable to almost any angle. No more precarious balancing acts; this one could stand up to an airplane tray table with ease.

The real game-changer appears when the gaming starts, courtesy of the new screen. Despite not being an OLED display, this LCD screen boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1080, supports HDR10, and offers a variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. It delivered stunning visuals in Mario Kart World, setting expectations high for future gaming experiences.

The dock, seen only in one demo alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, keeps the console cool with its internal fan. Otherwise, its functionality remains similar to the original.

Moving on to the specs, the Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia processor and supports DLSS and hardware ray tracing. A 256GB (UFS) internal storage is expandable through microSD Express cards, and it features advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth.

In a nod to PC gamers, the console introduces mouse-like capabilities to its Joy-Con controllers. Attempting to blend traditional console gaming with PC-style controls, these sensors bring an intriguing dynamic to certain games, albeit with varying degrees of success.

The new Pro Controller and camera are noteworthy. The Pro Controller, priced at $79.99, adds rear buttons that are programmable, enhancing the gaming experience, while the $49.99 camera integrates with Game Chat and some games for an immersive experience, albeit with some mixed results in the green screen department.

Nintendo is hopeful that the improved specs and new control options will resonate with both traditional gamers and newcomers alike. Games such as Metroid Prime 4 Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition exhibit the system’s potential, blending impressive graphics with fluid gameplay options, including both standard and mouse modes.

Classic titles remain robust on the new platform, while exciting new games and features point to a bright future for the Switch 2. As the launch date draws closer, June 5, 2025, to be exact, the anticipation continues to build for what’s sure to be another Nintendo success story.