After months of rumors and anticipation, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived. The editorial team had the opportunity to discover it during a test session organized this Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at the Grand Palais. Between technological advances, new features, and catalog, the hybrid console aims to mark a new chapter in Nintendo's history.
No OLED (but no problem)
The Nintendo Switch 2 stands out for its notable improvements, starting with its screen. While it abandons the OLED of the last model, the Switch 2 opts for a 7.9-inch Full HD LCD screen, HDR compatible and offering a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. In use, this allows for a smooth and bright gaming experience, coupled with excellent fluidity. In TV mode, the dock allows for 4K resolution. Enough to (finally) close the technological gap Nintendo was experiencing with its competitors.
Under the hood, the console features an ARM Cortex A78C processor and an Nvidia Ampere GPU, capable of handling ray tracing and DLSS. These advances promise three times the power of the first Switch in docked mode. With 12 GB of RAM (compared to 4 GB on the first generation) and 256 GB of internal storage (instead of the previous modest 32 GB), the Switch 2 positions itself as a robust machine ready for modern games.
The Joy-Con reinvented
The Joy-Con have been completely redesigned, and that's a good thing. Now equipped with a magnetic system and a velvety soft-touch coating, they offer a much more comfortable grip. The analog sticks and most of the buttons are also wider, which improves their grip.
The big new feature is the addition of an optical sensor integrated into the Joy-Con, which now makes the famous mouse mode possible. This feature opens up new possibilities for many games. During our hands-on, we were able to see how well-developed the functionality was, and this is perhaps the surprise of this Switch 2. We expected nothing from this mode, but it was ultimately the one that impressed us the most. On Civilization VII, the experience was fluid and precise. Enough to transform the approach to FPS or strategic console games in the future.
Catalogue: yes, but...
Nintendo has opted for a solid catalogue to accompany the launch of its new console. Among the exclusives announced are Mario Kart World, which offers an open world for the very first time, as well as Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D adventure that marks the return of the famous ape in a visually stunning universe. Fans of The Legend of Zelda are not left out, with War of the Seal, a new opus in the Hyrule Warriors universe based on Tears of the Kingdom.
Backward compatibility is also on the agenda: players will be able to enjoy first-generation titles as well as improved versions such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring. These updates sometimes include exclusive (paid) additional content, branded Switch 2 Edition.
Social features galore
Nintendo is also innovating on the community front with the introduction of the C button. This gives access to GameChat, which allows voice chat and even direct streaming between friends from the console. Thanks to a built-in microphone capable of eliminating ambient noise, it is no longer necessary to use a headset to communicate with friends.
An optional camera sold separately will allow you to embed your face in certain games and communicate with friends. While interesting on paper, it sounds like a surprising anachronism in 2025.
Despite these promising advances, some black spots emerge. The absence of an OLED screen may disappoint those who appreciated this technology on previous premium models. Also, the high price could put off some potential buyers, especially those already satisfied with their first Switch.
So, what do we think?
The Nintendo Switch 2 manages to modernize its hybrid concept without betraying the spirit of the first model. With its significant technical improvements and catalog, it is nevertheless aimed at new players and die-hard fans. Those who already own a Switch and are satisfied with its current performance can breathe easy: there's no need to immediately upgrade to the new generation. Especially when you consider that its price is close to €500 (€469 on its own or €509 with the Mario Kart World bundle).
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