Yet, the launch of a new console is always an event. The excitement is generally palpable, our eyes light up at the lists of new games while we yearn, counting down the days until the release. Why does the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 feel like a disappointment, despite some very pleasant surprises? Because yes, I can't help but be disappointed. As a journalist, but also as a gamer and enthusiast. When Nintendo decided to change tack, to leave its parallel path as an outsider to join the highway of big consoles, 4K, HDR, and 120fps, it seemed like a good start. Why not after all!
For years, Nintendo has made us dream with a thousand and one ways to play from the Wii. After creating one of the first hybrid consoles, accessible and absolutely perfect for young audiences thanks to its colorful and fun game library, almost entirely dedicated to fun, it was perhaps time to opt for a form of maturity. On paper, it's almost logical, except that in reality, for it to work, you have to give yourself the means, and not just be satisfied with promises. For the moment, the Nintendo Switch 2 is not really being promoted as it deserves.
The launch price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is a tad high
In the launch pack, you will find: the console, two Joy-Cons, a Joy-Con stand, an HDMI cable, a USB-C power cable detachable from the block, 2 wrist straps. A Mario Kart World game code if you purchased the bundle with it. The Nintendo Switch 2 currently retails for €469.99 on its own, or as a bundle with Mario Kart World, its one and only major in-house game, for €509.99. It therefore falls into a price range between a PS4/Xbox One and a PS5/Xbox Series. A fitting assumption since in terms of power, we're also in that range. Now, in 2025, the bill remains steep when you take a look at the spec sheet, especially for such a meager launch. This little Switch 2 still lacks a lot of arguments to justify its price.
A console that is gaining in maturity, even in terms of design
The Nintendo Switch 2 shows a clear desire to take a step forward, to no longer be a console for children or mothers. A label that sticks to it as its accessibility and playfulness have charmed the youngest. Not to mention that Nintendo is generally a brand associated with licenses that have rocked all generations for years and still today. With this new console, Big N wants to change and it starts with the design. The Nintendo Switch 2 is made of a rather solid, matte black plastic that doesn't mark.
It's more massive (116 mm x 272 mm x 13.9 mm), but also more comfortable to hold thanks to its size, but also to the triggers that stand out much better. As I said in my first impressions, large hands will be delighted, while smaller ones won't be disoriented. This is especially true since on the scale, the weight gain isn't huge either. With the Joy-Cons, the Nintendo Switch 2 weighs a small 530g, compared to the 400g of its big sister. In any case, we are very far from the monstrous Steam Deck and other Rog Ally, real heavyweights.
Better finishes, but a first joystick problem
The handling is therefore immediate and very pleasant, especially since the overall design has not changed, except that the finishes are even finer. This is mainly because the Joy-Cons are now magnetized and no longer on a slide, thus no longer requiring space to slide. In this case, it is the screen that takes center stage when you hold it in your hands. It clearly dominates and invites you to play. The joysticks are rather soft to the touch, as are the rest of the buttons, and although the clicks are still very basic, you can feel that there have been improvements in the damping. This is rather reassuring in terms of comfort, but especially in terms of lifespan.
I won't comment on the quality of the joysticks. After the drift issue with the first Nintendo, everyone will definitely be keeping an eye on them, but it's clearly too early to say anything about their lifespan. As it stands, they seem to be quite well made, although we noticed a problem on one of our Switch 2s (one that wasn't supplied by the manufacturer) where the joystick's cover came out of its base, making it difficult to use and requiring it to be replaced with a pin. So problems are definitely possible.
A more powerful dock, but a console that heats up a lot despite better ventilation
Finally, the dock is more massive and rounder. It has two USB-A ports on the front, a USB-C port, an Ethernet slot, and an HDMI port on the back, hidden by a casing that seems slightly fragile to us. Handling will have to be done gently here. We will also notice the arrival of ventilation all over the casing. These openings are not too much as the machine heats up like crazy when playing in docked mode, it's even surprising and almost worrying.
Especially since the dock makes the console itself heat up, something that you can clearly feel when you pick it up. We were able to record temperatures above 40 degrees, which is not nothing. The console also has better ventilation with a dust filter, and for portable sessions, it works brilliantly. We can even say that it manages heat dispersion perfectly well by discreetly rejecting air through the upper edge, and this, without a sound, which is a significant plus. Ultimately, it's only this heating in dock mode that leaves me perplexed, even if it shouldn't pose too many problems in the end, it's clearly not comfortable.
The portable part: a big disappointment despite impeccable gaming comfort
As a hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch 2 must be comfortable in its portable version. This is partly why many people have bought it so far, especially since the competition's prices are soaring quickly. Here, the gaming comfort is top-notch, almost optimal. For my part, I still have a problem with these flat Joy-Cons that I don't find very pleasant or practical for long sessions, but now that the machine is more imposing, I am forced to admit that it is much better.
The screen is also one of the main assets of this Nintendo Switch 2, but it is unfortunately also one of the biggest disappointments. We'll start with what's great: its size. We now have a 7.9-inch screen, a step up from previous models. Not to mention that the resolution has also improved, and can display 1080p at up to 120 fps, and even HDR. The whole lot then.
- Nintendo Switch Lite: 5.5 in - 720p
- Classic Switch: 6.2 in / 720p
- OLED Switch: 7 in / 720p
- Nintendo Switch 2: 7.9 in / 1080p
Sufficient rendering, but below expectations in the portable version
But where the first problems arise is in the quality of this famous panel. Already the screen's reflection is very high, not far from previous models. It is therefore not really suitable near very strong light sources. Then, there is this curious choice to opt for LCD, where the last console before it opted for OLED. While the gain in fluidity is remarkable, since it is capable of going up to 120Hz, the rendering is below that of the Nintendo Switch OLED. Blacks appear rather gray and the brightness cannot go very high which makes HDR unflattering in portable mode (we advise you to deactivate the option by the way).
To top it all off, the colors are relatively cool, more so than on previous models, which doesn't do justice to plump, colorful titles like Mario Kart World or, on the contrary, dark games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Hogwarts Legacy, which sometimes appear relatively dull. Note, however, that the rendering remains very clean; it's even pleasant to have such a large screen in your hands, without feeling like you're carrying a concrete block like with the Steam Deck.
Battery life, the other rather annoying disappointment for a console that calls itself a hybrid
Let's rip off the bandage right away regarding the console's battery life: it's really not good. There's no notable improvement compared to previous models, and it's even below the reworked versions of the Nintendo Switch 1. Nintendo claims that its console can last between 2 and 6.5 hours in portable mode depending on use. For this test, I carried out 3 very different sessions to take my own measurements on Cyberpunk 2077 (for heavy gamers), Mario Kart World (because everyone will be playing it), Bravely Default Remastered and PuyoPuyo x Tetris (since they consume the least on paper). The conclusion is clear: you won't be able to play during your long journeys without having something to recharge the battery.
For each session, the sound was played through the headset at 50%, the brightness was also at 50% and the battery was charged to 100% until the game shut itself down.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (performance mode): 2h10
- Mario Kart World: a little less than 2h30
- Bravely Default Remastered: around 3h
- Puyopuyo x Tetris: 3h30
These are only estimates made from my own sessions. It is worth noting that the precise battery life can vary by several minutes depending on your use, your settings and what you do in the game, or with Gamechat. However, an unflattering average is emerging with these launch games. We are well within the limits of what Nintendo announces, and it is not really a great thing, we were entitled to hope for better battery life. Finally, for a full charge (from 0 to 100%) I had to wait a little less than 3 hours
The Nintendo Switch 2 is not such a portable console after all
Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch 2 is perhaps not as portable as it could/should have been. Between the rendering of its panel below expectations and a battery life barely at the level of previous models, we are far from what we were entitled to expect from a new generation of console which, on paper, is supposed to do much better. Improvements like HDR or 120Hz are not sufficiently exploited at the moment (at launch) to be interesting in portable mode. All that remains is the comfort of play and the size of the 7.9-inch screen, as well as its 1080p resolution which is pleasing to the eyes and its ability to manage its temperature and the sound it emits extremely well. For the rest, we will wait for a V2, in OLED if possible.
The Docked Version: Nintendo Is Looking to Take on PlayStation and Xbox for Real This Time
No, we're not comparing the consoles 1:1, contrary to what many might say, but as we've seen, Nintendo's communication has changed for its Nintendo Switch 2. It's no longer really highlighting the atypical gameplay or hybrid options, but rather the performance. It's showing off its muscles, making the bodywork shine, and selling us slabs of 4K HDR catapulted to DLSS. It must be said, the little one has the muscle to keep most of its promises, but we also have the feeling that we're pushing it to participate in a battle it has already lost.
A console much more powerful than the first Nintendo Switch
On games like Mario Kart World, there's no denying it, the 4K (upscale) is a pleasure to see. We finally have the right to extremely fluid games like with Pokemon Scarlet, Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which gain more details and several improvements improving the graphics there too. Even recent games, like Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, are much more enjoyable on the new console. It's a fact, the Nintendo Switch 2 is clearly more powerful than the first. While Big N doesn't really talk in Tflops (a unit of measurement for the power of machines widely democratized by PlayStation and Xbox), it is said that the Nintendo Switch 2 displays nearly 3.1 Tflops. This is six times more than the Switch 1 (0.5 Tflops) and almost double that of a PS4 (1.8 Tflops).
Where the Switch 1 could be a pain on the eyes on the biggest screens, the Switch 2 is finally up to par. It feels great to be able to enjoy Mario Kart with a resolution worthy of the name, it feels like a real little animated film. It's very successful, but we'll need more games like this to really wow us, and for the moment, it's a bit of a sting for such a big launch.
There are still some glitches that make us wonder
The problem once again is that not everything is rosy in terms of pure performance. While Mario Kart World can serve as a technical showcase, that won't be the case for Cyberpunk 2077 or even Hitman World of Assassination, for example. Both games, known for being true technical monsters on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, are struggling to shine as much on Nintendo Switch 2. Development and optimization issues or hardware limitations? I'm still having trouble deciding, and we'll have to wait a little longer to be sure.
However, it must be admitted that it's still impressive, even if it's not real. Cyberpunk 2077, for example, runs better on Switch 2 than on Steam Deck and PS4 Pro, even though I can't really recommend it as it is. When it wants to, the game is even clean, if not perfectly fluid (30 or 40 fps depending on the mode chosen, with framerate drops and various graphical problems that are too frequent).
Without a doubt, the custom NVIDIA chip does its job very well. The addition of DLSS is also an excellent thing and helps greatly. We'll now have to wait and see how it's actually worth in the coming months. So far, the results for games of this caliber have been mixed. But there is at least one counterexample: Hogwarts Legacy. Harry Potter fans will be happy to know that the game runs wonderfully. It's quite beautiful, does justice to its artistic direction, and is fluid enough to keep you on the ball. So good optimization could be the key.
A solid home console that will still have to prove itself, but the promises are there
The Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent console and it has what it takes, that's for sure. Its only big in-house exclusive, Mario Kart World, is proof of this (we're not counting Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour which is more of a big demo). Successful ports like Hogwarts Legacy, quality remasters like Bravely Default or even the many masterful updates like those for Pokemon Scarlet and Purple, or Zelda, prove to us that the new generation of Switch is well underway.
On the other hand, when developers try to do as on PS5 or Xbox Series by flexing their muscles as if to follow Nintendo's new communication word for word, things get complicated. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Hitman impress with their risk-taking and their success in displaying unimaginable graphics on Nintendo Switch 1, but the games are not the most pleasant to play: framerate problems, catastrophic reflections, numerous sacrifices, etc. Is the Nintendo Switch 2 too limited or are these first games not optimized enough? The question still remains unanswered and we will only be able to be sure in a few months after new releases.
The launch games of Nintendo Switch 2: It's thin and it's a total misunderstanding
When a new console launches, besides the hardware itself, it's mainly the games that sell. In 2020, we could hear gamers complaining and mocking the PS5 and Xbox Series for their lack of risk-taking, the few exclusives available, and the abundance of ports and other paid or free updates. All of this clearly contributed to a feeling of not really taking the plunge into the new generation. What about the Nintendo Switch 2? It's the same thing! And in a way, it even crystallizes everything that often causes controversy in the industry: the desire to move towards all-digital, ports and remasters that no longer know what to do with, a lack of new features... fortunately, almost all the games on the Nintendo Switch 1 are backward compatible and some are even improved!
Lack of exclusives, ports galore and not all successful
The words may be harsh, but it's a reality. The launch games, the full list of which you can find here, do not have the aura that one would expect from a launch of this caliber. Nintendo seems to be ignoring its own fans and only offers one single in-house exclusive: Mario Kart World (There is Nintendo Switch Welcome Tour, but it's not really a game). As great as it is, it's not enough. For the rest, we have the right to several ports like Street Fighter 6, Sonic Generations, Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman, or even Hogwarts Legacy.
We also have a very successful remaster that is Bravely Default Remastered or a plethora of free updates (Pokemon Scarlet and Purple, Mario 3D World, Zelda Echoes of Wisdom…) or paid updates (Zelda Breath of The Wild, Zelda TOTK, Fantasy Life i…). In the lot, not all games and updates are equal, oscillating between the very good, the average and the frankly disappointing. It does not honor the games themselves that we know are infinitely better elsewhere (like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman) and it is even counterproductive for the Nintendo Switch 2 which can seem disappointing when it is not deserved.*
Physical Nintendo Switch 2 versions on the way out
Another point that seems important to address: Nintendo Switch 2 games seem to be abandoning the physical format. We're not saying that Nintendo plans to stop everything, but a big turnaround is taking shape, for the moment mainly driven by third-party publishers who are not making any effort. For all the games released at the same time as the Nintendo Switch 2, you can count the number of cartridges on one hand. For most games, if the boxes are in stores, most are empty. And if they aren't, the cartridge inside is empty and only serves as an activation key for a digital game. This shift is even pushing some publishers to review their strategy, like Capcom, which announced that it would count Switch 2 cartridge sales as digital sales.
And it's not a question of space on the cartridge, since while a Mario Kart World (over 20GB) is complete in physical form, a Bravely Default Remastered (less than 10GB) is not. Gone are the days when you bought your game and put the cartridge in. Now you have to read the small print on the box or ask your sellers for advice. This complexity, which even regulars didn't understand when it was announced, was not useful. I could also tell you about the famous virtual cards for lending your digital games, but that would confuse you. There is clearly a lot of clarification work to be done on everything related to the dematerialized games part, especially when most Nintendo Switch buyers are not really aware of it.
New features that aren't really new, but are still effective: Gamechat and the new Joy-Cons
Among the new features proudly highlighted to present this Nintendo Switch 2, we will especially note a Gamechat feature, so important that it has the right to a dedicated button on the controller, and revisited Joy-Cons that can even become mice. On paper, it's really cool, but if we're pragmatic, it still lacks refinement and there's nothing new. Nintendo has always accustomed us to offering somewhat wacky ideas, sometimes even new ones, even if it means breaking teeth. A radical change in gameplay with the Wii, a controller with an integrated screen for the WiiU, 3D without accessories with the 3DS, or even a hybrid console whose controllers can be detached with the Nintendo Switch. But the ambitions are less with the Nintendo Switch 2 in the end.
New Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2 that retain all their effectiveness
The Joy-Cons' transformation was expected and it's clearly palpable. Opting for a magnetic system is the best thing that could have happened to them. It's clearly easier to handle, more reliable, and pleasant, even allowing for more precise finishing to refine the design. It's possible to detach them by forcing them (we don't recommend this, even if it's an acceptable method for Nintendo) or by briefly pressing a button right next to the triggers. Otherwise, they're pretty much identical to the Joy-Cons from the first Switch, but bigger. You can still use them horizontally as full-fledged controllers thanks to triggers hidden on the edge that hides against the Switch and this time, they can also become mice, like on PC!
The mouse mode is surprisingly effective, but could be refined
This is one of the main new features, but not a revolution since we have already seen it elsewhere, notably on Lenovo's Legion Go. The Nintendo Switch 2, however, offers a lot more, such as full motion recognition or the ability to switch from classic use to a mouse pointer in real time, although this will mainly depend on the software used. In Cyberpunk 2077, for example, you'll have to systematically go through the menus to activate the option. As it stands, mouse mode works very well and is even surprisingly functional on any type of surface, as long as it's smooth.
The downside is that to be all-terrain, the pointer is extremely sensitive. As a result, if you play the game using a mouse pad, for example, you'll have to seriously raise your hand to be able to make large gestures without moving your pointer. This might not appeal to casual gamers, but serious gamers, especially PC players, might well wince. Furthermore, there are no precise settings to modify the parameters, unfortunately. It remains impressive and extremely enjoyable, I'm really looking forward to discovering more, even if we hope for some small updates in the future.
GameChat, the real fake new feature that's not totally up to scratch
The other main new feature being proudly touted is the arrival of GameChat, which is nothing more or less than the equivalent of a chat group on PS5 or Xbox Series. It's existed since the dawn of time with the competition, but it's coming with great fanfare to Nintendo Switch 2 as if it had never been seen before anywhere else. The feature has a dedicated button, the famous C, which takes us directly to the associated menu. It's practical, especially since the application itself isn't particularly practical.
It's clear that Nintendo is aware that its console attracts a young audience and it doesn't want to expose them to the dangers that online games, for example, or uncontrolled social functions can represent. In this sense, it's a real obstacle course that you'll have to go through to use this feature. You must first register a valid phone number, have your profile accepted by the application, and you can only communicate with friends who have also completed all the steps. A necessary evil at a time when online harassment is rife, and it's not a bad thing.
A feature with quite a few options, but one that will need to evolve
GameChat comes with several features, such as sharing your game screen or showing your face if you have a camera. Here too, several options are available. The problem is that it's still very basic, and it's clear that Nintendo isn't used to it. It's missing features, such as managing in-game invitations or the ability to send text, voice, or image messages. These are options that you'll almost instinctively seek out if you're used to using this kind of thing on other platforms.
We can also point out a strange management of the overlay which isn't even one. Instead of superimposing the chat group transparently on the game screen, Nintendo has chosen to reduce it to reveal each player's windows. While you can do without the option to just use the audio, you won't have a choice if you use a camera to chat or in a game, as is the case with Mario Kart World. Clearly, this will need to be optimized before it becomes truly pleasant to use. Note that the rest of the interface hasn't changed one iota; it's almost identical to that of the Nintendo Switch. So it's still not very ergonomic, not to say rudimentary.
IMPORTANT: Please note that GameChat is only free until early 2026, after which you will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use it.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is complete, but two accessories are almost essential
As it stands, the Nintendo Switch 2 comes in a more than complete kit, as I already said in my very first impressions during the unboxing. On the other hand, two major accessories are not included in the box: the Pro Controller and the camera. The first will prove relatively essential for heavy gamers (Nintendo's new target audience) as the comfort it provides is impeccable and has nothing to do with the Joy-Con. Likewise, for heavy gamers once again, the need to buy a micro SD card may quickly arise. As it stands, the Nintendo Switch 2 does not offer sufficient storage space if you want to install several large games. You will then have to pay a little more.
The camera, meanwhile, will be used in certain games, but especially with Gamechat, one of the console's new features. The latter, however, remains an accessory at the time of writing, but if you want to use all the features of your Nintendo Switch 2, you will need to budget for it separately.
- Pro Controller: €89.99
- Micro SD Express Card (offered by Nintendo): 256 GB: €59.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Camera: €59.99
These expenses are of course secondary, but at least two of these accessories will quickly become essential, the controller and the Micro SD EX card, especially for the biggest gamers. This is therefore something to take into account when purchasing. Please note that the Micro SD cards from the first Switch are not compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Who is the Nintendo Switch 2 for? Should we buy it or not?
The Nintendo Switch 2 was a highly anticipated console and it's already a success with more than 3.5 million units sold in just a few days and on many points it doesn't disappoint, it even manages to surprise. The size of its screen, its comfort, its power significantly higher than that of a Switch 1, the new features of its Joy-Cons... but on the other hand, some choices are incomprehensible. Its premise as a hybrid console is, for example, undermined since the battery life isn't exactly up to expectations.
The machine will shine more in docked mode with very solid performances that promise a lot for the future, even if no game will really manage to highlight it for the moment, except for Mario Kart World, the only big in-house exclusive available at launch. Yes, the list of launch games isn't exactly appealing to Nintendo fans. As for other types of players, even if the Switch 2 tries to seduce them with much more mature titles, it will struggle to convince with its intermittent ports of games.
At its launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 is selling us more promises than concrete results. It will certainly satisfy fans of the brand who aren't really in a hurry to try new games, but it risks leaving other types of players wanting more. For our part, we might advise you to wait for the arrival of the next big, ultra-promising hits, but certainly not to ignore it indefinitely. It remains an excellent console with very solid performance, well above the previous generation.
WE LIKE
- A real generational change compared to the Switch 1
- Finally, some really good performance (4K, HDR, DLSS, etc.)
- Enjoying your games in 60fps is finally possible
- A nice screen size (7.9 inches)
- The magnetic Joy-Cons with multiple gameplay possibilities
- The surprising and effective mouse functionality of the Joy-Cons
- Top-notch design and finish, almost optimal comfort in a portable device
- Very strong backward compatibility with Switch 1 games
- Promises a very bright future
WE DON'T LIKE
- A very thin list of launch games, of questionable quality and which will not speak to fans of the brand
- A Battery life below expectations
- An LCD panel instead of OLED with disappointing results
- Still lagging behind technologically and on basic features like GameChat
- Physical games that aren't/are no longer physical, it becomes complicated for nothing
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