My Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions

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So here we are, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been released. It’s been over 8 years since the release of the original, which both feels like an age and no time at all.

The Switch 2 is a bit different from how Nintendo usually plays things. Ever since they had such a smash hit with the Wii, they’ve been trying to innovate, and give each of their consoles a unique selling point. Some worked well, like the Switch and the Wiimote, some worked well for their time, like the 3DS, and some fell flat, like the Wii U gamepad.

The Switch 2 is a different beast, as it’s effectively an evolution of the Switch, rather than a revolution. There are some things that Nintendo are trying to play off like a new gimmick, such as the mouse functionality, the game sharing and the camera - but really none of that stuff is particularly new in the world of gaming, and I suspect support for them will dwindle over time.

Luckily for us, the Switch was an awesome console - so improving on it can only be a good thing. The first thing you’ll notice is the size of the console. It is much bigger than the original, and placing it next to your original makes the elder Switch look tiny. This in turn means the controllers are bigger too, which makes them feel more comfortable in my hands.

Gone are the sliding joy-cons, replaced with magnetic ones, that click straight on. I don’t know if this is necessarily better than the original, but it is certainly different. The Switch 2 is a more powerful console, and the dock is more capable too. This means we get support for up to 4K resolution, which is awesome. Switch 2 also supports HDR and 120fps modes, but doesn’t support VRR whilst docked - only in handheld.

On the topic of HDR, there are some reports about that the implementation is wonky. Black levels not quite right, and there is very little in the way of configuration of this on the console itself. HDR in video games has always been a little touch and go, so personally, I’ll just turn that feature off. The LCD of the handheld is alright - it’s not as good as the OLED model screen, but it is a lot better than the original Switch screen. If you’re like me and you mostly play games docked, just using the handheld mode every now and again, this is completely sufficient. However if you’re almost a purely handheld gamer, I’d suggest seeing the screen in action before you purchase, just to make sure you’re happy with it.

When you first boot up the system, you get a bit of an instruction on how to use it, how to attach and remove the joy-cons, that sort of thing. It then goes through an update, and you can transfer your Switch 1 data over. This worked well for me - it even moved over all my screenshots, as well as my save files and the games I had installed. One thing to note though, is that certain games can only be supported on one Switch at a time. Pokémon games for instance won’t let you transfer your save without a disclaimer that it will delete the equivalent save on your old Switch - so be careful of that.

Once I was up and running, the first thing I noticed is how much more snappy everything is. The UI has been slightly refined, not overhauled, but everything is much quicker now to load and navigate. It’s a better user experience because of it, though personally, I miss each Nintendo system having a widely different interface.

I noticed in particular the eShop was now much better to use. Often in the past it felt quite slow, and painful at times to browse. Now, it’s quick and responsive, just like any online shop should be in 2025.

That being said, there isn’t too much to actually buy at the moment in terms of Switch 2 exclusives. You’ve got Mario Kart World of course - of which I’ll put up a review tomorrow. There’s fast fusion, a great indie title - review of that on Saturday. And really, that’s about it. There’s a few upgrade packs for Switch 1 games which add new features to those titles, and of course Nintendo’s much maligned Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

The game itself isn’t exactly bad, it’s basically just a bit of a demo exploring all the new features of the console. The problem is that they are charging for it - a crazy decision. Honestly, if you’re not totally convinced on Switch 2 and want to wait for more games to come out, that is a perfectly reasonable position to take. It’s quite logical too, not everyone needs to be a mad gamer that gets things the second they come out.

Overall, I really like the Switch 2. I knew what I was getting in for when I preordered it - an upgraded Switch 1. I love the Switch 1, so that was enough for me, and I’m really looking forward to playing games like Donkey Kong Bananza. I also can’t wait for more free upgrades for older Switch 1 titles to come along so I can nail down some of my backlog. Pokémon Violet in particular is one I’ll be revisiting this weekend, the performance of that game on Switch 1 was atrocious, so I’m keen to see how the upgrade improves things.

Let me know your thoughts on the Switch 2 if you’ve bought one, or are planning to buy one, and look out for my reviews of some Switch 2 games in the coming days!