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With redesigned joycons that satisfyingly click into place, handy rear-stand and larger display, the Switch 2 is a modest but thoughtful improvement on it's predecessor that cements its status as the premier handheld gaming platform. The price tag is an issue though.
The Good
- Large display is beautiful and immersive
- Joycons are smooth
- Great speaker quality
The Not So Good
- Expensive, matching full-on consoles
- Kick-stand feels a tad flimsy
Need-To-Knows
- Display is large, vibrant and immersive
- Ingenious Joy-Con attachment mechanism
- Great speakers
- Getting near to premium console prices
Let me set the scene. I’m a 44-year-old dad who doesn’t play computer games anymore, but used to, a lot, when I was younger.
I’m the Amiga generation. Before that, I used to wait for my ZX Spectrum to load games from cassette tapes. I made it about as far as the PlayStation 4. But shortly before that, my interest in gaming had begun to wane.
I have a distinct memory of Metal Gear Solid 4 revealing just how frustrating modern games had become. Cut scene after cut scene (all badly written and even more poorly acted) got in the way of actually playing the damn thing.
Then, life took over.
The good news is that Nintendo is the only big name in the world of gaming (I think) that still understands the importance of ‘pick up and play’ for many of us. I don’t have time to sift through complicated menus, endless software updates, explainers, and the aforementioned cutscenes. I just want to jump straight into some sofa gaming.
That’s why I’ve been looking forward to this Switch 2 review, unknowingly, for quite some time.
Shop the Nintendo Switch 2 below!
How I reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2
This is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job – ‘testing’ gaming devices for a review. I don’t do it often, because I’m not an out-and-out video game reviewer, but when I do, I keep things simple.
At the time of writing, I’ve been playing the Switch 2 for a couple of weeks. I’ve played it mainly as a handheld console; the only TV-docking I’ve done is for this review.
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This review isn’t as in-depth as some you’ll find out there – it’s simply a list of things I love and don’t love about the Switch 2. If it proves popular, I may revisit the Switch 2 in the future with a more detailed long-term review. Get involved in the comments if you’d like to see that, please (and hit me with your questions)!
Quick Look
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 5, 2025 |
| Price | $450 USD/£395.99; bundles ~£429.99/$499.99 |
| Dimensions (w/o Joy‑Con) | 272 × 116 × 13.9 mm |
| Weight | Console: ~401 g; With Joy‑Con 2: ~534 g (1.18 lb) |
| Screen | 7.9″ capacitive LCD, 1920×1080 (1080p), HDR10, VRR up to 120 Hz |
| SoC (CPU/GPU) | Custom Nvidia Tegra T239 (“Drake”) — 8× ARM Cortex‑A78C cores (2 system-reserved, 6 developer), Ampere‑based GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores |
| Memory | 12 GB LPDDR5X (128-bit interface); ~3 GB reserved by system, ~9 GB usable |
| Storage | 256 GB UFS; ~70% free at launch; expandable via microSD Express (up to 2 TB) |
| Battery & Charging | 5,220 mAh lithium‑ion battery; ~2–3 hr gameplay; charges in ~3 hr (system in sleep) |
| Ports | 1× bottom USB‑C (charging/dock); 1× top USB‑C (accessories/charging); 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Wireless | Wi‑Fi 6; Bluetooth; dock includes wired LAN |
| Dock Output | Up to 4K@60 Hz; 1080p/1440p@120 Hz; HDMI, Ethernet, 2× USB‑A |
| Audio | Built‑in stereo speakers with 3D/spatial support; headphone jack; HDMI output supports 5.1 ch PCM |
| Mic & GameChat | Built‑in mono mic with noise/echo cancellation; supports GameChat voice/video |
| Joy-Con 2 Controllers | Magnetic attach; include accelerometer, gyroscope, mouse sensor; HD Rumble 2; ~20 hr battery each; Bluetooth/NFC |
| Accessories | Joy‑Con 2 strap/grip; Pro Controller; USB‑C camera; charging grip |
My Nintendo Switch setup
As you might expect, you can’t just buy a Switch 2 and be done with it. Well, you can, but you won’t have much fun with it. You need some games. And then, you need some protection for the console itself (particularly if you have kids).
I opted for the Mario Kart World console bundle (£430), a Spigen screen protector (£25 – although there’s a cheaper option if you don’t want to spend that much), and a Heystop carry case.
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That’s it for now (bar some additional games, which I’ll get to later). I’m yet to buy a proper controller for it, and I’m yet to be tempted by any of the other official accessories. But, well – we’ll see!
What I love about the Switch 2
I’ve never owned a Nintendo Switch. I’ve had a crack at the previous generation, but never for much longer than a few minutes before my nephew demanded it back.
Now I’ve got my own, I feel like I’ve been missing out. This is the kind of gaming I can get on board with in 2025 as a constantly busy dad. It is so much fun, and it’s so instantly playable. With that in mind, let’s dig into what I love most about the Switch 2.
The hardware is very impressive and feels like it could take a fair beating (which I’m sure a lot of these consoles inevitably will). The Joy-Con 2 controllers connect satisfyingly to the console and are a joy to use. Hence the name, I guess. The only potential weak part of the Switch 2 is the kickstand, although I’m sure it’s tougher than it looks.
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The display is equally lovely. No, it isn’t OLED, but I guess that 99% of the people who will buy the Switch 2 won’t give two hoots about that, and those who think they care about it will soon move on when they play the thing. It’s huge, bright, and draws you into the game – that’s all that matters.
Special mention must also go to the haptics, which are incredibly impressive and a surprising delight for yours truly. They’re detailed and intricate when they need to be, and almost shake your hands when it matters. Lovely stuff.
The OS is great, too. This is my first proper experience of Nintendo’s mobile gaming operating system and, predictably, it’s as simple as it should be. Games are always just a tap away, and everything else is where it should be. The fact that you can immediately jump back into where you were, gaming-wise, only adds to the ‘pick up and play’ mantra.
As for the games, thus far, I’ve played Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Fast Fusion. There are only two original titles in that list, and both are superb (the latest Mario Kart retains the joy of the series with more expansive races, and Fast Fusion is basically Wipeout and therefore awesome). I can also recommend Welcome Tour, which at £7.99 might seem like a rip-off but which is actually a delightful and useful introduction to what the Switch 2 is capable of.
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The ability to dig into the back catalogue of Switch games is very welcome for someone like yours truly who missed out on them the first time around. They’re not cheap if bought on the Nintendo store, though. Super Mario Odyssey – a seven-year-old game – set me back £50. Thankfully, it is awesome, and it still feels like I’m going to get a tonne of value out of it.
The other thing I’d never experienced as a complete Switch noob was the ability to connect it to the TV and play it on the big screen. I can do that – and then some – in my studio, which boasts a 98-inch TCL behemoth of a set. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I slotted the Switch 2 into its included TV dock – maybe an experience akin to plugging a slightly more up-to-date SNES into my fancy big TV (i.e. marginally underwhelming). But what it actually does is transform the Switch 2 into an even more exciting console.
Sure, I’ve got a big telly (and I know where to put it*), but I doubt it matters what size TV you connect the Switch 2 to; those visuals and the consistent framerates translate beautifully to bigger screens and provide a whole new perspective on games like Mario Kart World.
What I don’t love about the Switch 2
It isn’t all roses with the Switch 2, unfortunately. There are three problems I’ve identified – all of which are troublesome in their own right.
The first is the fact that it is really quite expensive. My Switch 2 bundle set me back £430. That includes Mario Kart World, but it’s still quite a distance from no-brainer money. Of course, you need extra stuff, and I’ve figured out that with the inclusion of additional games and accessories, I’ve spent as near as makes no difference £580 on my Switch 2 experience. So far.
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If I removed myself from tech reviewer land, would I buy a Switch 2? I’m not sure I would. We live in an expensive world, and I think I‘d struggle to justify it. More hardened gamers may disagree, but that illustrates the challenge Nintendo has in separating people like me from my hard-earned.
The second issue is the fact that there aren’t really any other big launch titles other than Mario Kart World. It would have been lovely to see a new Super Mario game or a reboot of Super Metroid. I’m sure those titles are on the way, and the lack of them right now does tempt one to dig into the back catalogue, but, still – it would have been nice.
Lastly, the Switch 2 battery life isn’t quite as good as I was hoping for. I’ve not timed it, because I’d rather eat my own hair, but I guess that you’re probably going to get just over two hours of gameplay in most scenarios.
You can play with it connected to a power outlet, of course – and, as mentioned, the TV dock will see you out of trouble if you regularly use it in that mode – but I’d love to see four or so hours of battery life just to get me out of trouble while travelling. I guess the larger display and additional power in the Switch 2 are the reasons Nintendo can’t squeeze much more out of it.
Conclusion: why we need the Switch 2 now
I love the Switch 2. The negatives I’ve mentioned above do slightly spoil the experience when you ponder them, but they disappear once you start playing.
And that’s the point of the Switch 2 – particularly in 2025. In a tech world that is obsessed with consumer-facing AI features that so few people actually use in day-to-day life, Nintendo’s latest console has rocked up in flip-flops, smiling, and simply saying, “hey, let’s have some fun”.
I’m here for that. All day long.
More importantly, it has successfully got this 44-year-old dad back into gaming, and I can’t see myself putting it down – unless life demands I do so. Which it does, quite a lot. But that doesn’t matter – because diving into the Switch 2 is so easy. That’s its greatest strength.
*if you get that reference – bravo
8 Comments
This review perfectly captures what makes the Switch 2 feel so special. As someone who also drifted away from gaming after the PS3 era, I completely relate to the appeal of a “pick up and play” experience in today’s busy world. The fact that Nintendo still understands this when so many others don’t is what makes the Switch 2 such a standout.
The improvements—especially the larger screen, smoother Joy-Cons, and instant game resume—seem minor on paper but clearly add up in real-world use. And your point about the haptics is spot on—they’re subtle but make a huge difference in immersion, especially in Mario Kart.
That said, the price creep is definitely a concern, especially when bundles push past console territory. And yeah, launching with just Mario Kart World as the major title feels like a missed opportunity.
Still, as a returning gamer and parent, I love that Nintendo is offering something that doesn’t demand 100+ hours or a steep learning curve to enjoy. Hoping we see a steady stream of first-party releases soon—this hardware deserves it.
Thanks for the honest, down-to-earth take. Would definitely read a long-term follow-up if you end up doing one!
And you too. Grab a brain, the price is more than a concern. You all buying this shit everytime they take a steaming dump, is why they keep fucking doing it
You’re scum buddy, anyone promoting Nintendo and their bullshit robbery at this point, deserves to die a slow and painful death. They sit back and ruin gaming and you have nothing better to do than give them good reviews for it? You’re a Nintendo shcill, in their pocket and you’re a loser. I genuinely, hope you and everyone you care for gets AIDS and dies. Go eat a massive bag of diseased cocks you chump.
Anyone giving this a positive review is a loser
I hope you dead
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