After years of rumours, mock-up leaks, and “my cousin’s friend works at Nintendo” posts, Nintendo Direct 2025 finally gave us the Switch 2 reveal, and I’ve spent the last two weeks living with it.
For context, I’ve been on the hunt for a travel-friendly handheld for a while. I’ve tried the Lenovo Legion and ROG Ally X, but Windows on a handheld just never clicked with me. I even bought a Switch OLED for a hot minute before my kids made that one vanish into whatever black hole all of their missing socks go to.
The Switch 2 seemed like the obvious upgrade, especially with Nintendo expanding its library to include a few eyebrow-raising AAA titles. So, two weeks, one new Mario game, and an ambitious plan to finally play Cyberpunk on a plane later… Here's what stood out from the Nintendo Direct announcement and my own hands-on time.
The Official Reveal
Yes, it’s called the Nintendo Switch 2. No, Nintendo didn’t try to get clever with “Super Switch” or “Switch U” (thankfully). At first glance, it isn’t a radical redesign. It’s still the familiar hybrid handheld/docked form factor, but a lot has changed once you pick it up.
The reveal came with all the usual hype, but also plenty of debate: is this truly a next-gen console or just a very fancy “Switch Pro”? With no OLED screen and a big emphasis on backward compatibility, it’s easy to see why some fans are split.
From my perspective, after using the OLED model before, the Switch 2 feels more premium in hand thanks to its soft-touch finish, bigger display, and refined Joy-Con design. It’s still unmistakably a Switch, but the changes make it feel fresh without alienating the original formula that’s sold over 130 million units.
Nintendo Switch 2 News: What You Can Expect
So what else will you notice day-to-day? Here are the key improvements (and petty grievances) you can expect.
Specs and Design Upgrades
On paper, the Switch 2 doesn’t look like it’s trying to win any spec wars, but there’s still a decent jump over the original and the OLED model.
First, the screen: it’s now a 7.9-inch LCD running at 1080p. It’s bigger, brighter, and sharper than before, and while OLED fans will definitely notice the difference in side-by-side comparisons, if you’re not holding them together, you’ll likely just appreciate the extra real estate.
Under the hood, you’re getting 256GB of internal storage, 12GB of RAM, and a new USB-C port up top for charging or accessories, plus the bottom dock connector. The dock itself now supports 4K at 60Hz or 1080p/1440p at 120Hz when hooked up to a TV.
The Joy-Cons have had a bit of a glow-up, too. They’re slightly larger (which makes them far more comfortable) and now attach via magnets instead of the old sliding rails. Detaching and reattaching them is oddly satisfying, though the magnetic connection does have a little flex if you’re holding the console one-handed.
One neat addition? An optical sensor that can turn the Joy-Con into a mouse for certain games. It’s a niche feature, but it shows Nintendo is still willing to experiment.
Setup, Migration, and Game Management
Setting up the Switch 2 is straightforward enough: a few prompts, a couple of Wi-Fi passwords, and you’re in. That said, my migration process had a hiccup: my new console simply refused to see my old Switch at first. After a couple of retries, it magically worked, but it wasn’t exactly confidence-inspiring.
Then came the Rocket League problem. I went to install it on the new console (it’s free, so this should be painless), only to be told I needed to “load the virtual game card” from my other Switch, which was… offline. And dead. And charging in another room. This meant that until I powered up the old console, I literally couldn’t play Rocket League on the new one, despite it being free-to-play.
I get why Nintendo restricts paid games to one active console at a time, but blocking a free title like this feels unnecessarily clunky. Imagine being on a trip, forgetting your old Switch at home, and suddenly realising you can’t launch a free game without it. Not a great look for portability.
Screen and Battery Life
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the Switch 2 does not have an OLED screen. If you’ve been spoiled by the OLED model, you’ll notice the difference in contrast and colour depth. If you haven’t, you’ll probably just notice that the new display is bigger and smoother.
At 7.9 inches with 1080p resolution, HDR10 support, and a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, it’s a clear step up from the original Switch. The extra size makes it feel more immersive, and if you’re not sitting next to an OLED for comparison, you won’t be thinking about it.
Battery life is where the shine wears off a little. In my testing, I’m getting around two hours of gameplay on the go. That’s not disastrous, but it’s a definite downgrade from what I got with the original Switch. It also means I’m carrying extra juice when I travel.
My go-to setup is a pair of UGREEN power banks:
- 200W 25,000mAh, charges the Switch 2 about four and a bit times.
- 130W 20,000mAh, roughly three full charges with 10% to spare.
Both are airline carry-on friendly and fit easily in a bag. Together, they turn the Switch 2 from a two-hour handheld into a 10-hour travel companion. If you’re going on long flights or road trips, they’re worth their weight in gold, or at least worth not having your console die mid-race in Mario Kart.
Controllers
While the larger Joy-Cons are a noticeable improvement in comfort over the original Switch, they’re still not great for long sessions. After about an hour, my hands start to feel it, and detaching them to play in split mode doesn’t help much.
That’s why I recommend getting a Pro Controller, widely considered one of the best console controllers ever made. Unfortunately, in true Nintendo fashion, they’re nowhere to be found. I’ve been to two physical stores, checked online, and still can’t get my hands on one. It’s strange because Switch 2 consoles are readily available, but accessories like the Pro Controller are selling out instantly. If you spot one, don’t hesitate. Your thumbs will thank you.
Dock
As for the dock, it’s functional but has some nice upgrades. There’s USB-C for power, gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 2.1 for higher resolutions. Docked, you can play in 4K at 60Hz, or drop to 1080p or 1440p for a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. The extra power draw when docked (up to 50W) allows for noticeably better graphics than handheld mode. If you’re coming from the Switch OLED or original, you’ll see the difference immediately, especially on a good TV.
It’s worth noting that while docked mode lets you enjoy OLED-level visuals if you’ve got the right TV, the console itself still sticks to that LCD panel when undocked. So if you’re a stickler for contrast and deep blacks, docking is where you’ll see the best of what the Switch 2 can offer visually.
Backwards Compatibility and Upgrades
If there’s one area where Nintendo absolutely nailed it, it’s backwards compatibility. The Switch 2 supports over 15,000 existing Switch titles, including 122 first-party Nintendo games, and reportedly only one game in that massive library doesn’t work on the new hardware. That’s about as good as it gets for a generational leap.
Some older games run smoother right out of the box, while a select few offer paid “Switch 2 upgrade” paths with improved visuals or performance. I don’t love the idea of paying for an upgrade on a game I already own, but the option is there if you want the enhanced version.
The Verdict? Not the Most Powerful Console, but the Most Playable
We all get caught up in specs like 4K, ray tracing, and refresh rates, but none of that matters if you don’t actually get the time to play. The Switch 2’s real magic is in how effortlessly it fits into your day. You can pick it up for ten minutes after dinner, dock it for a proper session on the weekend, and just as easily hand it to a friend or your kids without a long setup.
That’s the genius here. Not winning hardware battles, but winning the moments you actually have to play. For me, it’s still the best console for quick, fun gaming with friends or family.
So, is the Switch 2 perfect? Not at all. But is it fun in a way that more powerful hardware often isn’t? Absolutely. And that’s a win in my book.
