‘Switch 2’ Is Nintendo (Mostly) All Grown Up

After an eight-year gaming journey encompassing the longest console cycle Nintendo’s ever had, it’s finally time to turn the page with the launch of Switch 2. The new hybrid console, which works both as a handheld and home system just like its predecessor, has a lot to live up to.

Since its release in 2017, the original Switch has been a phenomenon, selling over 152 million units (making it the third highest-selling gaming device ever behind the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2), and reinvigorating the Japanese company both with flush cash and cultural clout. Whereas 10 years ago, people might’ve assumed Nintendo was a thing of the past, the success of the Switch has propelled the company into a new golden age. Now, it’s their crown to lose.

That might sound like a highly dramatic read of the situation for a video game console launch, but it rings true. As mobile gaming catapulted the pastime into ubiquity, the audience for video games is larger than ever. But despite a surge in popularity, the gaming industry has somewhat plateaued in its potential. While previous generational leaps felt earth-shattering — going from pixelated bleep bloops in 1985 to fully rendered 3D worlds in the span of a decade — progress is harder to come by these days. The best looking, feeling, and functioning games of 2025 aren’t really all that different than 10 (or even 20) years ago.

All that’s to say it isn’t enough to simply roll out new hardware with better specs and a solid sequel or two; there needs to be a real hook to pry people away from their phones and, especially, from the games they already have. That’s the mission of Switch 2: to grab hold of an ever-narrowing attention span, at home or on the go, and hopefully keep it for however long this cycle goes.

On that front, it’s hard to say whether Nintendo’s up to the task. In many ways, it feels like a safe bet that Switch 2 will be some kind of success; it’s better, faster, and stronger than its predecessor in every way. But the console (which retails at $449.99) also feels like a spiritual betrayal of Nintendo’s core ethos of innovation. As the first device in the company’s history to be slapped with a simple numerical sequel for a name, the messaging is clear: It’s more of that thing you already like, rather than something entirely new. Yet still, there’s a world where that might be enough.

What is Nintendo Switch 2?

Well, it’s in the name. The successor to the OG Switch looks a lot like the last one. It’s ostensibly a touchscreen tablet with two controllers that snap onto the sides. In handheld mode, it feels like a dream for anyone who grew up burning through batteries on a chunky monochromatic Game Boy. The screen is a massive 7.9 inch LCD display (up from its predecessor’s 6.2) that utilizes HDR (high dynamic range) and 1080p resolution to deliver high-definition gaming in the palm of your hand. The screen is also capable of 120 Hz VRR (variable refresh rate), which allows certain games to use the juiced-up GPU and CPU to run smoother in motion than any Nintendo device before.

Its controllers (called Joy-Con) are detachable, meaning that players can kick back and play with the device in kickstand mode, or hand off one to someone else for multiplayer gaming. Inside, the Joy-Con have all the bells and whistles modern gamers expect, from gyroscopes for motion controls to enhanced HD rumble for tactile feedback (a fancy version of rumble).

Placed in its dock, Switch 2 connects to a home display and increases its processing power to play games at an upscaled 4K resolution, bringing it inline with beefier consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X at a fraction of the size. There’re still limitations; Switch 2 is a substantial upgrade from its predecessor, but its overall horsepower is closer to that of a PlayStation 4 (launched in 2013) than other current generation systems. That’s not to say it’s weak — far from it. With increased RAM and advancements in its architecture, the Switch 2 can run games like launch title Cyberpunk 2077, a game that famously shit the bed on PS4 and Xbox One. Playing as a hi-res facsimile of Keanu Reeves on a Nintendo feels kind of revelatory in that regard.

In short, it’s basically an upgraded Switch. But for what it lacks in flat-out gimmicks or quantum leaps in how people perceive video games — as seen in the jumps from the SNES to Nintendo 64 or Wii — it makes up for with subtle changes that do something new for Nintendo. Instead of making something people didn’t know they wanted, the Switch 2 delivers many of the things they did.

What’s new in Switch 2?

From a purely technical perspective, Switch 2 is a huge leap forward in terms of power. While Nintendo mostly conceded the corporate tug-of-war over graphical prowess back in 2006 with the Wii, the general plateau of visual enhancements over the last two generations means that games running on Switch 2 look pretty damned good even compared to more premium devices. Mario Kart World and the upgraded version of 2023’s Tears of the Kingdom look great, with the latter running at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second, a far cry from the way the original version chugged along on the outdated Switch hardware.

But there was never really a question as to whether Nintendo’s first-party games would look good. Through clever art direction and intimate knowledge of their own technology, homegrown Nintendo games have always maximized the potential of their individual platforms. The greater potential here is for third-party developers to produce titles for Nintendo’s platform, after many previously absconded in the Switch era due to the limitations of that device.

Although no review copies were provided early enough to fully test from start to finish, in hands-on sessions, Rolling Stone was able to try Switch 2 versions of games like Capcom’s Street Fighter 6, EA’s Split Fiction, and most impressively, CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 — all of which looked and felt impressively close to their original iterations on other consoles. While they mostly fall just short of the graphical fidelity offered elsewhere, with less textural detail and complex real-time lighting, every one of them worked, which itself is a feat given how comedically bad OG Switch versions of titles like Mortal Kombat 1 ended up.

They may not be the premier way to play these games, but Switch 2 versions are about as close as you can get to the desired experience, especially in handheld mode, without investing hundreds or thousands of dollars more for high end pro consoles and PCs.

The other changes are more subtle. The size of the console has increased without heavily impacting its weight, which is great news for lanky-fingered adults who previously struggled to comfortably play Switch or even the slightly larger 2021 OLED model. With a clean matte finish and magnetic connectors for the Joy-Con (versus the snap-in functionality of the older ones), everything about Switch 2 feels sturdier, cleaner, and more premium. Clearly taking some inspiration from handheld PCs like ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck, Switch 2 feels less like a toy and more like something an adult might want to play in public.

The Joy-Con themselves have new functionality, too, although there’s some omissions — namely, the much-requested inclusion of Hall effect joysticks, which are more modern, reliable sticks that could’ve solved the drifting issue that plagued the first Switch. HD rumble returns and is both stronger and subtler than before. In games like Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (a glorified tech demo), tactile feedback can be used to detect minute vibrations in varying intensity. In Mario Kart World, engines hum beneath your fingers. Again, this is all stuff we’ve seen before, and it’s not quite as impactful as the tactile experiences in devices like the PS5’s Dual Sense Edge controller, but it does feel great.

The biggest change to the Joy-Con is a bizarre one that has roots in Nintendo history. At any time, the controllers can be placed on a surface, like a table or (surprisingly) your knee, turning the controller into a point-and-click mouse. Nintendo has toyed with mouse controls as far back as the SNES, but here it serves multiple purposes. In games like Mario Party Jamboree, the mouse can be used for mini-games like air hockey or dragging items to stack in physics-based trials. In first-person shooter Metroid Prime 4, players can shift from analog stick controls to hyper-precise aiming reminiscent of hardcore PC games. Even just clicking around the console’s UI feels smoother, and you’ll be surprised by how often the feature gets used (especially on a knee).

The last big feature is GameChat, and it could be a biggie. Essentially, GameChat allows players to connect with groups of up to four (for video) or 12 (for audio) people to talk and play together. Audio only requires the console’s built-in microphone, but with the additional purchase of a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera ($54.99), users can cast themselves virtually, even overlaying themselves on top of gameplay or in little boxes for their friends.

In practice, it’s almost like having a low-lift take on Twitch streaming, dropping players in front of a game for their friends to see without needing an expensive kit or green screen. Think of it like a playable Zoom call, with the ability for people to play the same or different games together, jumping in and out of sessions at will. There’s, of course, a one-click way to buy the game your friend is showing off to capitalize on FOMO. Unfortunately, the live feed itself is low-res, which is disappointing but fair considering that console is running its own game, direct feed from the camera, and pulling in three others simultaneously.

What games are available for Switch 2?

Compared to older console launches, Switch 2’s lineup is ultimately fine. From Nintendo’s own first-party teams, the killer app is clearly Mario Kart World. Bigger than any Mario Kart ever, it’s a perfect showcase for Switch 2’s increased power and social features and will be a guaranteed purchase just about everyone who buys the new console — it’s even offered as the sole bundle available day one.

Other than that, it’s a mixed bag. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a $10 mini-game collection that tasks players with studiously learning and implementing every new feature in the system. In what obviously should’ve been a pack-in title like PlayStation’s done with the Astro series at the launch of its new hardware, Welcome Tour makes for a fun distraction and a good way to test out all the new gizmos in the console. But it’s not a full meal.

Donkey Kong Bananza will arrive on July 17, positioned to scratch the post-launch itch with the first new 3D entry in the series since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. But let’s face it, Donkey Kong is no Mario; and there isn’t even a murmur about when Nintendo’s most beloved figure will get a new game. You can, at least, play most older Switch titles on the new device, with many like Super Mario Party Jamboree and the Zelda games offering either paid or free upgrades to Switch 2 versions with new features like improved performance or camera/mouse integration. Switch 2 also brings back GameCube classics like The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. But that’s kind of it.

Look, not every console launch comes with that game that will be remembered forever. In today’s landscape, most new systems are sold as cross-generational upgrades that have a handful of enticing new titles but mostly make existing games better. Without a Super Mario 64 or Breath of the Wild caliber title, that’s really what Nintendo is banking on.

Part of that strategy is the resurgence of third-party games, which could be the system’s saving grace. Day one, the offerings include ports of Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman World of Assassination, Street Fighter 6, Split Fiction, and Yakuza 0 — all of which are fantastic in their previous forms. Down the road, games like Star Wars Outlaws, Elden Ring, and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade could make a splash, with the latter signifying the long-awaited return of the Final Fantasy series to Nintendo after infamously ditching their partnership for Sony. Switch 2 will also welcome Madden NFL 26, EA Sports FC 26, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 this year, so there’s no shortage of non-Nintendo games to look forward to.

Assuming Nintendo can continue luring third-party publishers back into the fray to either produce good enough ports or, ideally, entirely new games (like Bloodborne-like The Duskbloods), there should be a slow trickle of releases that prevent any serious droughts like the periods that plague the original Switch in between Nintendo-exclusives. On top that, Nintendo has fostered a massive platform for indie games that helped bolster its profile in recent years, even securing the incredible get of Hades II as a console exclusive for a limited time.

Is Switch 2 worth it?

It’s the million-dollar question, but the answer is complicated. Although Switch 2 offers a better version of a familiar experience, there’s very little that feels revolutionary. What worked great before — the seamless transition between portable and home play, smart implementation of its Joy-Con, and a likely future-classic library — is all present. What remains to be seen if its new features like GameChat have lasting potential.

There’s also the issue of price and availability. Although not cheap, the first Switch and its later Lite model were cost-effective alternatives (at $300 and $200, respectively) for gamers looking to invest serious time without breaking the bank. Conversely, Switch 2 starts at $450 without any games. Bundled with Mario Kart World, it makes the price tag about $500; but individually, the games are also more expensive with some titles like Mario Kart World costing $80 on its own, while others like Donkey Kong Bananza will retail for $70.

Despite that, it may still end up being the most cost-effective way to continue playing new games. Due to multiple factors, from increased development costs and the recent threat of tariffs, video game prices are up across the board with Xbox Series X systems rising to $600 (and PlayStation 5 potentially soon to follow). It sucks to say, but Nintendo Switch 2 might still end up being kind of a deal — especially with its GameShare feature, which allows players at home to share a single copy of a game between multiple Switch 2 and Switch devices to play all at once. For a full family of gamers, that could be a huge deal.

As it stands, Switch 2 is whatever you make it to be. Despite somewhat tempered hype around its launch, it’s still a new Nintendo console. If you’re the kind of person who’s insanely amped by Mario Kart, you’ve probably already got a pre-order. For everyone else, it’s wait and see, although Nintendo knows you’re watching. Odds are, you’ll break and buy it eventually.