The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 really does feel like a throwback. Back when consoles were so awesome you had to jump in on day one. This was a different experience for me, starting by waking up at 7 AM. Now, I don’t mind getting up early or anything. But it happened that I had been up late working on some stuff. I had been told that Walmart would be delivering it. OK, I’ve seen this movie before. Walmart, where I live, is basically like dealing with the Mad Hatter. You know how the Hatter always celebrated his ‘unbirthdays’? Well, Walmart rarely delivers on time, and often delivers on a completely different time than when they’re supposed to. Regardless, I was able to get one on time and deliver to you all my Switch 2 console review.
You know something? Walmart was kind enough to send in some Pringles and a bottle of Coke. Honestly, that felt really nice. Granted, when you’re spending about $500 for a console, this feels like the least someone like Walmart could do. Still, such things are pretty nice. From the first moment I unboxed the Switch 2, I was immediately impressed with its upgrades. As detailed in my video above, the console has a pro-style matte finish. Understand that, as great as the original Switch was, it never did measure up to its cost. At roughly $300, the Joy-Cons never felt equal to what I paid and the dock felt poorly constructed. All of which is happily gone from the new Switch 2. From the moment I held it, the console felt worth every dollar I spent. (and at a whopping $500, it had better!)
Being able to play 4K on a console isn’t new; Sony and Microsoft have been doing it since 2017. Nintendo has finally caught up, and I have to say, it does look spectacular. I played ‘Mario Kart World’ (review coming soon!) for several hours on 4K, and the vibrant colors mixed with crisp detail made for one of the best experiences I’ve had playing on a Nintendo.
The Joy-Cons are finally brought up to speed. I have long fingers, so using the original Joy-Cons was misery. The updated controllers are finally tolerable. Previously, the tiny controllers felt fragile in my hands, as if I was in imminent danger of breaking them at the slightest mishap, or if I simply gripped them too hard.
While I’m discussing the controls, let me also state that the Joy-Cons, when attached to the console, function much better than before. Previously, there was a considerable amount of drift in the controls, a lack of precision basically. At times this could be absolutely maddening, especially if you were playing a first-person shooter, where precision is a requirement. I had issues playing ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ as well. Thankfully, Nintendo has heard our complaints and resolved the issue with these impressive new controls.
The new 7.2 screen is a revelation. I’ve seen about a dozen videos showcasing the bigger screen, but I’m telling you that to fully appreciate it, you must see it in person. I tend to be on the move, so being able to finally experience Hyrule on a proper screen is such a joy. Other games like ‘Metroid Prime Remastered’ and ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ finally don’t look so minuscule. I can play on the go without having to sacrifice the quality of some of Nintendo’s best games.
I will add a quick note about the UI system. There really isn’t much to say as it is nearly the same as the previous generation in every way. The only differences I saw were the ability to put video games into customized group categories, a slightly refreshed news feed, and a brand new battery save mode where the console will only charge up to 90% for longevity purposes.
Speaking of longevity, the Switch 2, while having a new battery, is not much of an improvement beyond the previous gen. Playing it in handheld mode only goes up to 1080, which is a vast improvement from the previous gen 720. Yet this means that the Switch 2 is fairly power hungry. I played it while turning the brightness only about halfway, and was surprised at how much battery life it consumed. I would estimate roughly 4 1/2 to maybe 5 hours of playtime, depending on what games you play and how high the screen is up. It could be possible to extend it by another hour or so.
Overall, I’m happy to report the Nintendo Switch 2 has managed to improve on the original in nearly every way. Unquestionably, the most refined console Nintendo has ever built. Brilliantly combining portability with all the quality of a true console. The Switch 2 is truly the next generation of video gaming, and I am delighted to be a part of it.
