I’ve had the Nintendo Switch 2 for a little over two weeks now, and honestly, it’s been great. It doesn’t try to reinvent the experience, but just about everything feels better. Load times are quicker, games run smoother, and the whole system feels more responsive.
Menus, downloads, even just opening the e-Shop, everything moves faster. Having dual USB-C ports makes life easier, especially for charging and plugging in accessories. The Joy-Con 2 controllers snap on now and feel better to use. I’ve taken it on the go, played it docked at home, and jumped into online races with friends using GameChat. It handled every scenario without a hitch.
If you’ve used a Nintendo Switch before, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels familiar. But after using the Nintendo Switch 2 for two weeks, it’s clear it’s more than just a small upgrade.
Setup and Getting Started
The Nintendo Switch 2 includes everything you need to get started. You get the console, a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers, two wrist straps, the grip, dock, HDMI cable, and a 60-watt power adapter with a detachable USB-C cable. If you pick up the Mario Kart World bundle, you also get a game code for that.
Setup was quick. Once I attached the Joy-Con 2 controllers and powered it on, I went through Wi-Fi setup, signed into my Nintendo Account, and transferred everything over from my old Nintendo Switch. The transfer process was way faster than I expected and worked on the first try. If you need help, check out our Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 Data Transfer Guide (Step-by-Step and Easy to Follow) article.
I also popped in a microSD Express card after setup. The system recognized it right away, downloaded a quick update, and rebooted. No issues there either.
Everything about getting started felt smoother than the original Nintendo Switch. The menus respond faster, and the whole system just feels snappier. It’s familiar, but better.
Familiar Shape, Better Feel
The Nintendo Switch 2 still looks and feels like a Nintendo Switch, just more polished. It’s got smoother curves, upgraded materials, and a sturdier feel overall. The wider kickstand holds its angle better and makes tabletop play a lot more reliable. The whole thing just feels tighter and more solid in handheld mode.
The screen’s a big upgrade too. It’s a 7.9-inch LCD with a wide colour gamut, full 1080p resolution, HDR10 support, and variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. That means games look sharper and brighter, and fast-paced stuff like racing or action games feel smoother, especially in handheld mode.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers snap on with magnets now, which feels a lot more secure. They’ve also got a matte texture, better analog sticks, and slightly bigger buttons. Mouse support is built in, and it actually works well, even on softer surfaces like a couch.
Port placement has improved too. There’s a USB-C port on the bottom and another on top, so you have more flexibility when charging or using accessories like the new camera. The game card slot is easier to open, which sounds small but actually helps if you swap games a lot.
The new dock is slimmer and more rounded. It’s got a built-in fan for better cooling, plus Ethernet built in, no extra dongles needed. Everything slides into place easily, and docked transitions are still instant.
Joy-Con 2 Controllers Feel Better in Every Way
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t look drastically different, but you can feel the improvements right away. They snap on magnetically with a firm click, which feels more secure than the sliding rails on the Nintendo Switch. I’ve been using them in handheld and detached modes, and they stay in place better than before.
Each Joy-Con 2 controller now includes a built-in sensor that adds mouse-style control. It’s subtle but surprisingly handy. I tried it in a few supported games and menus, and the pointer stayed accurate on both hard surfaces and fabric. It feels like a small upgrade that ends up being more useful than expected.
The analog sticks are a bit larger and have a tighter feel. And, motion controls also seem more responsive. I noticed it right away in games like Tears of the Kingdom when aiming arrows or steering gliders. Button presses also feel firmer and more deliberate without being stiff.
The new matte texture helps with grip. During long sessions in handheld mode, they felt more stable and less slippery, even with action-heavy games. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference when you’re several hours into something like Cyberpunk or Street Fighter.
They’re still not perfect. Games that need more exact timing, like fighters or retro platformers, I’d still recommend a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. But the Joy-Con 2 controllers feel like a meaningful step forward. Everything works a little better, feels a little more stable, and just holds up during regular play. That’s really all I wanted.
Performance and Game Experience
After two weeks of gaming, the Nintendo Switch 2 holds up well across just about everything I’ve tried. Load times are noticeably faster. Menus feel more responsive. Frame rates are steadier, even in bigger, more demanding games.
Mario Kart World is one of the best examples. It runs at a smooth 60 FPS in handheld and docked mode. Load times between races are quick, and the new open-world structure blends tracks without constant menu hopping. Online play is stable, and GameChat made races more chaotic in a good way. Screen sharing worked, too, even during local split-screen. For a full breakdown, check out our Mario Kart World review.
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition was the biggest surprise. Quality mode hits 30 FPS docked. Performance mode pushes close to 40 FPS handheld. It’s not flawless, but it’s impressive for a portable system. DLSS really helps, and load times are quick. You can even use motion, mouse, or touch controls.
A lot of that performance boost comes from the custom processor inside the system, which was built in collaboration with NVIDIA. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently shared more about the chip in a special Creator’s Voice episode, including its ray tracing, AI, and power efficiency features.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both benefit from the upgraded hardware. Load times are shorter, frame rates dip less often, and lighting looks more natural. They aren’t full remasters, but they feel more stable and responsive. You can read more in our Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition review.
Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition also performs well. Most modes hit 60 FPS, but World Tour runs at 30. I had better results using the Pro Controller for tighter input, though the Joy-Con 2 gets the job done.
No system is perfect, but so far, performance has been reliable and consistent across old and new games.
Battery Life in Practice
Nintendo lists the Switch 2’s battery life as 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game. After testing some of the more demanding titles, I’ve mostly seen results near the lower end of that range.
Mario Kart World lasted about two hours on a full charge with Wi-Fi on and brightness around 80 percent. Cyberpunk 2077, running in Quality mode, also hovered around two hours before needing a recharge. Less demanding games stretch things out a bit more. But if you’re focused on newer, power-hungry titles, expect around two to two and a half hours of handheld time.
That’s still enough for a short trip or gaming session, but not quite what I’d call all-day battery. You’ll want to keep a charger handy if you plan to play longer on the go.
Is Now the Right Time to Upgrade or Jump In?
Nintendo says it’ll keep supporting the Nintendo Switch, but how long that’ll last is anyone’s guess. If you want to keep up with new releases, the Nintendo Switch 2 already feels like the right call. Games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Drag x Drive, The Duskbloods, Survival Kids, and Splatoon Raiders are exclusive to this new system. That list will only grow.
It’s clear Nintendo’s putting a lot of focus into the Nintendo Switch 2. From exclusive games to hardware features like GameChat and Joy-Con 2 support, everything points to this being their main platform going forward.
Do you need a Nintendo Switch 2 right now? That depends. If you’re happy with your current setup and no new games stand out to you, there’s no rush. The current Nintendo Switch models still work well and Nintendo hasn’t dropped support yet.
If you’re eyeing upcoming exclusives or want smoother overall performance, upgrading makes more sense. The improvements are noticeable, and more future games probably won’t run on the Nintendo Switch. It mostly depends on what you play and how often. For me, Mario Kart World made it worth the upgrade on its own. With Donkey Kong Bananza arriving in July and more exclusives and Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of games on the way, I’m genuinely excited to see what’s next.
Nintendo Switch 2 Doesn’t Reinvent But Focuses on Real Improvements
After spending over two weeks with the Nintendo Switch 2, I’m more than happy with the upgrade. It doesn’t try to change everything, but nearly every part of the experience has been improved. Load times are shorter, menus respond faster, and games run more consistently. That alone makes everyday use feel smoother.
The brighter 7.9-inch screen is easier to see in handheld mode, and it looks sharper overall. Joy-Con 2 controllers feel sturdier, and the magnetic snap gives the whole system a more solid feel. I also liked the mouse control option and better motion tracking, even if not every game supports them yet.
GameChat turned out to be a nice surprise. I didn’t think I’d care about video chat during races, but it worked well and added some personality to online play. Screen sharing was surprisingly smooth too. It’s not something I’ll use every day, but it was fun when I tried it with friends.
There are still a few rough edges. The system menu feels like the same basic one from the original. Some older games only get small boosts, and a few new game prices feel higher than expected.
But overall, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels like the right kind of refresh. It keeps what worked, fixes things that didn’t, and adds just enough new ideas to make it exciting again. Whether you’re coming from the original or trying a Nintendo system for the first time, this version holds up across the board. I’m glad I upgraded, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else it can do as more games come out.
Nintendo Switch 2 Console
Summary
Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t flip the table, but it improves a lot of the stuff that matters. Load times are shorter, games run smoother, and the Joy-Con 2 controllers actually feel better to use. The new screen is brighter and sharper, and little things like GameChat and mouse support make everyday use easier. The OS is still pretty much the same, and not every old game gets a huge boost, but overall it just feels like a better system.
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Great review! I have been enjoying my Switch 2 quite a bit over the past few weeks as well.