Two weeks ago, on June 5th the Nintendo Switch 2 and my new console arrived with Mario Kart World bundled in. Time has now passed, the excitement has settled a little bit so how is it?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the long awaited upgrade that many have been dying for as the original Switch has began to collect dust for many people. Nintendo is known for pulling something crazy and innovative out of their back pocket for a new console but after the flop that was the WiiU, I am very glad that they focused on iterating on the Nintendo Switch rather than taking a wild left turn away from their extremely successful console. The Switch 2 is the perfect successor to the Switch, it continues on the success of the original while adding space for crazy innovative games and mechanics that we all know and love Nintendo for.
The Set Up
I want to start with the transfer of data from Switch to Switch 2. I have a fear of transferring data between consoles, between phones, between basically anything. I lost my Animal Crossing New Horizons data between my original Switch and my OLED because of a transfer error. 300 hours GONE in a blink. But the transfer from my Switch OLED to my Switch 2, might’ve been the easiest data transfer of my life. Plugged them both in, clicked the special transfer to Switch 2 button, verified it was me and logged into my Nintendo account and then it was just off, transferring it all over. My only gripe is that it did automatically download (or try to) every game I’ve ever bought/owned on Switch including demos, I had to go through my library and individually cancel all the downloads once the data was across and leave them ‘archived’. This isn’t too much of an issue if you haven’t got a huge Switch library.
The set up was very straight forward and easy to navigate so when setting up for your kids, friends and yourself it’s not a long tedious process, it’s very straight forward.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Worth it?
This is a loaded question. For me, yes. It’s absolutely worth it.
I am a Nintendo Switch defender, I burnt out my original switch used to the point where the batteries expanded and the controllers were looking worn! So I got an OLED which also has been well loved and played. It could survive longer but with the Switch 2 coming, I knew I would get my money’s worth from the console.
I could guarantee that the upgrade would be worth it for me, even outside of writing about games – just how much I play games, would make it worth it for me. It’s lightweight, even though it’s bigger, it doesn’t feel too much. I have small hands – for a grown human who is 5’6, I have the hands of a 10 year old – it’s not too big for me to hold. Steam Decks are huge in my hands and I struggle to hold them comfortably. The original Switch was criticised for being too small for adult players, especially the joycons, but for other small handed people or for your children, it’s not too big while being bigger and more comfortable for adult players. The sound quality when in handheld mode is much cleaner and doesn’t have the same tinny sound that the original switch did which I hadn’t noticed until I heard it cleaner.
Some things you might want to know about. The bigger screen but it being an LED is not a downgrade from the OLED Switch. Whether this is because the Switch 2 graphically runs better so looks smoother all round or whether it’s just a high quality LED. Either way, everything looks gorgeous on this screen. If you were having any issues with text size in some games, in handheld mode, you’ll be able to read it so much better now. In TV mode, it’s so much smoother and really meets your monitor’s graphical quality in a way that not every Switch 1 game did. It’s all very CRISP.
This might sound stupid but as someone who scrolls looking for hidden Indie gems in Steam and on Switch, the e-shop on Switch 1 was PAINFULLY slow and lagged constantly. It made it a truly difficult experience. The Switch 2’s e-shop is so smooth and loads so nicely. It actually feels optimized for the amount of games that are on it. It just functions and loads so well in comparison to the older version. No one’s buying a console for the better online shop but I had to mention it because I know it’s such a pain point for many people.
What Games Should You Play?
Switch 2 has a lineup for its release but it is mostly games that have been playable on PC or other consoles for a year or more. But focusing on recent releases, what is there for you to play on Switch 2?
- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Stole Time
There is a Switch 2 upgrade that is $2.59 USD – this is the cheapest upgrade I’ve seen so far (other than the free ones). If you are enjoying this game, it’s worth it for the smoother graphics. I had no issues with the appearance on Switch 1, I knew it didn’t have as high graphical quality as the game is on PC but it wasn’t bad in quality. Switch 2 though, the $2.59 is worth the quality increase in graphics. Fantasy Life i is a higher price point game anyway, if you’ve spent $60 then the $2.59 is a small upgrade for you to get the most visually out of this game. - Mario Kart World
The courses and the open world is stunning. It is great fun whether you’re playing alone, in couch co-op or if you’re playing online. Knock-Out Tour races online are crazy, the performance never drops even when there’s 24 racers on screen with 300 items bashing about. Switch 2 keeps up really well with how demanding this online race must be. - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
I didn’t have many graphical issues with this game on Switch 1 but I know the majority of people struggled to play this game with how much the hardware could not support it. I jumped back in for a little while and it looks gorgeous in handheld mode on Switch 2 to me. Riding a horse didn’t make the frame rate drop horribly which was where I mainly had the problem. From what I have seen online as well, lots of people are having a better time with this game on Switch 2. - Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
This is getting mixed reviews and feedback about how it runs on Switch 2. Surprising no one, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet continues to have inconsistent issues with performance between players. Scarlet and Violet did get a update on Switch 2, online there has been large reports of it being ‘revolutionary’ change in quality and how it runs. I have not had the chance to test this game myself, but from what I’ve seen, the environmental lighting is more stable. The frame rate is at least consistent, some people seem to be getting 60fps, others are getting a stable 30fps. Honestly, in my opinion, as long as the frame rate is stable, I don’t care what it is, I just want some consistency.
This is on top of Elden Ring coming to Switch 2 and Cyberpunk 77 which both have reportedly been running well on the new system. But there are even more games on the horizon for Nintendo Switch 2 if there’s nothing here that does it for you.
What to look forward to?
On July 17th, Donkey Kong: Bananza is releasing, which was clearly made by at least some of the Mario Odyssey team. There are so many similarities in the mechanics and has the feel of a Super Mario Odyssey 2 but transformed into a wonderful DK adventure. To find out more on this there was a Donkey Kong Bananza Direct last week.
A surprise dropped for Splatoon fans, we are getting a new single-player spin off game. Splatoon Raiders was announced with a trailer drop a couple of days after the Switch 2 release. It looks stunning and the gameplay looks like it’s bringing all the paint splatting fun of multiplayer and the level design of our favourite Splatoon campaigns from the mainline games. The trailer shows a couple of returning characters from Splatoon 3 all washed up on a desolate island. It doesn’t share much more than that about the Switch 2 exclusive other than we can expect more news in the future, probably the next direct. If you’re less of an online player, this one is for you! Splatoon Raiders coming out later this year.
Then of course we’re also getting the next Pokemon Legends game ‘Z-A’ which will be on Switch and Switch 2 in October 2025. Without knowing anything other than Game Freak and the Pokemon Company’s recent track record, the Switch 2 version may be more functional and a high-quality experience.
Switch 2 has had a strong start as it became the fastest selling console of all time with over 3.5 million consoles sold in the first few days. The upgraded hardware is exactly what Nintendo needed to keep up with new games but will be worth it in the long run, whenever you choose to upgrade.
While there are things I’m hoping for in the future for Switch 2 – GIVE ME CUSTOMISABLE HOME SCREENS NINTENDO!!! I can’t fault the Nintendo Switch 2 for what it is and look forward to losing more money and hours of my life to games on Switch 2.
What do you think?
Have you picked up Switch 2? What do you think of the new console so far?
Or are you waiting for a certain games’ release?
