When Nintendo revealed the Switch 2 in early April, a new kind of memory card was unveiled to go along with the Switch successor.

The MicroSD Express card is the latest generation of storage cards with read speeds up to 800 MB/s and write speeds of 700 MB/s. These Express cards are so new that only a few companies make them: Lexar, SanDisk, Samsung, and Walmart's Onn brand.

TeamGroup is the latest company to announce that it will offer MicroSD Express cards. It will make 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB cards, however, TeamGroup didn't provide a date when they would become available or a price.

Even though the Switch 2 is not even a month old, storage is a big problem looming for console owners that can only be treated with more companies making more MicroSD Express cards to drive the price down.

The Switch 2 storage problem

While the 256 GB built-in storage for the Switch 2 might be plenty for storing games for the original Switch, it will likely fall short in the coming months or year. It comes down to the sizing of the third-party games.

For example, it would only take four Switch 2 launch titles to fill up the built-in storage: Split Fiction (69 GB), Cyberpunk 2077 (59 GB), Hitman World of Assassination: Signature Edition (59 GB), and Yakuza 0 Director's Cut (53 GB). Other games planned for later this year will likely have similar or even larger file sizes, such as Madden NFL 26, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Integrade, and Star Wars Outlaws.

Games from Nintendo, however, don't appear to take up as much space as the third-party titles. Mario Kart World comes in at just about 22 GB, and the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza sits at 8.5 GB.

This means Switch 2 owners will likely have to get themselves a MicroSD Express card sooner rather than later, and they aren't cheap. Doubling the Switch 2 storage can cost $70-75, and a 1 TB card is around $200 if you decide to go with a Lexar, SanDisk, or Samsung card. Walmart's Onn brand, however, does come in at about half the price of the other brands. As mentioned earlier, card tests posted on Reddit suggest that the Onn cards appear to be rebranded Lexar cards.

I’ve praised the Switch 2 for its 120Hz display — it has finally caught up with the rest of the industry, allowing modern games to run as smoothly as they were designed to. But apparently, its 60Hz mode is slow.

On June 13, Yaka Mochi’s blog, Chimolog.co, reported that the Switch 2 display’s response time is an average of 17.06 milliseconds at 60Hz. That may not seem like much, but to put it into context, we’ve seen gaming monitors with a response time as fast as 0.03 milliseconds.

Let’s talk about why that significantly slow response time matters and what it means for the Switch 2’s future.

The Switch 2’s response time doesn’t bode well for fast-paced games

Response times that are off by even a few milliseconds can make a significant difference in competitive games or even your average shooter, which may be why playing Cyberpunk 2077 felt a bit sluggish during my original testing. And for all my rhythm game lovers out there… sorry, you’re off beat.

Yaka Mochi clocked the Switch 2’s fastest response time at 8.88ms and the slowest at 27.46ms. All of the testing was done on the 60Hz mode, however. Unfortunately, the reviewer was unable to determine how to adjust the Switch 2’s refresh rate for the purpose of testing. Typically, however, at higher refresh rates, display response times are higher. But there’s no guarantee that the Switch 2’s 120Hz mode would mitigate the already super slow response time.

Yaka Mochi compared the Switch 2’s display to dozens of other displays clocked at 60Hz, and the slowest among them was 11.06ms, whereas the fastest hit 0.18ms. Nintendo isn’t going to be pushing out another Switch anytime soon, so this is going to have a long-lasting negative effect on fast-paced games that make their way to the Nintendo Switch 2.

What does this look like in reality? Well, you'll not only feel it when you’re interacting with the controller, but you’ll also see it with your eyes. Games may appear noticeably blurry due to the time it takes for the image to transition between frames.

Unfortunately, this may have been a choice. If the display isn’t working as hard to refresh, that means the battery won’t be under as much strain. It’s unclear how much it would affect the battery life, however, so it’s tough to give Nintendo some grace here.

As I’ve complained about before, I wish the Switch 2 had an OLED display. In fact, OLED displays typically support faster response times, so this issue might not have been present if Nintendo outfitted the Switch 2 with an OLED display. We don’t have display testing for the original Switch OLED, but in theory, it could have a faster response time.

Well, the world may never know… until we get the Switch 2 OLED (yes, I’m still waiting).

Donkey Kong Bananza wasn’t enough for you? Well, Nintendo might be cooking up another Nintendo Direct slated for July that’ll throw some more meat on the bones that is the Switch 2’s GameCube catalog, and deliver some surprises that’ll make fans go wild.

My favorite game I’ve never played is, of course, Metaphor: ReFantazio, which feels more at home on the Switch 2 than it does any other console due to its Persona roots. I am unbelievably hyped to play that game — everything about it screams me, but I just haven’t had the time. If it jumps on the Switch 2, however, I can easily squeeze in some play time wherever I go.

But Metaphor: ReFantazio isn’t the only title rumored to drop on the Nintendo Switch 2. If Donkey Kong Bananza didn’t sell you on the Switch 2, this Nintendo Direct just might.

The July Nintendo Direct and all its goodies

What most people are going to be excited for, however, is Animal Crossing.

The source of the leak is YouTuber Beatemups, who revealed it on the Nontendo Podcast (they didn’t disclose their source). Apparently, the icon Animal Crossing character Isabelle will appear and throw a “2026” at us. I cannot think of something to sell the Switch 2 faster than it already is than a new Animal Crossing game.

They also rattled off a list of titles that I’m so excited to see make their way to the Switch 2, including Death Stranding Director’s Cut and The Witcher 3 — these are a pair of peak AAA games that Nintendo fans deserve to experience.

Death Stranding feels especially great for a handheld experience — you can jog on a treadmill and play (actually, maybe don’t do that). Apparently, we’ll finally get the release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, as well.

Then there’s the slew of GameCube games that’ll be shadow dropping during the Nintendo Direct. One leaked title tied to this is Pokémon Colosseum. I was obsessed with the original Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo 64, and this is a spiritual successor that adds more RPG elements on top of the standard turn-based combat. It’s more in line with the average Pokémon title, minus random encounters. You get Pokémon by stealing them instead (wild, right?).

This is a pretty meaty Nintendo Direct, although there aren't any new titles here, except for Animal Crossing. Weirdly, companies struggle to align most of their new consoles with their flagship titles. Again, the biggest thing we got for the Switch 2 was Mario Kart World. However, Donkey Kong Bananza launches just a month later, and it looks to be quite the impressive game.

I hope the rumors about the July Nintendo Direct come to fruition, especially about Metaphor: ReFantazio, but you should take everything with a healthy dose of skepticism. Even if these plans were true at one point, plans change.

After eight long years, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here, reincarnated like Link and his forebears, but this time, Mario Kart World is paving the road.

Despite the length of time, it feels like just yesterday when the original Nintendo Switch launched — I vividly remember rushing over to a GameStop to pick up the Collector’s Edition bundle for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This launch game got me drooling to get my hands on the new experimental hardware.

But I found myself hesitant this time around. Do I want to pay $500 just to play the new Mario Kart? There’s no OLED screen, the Joy-Con 2 controllers are uncomfortable, and demanding games can struggle to run in handheld mode.

However, my doubts about the Nintendo Switch 2 gently drifted away, like listening to a lullaby from Link’s ocarina. With its smooth and sharp display, strong overall performance (both in handheld and TV modes), and revamped Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 mostly delivers. And really, there’s nothing else like it.

Nintendo delivers much-needed improvements with the Switch 2, but there’s one thing that might stop me from getting it (more on that later). The question you might have, though: Is the Switch 2 right for you? Let’s jump into why the Nintendo Switch 2 may be the greatest gaming handheld device to date.

Nintendo Switch 2: Specs

Nintendo Switch 2: Price and value

Even if you manage to summon an eldritch god to secure an in-stock Nintendo Switch 2, can you afford it?

The Nintendo Switch 2's base price is $450, and you can get a bundle that includes Mario Kart World for $500. I imagine most folk would opt for the bundle because Mario Kart World costs a whopping $80, so getting it for an additional $50 is a steal. Well, maybe not a steal because I feel like we’re being robbed in this era of $80 games.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scarce, but it will eventually restock and go on sale, so maybe wait a little longer unless you’re passionate about playing Mario Kart.

Nintendo Switch 2: Console

The Nintendo Switch 2 console isn’t too dissimilar from the original Nintendo Switch, although it is bigger.

At 0.88 pounds (1.18 pounds with Joy-Con 2) and 10.7 x 4.5 x 0.55~1.2 inches (Joy-Con 2 attached), there’s a lot more to hold. But with that comes a bigger 7.9-inch display, which is much welcome. There’s a small issue, however. Or rather, a big issue: The bezels are chunky. We don’t need a bigger Switch if that display real estate is better managed. Either that, or make the Switch smaller.

Thankfully, Nintendo got the message on the charging front — there are now two USB Type-C charging ports, one on the bottom and one on the top. You’ll still find the power button, volume buttons, and game cartridge slot on the top, while the speakers are located on the bottom, surrounding the charging port.

Aside from the additional Type-C port, the kickstand is the most significant upgrade to the base design. It is a simple yet sturdy bar that maneuvers roughly 150 degrees. One odd thing I noticed is that the hinges of the kickstand offer a bit of wiggle room, so the kickstand may not be 100% flat. This may be intentional, since a more rigid design could snap more easily, but it’s worth noting. (Additionally, the microSD card slot is hidden behind the kickstand.)

Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con 2

Are you ready for a splash of color? Well, too bad. Nintendo stripped the colors off the Switch 2. That may upset some folks, and rightfully so, but I kind of like it. Kind of.

Technically, the console is still mostly black except for the internal bits where the Joy-Con 2 controllers plug in; it sports blue on the left and red(ish) on the right. The Joy-Con 2 controllers sport the same color scheme on their internals, where you'd use them as separate controllers. The only splash of color we get outside of that is at the base of the analog sticks.

Nintendo likely chose to make the console all black because blue and red wouldn't pair well with alternative Joy-Con 2 colors. However, I would’ve liked it if the Joy-Con 2 controllers that shipped with the Switch 2 featured more accents in their respective colors, like those tiny triangles on the D-pad and even the font on the face buttons, both of which would maintain their minimalist design.

The layout is mostly the same, down to where the buttons are placed on the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The only new feature on the Switch 2 is the C button, located under the Home button on the right Joy-Con 2.

At the top, you’ve got the usual bumpers and triggers, but there’s also a new button: the release button, which you use to detach the controllers. This is one of my favorite design improvements because the Joy-Con 2 controllers seamlessly attach to the console magnetically. It is so easy to plug in that my two-year-old did it herself.

I have some slight concerns about the durability while in use (like bending it) and while docked (the connector is exposed to the elements), but we won’t know how much punishment it can take until long-term usage.

When detached, you can connect the Joy-Con 2 controllers to the included Grip or the Straps. Thanks to the magnets, connecting and disconnecting from both is surprisingly easy.

Nintendo Switch 2: Dock

Many folks, including myself, had issues with the original Nintendo Switch Dock — it was flimsy, and it had the audacity to scratch my Switch’s display.

I can’t say whether this new dock will scuff the Nintendo Switch 2, but I can say that it’s certainly more sturdy. My cats love walking behind the TV, and they’ve consistently knocked over my previous Nintendo Switch dock, but this one is as steadfast as Donkey Kong when I crash into oncoming traffic.

It stacks up to 7.9 x 4.5 x 2 inches and weighs 0.89 pounds, so it’s not too heavy, but it’s sturdy enough to counteract the weight of the HDMI cable. However, it’s a bit back-heavy, since it’s curved to allow room for the Type-C, HDMI, and Ethernet ports, so it may move when the Switch 2 isn’t docked. On the side, you’ll find two USB Type-A ports. Unfortunately, there’s no additional USB Type-C port, which seems like a miss as Type-C products take over the industry.

The back panel no longer sports hinges — it just pops right off. I don’t know how I feel about that, but something did need to change. The previous Switch had flimsy hinges, so Nintendo needed to either reinforce the hinges or take them off, and it went with the latter option. At the very least, it’s easy to snap on.

Nintendo Switch 2: Comfort

Ugh… Listen, I enjoyed my time with the original Nintendo Switch, and I’m enjoying my time with the Nintendo Switch 2, but the controllers are not comfortable.

The Joy-Con 2 controllers did next to nothing to enhance the ergonomics. They do not conform to my hands, and so the added weight on the console made me put more support into my palms. As I began dominating the world of Hyrule with a bunch of little Zol jellies in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, I found myself shifting my hands every few minutes. Not only was I uncomfortable, but I also felt my hands getting tingly from the lack of blood flow.

Like I said, I had this problem with the original Nintendo Switch, and I solved that by purchasing one of my favorite accessories, the Hori Split Pad Pro. However, the problem with the Hori Split Pad Pro was that it didn’t feature any rumble, and it couldn’t be used separately from the console. I hope that we get to see a Hori Split Pad Pro 2 or an equivalent with the same features as the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

As far as the gameplay experience goes, the controllers may be larger, but the inputs feel generally the same. However, I will say that clicking on the analog stick feels much more impactful due to its height and sturdiness.

The greatest upgrade to comfort is using the Joy-Con 2 as separate controllers. Since it’s bigger, there’s less cramping in my hands, and the bumpers on the interior are also significantly larger and easier to click. My two-year-old could not click the top buttons on the original Joy-Con, but now she can spam her items in Mario Kart World and knock me out of first place with the Joy-Con 2.

Jumping into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty felt rough. Like the previous Switch, first-person shooters feel clunky on the Joy-Con 2 controllers. That’s mostly due to the size of the analog sticks and how the console conforms to my hands. It’s difficult to precisely take off an enemy’s head with my sniper. I’ve mostly resorted to using my katana, which is unfortunate, but fun in its own way.

When attached to the included Grip, the Joy-Con 2 controllers certainly feel better to control. The rigid layout makes them a little awkward to use, but they offer a more comfortable experience out of the box.

The Straps add more security and a bit of buffer room to fill out the individual controllers. It doesn't feel necessary per se, especially since the singular controller experience is so much better, but it's nice to have if you're using motion controls.

Nintendo Switch 2: Accessories

Speaking of comfort, you can enhance your overall Nintendo Switch 2 experience with the available accessories.

The first accessory I'd buy is the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Since the Pro Controller features a more traditional layout, it's leagues more ergonomic. You can technically use your old Switch Pro Controller with the Switch 2, but if you're thinking about an upgrade, the Switch 2 Pro Controller features the C button, two programmable back buttons, and Nintendo’s second-generation rumble tech. It does cost a whopping $85, however.

If you are a fan of the Grip, you could purchase the Charging Grip for $40. It charges the Joy-Con 2 controllers and offers those two additional back buttons. Unfortunately, you'll run into the aforementioned comfort issues.

Thankfully, the original Joy-Con controllers are compatible with the Switch 2. I got a group of friends together to play Mario Kart World, and the old controllers worked smoothly.

Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 still does not natively support Bluetooth for controllers. So if you want to use your PS5 DualSense controller, you'll need to buy an adapter.

Nintendo Switch 2: Mouse mode

Wow, I did not expect it to be this bad, but it is this bad.

I hopped into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (the best game DLC around; fight me), and it quickly became unbearable. Moving the mouse felt okay. Using it for a few hours would be exhausting. And it’s not at all useful for precise aiming, so I had to ditch my sniper for a shotgun.

But the worst of it is the buttons. You need to adjust your hand every time you need to click a different button. I instantly found this problematic. Every time Songbird batted her eyelashes at me, I needed to adjust my whole hand just to click Y to select one of the dialogue prompts.

However, implementing mouse mode is objectively a good thing. You can use third-party mice with the Nintendo Switch 2 to take advantage of this with better hardware. The only hurdle, however, is getting the face buttons on the mouse. You’d need a borderline MMO mouse, but hopefully, a third-party Nintendo Switch 2 mouse will be more optimal.

Nintendo Switch 2: Battery life

It could be better, but it’s not bad.

Cozying up in my bed with 100% effort and battery, I cycled through Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and the Nintendo Switch 2 crashed to 1% in roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes. Battery life may vary depending on what you’re playing, but it does fall within Nintendo’s 2- to 6.5-hour range.

Technically, it’s just enough time to take my ridiculously long train ride from New Jersey to NYC, and then hop over to Brooklyn to meet some friends. However, it is a downgrade from the Nintendo Switch OLED model, which Nintendo rated for 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life.

Nintendo Switch 2: Display

Another slight Nintendo committed against me is removing the OLED display. I love my Nintendo Switch OLED, and it's impossible to beat that with the Switch 2’s LCD screen… at least in terms of color and contrast. The lack of an OLED screen might be the Switch 2 dealbreaker for me.

The Switch 2’s 7.9-inch, 1920 x 1080, 120Hz, HDR10 display rocks all the specs that can overshadow the Switch’s OLED display on paper. It's larger, sharper, smoother, and offers HDR support.

Following Songbird’s instructions to sneak my way into Dogtown, the Switch 2’s display captured the range of colorful chaos of the opening market in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The bright yellow night sign and the NPC wearing a pink tank top looked accurate, but not necessarily vivid. The panel gets decently bright, too, maintaining the detail of the shadowy underground bits in the previous section.

However, due to the glossiness of the display, it catches some serious glare depending on the space you’re in. This isn’t a new issue, but it could be mitigated with higher brightness. Although, that could be problematic with LCD. In dark scenes, I saw the light of the back panel leaking brightness through the black. Moments like this are where it really feels like I’m looking at a screen, which kills the immersion a bit.

With regard to the color, I felt the same when roaming around Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The grass and flowers were appropriately green and pink, respectively, but they didn’t jump off the screen. I also saw that when traveling the desert sands in Mario Kart World, the blue sky and yellow sand looked overexposed by the excessive backlighting from the LCD screen. The biggest difference between LCD and OLED is that, unlike the former, the latter looks like a window instead of a screen.

If I had to boil down my reasons for skipping the Switch 2 to just one, it’d be the lack of OLED. Sure, an OLED model would be much more expensive, but Nintendo can’t just tease us with the Switch OLED and then bring us back to the dark ages with LCD. I won’t have it.

Nintendo Switch 2: Audio

The Nintendo Switch 2’s bottom-firing speakers pack a punch.

Leading a small army of minions around Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, backed by cozy stringed instruments, made me feel warm inside. The string and wind instruments weaved together but remained distinct. Summoning my Zol made Zelda produce a pretty intense grunt at max volume, really channeling her inner Link. Yet, splashing around in the water sounded quieter than I expected it to.

I put my foot on the gas in Mario Kart World, which features a bombastic soundtrack, and listened to a wonderful ensemble of instruments that captured unique sounds. Unlike the Zelda track I listened to earlier, there’s a bunch of percussion here, and I noticed that it sounded rather muted. The speakers don’t do a good job of capturing low-end sounds. Despite that, it’s still satisfying to hear the tires hit the road and take off after that infuriating Wario (I’m coming for you).

I got sweet-talked by Songbird in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and the dialogue between her and V sounded crisp and full. Even the sounds around us, like gunfire and shouting, didn’t overwhelm the primary dialogue, which is super important as someone who’s partially deaf in one ear.

The overall sound stage supports strong mids and highs, but the lows struggle to reach the spotlight.

Nintendo Switch 2: Handheld performance

The Nintendo Switch 2 includes the Nvidia T239 custom chipset. We don’t have many intense games to test its performance, but I simply must mention the most demanding game of the hour: Cyberpunk 2077.

To the Nintendo Switch 2’s credit, scoring Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a huge deal. And that’s possible because Nvidia’s custom chipset uses AI frame generation. While some generations behind the RTX 50-series’ DLSS 4, the Nvidia T239 chipset also uses AI to generate frames based on every true frame that exists. In theory, this could double frame rates. That’s not exactly what I’ve seen in my own testing in games like Stellar Blade and Dune: Awakening, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

With Nvidia’s help, the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely going to become the home of many AAA third-party titles. Do you remember those terrible cloud games on the original Switch? Because I do. And I am sure as heck happy to see them disappear into the ether.

However, my actual experience playing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty felt a bit… crunchy. I flipped on Performance mode so I could get a taste of how smooth the frame rates were, but I immediately noticed the loss in resolution. In the settings menu, the “R” icon for the analog stick looked like a distorted mess. Seriously, I couldn't make out that letter in an eye exam. I tried Quality mode, which looked sharper, but even walking around an enclosed space felt sluggish.

Performance mode hit or exceeded 30 frames per second, and my motorcycle ride down to Dogtown felt smooth. However, when I accidentally got into a fight with a small army of guards at the border, the system struggled to keep up, dipping below 30 fps. It's unclear if this is a limitation of the raw performance or of the AI frame generation. I imagine a firmware update could improve the performance.

Outside of demanding games, the Switch 2 offers a much welcome performance upgrade. I could make a Thanksgiving dinner before the original Switch would load up the Nintendo eShop. But the Switch 2 load times are relatively seamless.

With the Switch 2, you also get 256GB of UFS storage. That’s a nice bump from the 64GB on the Switch OLED, but that’s still not a lot for modern gaming. It also switched (pun intended) over to microSD Express cards, which means the microSD card in your original Switch is incompatible. On the bright side, the speeds are faster (up to 880 megabytes per second versus 100 MBps), which means load times will be faster.

Nintendo Switch 2: TV performance

So, how does gaming in 4K look? Better than I expected. When the Switch 2 is docked, Nvidia’s custom chipset doesn’t need to worry about conserving battery life, so it kicks into overdrive, and let me tell you that the performance difference is significant. The Switch 2 is clocked in at 60Hz when clocked at a 4K resolution, but at 1440p and lower, it’s capable of hitting 120Hz.

I double-jumped my way right back into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and immediately dipped into 4K, Quality mode just to see how bad the fps would be. To my surprise, it managed a smooth frame rate, and it looked good enough that I still got the chills when Space Force One came crashing down on me (best opening sequence ever). There were some frame drops when I found myself up against a large group of enemies or when I drove around a densely populated area.

However, I did not notice a significant difference when moving to Performance mode. Only when I set the Switch 2 to 1080p did I see a nice bump in frames. Carving through enemies with my mantis blades looked as fluid as their blood spatter.

However, since I’m using a 65-inch TV, I saw some fuzziness in the textures. While that’s to be expected (it’s a handheld device after all), I also noticed it on the Home screen icons, which is a bit disappointing.

In less demanding games, like Mario Kart World and Echoes of Wisdom, the textures from the asphalt to the glades looked significantly sharper. There are no performance settings in either game, so I tested both in 4K and 1080p, but the frame rates didn’t seem to look any different.

Nintendo Switch 2: HDR performance

HDR on the Nintendo Switch 2 was a bit complicated to set up because I easily missed one particular setting during setup.

First things first: You need to set your TV's Dynamic Tone Mapping to HGiG; otherwise, HDR will not work as intended.

When you’re in the HDR setup, and after you make the brightness symbol disappear, the next screen will display a rather unhelpful image. You’re actually meant to click Y here so you can adjust the brightness of the image. And you can select between a few images until you get the brightness just right.

If you want to see the difference between HDR and non-HDR content, the HDR Output setting in the Display settings isn’t helpful. You need to scroll down to HDR Output and then select “Off.” It’s only then that I noticed a significant difference while playing Echoes of Wisdom. HDR balances the contrast and brightness on screen to capture more detail. I noticed this in the shadows and sandy beach around me. The contrast looked tamer, evening out across the image. SDR still looked good, but the display is significantly darker with higher contrast. Ultimately, it’s down to preference, but I think HDR offers a truer picture of the content.

You can enable HDR for games that don’t support it, but I recommend doing some testing to see if it actually looks better.

Nintendo Switch 2: Games

Yes, $450 is a heck of a lot to pay for a console that isn’t exactly on the cutting edge of technology. However, what really makes this launch feel lackluster are the games. Sure, lots of folks love Mario Kart, but do they love it enough to buy a whole console just to play Mario Kart World? I certainly don’t. Not to mention that it, once again, costs $80!

Despite the price, I actually do enjoy Mario Kart World. There’s nothing wildly different apart from the open world, which features some decent challenges. What I actually loved about it was a more personal experience: playing with my daughter. I tried introducing her to games, but her hands are still too small, and she gets a bit frustrated with the controls. However, when the Joy-Con 2 controllers are detached, it’s more accessible for her. To top that off, Mario Kart World features settings to auto-drive and auto-steer, so even if she’s not pressing the right buttons, she can actually experience what it’s like to play, and I absolutely love that for her. Now every time she sees the Switch 2, she says “Play game with Baba!” My heart.

Still, I’m not jumping at the Switch 2 for Mario Kart. Let’s be honest here for a second, the original Nintendo Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — this game literally redefined the entire open-world genre. If the Switch 2 offered something on that scale at launch, I’d sell a kidney to get it (not really… unless?). Regardless of my criticism, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console of all time.

I’ve already played Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty on the PS5, so I am hyper-aware of the quality that this game brings to the table. As I briefly mentioned earlier, its expansion is one of the best I’ve played, even rivaling full games in the RPG genre. Needless to say, it won’t live up to the quality you’d receive on other consoles, but getting all of the unique Switch features is neat. You can use the Gyroscope mode to rotate the Joy-Con 2 to aim, touchscreen to navigate the map and menus, Motion Patterns to use physical gestures to dodge, reload, or even heal, and the Mouse mode. The touch screen is useful, but what about the rest? Let’s just say they’re not very convenient — more like a novelty to enable for a hot second and then quickly disable.

With The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo updated the resolution for both handheld and docked modes and included HDR support. While the art isn’t that detailed, it’s much more pleasant to look at than on a measly 720p display. There are quite a few Nintendo Switch games that received a free update, plenty of which are incompatible. Of course, you’ll need to buy upgrades for some games, like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which cost $10.

There are not many exclusive launch day titles apart from Mario Kart World, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which isn’t even free, and it should be.

Update: Nintendo's June 18 Direct showcased Donkey Kong Bananza, and it looks just as fun as Super Mario Odyssey. I can see this being the reason that folks buy a Switch 2, including me (OLED forgive me).

Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat

Let’s talk about that fancy new C button. Do you remember when the Nintendo Switch had that weird proprietary phone app to voice chat with friends? Well, now all of that is built into the Switch 2. I would praise Nintendo if this weren’t something that should’ve already been included in the original Switch.

To get started, I only had to click the C button to open up GameChat. You do have to go through the motions of signing a Terms of Service agreement, signing in again, and attaching your phone number (weird, but likely to avoid children from randomly hopping on GameChat). Then, you can select which friends can GameChat with you (I like this feature).

I booted up GameChat to play Mario Kart World with a friend, and the experience was interesting to say the least. The mic quality is crunchy, but audible for the most part. It did seem like there was a bit of a delay while chatting because my friend and I caught ourselves talking over each other multiple times, but it didn’t feel so detached that it was unusable.

There’s no GameChat balancing per se, but you can either lower or raise the volume of the game itself, and there’s a setting enabled by default to lower the game volume when people are speaking. I was afraid that this would be redundant if the microphone kept picking up noise anyway, but it did a decent job at blocking out background noise. It avoided picking up the fan blowing behind me.

We streamed our gameplay to each other, and true to the Switch 2 trailer, the overall sharpness is decent, but it streams at sub-30 fps, so it looks janky.

You can expand the screen layout in three ways: Standard (which prioritizes GameChat), Expand Main Screen (which minimizes it but keeps it visible), and Full Screen (which does away with it entirely). In Full Screen mode, it’ll make GameChat speakers visible in one corner of the screen (your choice), or you can disable that entirely.

Overall, GameChat is decent. Will I be using it myself? Probably not. Discord is still more convenient. However, watching friends perish in The Duskbloods when it launches in 2026 will be fun.

Nintendo Switch 2: Virtual Game Card

I have a love/hate relationship with the Virtual Game Card system. I initially thought this would be a revolutionary technology because you can share games with friends for at least two weeks without the need for a physical copy. However, Nintendo had to make this system needlessly complicated.

If you own multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, you must trade your Virtual Game Cards back and forth to play the games you want. To do that, both systems need to be on. If they’re not, you can select “System Unavailable,” but all downloadable software or DLC you’ve purchased will be temporarily unavailable for other systems.

The issue is that these games are, in theory, linked to your account, but the actual ownership comes down to the physical console. There’s a lot of extra work involved to unlink a console you don’t own anymore, down to going to the Nintendo website. You can technically play games you’ve already downloaded on a console so long as you have the Use Online Licenses setting enabled (found in User Settings).

With Xbox or PlayStation, you can access your games wherever you are without issue, so long as you’re connected to the internet. Granted, you can’t share games like the Switch 2 can, but technically, you can share your entire library with at least one person on both Xbox and PlayStation.

Sharing games with yourself shouldn’t be this complex.

Nintendo Switch 2: Operating system and features

The overall operating system for the Switch 2 remains generally unchanged, apart from the addition of the new aforementioned features, like GameChat, GameShare, and Virtual Game Cards.

Nintendo Switch 2 also offers advanced parental controls, which you can control via a smartphone app. You can adjust the times system-wide or based on individual games. You can set soft or hard limits, the former being a simple indicator and the latter completely suspending the Switch (even Nintendo emphasizes this should be a last resort because your child may lose save data — and I agree). You can also restrict games based on ratings and manage who they can GameChat with.

The Nintendo eShop received an update that cleaned up a lot of the visuals, and combined with more powerful performance, it’s easier to navigate. You also get immediate access to your wish list instead of having to dig for it in your profile. However, I noticed that the Joy-Con 2 analog stick and D-pad are hyper-sensitive in the shop, occasionally skipping over a couple selections in one input. That’s likely a bug that’ll hopefully get patched.

One minor grievance I have is that the Nintendo Switch 2 ships with only the Basic Light and Basic Dark themes. I am hoping Nintendo provides some updates with more choices, but come on, it’s been eight years, Nintendo. Give us something original.

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

Unlike Link, I cannot silence my many thoughts about the Nintendo Switch 2. I love it and hate it at the same time, but you could argue that hate is a part of love (in some circumstances). So, do I love it enough to buy it? Well… no. Like I said earlier, the lack of OLED kills the Nintendo Switch 2 for me, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t right for you.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is an incredible device with remarkable power, thanks to Nvidia’s custom chip that provides frame generation. With that power, it can run one of the most demanding games out there. Considering the original Switch’s considerably lower performance, this is an Olympic leap forward.

Apart from the performance, the most significant update lies in the display. The Switch 2’s LCD is better than that of the original Switch. It features a sharper panel, a higher refresh rate, and an overall larger display.

If you frequently play with individual Joy-Con controllers, the Joy-Con 2 update is downright necessary for your comfort.

And to top all that off, you get some strong speakers and decent battery life.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m disappointed about more than OLED — the comfort and price are rough. And while I do praise the current performance, I think it needs a few updates to eliminate the frame drops.

Overall, though, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a hell of a gaming console, and there’s really nothing else like it. No, seriously, there’s nothing like it. Where are you going to play Mario Kart World? Or the new Zelda game? Or the new mainline Mario game? Sorry, kids, if you want to play those games, you need the Nintendo Switch 2.

But I’ll just twiddle my thumbs until the Switch 2 OLED inevitably launches.

Nintendo consoles are never the most cutting-edge hardware. Never have been.

Nintendo hasn't really cared about pure hardware power since the '90s. The Nintendo N64 may have been Nintendo's last console with high-end hardware, and even then, that's pushing it.

So, even though devices with the upcoming AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme are expected to outperform the Nintendo Switch 2, that lower performance won't slow down Nintendo's record-breaking Switch 2 sales.

And there are good reasons for that.

The Ryzen Z2 generation may have power, but it doesn't have Mario

While Nintendo doesn't traditionally compete against gaming PCs, the rise of handheld gaming devices does mean the comparisons are inevitable.

And that's a comparison Nintendo is pretty much sure to lose.

Nintendo's Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 processor, codenamed "Drake".

While Nvidia makes great graphics cards, the Tegra processors have never been groundbreaking. We were impressed with how great the Switch 2 looked in our early hands-on experience, but we weren't blown away by the graphics by any means.

On the other side of the line, we have gaming handhelds powered by Intel's Lunar Lake with smooth graphics even on demanding titles, though AMD's upcoming flagship Ryzen Z2 Extreme – which was unveiled at CES in January – and is expected to put AMD back on top in the handheld gaming PC chip rankings when it arrives in devices later this year.

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme will power the Legion Go 2, MSI Claw A8, and Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. According to one leaker, the ROG Xbox Ally X could go up for preorder in August and be released in October.

But even if the new AMD chip trounces the Nintendo Switch 2, it doesn't matter because the Switch 2 is not a high-performance machine. It's a console designed to leverage Nintendo's strong first-party IP.

In fact, when it comes to handheld gaming PCs in general, sometimes power matters, sometimes it doesn't.

We got the chance to go hands-on with the Legion Go 2 prototype with the Z2 Extreme in it back in January. While the Z2 Extreme is undoubtedly a powerful chip, performance doesn't matter as much as price for many gamers.

And if you've got a less-powerful chip, there are ways around performance constraints. For the Legion Go S and Steam Deck 2, you can get more performance by simply loading SteamOS onto the handheld rather than going for Windows 11.

With the Switch and Switch 2, Nintendo opted to leverage its powerful first-party IP and optimized all Switch games for lower-end hardware.

Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate performed smoothly on the original Switch and anchored Switch sales with new games in well-loved franchises.

However, the Switch wasn't the first time Nintendo chose to leverage its first-party library rather than fight a losing hardware battle. Nintendo has been making that gamble since the Wii, and sales for the Wii, Wii U, Switch, and Switch 2 all indicate this is a worthy, long-term strategy for the company.

After all, the Venn diagram of handheld gaming PC power users and Nintendo fans is almost two completely separate circles.

When is the Ryzen Z2 Extreme coming anyway?

For all the chatter about AMD's high-end handheld gaming chip, we still haven't seen it out in the wild yet.

To recap:

AMD announced the Z2 Extreme at CES in January 2025 and expanded the Z2 series lineup earlier this month. And the Z2 Extreme handhelds are expected to launch sometime either this fall and in early 2026.

But regardless of the Z2 Extreme's power, Nintendo will continue to break sales records with the Switch 2. No one will be dropping Pokémon in favor of Palworld at this point.

Even if Pokémon Scarlet & Violet was a bit of a flop, I'd take Scarlet & Violet's janky performance over the terrifying moral implications of Palworld any day.

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Despite how satisfying peeling off the plastic film from a shiny new gadget can be, Nintendo was pretty clear that that’s exactly what you should not do with the Switch 2. The company even warned users about it before many even got their hands on the console.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, a YouTuber has already posted a video of themselves peeling the film off. Instead of calling it a day after that, they went several steps further by testing just how much of a beating the upcoming console can take.

The Switch 2’s protective film won’t peel off easily

JerryRigEverything, a tech YouTuber with over 9 million subscribers, posted a video titled “They told me not to…” three days ago. The title itself was a not-so-subtle hint about what was coming next. Right at the beginning of the video, he dove straight into peeling off the Switch 2’s protective layer, fully aware that it might not survive.

He mentioned that the protective film is extremely difficult to remove and “definitely won’t be falling off on its own.” If you watch the video, you’ll see him struggling to remove the protective layer — it’s essentially the opposite of a satisfying peel.

If you aren’t sure why this is a big deal in the first place, Nintendo issued a warning before the Switch 2 officially launched in the US that the protective film attached to the Switch 2’s glass panel shouldn’t be removed.

It isn’t a peel-off screen protector but a permanent “anti-scattering adhesive film” that the gaming giant deliberately applied to the Switch to prevent shards of glass from flying everywhere if the Switch 2’s screen breaks.

So naturally, the YouTuber’s next step was obvious: he tried to break it to “truly tell if the Switch 2’s screen is going to scatter into bits.”

It took 50 hits to finally break the Switch 2’s screen

After disassembling the Joy-Cons and the Switch 2 console itself and examining both’s internals (and putting them back), he used heavy channel lock pliers and went in on the screen.

The Joy-Cons popped off after 13 hits, and the YouTuber mentioned that he began to feel like the Switch 2’s screen was made of shatter-proof plastic instead of glass. After fourteen more “very solid” hits, and then fifteen more, there was still absolutely no harm to the screen.

It took fifty hits from the YouTuber’s “ridiculously large pliers” for the Switch 2’s screen to finally give in.

He added a slo-mo of the exact moment when the Switch 2’s screen shattered into “needle-like shards of glass,” and it proved Nintendo’s point that the protective film is, well, actually, protective.

Though most of the glass remained glued to the LCD, the YouTuber explained that there were still “plenty of free shards of pulverized glass that could embed themselves into little kids’ fingers and eyeballs.”

Surprisingly, even though all that beating led to a black screen of death and a completely shattered display, the Switch 2 turned right back on after a quick reset.

The Switch 2’s battery life isn’t winning most over

After going through reviews posted on sites and community forums like Reddit, one thing’s become clear: despite Switch 2 users being pretty satisfied with the overall experience, they aren’t exactly thrilled with the console’s battery life.

For instance, one Redditor mentioned that the Switch 2 only lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes when they played Zelda: Breath of the Wild (the Switch 2 edition) and kept the brightness at maximum, which isn’t exactly ideal for long gaming sessions. But the Switch 2’s durability might just make up for this shortcoming, especially if you’re the type to toss your console in a backpack or accidentally knock it off the couch.

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It's been more than a week since the Nintendo Switch 2 has come out, and it's proven to be a resounding success.

Not only did Nintendo have the biggest launch for one of its consoles, but the Switch 2 also broke the record for a console launch in the U.S. and worldwide. It also appears that Nintendo figured out how to deal with the scalper problem: flooding the market.

Nintendo announced on Tuesday that it had sold more than 3.5 million units in the first four days since the Switch 2's launch. The company says this makes the Switch successor the fastest-selling Nintendo game system ever.

But the record-breaking doesn't stop there.

Matt Piscatella, executive director and video game industry analyst at Circana, says the Switch 2 launch in the U.S., with 1.1 million consoles sold, broke the PS4's record for launch sales back in November 2013.

And Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights at Niko Partners, says the Switch 2 is the fastest-selling home video game console of all time, again, beating out the PS4, which took six weeks to sell 4.2 million units.

As this is great news for Nintendo and gamers, it turned out to be bad news for scalpers.

Scalping doesn't pay.

The last major video game console launch was the PS5 back in 2020, and anyone who was trying to get one had to deal with scalpers. These sellers were using bots to procure dozens of consoles at one time from retailer restocks and then selling them on eBay and StockX, where prices ranged close to $2000 for the $500 system.

After the announcement of the Switch 2 in January, Nintendo said it was making preparations to make sure there are enough consoles for anyone who wants one.

Among those preparations Nintendo took was shutting down Switch 2 reseller listings in Japan, and creating a pre-order system for its Nintendo Store that required individuals to have a Nintendo Online account that was made a year prior and have recorded playtime hours on it.

While there were eBay listings for Switch 2 pre-orders prior to the June 5 launch, with some reaching more than $700, since launch, the price of those sold Switch 2 consoles has dropped considerably.

A quick look at sold Switch 2 consoles on eBay shows most sales range from $600 to $700, with the ones selling for higher amounts tending to come with free shipping, which can range from $10 to $20 depending on the buyer's location.

The reselling site StockX shows similar pricing with the current Buy Now price for a Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle sitting at $630—which, with sales tax, shipping, and processing fees—totals up to more than $700 depending on the state you live in.

While the $100 to $200 over the $500 retail price seems worth the effort for sellers, there is a matter of fees that the seller deals with. This includes sales tax, which can be zero in a few states but can reach up to $50 in others. There are also eBay and StockX seller fees that can range from 10% to 13%, although both sites do offer some discounts. This also doesn't include payment processing fees.

This means if someone bought a Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle at retail, and if they sold that system for $600, they could maybe profit around $40, depending on sales tax and other fees. That's definitely not a way to get rich as a scalper, and those listings won't go up in price as long as Nintendo keeps restocking more consoles, which it has been since the Switch 2 launch.

For nearly two months, a small community of diehard Nintendo fans took root on the sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan to be among the first to receive the Nintendo Switch 2.

At the center of everything for much of those two months was Rinaldy Gomez, a 33-year-old New Yorker whose marathon wait was about more than just a new console.

Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 in April and put it up for sale in June. It quickly become the fastest-selling console in Nintendo history. Some 3.5 million units were sold globally four days after its June 5 release. Gomez began camping outside the Nintendo store on April 9, a week after the Switch 2's debut during Nintendo Direct.

During the afternoon before it went on sale, Gomez told Laptop Mag outside the Nintendo Store at Rockefeller Center that he had mixed emotions. He had been stationed outside the store since the console was unveiled in April, taking breaks here and there while assisting Chickendog, a YouTuber documenting his wait for the Switch 2 release. A few others worked in shifts and protected each other’s spots in line while people took the occasional break.

But the 57-day vigil was nearly over.

“Yesterday, on the subway, I had tears of joy because, you know, I'm at the end of the road,” Gomez said, noting as he was talking that it was his birthday. “All of the fun is coming to an end.”

For Gomez, Nintendo has been a large part of his identity since he waited outside the same store in 2012 at age 20 to buy a Nintendo Wii U. “I can’t believe this is the first time in my life I’m losing a night’s worth of sleep [to buy] a game,” he remembers thinking on that night 2012.

In the intervening years, he says he had attended nearly all the Nintendo store's events. He says he spent so much of his life around Nintendo that it began to take its toll.

“I spent all my time just attending Nintendo events, and I had no character other than attending Nintendo events,” he admits, before noting he quit the Nintendo scene cold turkey for a year. As a result, he was miserable.

“I was miserable because I refrained from playing games for a while and realized I just lay at home all day doing nothing,” he says, adding that he has “learned to accept my interest for what it is.”

Life camping out for a video game is nothing if not communal. Gomez says that about 20-25 people eventually began camping out on the sidewalk with makeshift tents they called “weather pods,” which protected them from the elements.

"Some days we were struggling because it was as few as four people during the daytime or three people during the nighttime, sometimes two," Gomez admitted. "But by some miracle, we managed to maintain all of our assets and inventories... it was pretty well guarded."

He notes that nothing was stolen, and they even found some tranquility amid the urban noise. “Surprisingly,” he says, the tent life was “pretty relaxing.”

“Believe it or not, I had peace of mind in this concrete setting, which is very hard to do. And I managed to get some sleep.”

He says the other campers bonded over their shared interests despite their differences. People came from Connecticut, Vancouver, Canada, North Carolina, Maryland, and the UK.

“Some of us even have different political views, but regardless, we all share the common goal of getting the Switch 2,” Gomez says.

In the hours before the Switch 2 went on sale, 48th Street between 5th and 6th avenues was happening: Cab drivers craned their necks, asking anybody who would listen what was going on; tourists stopped and gawked more than usual; the driver of a Tesla Cybertruck stopped to take a photo in the middle of the street. Both sides of the street were lined with Nintendo fans dressed for the occasion. Gomez was dressed as Luigi; several Marios were looking at their phones. One stood unbothered near a drain pipe.

Even though the Switch 2 wouldn’t go on sale until midnight, there were large red tents for fans to step into to play the Switch 2.

The moment was so close. And before long, it would all be over.

A few days after the fury of the release, Gomez reflected on his final campout to Laptop Mag via email. He headed home after buying his Switch 2 and fell into a deep sleep. Before the Switch 2 went on sale, a few members of the group he was camping with granted him a longer-than-normal break because he began to develop black circles around his eyes from a lack of sleep.

He explains that it was time to "touch grass" when he woke up. He walked along the Hudson River by his apartment uptown. “It’s surreal to finally be able to not follow a specific schedule,” he recalled.

When asked if he could go back in time and spend his days and nights outside the Nintendo store, Gomez says he would gladly do it again.

He also admits this will probably be the last campout for a console as Nintendo’s release cycle sees many years between console releases.

He will have to move on to something else; he's unemployed and seeking work. But he says he will always be around to help the Nintendo community on 48th Street.

“I will continue to practice this until my health declines from advanced age,” he says.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, with a slew of new games and expanded Switch 2 Editions of popular Switch 1 games. Unfortunately, they can all be pretty pricey, but we're already seeing some opportunities for you to save a little hard-earned cash, gearing up for your new Switch 2.

For example, right now, Best Buy is running this promotion for My Best Buy Plus/Total members where you can get a $20 reward for every $150 spent on eligible Switch 2 and Switch 1 games and gear. Dozens of great games are included in this promo, like the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2 Edition), and plenty of original Switch 1 hits.

Controllers and accessories are also included in this promo, but remember that most Switch 1 controllers won't work with the Switch 2.

If you're not a member of My Best Buy, the best place to get Switch 2 games now is Walmart, where new Switch 2 titles are $1 less than elsewhere. That's not much of a discount, but it adds up.

We're keeping our eyes peeled for bigger discounts on Switch 2 consoles, games, and accessories, so visit our main Switch 2 deals page for the latest updates.

Today's lowest prices on Switch 2 games

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is already out, and so far, the reviews for the new portable console have been positive. Things might change later down the line if one particular issue resurfaces.

With the original Switch, one prominent issue for the console was Joy-Cons would register some movement even though the controls were not in use. This problem, referred to as drifting, caused Nintendo to acknowledge the problem and set up a repair program to replace the Joy-Cons even if the console is out of warranty. Nintendo was even the subject of a class-action lawsuit over the issue, which it ultimately won.

It appears Nintendo is ready for this problem to resurface on the Switch 2, as its Service Request page does offer to repair or replace a Joy-Con 2 that has the drifting problem. As of the writing of this article, there has yet to be a trend of new Switch 2 consoles having this issue.

The Switch 2 comes with a 12-month manufacturer warranty from Nintendo. It's unclear if Nintendo will offer the same policy for replacing Joy-Cons 2 that begin drifting after the warranty has expired, like with the original Switch. An email was sent to Nintendo about this scenario, and this story will be updated when a response has been received.

A report from Engadget showed how prices for Switch 2 repairs have increased over the original Switch. Sending in a Switch OLED with water damage costs $139, but that same problem for the Switch 2 now runs $179. This does make sense as the Switch 2 is more expensive and uses higher-end components versus what was in the original Switch.

What's this drifting problem?

There are two main causes for the drifting issue in the Joy-Cons. The first is a buildup of dirt and debris within the controller itself. The second, and the likely more common issue, is worn-out contacts in the controller. In both cases, drifting takes time to manifest, hence the reason this problem started trending years after the console's release in 2017.

Drifting is actually a common problem with analog controllers. To counter this issue, which stems from how the analog sticks use electrical resistance to detect movement, there are Hall Effect joysticks. These particular controls use magnets and electrical conductors instead, and because this method doesn't have actual physical contact between the parts, it's less likely to wear out.

According to an interview from April with Nintendo's Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development & publishing at Nintendo of America, the Joy-Con 2s would not have Hall Effect joysticks. No specific reason was given for why this method was not being used on the Switch 2.

Early reviews for the Joy-Con 2s have been positive, with reviewers feeling sturdier than the originals. It remains to be seen if this issue will come up again on the Switch 2.

If you’re a Millennial who grew up around translucent game controllers, Jungle Green N64s, or the original Halo Xbox, Razer’s new Phantom Collection will feel like a direct hit of nostalgia.

The Phantom Collection updates Razer’s popular gear with a fresh look

Razer this week announced its new “Razer Phantom Collection," which the gaming brand describes as "a bold new colorway that redefines visual design in the gaming space.”

The collection features an all-translucent design and, in the company’s own words, “offers a bold visual departure from traditional finishes.”

Razer mentions that in addition to celebrating the engineering excellence behind its hardware, the Phantom Collection introduces an aesthetic language blending transparency, depth, and modern minimalism.

The Phantom Collection introduces refreshed versions of some of Razer’s most popular gear, just in a brand-new translucent colorway and enhanced Chroma RGB. This includes the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, which Laptop Mag has previously reviewed and claimed is easily one of the best gaming mice in Razer’s entire lineup.

The Phantom Collection also gave the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard a design refresh, which Laptop Mag described as “one of the best gaming keyboards out there.”

Razer also gave the Barracuda X Chroma headset the Phantom Green touch and the Firefly V2 Pro mouse mat.

Phantom Collection reminds gamers of classics like the Xbox Halo edition and the Nintendo 64

Interestingly, according to gamers who have seen the new Phantom Collection so far, the Army-green tinted coloring (i.e., the Phantom Green design refresh Razer aimed for) took many gamers back to the ‘90s.

For instance, someone shared images of the Razer Phantom Green collection on the r/MouseReview subreddit, and the comment section is filled with nostalgia-struck gamers reminiscing about the good old days.

One redditor commented, “Welcome back, the 90’s,” while another chimed in and explained how the translucent finish of the Phantom Collection reminded them of the classic ‘80s water pistols and how they could almost taste the warm plastic from their childhood.

The Phantom Collection even reminded many folks of the Jungle Green Nintendo 64 and the Xbox special Halo edition, which featured a similarly rugged, translucent Army-green finish that became iconic among gamers.

The Halo edition Xbox remains a collector’s item to this day, and you can get it on eBay for $399 right now!

The Phantom Collection may also remind some of the Xbox 360 and its interface, which had an iconic green-tinted vibe that Xbox is known for.

It’s funny how certain designs can instantly transport us back to a specific gaming era. Razer’s Phantom Collection, which is already available at Razer’s website, Razer stores, and authorized retailers worldwide, is a perfect example.

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After months of anticipation, the Switch 2 is finally here, and the early reactions are good news for Nintendo and gamers alike.

Thursday was the launch day for the Switch 2, and even within the first 24 hours, we're already getting an idea of how it runs and feels outside of closely monitored Nintendo demos.

If you're still wondering whether it's worth waiting in a long line at your nearest gaming store to get your hands on a Switch 2, you may want to check restocks sooner rather than later because it sounds like you're missing out.

Here's a look at what the early reviews for the Switch 2 are saying, including the highlight that could win over reluctant Switch 1 owners.

See also: Where to buy the new Nintendo Switch 2 console, games, and accessories

The new Joy-Cons are a huge improvement

The new-and-improved Joy-Cons are arguably the most important highlight of the Switch 2 in early reviews.

In his unboxing video, YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) said, "These Joy-Cons are so much better than the old ones."

He also praised the larger overall size of the new Joy-Cons, including the larger buttons and joysticks, and improved ergonomics. However, Brownlee raised the question of durability with the pins that connect the Joy-Cons to Switch 2. Attaching and removing the new Joy-Cons is more fluid, but that single pin connecting them does seem like it could be fragile if you aren't careful.

TechRadar's Lance Ulanoff shared similar praise for the new Joy-Cons, commenting in an X posts, "First impressions: It's relatively thin and light but has a density or heft to it that gives it a quality feel. The ergonomics are solid. Love that the Joy-Cons snap on and off magnetically."

Not everyone was totally satisfied with the design, though. YouTuber Austin Evans answered some FAQs in his hands-on video with the Switch 2, where he compared it to handheld gaming PCs and the Switch Lite.

"I think [the Switch 2] is slightly too big, if I'm honest with you, but you're talking to a guy who likes the Switch Lite," Evans said. He added, "The Switch Lite is still the superior size, but the Switch 2 is fine."

This is a valid criticism since the larger display may make the Switch 2 a bit more unwieldy to hold, especially for gamers with small hands. If you're used to the compact Switch Lite, the ergonomics of the larger Switch 2 may take some getting used to.

The 120Hz refresh rate looks great — when it's available

One of the Switch 2's biggest selling points is its larger, higher-quality display, which supports up to 4K resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. However, you might have a hard time testing out those display options at first since you'll need a TV with a compatible resolution and games that support the higher resolution and refresh rate.

Austin Evans explained this in his video: "You can only do 120Hz if you're at 1080p or 1440p."

That applies to internal and external displays. Only a handful of games currently support those higher display options, though. As Brownlee pointed out in his unboxing video, Mario Kart World is the best way to experience the 120Hz display, at least for right now.

Brownlee praised the display, saying, "The 7.9-inch display looks way better; 120Hz looks so much better."

When comparing the Switch 2 to the Switch OLED, Brownlee also made a good point about the lack of OLED on the Switch 2: "At the end of the day, most people just want a bigger screen, and that's what the Switch 2 is delivering. We also fully expect, if we're being reasonable, there's probably going to be a Switch 2 OLED at some point."

As much as the Switch 2 is off to a good start, this is a crucial point to consider if you're considering buying one. If you don't mind waiting, you might be better off holding out for the Switch 2 OLED. By the time it comes out, perhaps a couple of years from now, many more games will be available specifically for the Switch 2 and designed to take advantage of the newer hardware.

The UI and eShop are noticeably smoother

While games and hardware are probably top-of-mind for most gamers, it's also nice to hear that the Switch 2's UI and eShop seem to be smoother and cleaner than they were on the Switch 1.

You might not notice the difference at first. As Evans remarked, "The Switch 2 seems to have almost the exact same software. It's a little different. You can see that the UI is a little cleaner-looking on [the] Switch 2 compared to Switch 1."

Tabitha Baker of GamesRadar+ agreed, saying, "This is pretty much the same deal as you'll find on the original, barring some GameChat functionality and slicker highlighting across the main screen."

TechRadar's Rhys Wood praised the new-and-improved eShop on the Switch 2 in his live review, saying, "I can confirm the [eShop] experience is a heck of a lot smoother now. Individual store listings can cycle trailers and screenshots very smoothly, and everything just seems to be organized a lot better. Additionally, I've noticed that download speeds appear to be much faster than they were on the base Switch model."

Should you buy the Switch 2?

Considering all of these initial first impressions, is it worth waiting in those long lines or vigilantly watching restock notifications to try to get your hands on a Switch 2?

Possibly, although there are reasons to wait. The Switch 2 genuinely does have some major improvements over the original, specifically the greatly improved Joy-Cons and a much higher-quality display. If you can afford the price tag (at least $449) and you have an opportunity to purchase one, the Switch 2 offers a nice upgrade over its predecessor.

With that said, there are a couple of reasons it might be worth waiting on the Switch 2. For starters, buying one at launch is very challenging due to the sheer demand for this console. If you're happy with your current Switch, you can save yourself some trouble by waiting until this initial hype cools down. For instance, if you wait until Black Friday, you might even be able to get your Switch 2 on sale.

On a practical level, there aren't many games specifically for the Switch 2 available yet. So, you're not missing out on a lot at the moment. More games designed for this new hardware will be available as we get closer to the end of the year.

Lastly, as mentioned above, it's worth considering the possibility of a Switch 2 OLED down the line. If you recently purchased an original Switch or can't afford the Switch 2 right now, you might be better off saving your money until an even better Switch 2 with an OLED display comes along.

If you just can't wait to play the new Mario Kart, though, you can check live restock updates for your best shot at buying a Nintendo Switch 2.

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One of the most, if not the most, satisfying parts of unboxing a shiny new gadget is peeling off the plastic film from the screen.

There’s something oddly therapeutic about gently peeling it away to reveal the pristine display of a device you’ve been waiting ages to get your hands on. After all, there’s a reason why entire ASMR videos on YouTube are dedicated to just this one act.

But as tempting as it is, if you’re planning to do the same with your brand-new Nintendo Switch 2, you might want to hold off this time.

The Switch 2’s protective film is there for your safety

After a long wait, the day many gamers have been counting down to is almost here: June 5, Nintendo Switch 2’s official launch day. Though there are still a couple of hours left until it launches in the US, the much-anticipated console has already started rolling out in various parts of the world, starting with New Zealand.

Amidst all the excitement, Nintendo Europe has quietly issued an important warning in its Nintendo Switch 2 Health and Safety manual posted on its website.

In the user manual, Nintendo warns Switch 2 users not to remove the protective film attached to the Switch 2’s glass panel. Unlike what you may think initially, the thin layer isn’t the usual peel-off screen protector you find on phones or tablets from brands like Apple or Samsung.

Instead, it’s a permanent “anti-scattering adhesive film” that Nintendo has applied deliberately as a safety feature to prevent sharp shards of glass from scattering if the Switch 2’s screen is ever dropped or shattered.

This isn’t the first time Nintendo’s used an anti-scattering adhesive film or issued a similar warning. For instance, the Nintendo Switch OLED, launched in 2021, used a similar anti-scatter film for the exact same reason.

We’ve seen this film before and it didn’t end well

Initially, I thought Nintendo could’ve just said they’re pre-installing a screen protector on the Switch 2 instead of risking the opposite reaction by urging users not to peel it off.

After all, telling people not to do something only makes them want to do it more. But Nintendo does have a good reason for doing so.

Despite explicitly warning users not to remove the OLED’s anti-scatter film, the Switch subreddit is still filled with OLED users inquiring whether they can peel it off. Some have even gone ahead and removed it and then explained exactly how to do so. Of course, this might just tempt more users to try it out themselves, especially if they see how easily it comes off.

Beyond the OLED Switch, we’ve also seen this play out with Samsung’s foldable phones, which typically ship with a protective film similar to the one on the Switch 2. Back in 2019, when Samsung sent out early review units of the original Galaxy Fold, several tech reviewers reported serious display issues.

While Samsung said it would inspect the units in person, it also acknowledged that a few reviewers had removed the top layer of the screen, mistaking it for a regular screen protector. That ultimately damaged the display.

One notable example was Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared that his Galaxy Fold review unit became “completely broken and unusable just two days in."

He admitted to peeling off the layer, noting that while Samsung warned against doing so, it looked removable from the left corner, so he went ahead anyway.

So, it’s not hard to imagine history repeating itself with the Switch 2. The Health and Safety manual also includes plenty of other important details, like the operating temperature for the Switch 2, key information for parents, and various other warnings.

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We won't waste any time — you've got places to be.

Here's how to get your Nintendo Switch 2 at a physical store when it goes on sale on Thursday, June 5.

How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at Target

Here's the official word, straight from Target corporate. Many Target stores open at 8 a.m. local time, though some open at 7 a.m. Use the Target store locator to be sure.

People who want to buy their Switch 2 at Target can begin lining up at the entrance of each store before it opens on Thursday.

"Target team members will distribute physical or digital tickets, which will reserve your product for purchase," Target's press release states.

The company also notes there is limited stock is available and that ticketing will take place until all tickets have been claimed, or 10 minutes before the store opens.

If you get a ticket, you will be directed to the electronics area of the store to buy your Switch 2, collect it, and head home to game.

Target states that the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundles are limited to "one product, per item, per guest."

The company has also said that on Friday, the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle will be on sale "beginning early morning" on Target.com.

How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart

Walmart will be open at midnight (12:01 a.m.) on Thursday, June 5, for in-store purchases of the Nintendo Switch 2, the company told 9 to 5 Toys this week.

The publication also reports that Switch 2 devices may be available for online order at midnight Eastern, too. (That's 9 p.m. Pacific time.)

Use Walmart's store finder to locate the nearest location.

How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at Costco

Costco will have the Switch 2/Mario Kart World bundle for sale in store when its stores open on Thursday, June 5. The warehouse store is limiting the purchase to members only and allowing only one transaction per membership, and you can only buy one Nintendo Switch 2 every seven days.

Most Costco locations open at 10 a.m. You can search for a location using Costco's Find a Warehouse tool.

How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at Best Buy

Best Buy is having a special late-night opening for the Nintendo Switch 2.

There's even an FAQ about it! Below is the pertinent information to buy a Switch 2 at a physical Best Buy store on June 5.

Also: Best Buy locations will have "limited Nintendo Switch 2 inventory for walk-up customers."

The company also notes there will be two lines: "We anticipate that customers will line up early for a chance to get a system. There will be two lines: one for pre-order pick up, and one for limited quantities of inventory for sale to customers who did not pre-order."

• Most Best Buy in the U.S. will open Thursday, June 5, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time for pre-order pickup and walk-in purchases. Opening times for other time zones:
  • Central Time: June 4, 11:01 p.m.
  • Mountain Time: June 4, 10:01 p.m.
  • Pacific Time: June 4, 9:01 p.m.

During "launch week" — which we can assume is seven days starting from June 5 — the Switch 2 console will only be for sale in store at Best Buy. However, games and accessories will still be available online.

If you're into commemorative coins — and who isn't? — you can also take one of them home from Best Buy. Here are the details on that: "Coin inventory is limited, so be sure to get to the store early for a chance to collect one. The coin is available to customers who pick up or purchase a console in-store at a late-night store opening event. The limited-edition commemorative coin features special Nintendo and Best Buy branding. "

How to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 at Sam's Club

Walmart-owned warehouse chain Sam's Club will sell the Nintendo Switch 2/Mario Kart World bundle at its locations starting June 5.

Shipping is not available for the item, and Sam's Club advises that it has limited quantities. The Switch 2 pre-order was not available at Sam's Club.

The club finder on its website will point you to the nearest Sam's Club location.

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No Man's Sky developer Hello Games is kicking off the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 with some fantastic news for gamers, and Nintendo should be paying attention.

Thursday, June 5, is the big day Switch fans have been waiting for, when the Switch 2 finally launches. Several top Switch games, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, will have "upgrade packs" available at launch that unlock Switch 2 editions of current Switch 2 titles — for a price.

No Man's Sky is doing things a little differently — the Switch 2 version of the game will be free.

No Man's Sky is getting a free Switch 2 Edition upgrade

Hello Games's latest move with the Switch version of No Man's Sky is great news for current Switch 1 players, but it might make gamers dread Nintendo's paid Switch 2 Edition upgrades even more.

See also: Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order restocks

When it launched in 2016, No Man's Sky had a rough start, but it has come a long way since then through consistent, free major updates.

The latest of those updates is arguably the best one yet.

Hello Games CEO Sean Murray announced in a video on the developer's YouTube channel this week that the next update for No Man's Sky, "Beacon," will add "Nintendo Switch 2 support at launch."

"From day one, new players are benefiting from nine years of updates, just tons of huge additions. We've been working on this for over a year. I'm super proud of what the team has achieved.

"Our Switch 2 Edition is just another free update for existing players," Murray stated, after enthusiastically diving into the slew of new features and improvements in the Switch 2 Edition.

This update to No Man's Sky includes all of the new content in the "Beacon" update, such as new robotic settlements to explore, and major enhancements for the Switch version of the game specifically.

As Murray points out, the original Switch's hardware can run No Man's Sky fine, but is still limited compared to PCs and other consoles. So, it has slightly less impressive graphics, longer loading times, and a generally less fluid gameplay experience than other platforms.

With the Switch 2, a lot of those hardware barriers are removed, allowing Hello Games to take the Switch experience in No Man's Sky up a notch. The Switch 2 Edition, a free update for all existing Switch players, will include:

• Multiplayer
• Cross-save
• Cross-play
• Higher resolution (up to 4K)
• Higher frame rate
• Higher texture density

So, not only are Switch players getting a boatload of new content, they're also going to have a much better gameplay experience on the Switch 2 — without having to pay extra for it.

This is a really player-friendly move from Hello Games that shows how much they appreciate their players and community. The question is, why isn't Nintendo offering similar free Switch 2 upgrades for its first-party games?

Should all Switch 2 Editions be free updates?

Hello Games has built back from No Man's Sky's rocky start through offering frequent free updates to regain trust with players, so it doesn't come as a surprise that the Switch 2 Edition of the game is also a free update.

However, it does set Hello Games apart from Nintendo, which is charging players for most of its Switch 2 Editions.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land are all getting Switch 2 Editions, but you have to pay $10 to $20 extra for them, even if you already own the Switch 1 versions of those games. Like No Man's Sky, these Switch 2 Editions add new content and overall performance improvements.

Of course, it's totally normal for developers to offer paid DLC for games, which is basically what Switch 2 Editions are. However, considering how much controversy Nintendo has been facing over the pricing of the Switch 2 and its games, it might be a nice gesture to regain favor with players to offer these Switch 2 Editions as free updates for existing players.

I doubt that's going to happen, but Hello Games has really set the standard here for doing right by your players, and other developers might want to take notice.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, and it's been a roller coaster of emotions for gamers. When the Switch follow-up was revealed on April 2, there were some concerns over the console's $450 price tag as well as the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World. Those concerns were quickly overshadowed when Nintendo announced a delay in preordering in the U.S. due to tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on the same day.

Nintendo did open pre-orders, and they quickly sold out. However, those retailers are now letting some customers know that Switch 2 consoles are not coming for them.

On the Switch 2 subreddit, thread after thread has appeared of individuals receiving notices from Walmart that their pre-orders have been canceled. There were other threads involving Target and Best Buy orders as well.

Walmart order cancelled from r/switch2

Why are Switch 2 pre-orders getting canceled?

A post dated May 31 claims a Walmart pre-order was canceled and more cancellations were coming.

"Ended up as one of the fallen," the poster said. "Called immediately they said they’re canceling a ton of orders until the July restock."

Walmart did confirm there were cancellations of orders, but the company says it was not inventory-related.

“We have identified a very small group of customers whose orders were unfortunately affected by a system error," a Walmart spokesperson said via email. "We recognize how exciting this new product launch is and are working to ensure these customers are taken care of.”

For other Reddit users who posted notices of their canceled orders, it appears there might be a different reason behind it. In many cases, the individuals confirmed there were issues with payment authorizations. Retailers have been sending emails confirming Switch 2 pre-orders over the past week, and with those confirmations, they are also charging the credit cards used for the original April orders. If there are any issues preventing a charge from being authorized, the result is a cancellation of the preorder.

U.K. gamers experienced a similar concern over pre-orders. Game posted a notice on May 29 that it was canceling orders.

"We understand how disappointing this is, especially for those who have been eagerly awaiting their order," the retailer said in its statement. "If your order was impacted, please know that we're doing everything we can and will be in touch with further updates and next steps."

What can gamers do if their Switch 2 preorder is canceled?

While retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are selling their Switch 2 units via pre-orders, other stores will have some consoles in stock on June 5.

GameStop, Target, Costco, and Staples confirmed they will have Switch 2 consoles at some of their stores. How many will be available is the big question, but it's likely that those wanting to buy a Switch 2 will head to the stores early.

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Excited to watch some anime on your Nintendo Switch 2? Well, too damn bad.

Nothing is sacred, especially anime. However, the Crunchyroll app is just one of 100+ identified software casualties that will not be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch.

Nintendo published testing data for over 15,000 Nintendo Switch titles on May 27, measuring their compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2, and over 100 games and apps are either completely incompatible or refuse to play nicely with the company's upcoming handheld console.

The question is: are you going to be missing out on your favorite Nintendo Switch title when the Switch 2 drops on June 5? We know anime is dead (cries in Jujutsu Kaisen), but here's a look at everything else Nintendo fans will be losing access to.

100+ games and apps DOA for Nintendo Switch 2 launch

There are quite a few games, some you might not have heard before, and others that are near and dear to you.

Nintendo published the full list in three separate PDFs: games with some compatibility issues, games with start-up issues, and games that will be fixed at or post-launch.

Some of the more popular titles that fail to start up include: Dead by Daylight, Final Fantasy, Little Nightmares, Warframe, Rocket League, and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.

Half of these are online multiplayer games with a huge player base. I mean, can you tell me about a monster that isn’t in Dead by Daylight? Even Vecna is in there!

(For the uncultured, Vecna is an infamous monster from Dungeons & Dragons, popularized by Matthew Mercer’s portrayal of him in Critical Role — Mercer even portrayed him in the game!)

While Nintendo provided a list of all the games that have “issues,” there isn’t a document that states which titles are 100% not compatible. In the chart it published, there seems to be a number of them, but it’s unclear which.

But in terms of software, you’ll find these apps are DOA: Crunchyroll, Hulu, InkyPen, ABEMA, and Niconico.

Periphery pains: the Switch 2 won't play nice with Switch accessories, either

Don’t play any of the affected titles? Well, did you happen to purchase the ridiculous range of peripheral-based games on the original Switch? Then I have some bad news for you, too: the Nintendo Labo, Ring Fit Adventure, and Nintendo Switch Sports accessories aren’t compatible with the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Even if they were, the Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t feature an IR motion camera, so full functionality wouldn't be possible. Thankfully, you can still connect the Switch's original Joy-Con controllers to the Switch 2 and get the authentic experience.

What's next

Nintendo is still testing these titles, so we may get some more wins and losses along the way ahead of the handheld console's official release on June 5.

Overall, I hope that developers continue to work with Nintendo to make these games and software compatible, otherwise, we’re all going to be out of anime (cough), I mean, I’m so disappointed about Fall Guys having compatibility issues.

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We’re less than a month away from the Nintendo Switch 2’s scheduled launch on June 5, 2025, and while we've had hands-on time with the Switch 2, questions regarding what's going on inside the portable console remained unanswered.

Leaks about the long-awaited successor to the original Switch have been floating around since as early as 2018, but they've often focused on specific aspects of the console, and fans have always been advised to take them with a grain of salt. To top it off, Nintendo went notably light on the specifications when it posted the official Switch 2 specs on its website.

That ends now, as Digital Foundry claims to have finally gotten its hands on what the $449 console packs under the hood. Unlike previous leaks (including what Digital Foundry had reported), they now claim to have “rock solid confirmation on the Nintendo Switch 2 console specifications.”

So, for the first time, we have a solid idea of whether the Switch 2 will be able to deliver the kind of performance fans have been (patiently) waiting for.

Switch 2’s CPU is a big upgrade, but clock speeds are lower than expected

In January 2025, before the Switch 2 became official, we reported on a Switch 2 photo leak from Reddit that revealed Nvidia as the console’s chip manufacturer.

Eurogamer claimed the gaming console would have a T239 processor based on an “octa-core ARM A78C CPU cluster.” When Nintendo finally revealed the Switch 2, the official specs published on their site listed it as “a custom processor made by Nvidia.”

Thanks to Digital Foundry, we now have more clarity. As the rumors suggested, the Switch 2 will indeed run on a custom Nvidia T239 processor designed specifically for Nintendo and mobile gaming, using eight ARM Cortex A78 CPU cores. The Switch 2’s variation of the ARM Cortex A78C features 64KB of L1 instruction cache and 64KB of L1 data cache.

Additionally, each of the eight cores has 256KB of L2 cache, while all eight cores share 4MB of L3 cache. What does that all add up to? Smoother performance and shorter load times, which you can never go wrong with.

Digital Foundry confirmed that even though the total number of CPU cores in Switch 2 has doubled, Nintendo still reserves the same proportion for system software. In the original Switch, there were four CPU cores, with one reserved for the operating system, meaning three were available for developers.

The Switch 2 will have six cores available for developers, with two cores reserved for system software. Strangely enough, what’s still a mystery is the Switch 2’s CPU clock speeds.

Nintendo confirmed that the CPU has a max clock speed of 1700MHz, but Digital Foundry claims that according to the confirmed specs, the Switch 2’s CPU will run substantially lower in practice — 1100MHz in handheld mode, dropping even further to 998MHz when docked. This marks a drop of roughly 35–40%.

Digital Foundry speculates that memory bandwidth drops in handheld mode, which would likely impact CPU performance. However, that hit could be slightly offset by the handheld mode’s slightly higher CPU clock.

Though an Ampere GPU is confirmed, don’t expect RTX 3050 power

Coming to the GPU, Digital Foundry confirmed that the leaks that surfaced before the announcement of the Switch 2 were accurate. The console features a custom Nvidia GPU built on the Ampere architecture, as seen in the RTX series. Similar to the CPU, though Nintendo’s official specs reveal a maximum clock speed of up to 1400MHz, it’ll operate at 561MHz in handheld mode and 1007MHz in docked mode.

While the Switch 2's Ampere-based GPU is similar to what's in an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, you shouldn't expect full-on RTX 3050-level performance. It has 512 fewer CUDA cores and runs at much lower clock speeds. That said, while Nintendo’s clearly aiming for efficiency over raw power, it's still a big jump over the original Switch.

Thanks to the custom Nvidia processor, another feature coming to Switch 2 is Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), which uses AI and machine learning to boost game performance. Similarly, ray tracing capabilities are confirmed, with the Switch 2 rated for approximately 10 giga rays/second, doubling up to 20 giga rays/second in docked mode.

Switch 2’s system software will use a surprisingly large chunk of RAM

As previous leaks suggested, the Switch 2 will include 12GB of LPDDR5X DRAM, delivered through two 6GB modules. What’s surprising is that 3GB (or 25%) of that memory will be reserved for the system itself.

For comparison, the original Switch shipped with 4GB of RAM, of which only 0.8GB (or 20%) was allocated for system processes. Given that it’s a quarter of the total memory, seeing Nintendo allocate that much memory for purely non-gaming functions is frankly a bit disappointing on the surface.

Digital Foundry also confirmed that the Switch 2’s File Decompression Engine (FDE), built specifically for the console, will help make load times significantly faster and more power efficient. Since the FDE is responsible for file loading and decompression, instead of the Switch 2’s CPU handling it, the FDE will offload that workload entirely. This means the CPU can focus on other tasks, potentially leading to smoother performance and less power consumption during gameplay.

Nearly everything else Digital Foundry covered is mentioned in Nintendo’s official specs. Ironically, a lot of what we’re seeing now closely mirrors what earlier “Switch Pro” leaks suggested back in 2021 — a beefier GPU, DLSS support, and more RAM. While that console never materialized, it's clear those reports weren’t too far off base. It just took until 2025 to become a reality.

Nonetheless, the Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5th for $449, and from what we’ve seen, it’s shaping up to be an excellent successor to the original Switch that debuted in 2017.

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The hype train barrels forward for the Nintendo Switch 2 as preorders continue to mount with the handheld console rapidly approaching its June 5 launch date.

Given the astronomical success of the original Switch, which sold over 120 million units to date following its March 2017 release, expectations are sky-high regarding Nintendo's next-gen offering.

However, while fans ponder performance, fantasize about frame rates, and rave over ray tracing, there's another side to the Switch's story: ownership itself.

You may have spent 450 (or $499 if you opted for the MarioKart World Bundle) of your hard-earned dollars on a brand-new Switch 2 ahead of its launch, or you may be prepping yourself for a midnight release at your local brick-and-mortar. In your mind, the Switch 2 is already yours.

And that might be the problem. According to a recently updated section of Nintendo's End User License Agreement (EULA), Switch 2 ownership might be all in your head.

Nintendo Switch 2: Hands off the merchandise

Saying Nintendo has always had a tumultuous relationship with issues of piracy, emulation, imitation, and modding is a bit like saying dynamite and sparks find each other slightly disagreeable.

This is, after all, the company that attempted to sue a Costa Rican supermarket in January over trademark infringement, got multiple streamers banned for the unforgivable crime of playing a game they legally owned, and struck down the sale of custom-designed JoyCons in honor of popular, deceased YouTuber, Desmond “Etika” Amofah. (And you can read many more instances here.)

When it comes to obsessing over its brand, intellectual property, and the sanctity of its products, nobody does it quite like Nintendo. It has a vice-like grip on everything it produces.

And you may find yourself wrestling with that same grip when it comes to the ownership of "your" Switch 2, as updated language in the company's EULA (as spotted by Game File's Stephen Totilo) suggests that Nintendo will be retaining its hold on the console, long after you've made your purchase.

The updated agreement offers the usual legalese language to indicate Nintendo's disapproval of piracy, tampering, and modding of its console. As well as efforts to exploit Nintendo Account Services in any way.

While the language is stricter, and clamps down tighter than before on any potential meddling, it's the end of the paragraph that should prick the ears of those interested in picking up a Switch 2 for themselves.

It reads: "You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."

Roughly translated: break the rules, and we're well within our rights to not just ban you from using Nintendo's online services, but we can also break your Switch 2 at will. Permanently.

What's next

The Switch 2 may end up being Nintendo's biggest hardware launch to date, but the question of what it really means to own the handheld console may loom over that parade like a dark cloud.

Yes, technically, this rule should only impact those ne'er-do-wells that hope to interfere with the Switch 2 in ways that the vast majority of owners won't. But if they've bought it, if they "own" it, do they not have the right to do with it as they see fit?

It's a wider point than Nintendo preventing piracy, or the use of emulators and homebrew on its platform. In a time where we're routinely told that we don't actually own any of our games by various publishers, is the next step on that path being told that the hardware in our hands? Is just a very expensive lease that's only upheld on the grounds of you being a good boy/girl?

If you're looking to hop aboard that Switch 2 hype train, just remember: toe the line, or Nintendo may remind you who has final say over what ownership of the upcoming console looks like.

Spoiler: "It's-not-a-you!"

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On the same day Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, President Donald Trump also unveiled his list of tariffs on countries the U.S. trades with. This led Nintendo to delay preorders in the U.S., although it did make them available a short time later.

As the June 5 launch of the Switch 2 approaches, Nintendo held an earnings call on May 8. The company anticipated selling 15 million Switch 2 consoles in its first year, but Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa did raise some concerns that the price of the console may change due to tariffs.

"If the assumptions regarding tariffs change significantly, we would like to consider what price adjustments we should make and implement them after considering various aspects," according to a translated report on Yahoo Finance Japan.

Nintendo says it has concerns that the increase in tariffs leading to a price increase will cause a drop in demand for the Switch 2, as consumers will have to deal with rising costs of food and other daily expenses on their budgets.

Tairffs are about to debuff the game industry.

There have been warnings about Trump's tariffs on game console prices for months. A report from the Consumer Technology Association from back in January suggested that the price of game consoles could jump by 40%.

Of the three video game console manufacturers, only Microsoft has increased its hardware prices so far. The company increased the prices of its Xbox Series S by $80 while the Xbox Series X jumped by $100.

Sony has yet to increase the price of the PS5 in the U.S., but in April, it did bump up the price of the hardware in multiple foreign markets by 25%. It's very likely the console will increase in price as it's primarily made in China. Sony could have foreseen this situation and stockpiled consoles before it needed to increase prices to accommodate the tariffs.

As for Nintendo and the Switch 2, a price hike on the Switch successor would make the already pricey portable at $450 even pricier. The Mario maker did increase the prices of its accessories due to tariffs, and the new console already upset fans when it was revealed that Mario Kart World would be the first game to make the jump to a $80 suggested retail price.

Other game hardware companies have already felt the pinch from the tariffs. Anbernic, a Chinese handheld gaming company known for its many Game Boy clones, said it's suspending all shipments to the U.S. Funstock, a U.K.-based online retailer that sells the Evercade retro handheld, announced it would stop taking orders from the U.S. due to the current trade war. It's likely that more companies that have their hardware coming from China to either increase their prices or simply not sell to U.S. customers.

The new Discord-like GameChat feature for the Nintendo Switch 2 may come with a major privacy compromise.

In its effort to strengthen child safety on GameChat, Nintendo may spy on all your calls, chats, and messages.

That makes sense from a moderation perspective, but could alienate gamers despite good intentions on Nintendo's part.

Here's what gamers should know.

See also: Best gaming laptop deals in May 2025

Nintendo quietly announces it might be spying on GameChat activity

This week, Nintendo quietly updated its Privacy Policy to include a major change for GameChat, its Discord clone for the Switch 2. The update effectively reveals that Nintendo may be watching all of your activity in GameChat in attempt to ensure safety.

According to Nintendo, "We clarified that we may collect, monitor and record audio and video of your chat sessions with other users to provide a safe and secure environment."

This means anything you say or do in your GameChat sessions could be monitored by Nintendo. It isn't clear how Nintendo plans to analyze GameChat activity or how it might deal with unwanted behavior, but it's clear Nintendo plans to have some level of surveillance on GameChat.

Nintendo first announced GameChat back in April during the official Switch 2 reveal. It's a built-in video and chat feature with a dedicated button on the Switch 2. The demo footage of the feature looks blatantly similar to Discord, only with visibly grainy video quality and seemingly low framerates. It will be free until March 31, 2026, but after that you will need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to use GameChat.

Unfortunately for Nintendo, a lot of gamers might be passing on this Discord wannabe after this news, and that's probably the right call.

Is it worth using GameChat on the Switch 2? Probably not.

I understand why Nintendo is implementing this Privacy Policy change, but unfortunately for most gamers it's just another reason to skip GameChat.

Making any kind of social feature like this kid-friendly is very difficult to do without some sort of surveillance or kneecapping the service itself, like the limited pre-written chat options you get in kid-friendly MMOs.

This surveillance measure, along with seemingly poor resolution on GameChat, make it an all-around less attractive option for gaming calls and chats compared to Discord. If you're already using Discord, the possible convenience of having GameChat built-in on the Switch 2 is likely not worth sacrificing your privacy and the higher-resolution video and screen sharing you can get on Discord.

While, of course, you can never be 100% sure that anything you say or do online is completely private and un-monitored, it's clear from Nintendo's updated privacy policy that GameChat will likely be less private than Discord.

Parents may be tempted to overlook that with the assumption that GameChat will be safer for their kids, but no amount of surveillance is going to make GameChat 100% kid-friendly. The best solution is for parents to make sure their kids know how to be safe online and stick to chatting only with known friends and not strangers, rather than trusting Nintendo to keep everyone safe.

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Nintendo's next-generation handheld console, the Switch 2, is set to debut on June 5, with pre-orders already well underway (albeit with unpredictable availability across the board).

Priced at $449, or $499 if you opt for the Mario Kart bundle, Nintendo's latest handheld console boasts a 7.9-inch LCD screen at 1080p with HDR and a variable refresh rate (VRR) of up to 120 Hz.

Factor in its 4K-capable dock and a slew of popular third party titles like the entirety of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Cyberpunk 2077, and the upcoming Borderlands 4 and you have a handheld suited to building on the success of the original Switch, which sold over 150 million units since its release in March 2017.

However, while anticipation and excitement build for Nintendo's latest hybrid console offering, a recent leak highlights that the Switch 2 will have to tackle a hurdle that the original never had to: serious competition.

And that competition seems to have Xbox's backing.

The ROG Ally 2 revealed

A slew of handheld gaming PCs from the likes of Lenovo, MSI, and more already unlock impressive gaming on the go experiences, with the Steam Deck still standing tall as the most accessible, console-like option of them all.

However, it's the Asus ROG Ally's successor that might pose the biggest threat of all to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Several recent leaks suggest that the rumored Z2 Extreme-equipped handheld could be nearing an official release.

As spotted by 91mobiles, a listing for the device, dubbed "Asus ROG Ally 2," has appeared on the Indonesian SDPPI Postel site, and an FCC listing that would suggest a pending Indonesian and North American release.

The filing, and images shared by X user @94G8LA, suggest that Asus' next-gen handheld will come in at least two models, a black SKU sporting AMD's Z2 Extreme APU, and a white SKU, interestingly opting for AMD's Aerith Plus APU. — a successor to the chipset used by the Steam Deck.

This particular APU was previously denied to be powering a potential Steam Deck 2 by Valve after being spotted in a shipping manifest in March.

It's likely that this model could run the Steam Deck's SteamOS platform, which is continually expanding to better suit third party devices — similar to the way Lenovo has approached OS flexibility with the Legion Go S.

However, the Z2 Extreme model appears certain be a Windows handheld. That said, it may be a very special kind of Windows handheld, as it has something others dont: a dedicated Xbox button.

This collaboration between Xbox and Asus has been long rumored, and often cited as Project Kennan. But it's not just a branding deal, it may be Xbox soft-launching its way into the handheld market, something strongly alluded to following the next-gen ROG Ally's first teaser trailer, released on April 1, 2025.

And that's quite a shake-up for Nintendo's handheld dominance.

ROG Ally 2: Nintendo's biggest competition to date?

If Nintendo's biggest challenge with the original Switch was proving that there was still life left in handhelds circa 2017, the challenge in 2025 is proving that its success wasn't simply down to there being very few other options available to match the Switch's performance, form factor, and playability.

The original Switch was practically unopposed. Sony had all-but given up on handhelds, Xbox seemingly had no interest in portable hardware, and the rational thought of a handheld gaming PC was still several years away — with Alienware's Project UFO being showcased during CES 2020, two years before Valve began shipping out the Steam Deck.

All that has changed.

While there's no denying that the popularity of the Switch will transition much of its momentum to the Switch 2, as a console, Nintendo risks falling victim to the same old problem home consoles have faced — PCs just do it better.

Not only do handheld gaming PCs like the ROG Ally 2 suggest more powerful devicees, they are more open devices, allowing for operating system flexibility, emulation, vastly expanded game libraries, wider access to various services, better customization, richer personalization.

And now, potentially more tightly integrated access to Xbox's secret weapons: Game Pass and a Windows platform that may be gently evolving to better suit this form factor.

What's next

Nintendo's ecosystem of beloved franchises and brand loyalty has proven to survive just about everything, JoyCon stick drift included.

The company's undereliance on cutting edge hardware over the last few generations only reinforces the notion that its fans care more about Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon than they do ray-tracing, resolutions, or frame generation.

In that light, the Switch 2 is better prepared for the competition than ever. It's bringing the kitchen sink of software and hardware features with it when it releases in June.

However, devices like the ROG Ally 2, are going to be immensely tempting as an alternative, and if a release of this Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC is as imminent as FCC filings may suggest, Nintendo may be heading into its first proper console-war (of sorts) in decades.

More from Laptop Mag

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is a little over a month away from the June 5 launch after a rollercoaster ride from the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World to the delay of preorders thanks to President Donald Trump's tariffs.

In preparation for the Switch 2 launch, Nintendo dropped a big update for the original Switch that was supposed to prep the console for the release of its successor so people can easily move their old library to the new console. Like everything else that happened in April, there was a problem.

Switch Firmware Update Version 20.0.0 went up on April 29 for download. The big change was the system transfer function, allowing those with an original Switch to do a system transfer to the Switch 2 via local communication. This is similar to when buying a new phone and transferring the data from the old phone to the new one. And like it's done on smartphones, once the transfer is complete, the old Switch reverts to factory settings.

The option also allows for the system data to be uploaded to a dedicated server. This lets someone save their settings to Nintendo's server, sell their Switch, and when they get the Switch 2, they'll be able to download their system data to the new console.

However, there was a problem.

After installing the update, some Switches began crashing and displaying Error Code 2206-1015.

Nintendo confirmed the issue, according to a translated tweet from May 2 on its support Twitter account.

"We are currently receiving inquiries from some customers about the occurrence of 'Error Code: 2206-1015' after updating to Nintendo Switch system version 20.0.0," the company wrote. "We are currently investigating how to deal with this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience, and ask that you wait for further information."

On May 2, Nintendo released firmware version 20.0.1, which specifically addressed the error from the previous firmware.

What else was new in firmware update 20.0.0?

Aside from the system transfer option, firmware update 20.0.0 included a slew of other changes intended to get Switch owners ready for the Switch 2.

After the update is installed, purchased digital Switch games, DLC, and other free software will be displayed as virtual game cards. They can be loaded and ejected between two Switch systems, and lent to other members of a Nintendo Account family group. There is also a new option to restrict access to virtual game cards via a PIN or signing in to a Nintendo Account.

GameShare is also available after the update. This allows compatible software from a Switch 2 to be shared with other nearby consoles. Mario Kart World is one game with this new feature.

The Switch 2 will launch on June 5, starting at $450 for the console and $500 for the Mario Kart World bundle. Preorders for the Switch successor have been sold out at retailers, but Nintendo is offering those interested an option to purchase the console directly from the company. However, Nintendo did warn those who want to buy directly from Nintendo that the new console might be delivered sometime after June 5.

You probably didn't get your hands on a Switch 2, but if you did, there's something you ought to be aware of.

You know that old Pro controller you have lying around from last generation? Yes, the one with the thumbsticks so worn down they're bordering on F1 tire-level slick.

Well, it works with your brand-spanking-new console! Sort of...

Compatibility comes at a cost

The good news is that old Nintendo Switch Pro controllers are indeed compatible with the Switch 2, so you'll be able to retain your competitive advantage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate without buying a new one.

The bad news is you won't get the full functionality.

As spotted by Matt Swider, who runs the deals blog The Shortcut, old Pro controllers will have full functionality with games but won't be fully compatible with consoles. Per Nintendo:

"These accessories can be used by connecting wirelessly to Nintendo Switch 2. They can be charged by connecting them to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock via a USB cable."

However:

"You cannot exit sleep mode on Nintendo Switch 2 using the HOME Button on Nintendo Switch controllers."

Yes, you read that correctly: you cannot turn your new Switch console on using your old Pro controller's home button. Needless to say, that's.... very annoying.

Getting your butt up off the couch to press an on/off button in this day and age? Might as well trade in your car for a horse and start greeting your friends as "kind sir."

This bad news means, if waking your console with a button is a priority for you, you'll have to buy an entirely new Switch 2-specific Pro controller for $85.

That's not ideal, considering the console itself is $450 and games are now $80 to $90, but you do at least get some perks for being forced into new hardware.

Switch 2 Pro controller perks

The Switch 2 Pro controller might not be a huge departure from the previous generation, but it does have a couple perks that could make it worth your while.

One of them is Hall Effect joysticks, which differ from regular joysticks since they don't actually make contact with the controller's internal hardware.

Instead, they use magnets that create a degree of separation on the inside which vastly reduces the wear and tear and should greatly increase your controller's longevity.

As someone who abuses controllers playing Super Smash Bros. I personally wouldn't mind a more durable piece of hardware, even if it means spending another $80.

On top of Hall Effect joysticks, the new Pro controllers also have faster charging so that means less time waiting around for controller to gather steam when you inevitably forget to charge in between uses.

I don't mean to spin the annoyance in a positive light. Nintendo is definitely turning up the heat on its fans in pretty much all regards.

Games are more expensive, hardware is more expensive, accessories are (slightly) more expensive. And that's not even factoring in tariffs, really.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the way things are going, however, and I guess if we're going to be forced into buying new hardware the best silver lining I can find is Hall Effect joysticks.

More from Laptop Mag

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• A Nintendo Switch 2 price hike before launch is possible. Here's what happened.
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Nintendo Switch 2 preorders began on April 24 at retailers, and it was, it's safe to say, quite a mess. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and GameStop had their sites bombarded with gamers and bots looking to preorder the Switch successor. But these retailers are not the only places to get a Switch 2.

Nintendo also plans on getting in on the action, as it will have preorders for the Switch 2 on its Nintendo Store. There are some requirements to get an invite to purchase the console, such as having a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025, when the Switch 2 was revealed. There is, however, an additional catch for those who are depending on Nintendo to get their hands on a Switch 2 when it launches on June 5.

Nintendo gave an update on its preorders, saying that if you order with them, there's a good chance you'll have to wait until after the launch date to get a Switch 2.

"Due to the very high demand, we will be working diligently to fulfill orders as product becomes available, but delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed," Nintendo said. "Your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We'll confirm your shipping date upon purchase."

Its a trick to get a Switch.

The Switch 2 is shaping up to be not only Nintendo's most successful launch, but it could also be the biggest console launch ever. Analysts predict Nintendo will sell 6 to 8 million units at launch, according to a Bloomberg report.

The demand for the Switch 2 is so massive in Japan that Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa had to apologize for not anticipating the huge interest from Japanese gamers after the company received 2.2 million applications for a Switch 2 preorder.

“This number far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5,” Furukawa wrote on X via Nintendo’s official Japanese account.

The Switch 2, in the U.S., faced a sudden obstacle not long after its reveal, thanks to President Donald Trump.

On April 2, Trump revealed a list of tariffs for countries the U.S. traded with. Japan, where Nintendo is located, and Vietnam, where the Switch 2 is being manufactured, were hit hard with tariffs, receiving a 24% tariff and 46% tariff, respectively. The president has since put a pause on these tariffs, but still states that he will institute tariffs again in the future.

While the price of the Switch 2 console remains at the announced $450, with the Mario Kart World Bundle at $500, the Switch 2 accessories did increase in price by, in most cases, $5. The likely reason for this increase is the continued tariffs on China, with imports from the country receiving a 145% tariff. There is speculation that the number may drop soon.

The China tariff is already taking its toll on other handheld console makers. Anbernic, a Chinese company that makes Game Boy clones, stopped shipments of its product to the U.S. over tariffs. Funstock, a U.K.-based online retailer that sells the Evercade retro handheld, announced it would stop taking orders from the U.S. due to the current trade war.

Nintendo finally revealed its highly-anticipated new console via the Switch 2 direct on April 2, but many fans were disappointed with its staggering $449 price tag. For many handheld gamers, the debate of buying the Switch 2 vs. a Steam Deck started almost instantly, trying to figure out which console is the better value.

The Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck are both gaming handhelds, but past that, these two consoles are pretty much a world away from each other.

The Switch 2 is capable of officially playing Nintendo titles, both new and old, on a shiny new display, but it comes with vast limitations. The Steam Deck is slightly more affordable, more customizable, and offers a larger game catalog, but it caters to a specific type of gamer.

There's no "wrong" decision here. While one console may objectively be considered better than the other, this is about more than hardware. With that, let's break down the biggest differences to consider between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck.

• See also: Nintendo's Switch 2 might have a Zelda problem

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Pricing and configurations

The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 upset many fans because of its higher price tag. Switch 2 pre-orders are live now, with the console's base model kicking off at $449 and shipping on June 5.

For that $150 increase over the original Switch, the Switch 2 promises a few worthy upgrades. Inside, it'll feature an improved custom Nvidia processor, 256GB of internal storage (up from 32GB and 64GB on Switch and Switch OLED models), and a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 1920 x 1080p resolution that can upscale to 4K (3840 x 2160) when in docked mode.

The base Steam Deck model has just two things in common with Switch 2: 256GB of built-in storage and an LCD panel. The entry-level Steam Deck configuration features a slightly smaller 7-inch screen with a refresh rate of up to 60Hz and a 1280 x 800p resolution, along with an AMD Zen 2 4-core CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU.

With the same amount of storage, a more powerful CPU, and a smaller, lower-res display, the Steam Deck starts at $399 — $50 cheaper than the Switch 2. The Asus ROG Ally, a Windows-based console that we ranked as one of the best handheld gaming PCs, is also frequently discounted to $399.

That said, many people recommend springing for the more future-proof OLED Steam Deck model, which comes with 512GB of storage and a 7.4-inch OLED display that supports up to 90Hz. This mid-range model retails for $549.

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Features

Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 features two detachable, magnetic Joy-Cons, a Joy-Con controller, and a dock that allows you to connect the console to a TV or monitor for more comfortable couch gaming.

Conversely, the Steam Deck is an all-in-one unit that doesn't have detachable controllers. However, the handheld does feature four customizable back buttons and two trackpads that the Switch 2 doesn't have. You can also connect the Steam Deck to a TV or monitor, just like the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 also gains a few quality-of-life features, like an integrated chat system, mouse support built into the Joy-Cons, extra accessibility features like text-to-speech support, and a compatible camera you can purchase separately.

The Steam Deck launched in February 2022 with many of these features. Through the Steam Deck, you can use Discord (the superior voice chat app), built-in text-to-speech features (although this support can vary based on the game you're playing), and a mouse via the trackpads. It also supports Bluetooth, so you can hook up an external keyboard and mouse if you'd like.

Nintendo is introducing a new Virtual Game Card feature with the Switch 2, which allows you to easily port over your Switch games to the Switch 2 and share your digital games with people for up to two weeks at a time. In comparison, the Steam Deck allows game sharing through Steam Families, shared libraries, and Remote Play Together.

One special feature the Steam Deck has that the Switch 2 doesn't is Desktop Mode, where you can treat the handheld like your own personal computer with a desktop, web browsers, and apps.

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Hardware

Nintendo has released details on the Switch 2's 7.9-inch (1920 x 1080) LCD display and 256GB base storage capacity, but when it comes to the console's CPU and GPU, the company is a bit secretive.

Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 features a custom Nvidia chipset, but that's all we know officially. Nvidia does have a license to make custom ARM cores, so we think Switch 2 will have an arm-based CPU with an integrated GPU like the first Switch. We also don't officially know yet how much RAM the Switch 2 has.

Valve's Steam Deck is fully transparent about what's inside the Steam Deck, and even better, the company is clear on what you can upgrade or add to customize your handheld's hardware further.

In addition to knowing the base Steam Deck comes with 256GB of storage and a 7-inch (1280 x 800) LCD panel, we know it comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 7nm AMD APU, which combines a 4-core Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU with 8 compute units.

You can swap out nearly every hardware component of the Steam Deck, short of the APU. Some components, like the motherboard and RAM, are much more difficult to swap out, and should only done by those incredibly comfortable with micro soldering and working with computer parts.

For budding hardware modders, however, there are a lot of hardware upgrades to explore. You can swap out the SSD (or just add extra storage via a microSD card like the Switch 2), the joysticks, the fans, the back cover, and even the display.

The amount of customization you can bring to the Steam Deck is something that Nintendo will likely never offer, so if that's important to you, the Steam Deck will likely make you happier than the Switch 2.

Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Games

Thanks to backward compatibility with the entire Nintendo Switch library and multiple Switch 2 titles set for launch, there's a huge catalog of games available for the Switch 2. A few Nintendo-exclusive titles we're aware of right now include Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, and blockbuster third-party titles expected to hit the Switch 2 include Cyberpunk 2077 and Duskbloods.

Plus, with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you'll have access to popular titles from past consoles, like NES, Super NES, Game Boy, and soon, Game Cube. This is the only official way to play emulated versions of old classics unless you have the original console and game.

Although the Switch 2 will indeed boast a vast game catalog, the amount of games available to play on the Steam Deck is unmatched.

At the time of writing, Steam is home to over 117,000 games. Of course, this is a mix of highly publicized AAA titles, popular indie games, and lesser-known indie titles. In essence, not every game you find through Steam will be a fully realized, beautiful experience, but the amount of games available is vast.

This access to Steam's massive library is something that most of the best handheld gaming PCs available have, like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and the Asus ROG Ally X. Still, with Valve owning both Steam and the Steam Deck and creating a custom OS, the games run better on the Steam Deck than current competing handhelds.

Additionally, emulation is incredibly easy to do on the Steam Deck, especially with the help of popular apps like EmuDeck. By emulating titles you may have played in the past but no longer own the console for, the already massive catalog of games available for the Steam Deck expands substantially.

While there are over 117,000 games on Steam to choose from, not all of them are officially Steam Deck compatible. Most popular modern titles will be compatible, but older games or indie titles may not play well.

Bottom line

The Switch 2 is an ideal pick for those who know they'll want to buy multiple Nintendo-exclusive games in the future, already have a vast library of Switch games, or want the lighter handheld option between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck.

For everyone else, the Steam Deck is a better handheld to invest in. For $50 less than the Switch 2, you'll get a gaming handheld that doubles as a computer, has a much larger game catalog (even without emulation) with titles that go on sale frequently, and is easy to customize, upgrade, and fix in the future if you need to.

Or, be like me and aim to own both consoles eventually. I already own a Steam Deck and an original Switch, and I plan on swapping out my Switch for a Switch 2 within the next year or so, but I'm holding out for a special edition colorway. And with Steam Deck 2 rumors stirring up, I may be swapping out my Steam Deck soon, too.

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Is Nintendo playing chicken with Switch 2 consumers in the U.S.? Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa just revealed that the company received 2.2 million applications to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2, and it cannot by any means fulfill that many orders.

“This number far exceeds our expectations, and far exceeds the number of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that can be delivered from the My Nintendo Store on June 5,” Furukawa wrote on X via Nintendo’s official Japanese account.

Nintendo didn’t reveal how many Switch 2 units it does have prepared for release, which leads me to expect a bit of a bloodbath when pre-orders open in the U.S. on Thursday.

For context, the original Switch sold 2.74 million units in its first few weeks… worldwide. Meanwhile, its first month in Japan saw 360,000 sales.

So what the heck does that mean for U.S. consumers who are jumping to pre-order on April 24? Let’s get into it.

Bleak shortages for the Nintendo Switch 2

When we’re talking life-to-date, the Nintendo Switch hardware family sold 36.82 million units in Japan and 57.83 million in the Americas. That’s a 57% difference, so in theory, the U.S. could see 3.45 million applications overall.

However, there is a major price difference as well. The Japanese-only version of the Nintendo Switch 2 costs roughly $350, which crushes the U.S. price point of $450. It’s likely that we won’t see as many U.S. sales this time around. But is that really going to make a difference?

Because of Japanese pre-orders alone, the U.S. is all but guaranteed to run into shortages. Even if U.S. consumers don’t go as wild for the Switch 2, there are enough people to at least match Japan’s demand.

Honestly, this is a pretty shocking turn of events. And I say that because not only is the Switch 2 pricier than I think it should be, the Nintendo Switch 2 might have a Zelda problem — aka Mario Kart ain’t cutting it, not for me at least.

A distinctly Zelda-shaped hole in the Switch 2's line-up doesn't seem to have phased Japanese gamers, though. Reflected by a jump from the Switch's 360K units in its first month to the Switch 2's 2.2 million preorders — a potential 600% increase in sales. However, we’re not likely to see that play out, because Nintendo literally does not have the units to meet demands.

Ironically, Nintendo's statement about its high demand and low supply may actually increase the demand for Switch 2. Everyone loves jumping on a hype train, scalpers and resellers included, which could make getting a Nintendo Switch 2 that much more difficult.

If I could translate Nintendo's statement for anyone still in doubt, I’d phrase it as so: This isn't a pre-order, this is your only chance to order — at least for some time.

Despite that, I would urge folks to wait before jumping to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2. Sure, you might not be able to anyway, but if it’s anything like the original Switch, we may see console variations and even low-key refreshes (like the battery life or OLED updates) jumping out sooner than later.

But, if you’re still keen, you can preorder the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. starting tomorrow, for a meaty $450 ($500 if you’re racing to get Mario Kart).

Nintendo's Switch 2 preorder date is April 24 in the U.S., and Nintendo recently gave us a closer look at the game it hopes will propel people to buy the Switch 2 when it ships on June 5.

Mario Kart World, as it's aptly dubbed, will bring a few new tricks to the Mario Kart universe, including, as you might have guessed, an open world aspect that invites players to free roam.

Based on Nintendo's latest Direct, it should be a welcome evolution to the Mario Kart canon, but is moving Mario Kart forward enough to replicate Nintendo's explosive Switch success?

There's a lot riding on Mario Kart

Of all the 22 launch titles that Nintendo has announced for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World seems to be, by far, the focal point of Nintendo's strategy — and for good reason.

Outside of Mario Kart World, arguably the biggest Nintendo launch title is just a graphics glow-up of two old Zelda games — Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not above Link getting a remaster, especially since Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out all the way back in 2017. That being said, it might not be the level of new that people are hoping for in a Switch 2 title.

And outside of Zelda remasters, things get even less Nintendo. Ports abound this go-around with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Hogwarts Legacy, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade topping the list.

Again, those are welcome additions to the Switch catalog, especially if an Nvidia chip with DLSS makes them more playable than the last generation of ported games (please God), but they aren't new titles by any means, so the millions of people who have already played those games might not consider them must-haves.

So, that leaves Mario Kart World at the center, which is great if you love Mario Kart, but not that great if you consider what drove the last Switch launch.

A tough comparison

When the Switch was released back in 2017, The Legend of Zelda didn't exist in the way we know it today. Zelda was PBOW — pre-Breath of the Wild — and when the title came out on March 3, 2017, everything changed.

Breath of the Wild wasn't just another installment in the Zelda canon — it was open-world, free-roam, and expansive in a way that the Zelda franchise had never seen to that point.

And for that reason, Breath of the Wild was also an anchor for the success of the Switch.

Don't believe me? Just check this stat on the console a year after the game's release in 2017. From IGN:

"As part of its year-end earnings release, Nintendo revealed that 2.74 million Nintendo Switch units were sold worldwide in the console's first month on sale. 2.76 million copies of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild were sold in that same timeframe for the Switch."

For every Switch sold in the first month (and more), Nintendo also sold a copy of Breath of the Wild, which is unusual, not just for a Zelda game, but for a game in general.

Whether Nintendo knew it or not, Breath of the Wild was the perfect game to launch with its new console — a revolutionary title for a revolutionary piece of hardware.

Whether Mario Kart World can replicate that level of success remains to be seen, but safe to say it has enormous shoes to fill.

I personally have my doubts that a Mario Kart title can rise to the challenge, but maybe it's not meant to. Console-selling titles have a habit of entering the equation unexpectedly, and there's a real chance that could happen again with the Switch 2.

It's hard to believe now, but when Nintendo initially released its iconic Switch in 2017, there were staunch skeptics — droves of them, in fact.

In an eight-year-old thread from NeoGAF, an online forum dedicated to video game discussions, haters were all but certain about the Switch's future upon its release.

The forum thread asks a simple question: Will the Switch be a success?

The consensus among commenters was clear.

"Eventually, yes. At the current price? No way. Completely dead," one forum user chimed in.

"DOA," said another.

Another got even more precise: "I hope it does. But I think it might be finally the end of Nintendo. No killer app or Proof of Concept."

Spoiler alert: After eight years, basically all of those doubts turned out to be major misses.

The Switch is Nintendo's best-selling console despite preliminary issues with supply, Joy-Con drift, and a pandemic that put constraints on manufacturing and people's wallets.

Hindsight, of course, is 20/20, but it's not the Switch commentary that makes those big misses salient; it's that doubters of that same ilk seem to be doing it all over again.

A popularity contest

The Switch 2, definitively, without a doubt, is expensive.

When Nintendo unveiled details of the console last week, we did our own breakdown of how the Switch 2 compares historically to other releases, and adjusted for inflation, we found that it sits in third place, just barely behind the SNES.

The original NES still holds the record, but not by much. When it launched in 1985, the NES cost $179, which would be $530 today.

The Switch 2, for reference, costs $450 out of the gate, which is a lot more than the original Switch and its $299 debut.

And while the Switch 2 might not be the most expensive console adjusted for inflation, it's still a major price hike over its predecessor — a 50 percent increase, to be exact.

That's all to say, yes, the Switch 2 is pricey, and there's no getting around it.

Whether that price will have any impact whatsoever on the demand, however, is another story.

It's impossible to say without a crystal ball what the future has in store for the Switch 2, but if I were to indulge in a temperature test, I'd say the demand appears to be high.

A quick jaunt through the Switch 2 subreddit is populated with post after post expressing anxiety over not being able to buy Nintendo's newest console once preorders finally go live.

Sure, there are still grumbling over price, but those feel like a Cliff Note, and those clamoring to get a Switch might not be so off base.

The Switch 2 might be a major price increase of the last generation and rank at the top when it comes to Nintendo consoles historically, but the pull of Nintendo is strong. But is it strong enough to justify (gulp) $80 games?

An expensive proposition

It's one thing to ask for more money when it comes to hardware — hardware that's vastly improved over the last generation — but games... well, that's a whole different level.

And this year, Nintendo's ask on that front is a big one. New digital games like Mario Kart World will debut at a noticeably more expensive $80 while physical versions will cost an eye-watering $90.

That's, um, a lot of money for a new Mario game, to be sure, especially when Elden Ring — a graphically robust, open-world RPG with hundreds of hours of gameplay — costs $60.

But, as expensive as new games might be, they're also (unfortunately) about right when considering 2017 prices in context.

Believe it or not, when adjusted for inflation, a $60 game in 2017 comes out to about $78 in 2025 USD.

That might say more about the U.S. economy than it does video games in some ways, but unfortunately, Nintendo might have a leg to stand on.

It also doesn't mean Nintendo fans are going to fall in line and start throwing out their hard-earned money — especially because wages haven't exactly kept up with that inflationary rise — but Nintendo having a justification, no matter how small, is the first piece to that puzzle.

A long path ahead

The Switch 2 still has a long road ahead before it finds its footing in the console world.

There are looming tariffs, for example, that could easily stymie Nintendo's hopes of repeating the Switch's success.

Nintendo President Doug Bowser has already said in recent interviews that the company will be "watching tariffs closely," though more recent news this weeks suggest Nintendo could shift console production to Vietnam and end up eating the additional cost.

With those extenuating factors, it's hard to say what the Switch 2's fate will be, but if there's one thing that I'm not ready to do, it's count Nintendo out.

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Nintendo's Switch might be beloved, but its rollout wasn't without some hiccups.

There were scalpers, of course, making the now best-selling console even more difficult to procure; there were trepidations over the price; there were even some consoles that shipped completely broken out of the box.

Of all of those stumbles, however, arguably none was more memorable than one that affected the original Switch's Joy-Con — the dreaded drift.

Driftgate, as it was dubbed, was an issue affecting the Switch's Joy-Con that caused the joysticks to register movement even when they were in a static position. As you might imagine, that design flaw made the prospect of effectively playing any game pretty much impossible.

So, given that context, Nintendo has done everything in its power to ensure that it won't happen again with the Switch 2 — except the one thing that can for sure prevent another driftgate, that is.

No Hall Effect joysticks

There were a lot of rumors floating around about what upgrades Nintendo's Switch 2 would bring to the table, and naturally, not all of them came to pass — that's no surprise.

What is surprising, however, is that it didn't do the one thing that felt almost obvious: it didn't give the Switch 2 Hall Effect joysticks.

According to an interview with Nintendo's Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing at Nintendo of America, the Switch 2's Joy-Con will definitively not come with Hall Effect joysticks, which is surprising for a few reasons.

One reason is the aforementioned context; Joy-Con drift was such a big issue with the original console that it resulted in a class action lawsuit. While Nintendo has worked to revamp its hardware since the debacle, nothing would ensure Nintendo fans of a drift-free Joy-Con more than Hall Effect joysticks.

Hall Effect joysticks, for reference, aren't susceptible to drift since they use magnetic sensors, unlike traditional joysticks. This lack of contact between stick and sensor eliminates the wear and tear that causes joystick drift to begin with.

Another reason why the Switch 2's lack of Hall Effect joysticks comes as a surprise is that Hall Effect sticks have become relatively commonplace in handhelds throughout the past few years.

In addition to bigger handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED and the Ayaneo Air, some smaller (more retro-focused) handhelds like those made by Anbernic and Retroid also come with Hall Effect joysticks, so it's far from a luxury-only feature in today's handheld world.

Why a $450 console made by Nintendo can't integrate Hall Effect joysticks is anyone's guess, but if magnets were on your wishlist, I regret to inform you that you'll have to wait another 8 years until the Switch 3.

Joy-Con 2 are still an upgrade

While there's no Hall Effect in the new Joy-Cons, they are getting plenty of upgrades.

First off, they're bigger, which should be welcome for anyone with larger hands who found the original Joy-Cons a bit claustrophobic.

Secondly, they're magnetic, which means they snap into the console without having to slide on like the last generation.

To help them snap on, they also feature bigger L and R buttons that are made of steel, which is great for gameplay but also for ensuring a solid connection.

Overall, the Joy-Cons have gotten a significant upgrade over the last generation, even without Hall Effect joysticks. So, despite my disappointment, it's hard to be too down on Nintendo.

Still, having gone through drift issues myself, it would have been nice to know that this next-gen, more expensive version of the Switch wouldn't befall the same fate.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 has entered a complicated world.

As hundreds of Nintendo fans packed into an airy event space in Midtown Manhattan last week to be among the first in the world to play the Switch 2, excitement was high. So too were concerns about the price.

While some of the attendees didn’t know it then, the threat of tariffs would add to questions about the cost of the Switch 2, inargably the biggest video game console debut of the year.

"I'm really excited — but not about the price. I'm OK with the price of the console, but the games, especially Mario Kart being $80, is kind of a bit much," a gamer named Kade from Staten Island told Laptop Mag during the event, which was mostly populated with winners of a lottery to attend.

That sentiment about cost has echoed across the internet over the past week since Nintendo finally unveiled the details of the Switch 2. At $450, it has the highest sticker price ever of any Nintendo console. Game prices went up to $80, as well, which several fans at last weekend's event, like Kade, were worried about. The original Switch, released in March 2017, cost $300.

Tariffs add to questions about Switch 2 price

The preview event took place on Friday, April 2, the same day that Nintendo announced that it would be delaying pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the US indefinitely in response to President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-made goods.

Less than a week later, on Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the tariff plan, except for goods made in China. The Nintendo Switch is produced in China and Vietnam.

For now, the console is still slated to launch on June 5, but preorders for US customers that were supposed to go live on Wednesday have been delayed. (It is available for preorder in the UK.) “Eligible Nintendo Account holders will receive an email when it's time to purchase,” reads a message on the Nintendo website once one registers interest in buying a Switch 2.

Games bring excitement — and more questions about price

This developing situation created a dark cloud over an otherwise enthusiastic event, where ecstatic gamers wandered glowing halls of red and white filled with demo stations where they got hands-on previews of the Switch 2 and some of the first games for it, like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bonanza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and a slew of third parties titles like Hades 2 and Split Fiction.

As exciting as those games are, many fans are worried they'll be too expensive across the board, particularly first-party Nintendo games. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza seem to be the start of a new standard $80 price tag for Switch 2 games, meaning it's possible that some of the biggest titles, like the next 3D Mario game, could end up being even pricier.

Nintendo has finally begun trying to address these concerns over the past few days, but it sounds like the level of outrage over Switch 2 pricing came as a surprise. Initially, many fans assumed the Switch 2's high price was due to the ever-shifting tariffs in the US, but it sounds like that's not the case.

Bowser: “We felt that was going to be the right price point.”

Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America (his last name is coincidental), said in an interview with CNBC that the company "didn't consider tariffs into that equation" and explained, "We felt that was going to be the right price point for our consumers and the right value proposition, if you will, for the device that we're creating."

Bowser highlighted Mario Kart World in his defense of the Switch 2 pricing and the pricing for its first-party games and dove into all of the console's hardware improvements, which are legitimately a significant upgrade.

Unfortunately, even if fans can overlook the price of the Switch 2, the pricing of the games could have far-reaching repercussions.

When asked if he was concerned about the pricing, Jordan, a Nintendo fan from Queens, nodded, telling Laptop Mag: "Absolutely, because, I mean, I'm from New York, right? So, everything's expensive here. It's even worse because if Nintendo is doing this, other game companies can follow, which is also the other problem."

By the sound of it, though, that might not deter gamers who are itching to get their hands on this console. Even Jordan admitted he will probably still get the Switch 2, adding, "I feel like everyone's going to do it anyway, eventually."

"Eventually" might end up being the keyword, especially with pre-orders indefinitely on hold. Many fans might wait for sales or price drops before buying a Switch 2, even if they're as excited about the new console as the lucky gamers who won tickets to last weekend's event.

This has happened before

This wouldn't be the first time gamers held off on buying premium-priced consoles, opting to hold onto older or lower-end models instead. For instance, the Xbox Series X didn't begin outselling the more affordable Xbox Series S until October 2024, nearly four years after both consoles' release date. A similar trend could happen with the Switch, where many fans may wait years for the chaos of tariffs to resolve and more price drops to start cropping up for the Switch 2 before finally buying one.

Based on our first impressions and the reactions of fans, the Switch 2 is a stunner and the games are a blast — but the excitement about this launch may not be able to overshadow price hikes.

As Jordan said, "I saw the prices, but we can get through that. I think, we can get through that."

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Last weekend, I was among the hundreds of lucky Nintendo fans who won a ticket to try the new Switch 2 at a preview event in New York City. I went in skeptical but hoping Nintendo would change my mind.

Like millions of other people, I've been eagerly awaiting the launch of the Switch 2 for months now. So, I was a bit disappointed by the Nintendo Direct livestream that finally unveiled all the details on the Switch 2 last week – including a major price hike, which has been a concern for the overwhelming majority of Switch fans online and in-person.

Despite the price, I'm still extremely excited about the Switch 2. So, I was hoping that after trying out the new console myself, I'd walk away feeling like the Switch 2 is impressive enough to justify the price.

Did Nintendo win me over?

The Nintendo Switch 2 looks, feels, and plays great

The Switch 2 is genuinely a joy to game on. I was shocked by how light it was. Despite having a larger display than the original Switch, it doesn't feel noticeably heavier. That's a huge relief since I'm used to handheld gaming PCs, which are heavy enough to be uncomfortable to hold during long gaming sessions.

The new Joy-Con design looks and feels fantastic as well. The magnetic attachment system has a very satisfying click when connecting the Joy-Cons. They stay connected very firmly, too. You have to press a release button on the back (near the trigger buttons on each side) to disconnect them, and they didn't budge at all otherwise when I tried to pull them off.

The build quality all around feels very solid and premium, noticeably more than the original Switch (and far more than my little Switch Lite). The rumble felt especially wonderful during my demos.

I don't normally like having the rumble setting turned on, but it feels subtle and intuitive enough on the Switch 2 that it wasn't distracting at all. It's a little thing, but it's just a touch more refined than the rumble on the original Switch and adds to the immersion of gaming on the Switch 2.

Then, there's the display. I was skeptical when Nintendo announced this 7.9-inch display offers 1080p in HDR with up to 120Hz refresh rate. Nintendo games tend to be a bit behind when it comes to graphics quality, but I was seriously impressed by how good all of the game demos looked, even in handheld mode.

I got the most playtime with Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza, the first two first-party Switch 2 games, and both looked phenomenal. The colors pop more, movement is smoother, and everything's a bit sharper and cleaner around the edges. The 120Hz refresh rate is especially nice in Mario Kart where you're moving fast enough for it to make a difference, leading to less blur and a smoother gameplay all around.

While I would have liked the Switch 2 to feature an OLED display, I have to admit, the LCD display looks fantastic. It is legitimately a significant improvement over the previous model between the larger screen size and the improved overall graphics quality.

Switch 2 "mouse" mode is an ergonomics headache

I was thoroughly impressed by the build quality and gaming experience on the Switch 2, but the one area where I'm still skeptical is the new mouse mode for the redesigned Joy-Cons. This feature allows you to sit the detached Joy-Cons on a tabletop and use them like a mouse. It's a cool idea, but it was rather awkward in practice.

I tried out the mouse mode while playing a demo for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. I prefer to play FPS games on PC with a mouse and keyboard rather than a controller because I've always found a mouse to have more precise aim for these types of games. So, I was intrigued to see how Nintendo's quirky take on that felt in actual gameplay.

I swapped between regular controller mode and mouse mode in Metroid to compare. The game plays well in either mode, but I preferred the mouse mode. At least, I wanted to.

I found it a lot easier to aim accurately in mouse mode, but unfortunately, the ergonomics of holding a Joy-Con parallel to your desk leave a lot to be desired, especially while awkwardly holding the other Joy-Con normally in your other hand.

It's similar to using a vertical mouse but with a much less comfortable shape. My demo only lasted about 10 minutes, but I could see playing in mouse mode leaving you with a bad wrist cramp after an hour or so of gaming.

While this concept may need a bit more time to cook, I can see it being a popular feature if the ergonomics can be improved, maybe with some sort of Joy-Con attachment that gives it more of a normal mouse shape. Alternatively, a third-party controller with a modified Joy-Con designed for mouse mode could also be a good solution.

Either way, there's certainly potential for this feature, especially with games that benefit from the precision of a mouse, like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Is the Switch 2 worth its hefty sticker price?

The question on my mind throughout my hands-on preview last weekend was, "Is this worth $450?" After trying out the Switch 2, I am happy to report that I do think the console itself is impressive enough to justify its asking price. (At least, its asking price at the time of writing. That price could go up due to the ever-shifting landscape of tariffs, which led Nintendo to indefinitely delay pre-orders for the Switch 2 last Friday.)

However, like many other Nintendo fans, I'm still reluctant about the price of the games.

It's difficult to judge Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza based on 20 minutes of demo gameplay. I had a good time with what I saw, and they could contain enough high-quality content to be worth their $80 price tags.

Affordability remains an issue, though, no matter how fun a game is. If $80 is going to be the new standard price for Switch 2 games, I will likely only be getting a few a year. The rest of my library will be more affordable indie games (which can be just as much, if not more fun anyway).

Unfortunately, third-party titles and indie games are not what people buy the Switch for. They can be a blast on the Switch, but they're much more affordable on PC. People buy the Switch for first-party Nintendo games, which are the titles getting these major price hikes.

Hopefully, these next-gen Nintendo games are bigger and more feature-rich to justify higher price tags. Sales and trade-in discounts can also help with affordability, but even then, the sticker price is a tough sell.

I genuinely love the Switch 2, which just makes the price increase that much more disappointing.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, marking an end to the (at times) agonizing wait for a sequel to one of the best-selling handheld game consoles of all time (second only to the Nintendo DS).

Could the Switch 2 top its predecessor's success? It certainly ups the ante. It offers up to 4K visuals at 120fps (Frames per second), ten times the GPU power of the original Switch, ray-traced lighting, and Nvidia's performance-boosting DLSS upscaling tech.

Unfortunately, the Switch 2 doesn't stop there when it comes to boosting numbers over its forebear, usurping its release price from $299 to $449. And no matter how much of an improvement Nintendo's next-gen handheld affords, that's simply a bridge too far for me.

Consoles are no longer the affordable gaming gateways they once were, especially when factoring in mid-cycle refreshes with the escalating cost of games and online subscriptions.

When the PlayStation 5 released and hardware shortages ran amok, I decided to step out of the console world and bide my time, anticipating a PS5 Pro to follow and be the moment I got back on the wagon.

Bless my crystal ball, I was entirely correct. However, by the time it saw release, I'd already decided — console gaming wasn't worth it anymore.

The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't change that fact, either.

Game prices are nuts (horse nuts, in fact)

If not initially thwarted by the cost of the console itself, it would appear that the Switch 2's games will also receive a considerable boost in price.

Launch title Mario Kart World will retail at $79.99, the kind of price that makes Ubisoft and Activision executives rapidly wag their red pointy tails in excitement while clopping their hooves together. You can't even bank on that price coming down over time, either.

On the digital front especially, Switch games have notoriously stuck close to their release price, and decent discounts on popular titles happen about as frequently as mainline Elder Scrolls releases (remasters don't count).

Turfing out around a fifth of the price of the Switch 2 itself just to own one game isn't all that appealing to me — and sadly, that's something expected to happen across the gaming spectrum, especially on consoles.

GTA 6 is another upcoming game expected to throw down an almighty gauntlet of a hefty price tag, with current rumors suggesting the game could cost upwards of $100 or more.

This news spurred on both fierce opposition and dogmatic defense of developer Rockstar Games, with many highlighting the increasing cost of making games more realistic through graphics, animation, and world-building.

Looking at the rich world of Red Dead Redemption 2 only showcases Rockstar Games' unique flair for this sort of thing. Though I won't lie. I'm more than willing to sacrifice the testicular physics of a stallion in motion if it means keeping games closer to the mid-double-digit area.

I applaud the attention to detail, but nobody ever got through one of the game's incredible set pieces and thought to themselves, "Boy... Those horse nuts really sell the experience for me."

Perhaps games don't actually cost more to make if you spend your money wisely in the first place. Sorry if you're the unfortunate designer left out of work by consequence.

Meanwhile, in the PC gaming utopia...

Meanwhile — on the isles I retreated to after turning my back on console gaming's escalating prices and all-too-frequent hardware cycles — PC gaming is practically popping off like a puffer fish filled with Diet Coke and Mentos.

They're practically giving games away on PC. In fact, there's no "practically" about it. Between the monthly Prime Gaming freebies you'll land with your Amazon Prime membership and the weekly or frequent giveaways from platforms like Epic Games Store and Good Old Games, I've amassed more games than a New Mexico landfill without parting with a single red cent.

And that's without the constant barrage of deals, sales, and Humble Bundle bonanzas from these storefronts, offering discounts that make their console counterparts look like impractical fronts for criminal enterprises.

If I dedicated my life and lineage right now to completing the contents of my Steam library in its entirety, there's only a slight chance that my great-grandson would be able to wrap up the task before he starts cashing in his pension.

The idea of paying $79.99 for the standard edition of any PC game is about as alien of a concept to me as the Vulcan mating cycle, especially when you can almost always guarantee yourself a bargain on new titles from sites like CDKeys or Fanatical.

I can even get my handheld fix from far cheaper handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, each capable of tapping into an enormous library of PC games, including previous blockbuster console exclusives from both Microsoft and Sony, without sacrificing the ability to mod, emulate, or otherwise tamper and tweak with things as I please.

Switching off

Like my original Nintendo Switch is currently doing, the bundle of excitement I once held for owning a Switch 2 is now gathering dust.

That's not to say that Nintendo's handheld isn't an impressive feat, nor does it lack any compelling games. However, while I'd love to dive into those exclusive Switch 2 titles, spending over $500 cumulatively to occasionally hear Mario yell "Wahoo!" makes about as much economic sense as investing in Bored Ape NFTs and gamer girl bathwater.

I just can't justify returning to console prices and expensive, limited game libraries. Call me no fun, call me cheap, but one thing you can't call me is a financial masochist. Something I feel I'd need to become to justify the total spends required to enjoy a rich Switch 2 experience.

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It's been a roller coaster for Nintendo this week. The Mario maker held its Nintendo Switch 2 reveal on Wednesday, which showed the upcoming console and its games.

On the same day, President Donald Trump revealed he was implementing new tariffs on countries including Japan, where Nintendo is based, and Vietnam, where the Switch 2 is reportedly going to be manufactured. This led to a sudden announcement on Friday by Nintendo that soured the reveal for fans in the U.S.

Nintendo says it will delay pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S., which was originally planned for April 9, as reported by IGN.

"Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions," Nintendo said.

This change will only affect the date of pre-orders in the U.S. as the launch date of the Switch 2 will remain on June 5. There are concerns, however, that this change by Nintendo could be a sign of it dealing with the possibility of a more expensive console.

How much will the Switch 2 cost?

Nintendo revealed the cost of the Switch 2 on Wednesday's stream. Pricing will start at $449 for the console itself and $499 for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World.

That pricing caught gamers off guard as it was higher than the launch prices of previous Nintendo consoles. There were also some worries about a higher cost of games with Mario Kart World having an MSRP of $79, which is $10 more than new game releases.

The cost of the Switch 2, however, might have to be adjusted by Nintendo due to tariffs. According to the New York Times, Trump's tariffs on Japan are now 24% and for Vietnam it's 46%.

Exactly how much this increase in tariffs will translate to the Switch 2 pricing is unclear as of now. But with Nintendo manufacturing the console in Vietnam and likely using parts from other countries, possibly China, and with the company being based in Japan, it's hard to deny the possibility.

Back in January, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) released a report saying tariffs could increase the cost of video game consoles by 40% if tariffs were instituted. It appears they weren't far off.

Analysts are expecting the same, but are still cautious, as this is an unprecedented move by Nintendo as well as the U.S. government.

"When GPU prices increased in February that's because tariffs on China were 10%. When they increased again in March that's because they were 20%. Now they're 54% for China and other Asia markets incl. Vietnam are 46%. Unless reversed, expect all gaming hardware to see jumps," said Daniel Ahmad, director of research & insights at Niko Partners, which analyzes the video game industry.

A ray of hope for consoles.

There is a slight bit of hope for the future pricing of video game consoles.

Vietnam has reportedly spoken with Trump and wants to reduce its tariffs on the U.S. to zero, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. It's unclear when this will happen or what this could change, but companies like Nintendo, Apple, and Nike specifically moved the manufacturing of their goods from China to Vietnam in order to avoid possible ramifications such as these tariffs.

Another potentially good sign for Nintendo is that it reportedly already shipped more than 300,000 Switch 2 consoles back in January, according to the Financial Times. This move could have been a move to specifically avoid tariffs on launch day, but that remains to be seen as well.

There were a lot of questions about the Switch 2 prior to Nintendo's Switch event this week, but one of the biggest was about performance.

We knew that the Switch 2 would have to be an upgrade in the power department, but how much of an upgrade would it actually be?

We now have a decent idea of what the Switch 2 is bringing to the table, but the details are still coming out in drips, and one of those drips comes courtesy of Nvidia.

On Thursday, Nvidia announced that the Switch 2 is using a custom processor that could take Nintendo to the next level in terms of graphics, which brings two major and modern features to one of the gaming world's least powerful consoles.

A new generation of Nivida

One of the biggest announcements from Nivida is that the Switch 2, thanks to a custom processor, will now support a couple of next-gen capabilities.

One of those features is Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), which uses AI to boost frame generation.

This should — if other DLSS implementations are anything to go off of — upgrade the overall image quality of Switch 2 games without having to shoehorn in a beefier GPU or clunkier, expensive hardware.

With a new custom Nvidia processor, the Switch 2 will be able to support 4K gaming in docked mode and up to 120fps at 1080p in handheld mode, according to Nvidia.

All in all, Nivida says the Switch 2 has 10 times the graphics performance over the original, which is to be expected since the Switch came out in 2017, but is still a welcome leap generation-to-generation.

Secondly, Nvidia says the new processor, thanks to new Tensor cores specifically, will also support (drum roll) ray tracing.

Yes, that's right, Mario can be ray traced.

On one hand, yay! Better graphics is, well, better. But on the other hand, I'm not convinced that the leap will be as big as Nintendo hopes it will.

Switching up the narrative

I don't think anyone will be mad about increased graphical performance.

The Switch, being nearly ten years old at this point, is outdated and was never really known for its power in the first place.

And here's the thing: that has never, ever mattered to anyone who loves Nintendo's iconic console. People play the Switch for Nintendo's classic first-party games, because it's affordable and because it offers a versatile, unique form factor that's inimitable when it comes to the traditional console market.

In a way, Nintendo succeeded not just despite its lack of graphical performance but because of it. While Microsoft and Sony were busy chasing ray tracing, Nintendo focused on creative, functional hardware and the core games that make the brand beloved.

And sure, Nintendo can still do both, but it risks falling into the trap of chasing performance, which hasn't exactly worked out for its competitors.

Ray tracing, for context, was a major selling point when Microsoft launched its Xbox Series X, but a lack of developer support and potentially fan interest has made the feature sort of a non-factor. Up until recently, the Series S — Xbox's cheaper, non-performance oriented console — made up a whopping 75 percent of the company's current-generation sales.

That's all to say that price-to-performance is still more important than outright performance for the vast majority of people, and I doubt that Nintendo is immune to that trend.

Maybe ray tracing will be a bigger deal to the Switch 2 than I'm giving it credit for, but I have a feeling Nintendo ought to stick to its guns and focus on making Mario fun, not photorealistic.

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If you've been eagerly awaiting more information about Nintendo's Switch sequel, you finally got it.

On Wednesday, we found out how much the Switch 2 costs ($449; yikes), got a ton of info on games, and yes, the Joy-Cons do attach magnetically and can be used as a mouse. Looks like it's time to relive my Mario Paint days in earnest.

And on top of all that, we finally got word about the Switch 2's mystery "C" button, which is exactly what I thought it wouldn't be: a chat feature.

Usually, a chat feature wouldn't get me excited for the future of a console, but Nintendo isn't just bringing your run-of-the-mill social features to the Switch; it's attempting to reinvent them altogether.

And with a little luck, those features could make the Switch 2 the most Mario Party-friendly console ever.

C stands for "chat," but also "camera"

When the idea of a chat feature was thrown out, I said that the concept was downright un-Nintendo-like, but naturally, Nintendo is adding its own twist.

At Nintendo's Direct showcase on Wednesday, Nintendo showcased how the C button actually relates to a feature called GameChat, adding a Discord-like chat functionality to playing Switch games online.

In a preview, Nintendo showcased how GameChat not only allows you to party chat with multiple friends at once but also lets you view their screens while you play.

It also uses an in-console microphone to capture your audio so theoretically, you don't even need a headset to use the Switch 2's chat feature.

On top of that, you don't even have to be playing the same game to use GameChat, so if I'm playing Mario Kart and you're playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we can have one unified (but very different) experience.

None of this is groundbreaking per se, but once you add in the new camera accessory that Nintendo announced for the Switch 2, things start to get a little more interesting.

Nintendo wants its new chat feature to be able to broadcast not only your voice but also your whole face to friends. Again, video calls aren't exactly new, but integration into a console (especially as a social feature) certainly is — that is, if you're not counting Xbox's bygone Kinect, I guess.

On the surface, a camera might not be the number one feature or accessory that people were asking for, but Nintendo has a way of giving you what you didn't know you wanted.

And I'm convinced that Nintendo's camera accessory isn't destined to become another Kinect, it's poised to change party games as we know them.

Why Nintendo GameChat might be bigger than you think

I know what you're thinking: big whoop, Nintendo finally has a chat feature.

And on one hand, that's justified. Nintendo is woefully late to the game here, seeing as how online gaming has been a thing for, um, a little while now.

On the other hand, however, the way Nintendo is going about its chat feature might actually change the game more than you think.

Hear me out.

While Nintendo has certainly expanded its repertoire over the past few years, games like Mario Party, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros. are still its bread and butter.

And here's the thing about those games: they're much, much, much, more fun when you play them with other people. Back in my day, that meant sitting next to your friends on the couch and burying them in Mario Party stars until they rage quit.

Now, the social aspect of gaming is much more online, which is great for convenience but makes the magic of playing party games just a little less magical.

I've played plenty of Super Smash Bros. online, and as fun as it is to challenge myself by taking on other great players, there's still something missing — it's my friends.

With GameChat, however, Nintendo is combining what could be the best of both worlds: the convenience of playing online with the intimacy of being able to see and hear your friends.

At the end of the day, there's nothing that can fully replicate playing games in the same room as another person, but GameChat could theoretically come closer than just about any integrated solution that I've seen yet.

And while social chat features might be very un-Nintendo, this is somehow a very Nintendo way to introduce them to the Switch.

Party games, of course, never really went away, but for a millennial like me, it's obvious that some of that magic has been lost over the years. If GameChat works the way it's supposed to, I'm convinced we're in for a golden age of Mario Party mayhem, IRL be damned.

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On Wednesday, Nintendo finally unveiled all of the details on the Switch 2, but the price might have some gamers worried.

Luckily, there may be hope yet to get a Switch 2 for an affordable price thanks to leaked trade-in deals.

The Switch 2 will launch at $449 for the base console or $499 for a combo pack that includes Mario Kart World, the first exclusive game announced for the new console. Both will be available for pre-order on April 9 and launch on June 5.

If you think that price sounds high, you're not alone. Nintendo fans overwhelmingly agreed in the response online following Wednesday's Nintendo Direct presentation.

If you were among the chorus of people upset by the Switch 2's price, we do have some good news — a trade-in deal that might make the hefty price tag more palatable.

GameStop trade-in might be the most affordable way to get a Switch 2

On March 31, a photo leaked on X showing what appears to be GameStop's trade-in discounts for the current Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite. A nearly identical image was posted on April 2 after Nintendo's Switch 2 livestream that showed more details, including a disclaimer that the trade-in discount will only be valid through April 30, 2025.

GameStop currently has a page for the Switch 2 on its official website, but it's just a sign-up page for pre-orders at the time of writing. There's no sign of this trade-in ad on that page or on GameStop's website currently, though. So, these trade-in values are not confirmed yet.

However, the trade-in rates in the leaked images are fairly close to those on GameStop's website already. Right now, you can get up to $143 for the Switch OLED, $110 for a standard Switch, and $71.50 for a Switch Lite.

Those rates are lower than the trade-in values in the leaked promotional images, but it could be that GameStop is planning to temporarily offer a higher trade-in value specifically for people upgrading to the Switch 2.

I, for one, hope these leaked trade-in values end up being official because they could make the Switch 2 much more affordable. Even if you only have a Switch Lite to trade-in, that could still bring the Switch 2 down to $349.

Nintendo's anti-scalper pre-order system

GameStop isn't the only place where you can pre-order the Switch 2, but trade-in rates aren't the only reason it might be the best option.

Pre-ordering the Switch 2 directly from Nintendo is... complicated. However, it might actually be a good thing for gamers.

Nintendo is implementing a unique system for Switch 2 pre-orders that appears to be an attempt to prevent scalpers from buying up Switch 2 units to resell them at inflated prices. This is a major issue with big tech releases, like new graphics cards or consoles. So, it's nice to see Nintendo trying to take steps to stop scalpers.

Nintendo is doing that by prioritizing would-be Switch 2 customers who meet certain criteria and giving them first dibs at buying the new console.

According to the current sign up page, "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025."

After everyone in that priority group has gotten their chance to pre-order the Switch 2, more invitation emails will be sent out on a first-come, first-served basis to everyone else.

If you don't meet that criteria, you can also always pre-order the Switch 2 from another retailer, like GameStop.

This system is a little complicated, but it basically guarantees that there will be at least one way for gamers to order a Switch 2 at the regular list price at launch.

Prioritizing people who already have a Switch and have consistently played it may seem unfair, but it does give priority to the people who are most likely to be most excited about the new console.

More from Laptop Mag

• The Switch 2 is Nintendo's priciest console since the SNES and people are not happy
• The Switch 2 is competing with handheld gaming PCs in one unexpected way
• The Switch 2's most exciting game has nothing to do with Mario and everything to do with Bloodborne

Nintendo’s Switch 2 direct fed us well this morning, but if that hefty price hike has you debating an upgrade, you’ve come to the right place.

It’s no secret the Laptop Mag staff is filled with gamers, and we’re also very fond of handhelds. But parts of Nintendo’s stream have us side-eyeing the new console. While mouse functionality does open up a whole host of other games, the chat and camera features are a bit lackluster.

And at that price?

However, there are still plenty of reasons an upgrade may still be the best choice. Newer hardware and more storage are two major advantages of the Switch 2, and eventually new Nintendo games will be unplayable on the OG Switch.

In fact, the current Switch lineup struggled with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in 2022.

So, should you get the Switch 2? Let’s break it down.

Switch vs Switch 2: Pricing and configurations

The Nintendo Switch launched at $299 in March 2017. The Switch OLED model increased the price to $349 in November 2021. You can still buy the base Switch console for $299, or opt for the Switch Lite, which starts at $199.

So the Nintendo Switch 2's $449 starting price is a bit higher than most would anticipate.

However, the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, a 7.9-inch LCD panel with a 1920 x 1080p resolution that can upscale to 4K (3840 x 2160) when in docked mode.

By contrast, the original Nintendo Switch has a 6.2-inch LCD panel with a max resolution of 1280 x 720p, and upscales to 1080p in docked mode. The original Switch also featured just 32GB of internal storage.

The Switch OLED model opted for a larger 7-inch OLED display and an internal storage capacity of 64GB.

Because those small 32GB and 64GB internal drives also had to host the Switch OS, gamers essentially needed to buy a microSD card alongside the Switch or Switch OLED to have game storage space. So those $299 and $349 price tags also came with a $50+ microSD card purchase.

While 256GB of storage on the Switch 2 isn't a lot compared to most modern games, which take up 60-100+GB of storage space, its enough to get at least a game or two without needing additional storage capacity. Which offsets some of the "invisible" costs of the original Switch lineup.

Yeah, a $150 price hike isn't what we love to see. But its a price hike that makes sense and feels earned based on the configuration options and hardware.

Switch vs Switch 2: New features

Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 comes with two Joy-Cons, a Joy-Con controller, and a dock to connect the console to a TV or monitor for your home setup.

The Switch 2's Joy-Cons are redesigned compared to the original, but much of the way they function is the same from the last generation.

So you might be wondering what's actually new with the Switch 2, outside of just a hardware upgrade and slightly redesigned chassis.

Well, the Switch 2 also features a purchasable camera, an integrated chat system, additional accessibility features like text-to-speech support, and mouse support.

They're not exactly flashy upgrades, but they are big quality-of-life improvements.

And when combined with the Virtual Game Card system to easily port over all of your Switch games to the Switch 2? Its not a bad list of features.

Switch vs Switch 2: Hardware

Nintendo is always very opaque when it comes to hardware, so we know the display and storage capacity, but as for the CPU and GPU?

The original Switch featured a custom Nvidia Tegra X1 processor with an integrated GPU. It's believed that Tegra X1 was a quad-core model built with ARM's Cortex A57 CPU cores and that the integrated GPU featured 256 CUDA Cores. But Nintendo never officially confirmed those specs, so this is just an estimate based on leaks and the Switch's launch performance.

Nintendo did upgrade its custom Nvidia Tegra X1 chip for the OLED model, though this didn't have a major impact on performance.

Nintendo is once again opting for a custom Nvidia chipset, but we don't yet know what model CPU that will be. Nvidia does have a license to make custom ARM cores, so it's likely this new Switch will have an arm-based CPU like the original.

Switch vs Switch 2: Games

Since the Switch 2 is a game console, we've got to talk about the game library.

Nintendo is releasing new first-party games to go alongside the new hardware, including some console exclusives for the Switch 2. Some of the Switch 2 titles include new Nintendo games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as blockbuster third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Duskbloods.

Plus, with mouse support enabled on the Switch 2, there's a whole realm of point and click indie titles that could make the jump over to the Switch 2 library.

Nintendo will be porting the entire Nintendo Switch library to the Switch 2, so you don't need to worry about backwards compatibility.

Nintendo is also updating some of its biggest Switch titles, offering better performance, faster load times, and better graphics. So far, Nintendo has announced enhanced Switch 2 editions of major blockbuster games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Some of the Switch 2 exclusive titles could make it to the original Switch consoles at a later date, but that's not confirmed. So far the only new first party Nintendo game guaranteed to come to both console generations is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Bottom line

If you’re still rocking the original Nintendo Switch as your handheld, you’re due for a hardware upgrade. After all, the Switch is about 8 years old at this point.

Whether you opt for the Switch 2 or a different gaming handheld is a personal choice, but if you love the Nintendo IP library, then the Switch 2 is a no-brainer.

Sure, emulators exist, but Nintendo has been known to crack down on emulator hosts and users in the past.

It's not a cheap console, but it's a worthy hardware upgrade that more than makes up for the increased cost.

More from Laptop Mag

• I think I've figured out the Switch 2's secret weapon — even if Nintendo hasn't
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Nintendo finally unveiled the long-awaited details for the Switch 2, and there are some big changes: new Joy-Con, new games, and new features.

With those big changes, however, there's also a big price hike.

I was already worried Nintendo would price the Switch 2 too high, and unfortunately, the official price is even higher than I feared it would be.

In fact, the Switch 2 is the most expensive Nintendo console since the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) when adjusted for inflation.

Nintendo showed off some exciting announcements in Wednesday's Switch 2 livestream, but it's hard to be excited, knowing many Nintendo fans may find it challenging to afford the new console.

Here's a look at just how pricey the Switch 2 is compared to previous Nintendo consoles and what fans have to say about it.

Switch 2 is the most expensive Nintendo console since the SNES

The Switch 2 is less than $100 shy of being the most expensive console Nintendo has ever released when adjusted for inflation.

After Wednesday's Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo officially announced that the Switch 2 will start at $449 and launch on June 5, 2025. There's also a configuration for $499 that includes the new Mario Kart World game.

That's a shockingly high price for a Nintendo console. The original Switch was just $299, so this is an increase of $150 generation-to-generation.

In fact, the Switch 2 is the third most expensive console Nintendo has ever released when adjusted for inflation. The original NES holds the record, but not by much. When it launched in 1985, the NES cost $179, which would be $530 today.

The SNES just barely takes second place with a price of $459 when adjusted for inflation. That's only $10 more than the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 is also tied for the highest generation-to-generation sticker price increase in Nintendo's history. Its sticker price ("original price" in the chart below) is 50% higher than the original Switch, the highest price bump we've seen from Nintendo since the jump from the Game Boy Advance to the DS.

Of course, it's important to remember that the jump from the GBA to the DS wasn't just a new version of the same console, it was an entirely new console. So, the 50% price increase is arguably more justified compared to the Switch 2, which is more of a refresh on the original Switch.

Nintendo handheld consoles price history

Nintendo home consoles price history

Is the Switch 2 priced too high? What Nintendo fans are saying

"Hype and stuff but what are those prices?!"

That reaction from one Bluesky user sums up the response to the Switch 2's price. The resounding consensus online is shock and disappointment at the high cost of not just the Switch 2 console itself, but also the games, which appear to be priced around $80 based on the prices for Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.

For context, that's higher than a typical AAA PC game, which is around $60 or $70 today. Those games notably tend to have much higher quality graphics than Switch games. So, it's no wonder Redditors are furious at the game pricing for the Switch 2.

In fact, Nintendo seems to be nickel-and-diming its users wherever it can. Even the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which functions as a tutorial... is a paid "game." Who would pay for the system tutorial? It's truly hard to fathom how Nintendo can expect gamers to want to pay for that, on top of paying more for the console itself and the games.

This pricing may have major repercussions for Nintendo, too.

As one Bluesky user said, "It's called Switch 2 because after watching Nintendo Direct imma Switch 2 Steam Deck."

This pricing could put Nintendo in a precarious position by pushing gamers toward less expensive devices with less expensive games, particularly handheld gaming PCs.

For Nintendo's sake, I sure hope to see a lot of sales on Switch 2 consoles and games, and it sounds like many other gamers are in the same boat. At the least, they could have made the tutorial free.

More from Laptop Mag

• Nintendo Switch 2 full reveal: Price, release date, games titles, and reactions
• The Switch 2 is competing with handheld gaming PCs in one unexpected way
• The Switch 2's most exciting game has nothing to do with Mario and everything to do with Bloodborne

The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here — we got the full reveal, price, games, and specs. There is simply too much to talk about, but I want to focus on how Nintendo is getting competitive again.

At first, I found myself upset that Nintendo decided to go with an LCD screen instead of the OLED display that they launched more recently. However, my concerns were quickly alleviated when we learned the specs.

Nintendo isn’t messing around this time, and it’s not only competing with Xbox and PlayStation but also the best handheld gaming PCs.

Nintendo Switch 2 is out here swinging

We’re not only getting a 7.9-inch display but also 1080p resolution with 120Hz refresh rate. That’s the sweet spot for gaming handhelds, as it keeps the battery loss to a minimum while also being able to experience smooth, crisp gameplay.

What really shook me, however, was Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. When connected to the dock, you can experience Metroid in 4K clocked at 60 frames per second. There are AAA titles that launch on Xbox and PlayStation that can’t even do that (I’m looking at you, Starfield).

You may argue that it’s not as graphically demanding as those titles, however, it doesn’t change the fact that Nintendo is elevating its exclusive games to the height of its competitors. Nintendo is also taking swings at other handhelds because they don’t support docks that can bring them to 4K.

Even its price, at $449, is technically competitive with other gaming handhelds. They tend to be closer to the $1,000 mark. However, I will admit, it’s pretty pricey compared with Xbox and PlayStation, so it’s not that great.

What makes this upgrade even better is that Nintendo started upgrading Switch games to the Switch 2 Edition. You need to pay an upgrade fee on the games you do own, but once you do, you can experience your favorite titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, in 4K.

Now, what we didn’t hear much about was the battery life. Ideally, I’d like it to at least be on par with the Switch, but also last longer than other handhelds out there right now. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is currently leading the charge at over 3 hours of battery life. If the Nintendo Switch 2 can beat that, it really has surpassed everything.

Let’s not forget about the features; my jaw practically dropped when Nintendo said that the Joy-Cons could be used as a mouse. A mouse! That felt like a fever dream for PC gamers across the globe.

I’m hyped all around for the Nintendo Switch 2. I may not be excited about a $449 console and $80 games (gulp), but I want to experience Nintendo games in 4K asap. Stay tuned for our hands-on experience coming soon.

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During Wednesday's highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 event, Nintendo overjoyed fans with a slew of new games, explanations of new features (including the reason for the C button), and soon after the event ended at 10 a.m. Eastern, we know pricing and release information.

Below is a minute-by-minute rundown of the ramp-up to the event and every major moment of the Nintendo Switch 2 event on Wednesday. If you missed anything or are looking to confirm game titles, release dates, or anything else, Laptop Mag has you covered.

Switch 2: What we know so far

While there are still many questions, Nintendo's last event gave us a little insight into what to expect.

As far as games go, Nintendo confirmed Mario Kart 9. What would a modern Nintendo console be without Mario Kart?

It also showed off the look of the Switch 2—the second-gen iteration is black and more "pro-like" than the first-gen. It also teased some updates to the Joy-Con, namely a magnetic attachment mechanism and a potential mouse feature.

This year's console is a little bit bigger, too, and will be backward-compatible with all previous Switch games.

Mysteries abound

If it feels like there are a lot of unanswered questions about the Switch 2, well... that's because there are.

We still don't know what's inside Nintendo's next-gen Switch, which is likely one of the biggest improvements over the original console. The Switch first debuted in 2017, so we can assume this year's iteration will see a significant performance boost over the last generation.

How much Nintendo focuses on performance is anyone's guess. How much that matters to most Nintendo lovers is another question entirely. The Switch has never been about technical prowess, it's about playing Mario and Zelda games.

A boosted Switch would, however, be able to play ported games at a higher level and position the console better against handheld gaming PCs made by Asus, MSI, and Valve.

Nothing to "C" here

There are many mysteries about the Switch 2, but one of the easiest ones to posit about is the "C" button on its new Joy-Con.

There have been plenty of guesses as to what that new button does, but one of my favorites so far proposes that it's actually a "connect" button that links the Switch 2 to your original console.

This would theoretically turn your old Switch into a second controller and even make true 3DS or Wii U emulation possible. That's all still firmly in the rumor category, but it could prove to be one the shining new features if it's true.

Can't afford to be unaffordable

The Switch was a hit for lots of reasons.

First and foremost, there was the innovative form factor. The original Switch is the best of both worlds; it'a a console when it's docked and a handheld when it's not ,and it even (technically) comes with two controllers that can be combined into one big one or used in handheld mode.

It's mind-boggling when you think about the ingenuity of all of that.

Outside of the ingenious form factor, it's also mighty affordable. Unlike the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, it clocks in at a price that lots of people can afford, which makes it an incredible deal for anyone that loves Nintendo — nay, anyone that loves games in general.

The Switch 2 will have to retain that affordability to some extent if it wants to continue Nintendo's success in the console market, and while a slight bump is to be expected, it will be a difficult line for Nintendo to toe.

The handheld home console

The Switch 2 might be primarily showcased in its handheld form, but we do know that the Switch's dock will be making a return, this time supposedly (according to a major leak circulating online) offering up to 4K video output thanks to a claimed DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 Realtek chip.

However, pouring cold water on those claims, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson has revealed that several game developers have reported that dev kits for Nintendo's new console lacked 4K output.

Confusion around the Nintendo Switch 2's peak resolution remains, and perhaps that's something that will be cleared up in today's Direct event.

Today's Direct will feature hardware and games

While the Nintendo Switch 2 will undoubtedly be the star of the show during today's Direct event, we're also expecting to see Nintendo unveil several new titles set to debut on the console when it releases later this year.

We've even predicted seven potential titles we may see for the first time during today's livestream, including the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong. For our full predictions, check out the article below!

• Nintendo Switch 2 Direct predictions: 7 games we expect to see

Catch the latest Nintendo news throughout the week

Today's Nintendo Direct is only a single slice of all the action, with gameplay demonstrations, hands-on events, and more all expected to flesh out the rest of the week.

If you want to watch along, the Nintendo Switch Direct 2 will be streaming on YouTube Today at 6 a.m. Pacific (9 a.m. Eastern) and will last 60 minutes.

On Thursday and Friday, at 7 a.m. Pacific (10 a.m. Eastern), Nintendo Treehouse will provide hands-on gameplay demonstrations for upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 titles expected to debut during today's showcase.

According to Nintendo Today, Nintendo's own recently launched news application, the first Treehouse stream will be four hours long, while the second will last three hours.

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is happening in less than 30 minutes

After years of anticipation, we're finally moments away from getting our first official breakdown of the Switch 2's hardware, alongside the exciting treasure trove of games that we can expect on it soon. We're also hoping to get information on release date and price, but regardless of what happens, this 60-minute showcase is set to blow our minds. Catch the show on YouTube today at 6 a.m. Pacific (9 a.m. Eastern)

And the show begins!

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is now live!

Check it out on YouTube for the latest information on hardware, release date, price, and upcoming games. Otherwise, we'll be updating this live blog with everything we see!

Mario Kart World gameplay trailer

The Direct event has immediately opened with gameplay footage of Mario Kart World, overlooking a desert with a Yoshi Diner in the opening.

There are plenty of exciting new gameplay mechanics, like seeing Mario leaping between walls or racers driving into the back of a gigantic truck and ramming others throughout the track. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, unsurprisingly.

There is a time of day and weather system, which can change the way the maps look. Players can drive off the race track and go anywhere, but a classic Grand Prix mode is available. It has 24 player options and a game mode called Knockout Tour, where the player in last place between each race is eliminated.

Free Roam is also an option, allowing the player to drive around the world and go off-road with friends. There's even a photo mode!

There will be a Mario Kart World Direct event on April 17 for more information. It launches on the same day as Nintendo Switch 2.

Hardware time! What does the C button do?

The C button has been shown off! Some examples of new experiences it offers include GameChat, which is a new feature that's built-in to the Switch 2 system rather than needing an external application on mobile devices. There's a microphone built into the console, and it has noise-cancelling functionality.

You can even screen share, change the size of your game screen, and chat with all of your friends while playing different games. Or you can even expand your friend's game screen to see what they're playing.

The C button's functionality is what brings up the new social menu that lets you turn on video, microphone, or screenscare. Nintendo Switch 2 also has a purchaseable camera accessory and even allows you to overlay your camera over gameplay. Some games can even use your camera feed within the game itself, like Mario Party titles.

The Switch 2 camera will be available on the same day as the console launches. GameChat will be free in an open access period until March 31, 2026, but otherwise, it requires a Nintendo Online subscription.

GameShare on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch allows a user that owns a single game to share the game with up to three people locally, and there will even be online functionality that's compatible with GameChat

The Nintendo Switch 2's specs

Specs time! The Nintendo Switch 2 is 7.9-inches and 13.9mm thick and has approximately double the pixels of the Switch at 1080, and it offers smooth gameplay up to 120 fps.

The LCD screen is more vivid and supports HDR, and the Joy-Cons attach magnetically. They're strong, and the release button allows the user to detach the button manually. The SL and SR buttons are far larger when utilizing a single Joy-Con, alongside larger left and right sticks.

As expected, each Joy-Con control has mouse functionality for "compatible games." The sound from the built-in speakers is also improved, and as mentioned earlier, there's a built-in microphone.

There are also two USB Type-C ports, with one on top in addition to the one on the bottom. And the stand on the back is far larger and wider! The storage has been upgraded to 256GB, which is 8 times the amount of the original Switch. The new Dock also has 4K support.

HDR is also supported in TV mode. And the Nintendo Switch 2's dock has a built-in fan for improved thermal performance.

Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch 2 allows the user to play "compatible" physical and digital Switch games.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an exclusive game to Nintendo Switch 2 that allows the user to get a new understanding of their console.

It essentially offers breakdowns of the different aspects of your console. It also offers little mini-games that give the player a sense of how the technology works and tests different new features. However, it's a paid game.

Nintendo Switch 2's new game cards and SD cards

The new Nintendo Switch 2 game cards are red and feature faster speeds than the original Switch cards.

MicroSD Express Cards are the only ones possible for additional storage on the Switch 2. Normal microSD cards will not work.

Transferring data can be done through the System Transfer feature for transferring digital games and game data..

Nintendo Switch 2 release date

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch June 5, 2025.

We're only two months away!

Nintendo Switch 2's "three types" of games.

Nintendo Switch 2 will feature three types of games: Games exclusive to Switch 2, games that are from the original Switch but are compatible with Switch 2, and games that are enhanced for Switch 2.

Enhanced editions aren't just improved graphically but can feature additional features, game modes, and mechanic functionality with the new systems of the hardware. For example, Mario Party Jamboree allows the user to play a mini-game that needs a mouse-controlled roller coaster.

Other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games include versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with enhanced resolution, frame rates, and HDR support. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is also getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Beyond just improved graphics and frame rates, it's also getting a new and unique story called Star-Crossed World.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch with a Nintendo Switch 2 edition as well. Mouse controls can be used for Prime 4's first-person shooting. Options between a Quality and Performance mode, at either 4K 60fps or 1080p 120fps. And Pokemon Legends Z-A will also receive a Nintendo Switch 2 edition featuring enhanced resolution and framerates.

If you own the original version of the game, you can buy the enhanced version with an upgrade pack.

Drag x Drive

A new game featuring functionality with the mouse controllers? It seems to be some sort of sports game where users move around using the mouse controls to push their characters. It's called Drag X Drive and is essentially a basketball game on a skateboard court that allows for flips and tricks. It's launching in sumer 2025.

Third-party games coming to Nintendo Switch 2

Many games from third-party publishers are coming to the Switch 2, including:

• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
• Hades II, Street Fighter 6
• Split Fiction
• EA Sports FC
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4
• Hitman World of Assassination
• Bravely Default Flying Fairy
• Yakuza 0: Director's Cut
• Daemon x Machina Titanic Scion

Project 007 is also coming to the console, which is entirely new.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Koei Tecmo is developing a new The Legend of Zelda game in collaboration with Nintendo.

It seems to be a new Hyrule Warriors game set in the past during the Imprisoning War.

GameCube is coming to Nintendo Switch Online!

Finally! Classic GameCube games are coming to Nintendo Switch 2. The titles available include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, F-Zero GX. Up to four can play together locally and online in the games that support multiplayer. Controls can also be customized freely.

Other titles include Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, Pokemon Stadium. Luigi's Mansion and far more.

Nintendo is also launching a GameCube controller designed off the original GameCube Controller and launches the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2's launch.

Deltarune Chapters 1-4

Deltarune Chapters 1-4 is finally coming! Undertale fans rejoice, we're finally getting an idea of when we can play the next big entry in the franchise.

Deltarune Chapters 1-4 will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 at launch.

Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 is officially launching at release on Nintendo Switch 2!

Sid Meier's Civilization VII, and NBA/WWE 2K

Sid Meier's Civilization VII will launch on Switch 2 at the release of the console. WWE 2K and NBA 2K are also coming to Switch 2 at some point.

Enter the Gungeon II

Enter the Dungeon II is coming to Switch 2 "reloaded" in a 3D art style, and it will be coming in the future.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Final Fantasy VII: Remake Integrade, and more

Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade are coming to Switch alongside tons of other third-party titles, like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Two Point Museum, Wild Hearts, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Star Wars Outlaws, Fast Fusion, Shadow Labyrinth, REANIMAL, Fortnite, Human Fall Flat 2, and far more.

The Duskbloods

Nintendo Switch 2's last third-party game to show off was a new FromSoftware exclusive with tons of Bloodborne vibes. I cannot contain my excitement! This is the last thing I would've expected out of a Nintendo Direct — all of my dreams are coming true.

It looks fantastic, with a mix between the gothic inspirations of Bloodborne and a mix of steampunk or dieselpunk.

The Duskbloods is launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch in 2026.

Kirby Air Riders

Nintendo Switch 2's next game trailer is showcasing Kirby falling with a star before riding off into the darkness, and then meeting up with a bunch of other friends similarly riding on flying stars.

Yup, Kirby Air Riders is coming to Switch 2, and it's officially Masahiro Sakurai's new game!

Donkey Kong Bananza

The final trailer for the Switch 2 is a new Donkey Kong game, showcasing the iconic character digging through the world, smashing stuff with rocks, punching through the ground, leaping across landscapes, beating everything to bits, and just generally being super adorable.

And of course, there are 2D sections, as always.

It launches July 17, 2025.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is receiving a long-awaited unveiling on Wednesday, providing a "closer look" at the console, as Nintendo claims on its website.

Our first official look at the Switch 2 was back in January through a video posted on Nintendo's YouTube channel, which showcased several elements of the console's design without going into further detail. We also got a glimpse of Mario Kart 9.

Wednesday's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is set to offer the specifics we've been waiting for. For example, what does that new button on the right Joy-Con do? How much larger is its screen compared to its predecessor? And will we actually be able to use the Joy-Cons as a mouse? Beyond hardware specifics, we also want obvious details like the Switch 2's price and release date!

Wednesday is the big day where we confirm which rumors were and weren't true, so it's an exciting moment for Nintendo enthusiasts.

But there's been more than enough speculation on the hardware side. It's a game console, so let's talk about software: Nintendo Treehouse is set to provide hands-on gameplay of Switch 2 titles on Thursday and Friday, so we expect to see the initial game announcements on Wednesday.

Do you know what that means? It's time for some game predictions! But before we get into that, here's how to watch the Switch 2 Direct.

How to watch Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

The Nintendo Switch Direct 2 will be available to watch on YouTube on Wednesday at 6 a.m. PT (9 a.m. ET) and will last 60 minutes.

On Thursday and Friday, at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET), Nintendo Treehouse will provide hands-on gameplay demonstrations for upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 titles.

According to Nintendo Today, the company's recently launched news application, the first Treehouse stream will be four hours long, while the second will last three hours.

This week will yield tons of Nintendo goodness. We're not sure which Switch 2 games will be unveiled on Wednesday, but it seems we won't have to wait long to see uninterrupted gameplay. So, without further ado, here are some of our predictions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: What games will be there?

We expect the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to be an all-encompassing showcase highlighting the future of Nintendo Switch 2 in hardware and software.

What makes this particularly exciting is that Directs are often quicker in pacing, unlike the Nintendo Switch Presentation back in 2017, which featured a live stage element.

We're hoping tomorrow's Switch 2 showcase takes us through a treasure trove of reveals, but what games can we expect from it? Let's take a look at some of our best predictions.

7. Mario Kart 9

We're certain we'll see Mario Kart 9. It was the only game present in the Nintendo Switch 2's first-look trailer, so there is no chance it won't be there.

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

While this might be easy to scoff at, considering how often Silksong has been absent from showcases, there is good reason to believe it will be present this time.

The game was mentioned in an Xbox Wire post a couple of weeks ago, and it recently received huge Steam Database changes with an updated copyright from 2019 to 2025. It might finally be time!

5. A new 3D Mario

A 3D Mario is a necessity for every Nintendo generation (we don't count WiiU, as it didn't do well enough financially). Super Mario Odyssey was given its first full trailer during the Nintendo Switch Presentation in 2017, so we're hoping that trend continues.

It's a certainty that a new 3D Mario is launching during the Switch 2's lifespan, but when is the real question, and there's no better time than now!

4. A new mainline Pokémon game

It might not seem like we'll hear of a new Pokémon game due to Pokémon Legends: Z-A launching in 2025, but don't forget that the Pokémon Legends entries are spin-offs.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus launched the same year as Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, so it's entirely possible we'll see the future of Pokémon at this direct.

3. A new Animal Crossing game

This might not seem likely, but I beg to differ. Animal Crossing: New Horizons shattered expectations when it launched in 2020, selling over 47 million copies worldwide.

It is the second best-selling video game on Nintendo Switch, behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Considering New Horizons stopped receiving content updates after its first DLC in 2021, it's possible that a new Animal Crossing has been a high priority for the Switch 2 ever since.

2. Masahiro Sakurai's new game

Masahiro Sakurai, the famed director of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., has been working on a new game since 2022.

While it could be a new Super Smash Bros., there is one stipulation: Sakurai has previously stated that Ultimate had reached the limit in terms of roster size, meaning a new entry would likely be smaller. Otherwise, the game could be something new entirely.

1. Mario Maker 3D

Among the most widely fantasized about concepts throughout Nintendo Switch's lifetime has been Mario Maker 3D.

While it's not real yet, fans imagine it would bring the Mario Maker formula into a 3D space, allowing users to create their own 3D Mario game.

After all, Mario Maker 2 perfected that formula rather well, so a sequel wouldn't make much sense if it continued to be 2D.

Beyond those proper predictions, we have titles already announced for the Switch that will likely be present at the Switch 2's Direct, like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

We got our first look at gameplay for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond during Sunday's Nintendo Direct, showcasing its gorgeous environments and classic gameplay.

It might not receive much more fanfare at this upcoming Direct, but it could be featured in a quick montage of upcoming Switch games coming to the Switch 2, alongside Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Otherwise, we're shaking with anticipation for which games will and won't show up at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.

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There's still a lot we don't know about the Switch 2, which will be revealed on Wednesday morning.

Among those questions: Price, performance, a list of new titles, and the official release date all remain unknown.

But sandwiched in all of those more obvious questions we still have is something even stranger.

We're talking about the mysterious new "C" button.

Let me backtrack; if you've been paying attention to Switch drips, you might have caught wind of a new button on the console's revamped Joy-Cons with a "C" emblazoned on it

And even with a recent leak of the button, we still don't know what it does.

While we may ultimately be disappointed, it could be more interesting than you think.

The mystery machine

On the surface, a new button might not be groundbreaking, but I'm betting it might be more interesting than you think, and there are a few reasons for my optimism.

One reason is that I have a reasonable guess about what the button is not.

Even though the Switch 2's new button has a "C" on it, I don't think the most obvious guess makes sense — a capture button.

I'm skeptical about this option because there's already a preexisting capture button on Nintendo's Joy-Con that is still there in the renders we've seen of the Switch 2.

I don't think Nintendo will dedicate two whole buttons to capturing screenshots or videos, much less give them different signage.

So, ruling out a redundancy, what other options do we have left? A chat button has also been kicked around, and as plausible as that sounds on the surface, it's also incredibly un-Nintendo-like.

Nintendo, unlike Xbox and PlayStation, tends to be the more buttoned-up, family-friendly brand, and introducing a chat feature feels like an easy way to ruin that reputation.

So that option is almost as implausible as the capture one. Where does that leave us? A recent rumor offers the most exciting possibility I've seen yet.

Connecting the dots

By far the most exciting option of what the Switch 2's mysterious "C" button might entail comes courtesy of a recent rumor out of YouTuber eXstas1s, who released a video over this past weekend suggesting the "C" in this case stands for "connect."

Connect in this case would mean something pretty unexpected. eXstas1s ponders that the connect button would allow you to link your Switch 2 and your original Switch to use the first-gen console as a separate controller and screen.

That might sound a little wild, but that functionality isn't unprecedented in the Nintendo world. The Wii U, notably, has a gamepad-like functionality.

What's next

The benefits to bringing a connect functionality like that to the Switch 2 are many — for one, you could theoretically emulate games for the Wii U and 3DS properly.

Admittedly, this option still sounds a little far-fetched, but in some ways, it makes more sense than other scenarios, given Nintendo's past hardware endeavors.

And if you were looking for a way to continue to make buying an original Switch worthwhile, this theoretically wouldn't be a bad way to do it.

It's all still firmly in the rumor stage, but luckily, we'll have an answer for sure soon. Nintendo is holding its Direct event on April 2 at 9 a.m. Eastern, and we can expect to get a full rundown of all the Switch 2 hardware and maybe even upcoming games.

Stay tuned to Laptop Mag for more.

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We're just days away from Nintendo's big Switch 2 reveal, but I'm as nervous as I am excited.

Like many other Nintendo fans, I was ecstatic when Nintendo finally posted a video unveiling the Switch 2's design back in January.

I'm still eagerly awaiting more details about the console, along with the first batch of Switch 2 games, which we're expecting to hear more about in a live stream on Wednesday.

However, as excited as I am for the Switch 2, I'm also worried Nintendo might be trying to be something it's not.

The Switch 2's design, along with a slew of rumored game ports, are making me wonder — has Nintendo lost track of what made the Switch a hit?

Why the Switch 2 isn't a gaming PC rival (and why it shouldn't be)

There's a lot of peer pressure on Nintendo right now as handheld gaming PCs gain popularity, threatening to veer from Nintendo's handheld audience.

Maybe that's why it shouldn't have been a surprise that the Switch 2 looks eerily similar to a Steam Deck. Gone are the colorful, mismatched Joy-Con of the original Switch. The Switch 2 is all matte black with the slightest pops of blue and red around the joy sticks. (One might say the Joy-Con are a little lacking in joy.)

It's not necessarily a bad thing for the Switch 2 to resemble a handheld gaming PC (although it is a bit ironic since handheld gaming PCs all seemed to take inspiration from the Switch). The matte black design may be intended to help establish the Switch 2 as the more mature, evolved version of the original Switch.

However, it does make me nervous that Nintendo may be trying to compete with handheld gaming PCs, especially considering rumors that the Switch 2 will have a significantly higher price than the original and feature more resource-intensive games ported over from other platforms, namely Xbox.

While handheld gaming PCs may seem like the Switch's biggest rivals at a glance, I think Nintendo is in a unique position in gaming. Its exclusives have a very different, distinct brand compared to Xbox and PlayStation console exclusives.

A gamer might replace their gaming laptop with a Steam Deck, but a handheld gaming PC can't really replace a Switch because of Nintendo's unique console exclusives.

Of course, I don't see a problem with Xbox and PC games like Starfield or Fallout 4 getting Switch 2 ports. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that those games will most likely still look and play better on a handheld gaming PC.

Most people who care about those types of games are still not going to see the Switch 2 as the best console to play them on, and that's fine.

The Switch 2 isn't a replacement for a handheld gaming PC. It's a Nintendo console. That's all it needs to be and what it should be first and foremost, and that means focusing on fun and affordability, not beefy hardware and console wars.

Keep it fun, keep it affordable: Nintendo needs to focus on what matters most

My first experience with Nintendo was the DS Lite, which remains one of the most successful game consoles ever sold.

Even the Switch hasn't been able to top the DS's sales record of 154 million units. Growing up, every kid I knew had a DS, which may have been partly because it was so affordable. The DS was priced at just $149 when it launched in 2004, equivalent to $249 in 2025.

Is it a coincidence that the current Switch costs just $50 more at $299 and happens to be the only Nintendo console to come close to the DS's sales success?

Affordability is part of what made the Switch such a hit. Sure, it might not have the most advanced hardware around, but that's not the point. It's home to a plethora of genuinely fun games that appeal to adults and kids alike, including people who may be totally new to gaming. Those games along with an affordable price, make the Switch much more accessible than a gaming PC or even other consoles.

Affordability and a fun, light-hearted brand are what make Nintendo... Nintendo.

So, I'm not just hoping the Switch 2 is affordable for the sake of my wallet. I'm hoping it's affordable because I don't want to see it stumble while trying to compete with handheld gaming PCs, leaving behind the accessibility that makes the Switch one of the best game consoles ever released.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 will have its big reveal on Wednesday, April 2.

Excited gamers will finally have their questions answered on the successor of Nintendo's portable console.

Two of the big questions — when preorders will be available and when the Switch 2 will launch — might have already been revealed.

Leaked documents from a U.S. retailer indicate April 9 is the date when Switch 2 preorders will be available and the console will launch in June, according to a report from Insider Gaming.

This new info would counter previous rumors that suggested April 2 and April 10 as possible dates for when retailers will make pre-orders for the Switch 2 available.

The June release month, however, does align with earlier speculations. Industry analysts suggested the date in a Bloomberg report earlier in March.

June also syncs up with the end of the Switch 2 world tour Nintendo is putting on, which lets gamers get some hands-on time with the console.

Nintendo didn't immediately respond to a request from Laptop Mag for comment.

What do we know about the Switch 2?

When Nintendo teased the Switch 2 back in January, the company didn't reveal much about the Switch successor.

One feature that can be seen from the teaser is that the Switch 2 will have more power.

How much is unknown, but there are rumors that third-party developers will receive development kits after the reveal, and there's anticipation of companies releasing their AAA games on the Switch 2.

The original Switch didn't have the processing power to run certain games, which led to the development of the Switch Cloud. Games such as Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Control, and Hitman 3 could be played on the Switch via the cloud

The Switch 2 will be physically bigger than the original with its 8-inch LCD display, which is a step up from the original's 6.2-inch display and the OLED version's 7-inch display.

A welcome feature confirmed in the January teaser is backward compatibility. A vast majority of the original Switch games will work on the Switch 2.

The exceptions appear to be those games tied with specific Switch accessories like the Ring Fit Adventure and the Labo games.

There are rumors that the Switch 2 will use AI to upscale original Switch games. Nintendo unveiled its Virtual Game Cards this week, which will allow games from the original Switch to be easily shared with the Switch 2.

One note Nintendo made is that there will be Switch 2 versions of games. This could mean original Switch games might be re-released as Switch 2 games with some improvements.

As for the price of the Switch 2, that is still a point experts are speculating on. Industry analysts told Bloomberg that they expect the pricing to start at the lowest, $349, which is the same price as the Switch OLED version.

The most likely price is $399, but it could go up to $500. This would put it in the same pricing range for handhelds like the Steam Deck.

There are still no games confirmed other than the new Mario Kart shown during the teaser.

It's reported that Nintendo will focus on launching mainly first-party games with the console, and then third-party companies will release their games in the fall and holiday period.

The Switch 2 reveal will happen on April 2 at 9 a.m. ET. Check back for the news and analysis of the announcement.

If you've been eagerly awaiting Nintendo's Switch 2, you might be able to throw actual, real money down on one soon, as a date for preorders is being widely reported.

According to multiple reports, Switch 2 preorders are likely to launch in a few weeks, and we may even know the exact date and time.

Here's everything you need to know about potential Switch 2 preorder dates so that you're prepared when Nintendo's big day is upon us.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorder date: 10 a.m. Eastern on April 10, 2025?

While we can't say definitively when Switch 2 preorders will drop, one report has given us some fairly big hints.

One of the biggest clues comes from Matt Swider, who runs a deals blog called The Shortcut.

According to Swider, his "analysis" suggests that Switch 2 preorders will go live around 10 a.m. Eastern on April 2, 2025, which is when Nintendo is slated to reveal more about the console in a scheduled event.

Swider's analysis goes on to suggest that the Switch 2 will debut at a price of $399, which is notably $50 more than the Switch OLED and $100 more than the original price of the Switch when it debuted in 2017.

That suggestion corroborates some previous drips about the Switch 2 price, including one from an Italian retailer in January.

Gamesandmovies.it listed the Nintendo Switch 2 for pre-order at the price point of €364.99, which, translated to USD, would be about $379.25. If that price leak is accurate, it gives ammo to the idea of a $399.99 debut.

In addition to preorder and price, Swider also speculates that we'll get a full list of the Switch 2's specs and hear more about games that aren't Mario Kart 9, which was confirmed at Nintendo's initial reveal in January.

Swider even takes a stab at future retailers, and according to his analysis, he expects the console to be available at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target, which is to say, all the retailers you might expect for a release of this size.

In addition to those, some wholesalers — Costco, Sam's Club, and BJs — may also have stock, according to Swider.

Just how competitive preorders will be is anyone's guess, but Nintendo has previously said that it plans on rising to the occasion to prevent scalpers from gumming up the works and hoovering up consoles.

In a statement that was translated by VGC, Nintendo's President, Shuntaro Furukawa, said:

“We will take all possible measures based on the experience we have accumulated to date (regarding scalpers and the like). We are making preparations.”

Let's hope that this go-around is less cutthroat than the initial release, which was mired by scalpers trying to capitalize on after-market re-sales.

Switch 2: What to expect

It's hard to say what else Nintendo has in store for its April event, but there are some major questions around hardware that will be on most people's radar.

One is around performance and whether the Switch 2 will be a major upgrade in terms of how powerful the Switch is and what kinds of games it can play.

I'm also particularly curious about some of the hardware that was teased. For example, in a cryptic video, the Switch 2's Joy-Cons appear to double as a mouse of some kind, which suggests some kind of added functionality over its predecessor.

But all of this is still speculation, so we have a lot to learn when April 2 rolls around. No matter what, April is going to be a big month for Nintendo and anyone who's been eagerly anticipating finding out exactly what the Switch 2 is made of.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 is just weeks away from its big reval. The Mario maker plans to show off its newest console on April 2 in a Nintendo Direct.

There are still a lot of questions about the Switch 2 such as how much will it cost and when will it launch. One major feature that has been confirmed is backward compatibility with the original Switch games, and it appears there could be some enhancements with these older games.

Nintendo recently patented new technology using AI to upscale an image, according to a report from Forbes. The patent, first spotted by a user on X, is for a "computer system converting images through use of a trained neural network." This tech would take a 540p image, which is the same resolution as the Switch, and use a neural network to convert the image to 1080p.

Nintendo didn't hint at there being an improvement with Switch games playing on the Switch 2, but the recently released Xenoblade Chronicles X might also confirm improvements coming to Switch games. Released last week, the game has a strange bit code that one modder discovered, as reported by Polygon. The unused code is for a 60fps setting for the game. It's unclear whether this setting could be implemented as a graphics upgrade when playing the game on the Switch 2 or maybe a leftover code for a setting used by developers.

Nintendo didn't immediately respond to a request for comment confirming the AI upscaling technology for the Switch 2.

What do we know about the Switch 2?

Nintendo teased the Switch 2 back in January in a short video. Only a few features were shown at the time.

Of the features, the most notable is that the Switch 2 will have an 8-inch LCD display. There will be an improvement in the graphics, but how much is still a mystery. Third-party developers are reportedly preparing to bring their AAA games over to the Switch 2 as the original Switch didn't have the power to run these games.

Another interesting change with the Switch 2 is with its controls. The Joy-Cons will connect to the console with magnets instead of rails, and it appears that each Joy-Con will work similarly to a mouse. How this will be used and for which games remains unknown.

There is speculation on the price of the Switch 2, but analysts suspect the new console will be higher than the original's $299 price tag. The most likely starting price is $349 although it could go up to $399. A reason for this increase in price is due to the higher costs of hardware. It's still unknown whether tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump will have any effect on the price.

As for when the Switch 2 will come out, Nintendo is planning a world tour for the new console called the "Switch 2 Experience." It starts on April 4 in New York City and continues on in April and May with dates in cities across the globe. The last scheduled date, as of now, is on June 1 in Seoul, South Korea. This would make for the most likely release date to happen sometime this summer, probably in June. There have been reports of Nintendo already shipping Switch 2 units to the U.S. earlier this month.

When it comes to new Switch 2 games, the only one confirmed so far is a new Mario Kart game. Industry analysts told Bloomberg they speculate a new 3D Mario game, the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will also be released.

The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal is just a few weeks away, and a lot of questions about the new portable console will hopefully be answered.

One of the big questions that Nintendo will need to answer is the price. The Switch 2 is expected to stay at the same price as the original. That, however, might not be the case, and it's not due to Nintendo being greedy.

When the Switch launched back in 2017, it retailed in the U.S. for $299. The Switch 2 will reportedly cost $400 or more, according to market analysts in a Bloomberg report.

A likely reason for a higher price is the increase in price for the components. The screen of the Switch 2 is going to be larger than the original, which will add to the price. There's also the processors powering the portable console. One analyst says the successor's chips could cost twice as much as the original.

“The original Switch’s Nvidia chip is estimated to cost $80 per unit, while the Switch 2’s chip is likely to be in the $130-$150 range,” Toyo Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda told Bloomberg.

There's also speculation about whether President Donald Trump's tariffs will play a role in the pricing of the Switch 2. The Consumer Technology Association released a report back in January that said tariffs could increase the price of video game consoles by 58%.

The analysts also believe the Switch 2 will have a release date sometime in June.

Nintendo didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the Switch 2's price.

The gaming world has Switched since launch of the Switch.

Back in 2017, Nintendo's decision to make its console portable was a bold move, which the company is known for. At the time, Nintendo was dealing with the terribly selling Wii U, which had the innovative Gamepad that allowed for playing some games on the tablet controller. The company also had its 3DS handheld that had completely dominated the marketplace. Nintendo took both ideas and came out with the Switch and began the new era of portable consoles.

It was years later when the Steam Deck came out, and showed that PC gaming can be truly portable. This led to a rush of other hardware companies making their own portable such as the ROG Ally, Lenovo Go, and MSI Claw.

The Switch continues to outsell other portable gaming devices because of its lower price and because it remains the only console that supports Nintendo’s exclusive games.

What we know about the Switch 2.

So far, there isn't much known about the Switch 2. Nintendo did give a teaser for the console in January and showed a few of the changes in the new console.

Most notably, the Switch 2 will have an 8-inch LCD display. There will be an improvement on the graphics, although how much of an improvement is unknown. Third-party developers are reportedly preparing to bring their AAA games over to the Switch 2 as the original Switch didn't have the power to run these games.

The Joy-Cons will connect to the console with magnets instead of rails, and it appears that each Joy-Con will work similarly to a mouse.

A major feature confirmed by Nintendo that Switch fans were happy about is that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible. Some games will be incompatible due to reliance on accessories like Ring Fit Adventure and Labo Toy-Con.

Rumors of an Xbox-branded gaming handheld are heating up.

According to a report from Windows Central, Microsoft plans to launch its first-ever dedicated Xbox handheld at the end of this year. This is arguably the most solid news about a real release we've gotten yet.

Despite those rumors, we still don't know much about what an Xbox handheld might have in store. What will it look like? What kind of power will it pack? How much will it cost? Can I get it in an Xbox green translucent shell? That last one is a joke. Unless...

Those are some big questions, to be sure, but there's one question that's top of mind for me personally, and it's got a lot to do with... the Nintendo Switch.

Dockin' on Heaven's door

One of my biggest questions is: What will an Xbox handheld offer that other handhelds don't?

At the end of the day, that answer may be... not a whole lot. Xbox has exclusive titles, which might be a significant reason to spring for one over, say, an Acer Nitro Blaze, but outside of that, I don't know how much Microsoft will bring to the hardware party.

One thing I'd love to see, however, is something the Nintendo Switch has offered since its inception — a dock. While that may seem simple, once a dock enters the equation, it beckons many questions, some of which could affect your decision to buy (or not buy) a Switch 2. Hear me out.

The Switch is all about playing Mario and Zelda, yes. But the Switch value proposition is also based on its ability to hold it while you play, or dock it and play on your TV, like a traditional gaming console. It's the switching of the Switch. As far as features go, it's iconic. If Microsoft envisions its Xbox handheld similarly, it will ask potential customers to compare the two directly.

Once you start comparing a potential dockable Xbox handheld to a Switch 2, you see many similarities. Both are handhelds made by console companies with exclusive titles. Both are presumably trying to push the envelope in terms of power (Switch 2 will likely have a major processor upgrade from the previous generation). Both will look to take advantage of an array of third-party, multi-platform AAA titles.

However, I'm not sure Nintendo is entirely competitive on those fronts. If you want power, I highly doubt a Switch 2 will blow you away with benchmarks. Nintendo consoles have never been about competing on the graphical front. And why would they? Mario doesn't need ray tracing.

As far as exclusive titles go, that's just a matter of preference. Maybe you're a big Legend of Zelda person and having a handheld that plays Tears of the Kingdom is a priority. But just as easily, you could be a Halo lifer who needs to pwn grunts on your subway commute to work.

And as far as having an extensive array of multi-platform titles, Microsoft is arguably the winner on that front, given the Xbox's edge in graphical prowess. This allows it to play simple indie games and more demanding titles.

In years past, comparing an Xbox console to a Switch might be comparing apples to oranges, but if both have the same form factor and the same audience, well... our fruit analogy just got a little less flavorful.

Existential questions for Xbox

This is all speculative, of course, since we don't know any real specifics about what Microsoft has in store for an Xbox console, but the idea of a dockable Xbox that's similar to the Switch begs a lot of existential questions.

For instance, if Xbox goes the Switch route with a handheld/traditional console, why would anyone really want to buy something else?

If Microsoft can pack the power of a Series S into something that can also play games on the fly, it makes the idea of an at-home console seem like a bad deal.

Is Microsoft really ready to go that route with its Xbox console, or is the worry of cannibalizing its at-home console business too great? Also, how much does Microsoft lean into Game Pass with its handheld? Will an Xbox handheld have cloud streaming capabilities, or will it find its happy place somewhere closer to a Steam Deck?

Microsoft is obviously making some big decisions, and many of them involver its handheld is just that — a hadeld or a f—or-blown console.

I, for one, welcome the Switchening of Xbox. I've often felt like Nintendo arrived at the ultimate form factor with the Switch and being able to enjoy all of the same benefits in an Xbox-branded package feels like a great way to evolve Microsoft's console business into a new, more value-packed era.

I'm all for pushing boundaries, but if Microsoft can make its Xbox handheld more Switch-like, then I'll be the first one in line to buy.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 was just about the worst kept secret in gaming, leaked into oblivion (and back) ahead of its January 16, 2025 first-look trailer, thanks to a steady stream of leaks and third-party accessory reveals. However, said trailer gave us our first official look at Nintendo's upcoming handheld console, and I've been haunted by one seemingly small detail ever since.

Much of the hardware changes make perfect sense: a larger kickstand for better stability, driftless Hall-effect thumb sticks, and a larger screen that hopefully pairs with a super-720p display. As a hardware follow-up, it's all rather predictable — which is exactly what doesn't sit right with me. After all, this is Nintendo, a company so notoriously allergic to playing it safe you'd assume it has the survival instincts of a lemming.

Now, I'm about as much of a paranoid conspiracy theorist as the next guy (if the next guy thinks tinfoil is a fitting material for a nice three-piece suit and bowler hat combo — which it is), but I think the Switch 2's obviousness is hiding a secret weapon. And I think that secret weapon will be facilitated by a mysterious second USB-C port, positioned at the top of the device.

Nintendo isn't a company that designs its products without purpose, nor is it the type to shy away from taking bold steps. Meaning, there's a very particular reason for that second USB-C port's inclusion — and I believe, based on Nintendo's previous steps and how many owners have evolved their Nintendo Switch use over time, that the reason isn't just for random accessories, but something bigger: it's for AR glasses.

Nintendo never plays it safe, so why start now?

Alright. Hear me out. Yes, this is one man's theory, but I'm not entirely pulling this one out of the ether. You have to admit, everything we know about the Switch 2 so far seems all too conventional to fit snugly into the Nintendo playbook.

For decades, we've seen Nintendo take chance after chance, especially when it comes to "weird" display tech: the dual screens of the Nintendo DS, the glasses-free 3D of its Nintendo 3DS follow-up, the second-screen-to-handheld hybrid Wii U gamepad, and if you really want to get cursed, we can travel all the way back to 1995's migraine-inducing, stereoscopic 3D, tabletop console, the Virtual Boy.

Nintendo has a long history of providing not only interesting consoles with which to play interesting games but also interesting ways for you to experience them.

At present, the Switch 2 breaks that cycle. Nothing stands out about it relative to its predecessor, beyond some very welcome but easily anticipated hardware upgrades.

Which is exactly why I believe Nintendo has something extra up its sleeve for this console generation. Something glasses-shaped.

But, of all things, why AR glasses?

AR glasses: face-worn frames that on the surface sound like a hyper-advanced fashion accessory from a cyberpunk fever dream. But at their core? They're wearable displays capable of projecting large, per-eye virtual screens before your very eyes — including SBS 3D (side-by-side) content.

That alone has enormous benefits for handheld gaming, but when paired with the right software, you can unlock real-time 2D to 3D visual translation, 3DoF (Three Degrees of Freedom) head tracking, and even 3DS-like AR scanning when paired with a camera.

Imagine being able to turn your head in a game and have the camera follow, or the Switch 2's screen becoming a secondary display for inventory, maps, or more while the larger, virtual display in front of you is where the action unfolds.

To put it simply, without altering the Switch's beloved form factor, AR glasses could flip the script on the familiar — making the Switch 2 feel truly "new" with features that go beyond the constraints of a regular handheld display.

This isn't a far-fetched notion either. Take a glance at many reviews featuring AR glasses, especially those made by XREAL or VITURE, and you're sure to spot a Nintendo Switch somewhere in the mix. Across the board, AR glasses have become a go-to for handheld owners wanting to maximize their viewing experience and improve immersion.

During my review of the VITURE Pro XR glasses, I used the company's Mobile Dock to power my Switch while enjoying games in 1080p on a sizeable virtual display. The same dock also allows two pairs of glasses to connect at the same time, breaking down the barrier this typically singular experience has for co-operative play.

More recently, I've been using the XREAL One AR glasses' impressive on-device 3DoF capabilities (expect a full review soon) to enjoy handheld games on the Switch at scale. These glasses can "pin" the virtual display in a particular direction, leaving you feeling like you're gaming in your own private, virtual theatre. It's perhaps this kind of feature that really sells the experience, and spurs the possibilities of how AR glasses could transform the experience of using a Switch 2.

AR glasses could be the Switch 2's secret weapon, even if they're not Nintendo's

From enjoying gaming classics in full stereoscopic 3D to gaming on huge virtual displays on the go, there's definitely potential for AR glasses on the Nintendo Switch 2. But will Nintendo be the ones to provide that experience, or will it be the task of third-parties?

In a recent conversation with XREAL, I asked about whether or not the company will target Switch 2 compatibility.

Noting that a big percentage of its customers are handheld console owners, Switch included, the opportunity to get its AR glasses working with the Nintendo Switch 2 is something XREAL is both keenly interested in and something its customers really want to see.

As the tech that powers these glasses moves forward, their potential to impact gaming in more impressive ways also grows. And it'll be welcome news to XREAL owners wondering if the company can bring the same enhancements to Switch 2 as it managed to provide for the original Switch — especially as the XREAL One series of AR glasses doesn't require any additional hardware or software to enable more immersive 3DoF viewing.

The same can likely be said for other AR glasses brands, who have each developed ways to make their products work with Nintendo's original Switch, despite hardware hurdles.

I contacted Nintendo for comment, unsurprisingly they did not respond. They remain firmly tight-lipped about what the Nintendo Switch 2 has yet to offer. For those details, we'll need to wait for the Switch 2 launch event on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Whether or not Nintendo is the one to bring AR glasses to the Switch 2, one thing is for sure: somebody is going to, and we may have plenty to thank them for when they do.

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