After years of speculation, Switch 2 finally exists. It’s got a launch date, a price, a bunch of accessories, and — most importantly — a lineup of games large and small, all showcased in an hour-long Direct which answered a lot of questions.
But what does the system actually feel like in the hands? How does that screen compare to the lovely OLED panel we’re so used to? Is the ‘clack’ as good as the ‘click’?
We've gone hands-on with the hardware and a whole bunch of the software to bring you our initial thoughts.
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Preview - First Impressions
Let's start off with our initial takes when we were handed the system. You’ll find impressions from both me and Alana here.
For anyone with larger hands, Switch 2 should feel a lot more comfortable than the original. It's all very familiar and within an hour you'll have forgotten any differences in feel — all the buttons are right where you expect them to be. Going back to the original Switch, you instantly appreciate the ergonomic improvements with S2.
I can't speak to how it'll hold up after a couple of months' heavy use (I spied a light-coloured scrape on a demo Joy-Con 2 that had apparently suffered a drop), but it looks slick with Nintendo's trademark sturdiness - solid enough to withstand a drop or two.
Your thoughts, Alana?
The screen
It's not an OLED, but the screen is a looker. We didn't have access to brightness controls on any of the demo models (all menu-related buttons were non-responsive for nearly all of the demos), but the panel looked bright and crisp. As someone who was really worried that a non-OLED display would feel like a massive downgrade, it doesn't feel like that.
I mean, of course I'll spring on the inevitable Switch 2 OLED model the moment it's announced, but I didn't come away feeling short-changed.
The new Joy-Con + Pro Controller
Both the Joy-Con 2 and the Pro Controller 2 exemplify the main quality of the new system: the novelty will wear off fairly quickly because it's all so familiar and natural, but going back to Switch 1 will feel weird after this.
The rumble wows much like it did in the original - whether it'll have any more staying power this time around is debatable, but I always enjoyed shaking multiple balls in a box, and HD Rumble 2 (Nintendo's really taking the 'clear sequel' messaging to the extreme) puts rubber balls in maracas - what's not to like? No word on whether the triggers are Hall Effect or not, but we're working on getting a definitive answer.
The Pro Controller 2 feels a tad more compact than the original, and I love the lighter highlights. The programmable buttons on the back are hardly revolutionary, but they fall in a natural place and feel great - although again, we weren't able to access them or the (presumably system-level menu) to program them.
The 'C' button
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life
It feels like a button, but it was disabled on all the demo models we played, so nothing to C here.
'Mouse Mode'
Image: Nintendo
Drag x Drive was the biggest surprise for me - a game which is dull as ditchwater to spectate, but had dashes of the magic I really want from Switch 2. The controls took time to get to grips with, but dual-wielding them on a nice flat mat or my thighs (steady!) yielded similarly successful results. Software built around this mode will be worth keeping an eye on.
I was less impressed by the more standard mouse-style use cases demoed with Metroid and Civ VII. With the latter, I was reaching for a scroll wheel that wasn't there (you can use the stick instead), and my unfamiliarity with the latest Civ didn't help. It worked fine and the game looked lovely, but it wasn't like Civ suddenly made sense on Switch - Firaxis had already done a great job of console-ifying the controls.
With Metroid, the lack of gyro outside of the lock-on screen (hold down 'ZL') threw me off. PC gamers will take to it instantly, no doubt, and a lack of skill on my part definitely contributed to the frustration. Just flipping the Joy-Con on its side instantly activates the mode — no menu selections or anything — and I admire that. But this feels like an optional extra that I'll end up ignoring beyond games specifically designed around it.
Switch 2 - The Games
You'll find deep dives into the software we played in our other articles, but here are some quick-fire thoughts and comparisons covering what it feels like to actually play games on Switch 2:
A warm, comfortable blanket of a game, but I also only scratched the surface based on the demos available. It controls exactly how you expect. Knockout Mode got the heart racing.
Overall, this feels like they've given MK a lick of the Wonder charm in its art and animation. I suspect MK8D will suddenly feel dry and static when I go back.
