Wondering how the Switch 2 compares to the Switch 1? 🎮🆚 If you search for “Switch 2 vs Switch 1” or a “Switch 2 review,” you’ll see that the new console stands out with clear improvements in performance and display, offering a smoother experience in heavyweight titles like Mario Kart World and Metroid Prime 4 ⚡️📺 .
I had the chance to play the Switch 2 launch titles for nearly five hours, and what surprised me most was the speed, graphics quality, and responsiveness of the controls—ideal for competitive matches. However, I also noticed areas that needed improvement: battery life, price, and overall catalog compatibility remain key concerns for many users.
On the surface, the Switch 2 might seem like a cosmetic upgrade, but in real-world use, it offers tangible improvements in performance, resolution, and stability that warrant the attention of competitive gamers and those looking for portability without sacrificing power ⭐️. To decide if it's worth the investment, it's a good idea to compare specifications, battery life based on usage, and support for your favorite games before purchasing 📊🎯.
It's a device that feels much more premium
It looks much more professional than the Switch 1.
First, I want to focus on the hardware and its new features, rather than the software. 🌟
The first Switch was a huge leap forward in industrial design compared to the Wii U. However, over time, devices like the Steam Deck started to make it feel a bit like a toy. Personally, I always found the Joy-Cons too small for comfortable use, making it a machine only for playing on TV with the Pro Controller. I recognize that it was a fantastic device for kids, but I'm not a kid, at least not physically.
From the first second I held a Switch 2 unit, I immediately liked how it felt in my hands. The 7.9-inch, 1080p display (which supports HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate) is significantly better than the previous console's 6.2-inch, 720p screen. In addition to a larger screen, the Joy-Cons also have more power. While I prefer using the new Pro Controller (which feels amazing but is functionally very similar to the old one), I played several titles using the Joy-Cons and, for the first time, I didn't have any comfort issues.
Nintendo crucially maintained the same level of slimness from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2, so it hits that sweet spot of “heavy enough to feel premium and light enough to feel comfortable.” I also want to highlight the magnetic Joy-Con attachment mechanism, which allayed any skepticism I may have had about its reliability at the time I tested it. It requires you to pull a small release trigger on the back to detach the Joy-Cons from the unit, so it seems almost impossible to do so accidentally. Miraculously, though, inserting the Joy-Cons magnetically works flawlessly. Nintendo really shined in this aspect of the device.
The Switch 2 has more power and it shows 💪
The new Pro Controller feels great.
It's no surprise that the Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, as that console was a bit outdated when it launched eight years ago. Nintendo didn't provide us with detailed technical specifications at the event, so precise comparisons with other hardware will have to wait. However, I can confirm that the Switch 2 is noticeably more powerful than the original Switch. 🔥
Race across the open world of Mario Kart World without even a hint of loading between the tracks is spectacular. See The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom running at a smooth 60 frames per second is truly impressive in person. The Switch 2 can run Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 at levels that seemed at least acceptable in the brief glimpses I saw at the event. It's definitely not a portable PS5, but seeing Nintendo forcing what is functionally a tablet to run (some) games in 4K or 120 frames per second (Metroid Prime 4 looks amazing this way) is a sight to see.
You can use a Joy-Con as a mouse 🖱️
The new Joy-Cons are very nice.
Nintendo confirmed during the Direct something we all, essentially, already knew: The Joy-Cons have a mode where they function as computer mice. I don't know if you can literally use one on a PC (not until someone hacks it about five minutes after launch), but my primary experience with them was very similar to that on a PC. My primary exposure to Joy-Con mouse support came in a brief demo of Metroid Prime 4, where… it basically played like a PC first-person shooter.
The mouse controls are very responsive and feel correctI think the Joy-Cons are a little awkward to hold with one side resting on a flat surface, as that definitely caused some unexpected pressing at inopportune times. I also have my doubts about whether this will become a regular feature in games after the launch window, or even something I'd personally want to do, mainly because I don't tend to have a flat surface within reach while playing. But I can confirm that it works exactly as intended, and as a bonus, you can simply flip the Joy-Con up and continue playing. Prime 4 with dual-stick controls without even pausing the game. 🕹️
Nintendo focuses on social features
The legendary "C" button.
One of the main things I didn't get a chance to try out due to the nature of the event was GameChat, a new voice chat feature activated by the new "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Supposedly, you can host Discord-like chats for small groups of friends, complete with fairly pixelated game streaming and even webcam support via a separately sold accessory. Nintendo is betting big on this with Mario Kart World, as seen in a more recent Direct dedicated to that game.
You can even reserve a Piranha Plant webcam for your Switch 2. 🐉
To be honest, it was a little ridiculous to see Nintendo spend like 10 minutes on the concept of voice chat in the Direct, something other consoles have had for literally 20 years. But late is better than never. The only part I'm not entirely convinced about is that Nintendo really seems to want you to use an open microphone on the console instead of a headset. The company says it can cancel out unwanted background noise, but I didn't get to test it. We'll see. At least Nintendo recognizes that people like to play video games with their friends online, something the company hasn't always done well, or even acknowledged.
Battery life is apparently worse than the Switch OLED
Here begins the bad news when comparing the Switch 2 and Switch 1. 💔
More power and a better screen also mean higher battery consumption, which was confirmed by Nintendo, via Kotaku. (Womp, womp.) It has a battery life of approximately 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on what you're playing. Compared to the Switch OLED, which can range from 4.5 to 9 hours, it doesn't look great for the new console. Again, this is something that was impossible to test at the event, so we'll need to find out when the console is actually available. But don't expect spectacular battery life from the Switch 2.
It's a big hit to your wallet 💸
Of course, it still comes with a base.
This is the worst news about the Switch 2: it costs $450 from start! There is also a $500 model bundled with Mario Kart World, which seems to be the most attractive offer because Nintendo has raised wildly the prices of the games this time. Mario Kart World costs an astonishing $80 on its own and Donkey Kong: Bananza It costs $70. Additionally, there's a small collection of minigames purporting to be a tech demo for the console that, for reasons I can't fathom, is a paid download. Add all this to the fact that "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" versions of older games will have an upgrade fee, and it feels like Nintendo is milking us a bit. 💰
Conclusion: Overall, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a tangible leap forward from the original Switch in power, screen, ergonomics, and control responsiveness 🎮⚡, making it a very attractive option for competitive gamers and those looking for portability without sacrificing performance; however, these improvements come with clear compromises: lower battery life compared to models like the Switch OLED ⏳, a high starting price 💸, and some uncertainty about online services and full catalog compatibility (in addition to possible paid updates for older games) that may make many buyers hesitate 🤔 - for example, adjustments to the operation of network services may affect the online experience in certain markets.
My recommendation: if you prioritize graphics performance and a competitive experience and you're not worried about price or battery life, the Switch 2 is worth the investment 🔥; if you prefer better autonomy, a lower cost, or maximum compatibility from day one, wait for more detailed reviews and comparisons before deciding ✅ -compare specifications, actual battery life, support for your favorite games, and speed/reliability of downloads or updates (there are tricks to improve downloads at high latencies) 🧭, and thus make the best decision for you.
