The original Nintendo Switch was a once-in-a-generation product — a console that redefined what portable gaming could be. Following it was always going to be difficult. The Nintendo Switch 2, released in June 2025, doesn't just follow the original: it improves on it in nearly every meaningful way while keeping everything that made the first Switch special.

After extensive hands-on time with the hardware and its launch lineup, the verdict is clear: the Switch 2 is the best handheld gaming device ever made, and one of the most compelling console launches in years.

Hardware: A Significant Upgrade

The Switch 2 is noticeably larger than its predecessor — the screen has grown from 6.2 inches to 7.9 inches, and the new OLED panel is a genuine step up in quality. Colours are vivid, blacks are deep, and the 1080p resolution makes handheld mode feel like a premium experience rather than a compromise.

Docked, the Switch 2 outputs at 4K (upscaled via DLSS), and the difference compared to the original Switch's 1080p docked output is immediately apparent. Games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza look genuinely stunning on a 4K television.

The new custom Nvidia chip — a significant upgrade over the Tegra X1 in the original — delivers roughly 10x the GPU performance. Frame rates are higher, load times are dramatically shorter, and the console handles effects and draw distances that would have been impossible on the original hardware.

The New Joy-Con 2 Controllers

The Joy-Con 2 controllers introduce a new magnetic attachment mechanism that clicks into place with a satisfying snap — no more sliding and locking. The connection feels significantly more secure than the original Joy-Con's rail system, which was prone to drift and accidental detachment.

The new C Button is the headline addition: it opens GameChat, Nintendo's built-in voice and video chat system that works without a smartphone app. It's a feature that should have existed on the original Switch, and its implementation here is clean and easy to use.

Mouse mode — which lets the Joy-Con 2 function as a mouse on flat surfaces — is a genuinely clever addition that several launch titles use creatively. Whether it becomes a lasting feature or a gimmick depends entirely on developer adoption.

Launch Lineup: Stronger Than Expected

Mario Kart World is the standout launch title and one of the best Mario Kart games ever made. The new open-world structure between races, 24-player online lobbies, and the expanded roster of 50+ characters make it feel like a genuine evolution of the series rather than an incremental update.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a delightful 3D platformer that showcases the hardware's capabilities with fully destructible environments. Every surface can be punched, dug through, or smashed — it's the kind of physics-driven gameplay that feels genuinely new.

The Switch 2 also launches with backwards compatibility for the entire Switch library, which is a significant advantage. Day one, you have access to thousands of games.

Battery Life

Nintendo rates the Switch 2 at 2–6.5 hours of battery life depending on the game. In practice, demanding titles like Mario Kart World drain the battery in around 2.5 hours of continuous play — similar to the original Switch. Less demanding titles stretch to 4–5 hours comfortably. The larger battery (19Wh vs 16Wh in the original) partially offsets the more power-hungry hardware.

Nintendo Switch Online

The Switch 2 requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for online multiplayer, as before. The new Switch 2 Expansion Pack tier adds access to GameCube games alongside the existing NES, SNES, N64, and Game Boy libraries. The GameCube library at launch includes Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Luigi's Mansion.

Verdict

The Nintendo Switch 2 is everything a successor should be: meaningfully better hardware, a strong launch lineup, full backwards compatibility, and the same fundamental concept executed with greater polish. The larger size won't suit everyone, and battery life remains a limitation for long travel sessions. But as a gaming device — handheld or docked — it's exceptional.

Score: 9.5/10 — The best handheld console ever made, and a worthy successor to one of gaming's most beloved platforms.

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