Switch 2 Hands-On: More Of The Same, But It Can Still Surprise You

The Switch 2 is not surprising, but it isn't trying to be. Nintendo is known for taking daring risks from one console generation to the next, but the Switch 2 seeks to deliver a surefire upgrade to its wildly popular hybrid console that doesn't particularly rock the boat. Even the straightforwardly numerical name reassures that it is exactly what you expect: another Switch, but better. After spending hours of hands-on time with Nintendo's next hardware release, I've come away convinced that "better but not revolutionary" was the right move.The original Switch has a toyetic elegance to it that its handheld competitors like the Steam Deck don't match. A more powerful Switch may not be ambitious, but it is appealing for all the reasons I fell in love with Switch in the first place. And it's not as if Nintendo hasn't tried going gonzo-weird after a massive hardware hit before. The Switch 2 will surely avoid becoming another Wii U.The Switch 2 feels sturdier than its predecessor, and the sleek matte black seems to aim for a more high-end look. The screen is noticeably larger, so even though I'm accustomed to my OLED screen, the larger LCD feels like a decent trade-off. The difference in quality is barely noticeable to my eyes so the larger screen feels worth it to me. The color accents are more subtle, and the biggest splash of color comes from when the new Joy-Con 2 controllers are disconnected. They're magnetic now, which is a neat upgrade that retains the detachable functionality of the original Switch. The magnets are so strong that it's difficult (but not impossible) to detach them without pressing the release button, so when holding it they feel locked in place tighter, without the slight give that would sometimes afflict older Joy-Cons on the original Switch. And the magnets attach with a satisfying physical click.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Apr 3, 2025 - 14:30

Switch 2 Hands-On: More Of The Same, But It Can Still Surprise You

The Switch 2 is not surprising, but it isn't trying to be. Nintendo is known for taking daring risks from one console generation to the next, but the Switch 2 seeks to deliver a surefire upgrade to its wildly popular hybrid console that doesn't particularly rock the boat. Even the straightforwardly numerical name reassures that it is exactly what you expect: another Switch, but better. After spending hours of hands-on time with Nintendo's next hardware release, I've come away convinced that "better but not revolutionary" was the right move.

The original Switch has a toyetic elegance to it that its handheld competitors like the Steam Deck don't match. A more powerful Switch may not be ambitious, but it is appealing for all the reasons I fell in love with Switch in the first place. And it's not as if Nintendo hasn't tried going gonzo-weird after a massive hardware hit before. The Switch 2 will surely avoid becoming another Wii U.

The Switch 2 feels sturdier than its predecessor, and the sleek matte black seems to aim for a more high-end look. The screen is noticeably larger, so even though I'm accustomed to my OLED screen, the larger LCD feels like a decent trade-off. The difference in quality is barely noticeable to my eyes so the larger screen feels worth it to me. The color accents are more subtle, and the biggest splash of color comes from when the new Joy-Con 2 controllers are disconnected. They're magnetic now, which is a neat upgrade that retains the detachable functionality of the original Switch. The magnets are so strong that it's difficult (but not impossible) to detach them without pressing the release button, so when holding it they feel locked in place tighter, without the slight give that would sometimes afflict older Joy-Cons on the original Switch. And the magnets attach with a satisfying physical click.Continue Reading at GameSpot