The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially here as of June 5, but you were probably hard-pressed to find any half-decent reviews at launch. The reason for that is simple: Nintendo didn’t allow any. Up until launch, the Switch 2 was effectively a $500 paperweight.
Now that its day-zero update enabling core features like playing games and using expandable storage is here, we can finally take a look at what the console itself has to offer. What follows are some first Switch 2 impressions from the perspective of a day-one Switch owner, yours truly.
Packaging: Handle with care
While Nintendo ditched the Switch’s letterbox-style packaging for something more blocky, the Switch 2 is still boxed in a way that calls for caution.
The console is placed at the very top of its box, facing upward. So, the only thing separating its display from the cruel outside world is a thin piece of cardboard and an even thinner plastic sheet. Basically, be careful when unboxing it and don’t cut anything but the plastic seal on the side—the rest will slide right out.
If you prefer physical games over digital, you may want to skip the Mario Kart World bundle, which only comes with a download code. Unlike most consoles, the Switch 2 doesn’t ship with a standalone warranty certificate and instead has its warranty included in the user manual.
@gamestop stapled the receipt for me and my friends Switch 2s to the box.
— Oadhan Lynch (@Oadhan) June 5, 2025
FML.#nintendo #switch2 #gamestop pic.twitter.com/AXtrgr7y0P
Setup & Software: Straightforward, with a few surprises
It took about 15 minutes to transfer my Switch data to the Switch 2. The new setup screen has really chill lounge music that’s rich in synth sounds and good vibes.
Unfortunately, that’s about it as far as software personality goes. The Switch 2 inherits the bland UI of its predecessor, down to the very last menu. Customization still comes down to choosing between a light and dark theme. Whomp whomp.
Prior to release, there were a lot of unofficial PSAs going around about how the Switch 2 isn’t compatible with the Switch’s old UHS-I microSD cards and instead requires microSD Express cards. That’s only partially true.
While you indeed can’t install games on the old cards, they can be used to store media. In fact, the Switch 2 will actively ask for the old card in order to copy all of your Switch screenshots and clips during the data transfer process.
With 256GB of storage, though, microSD cards feel more like a luxury now, unlike with the original Switch, where they were practically a necessity thanks to its meager 32GB of flash memory.
System transfer’s sneaky Nintendo cable requirement
Both your old and new console need to be connected to a power source during data migration. Not a problem, unless you misplaced your Switch’s original charging cable, like… erm, my careless friend did.
Technically, the setup doesn’t say you need Nintendo’s original cable, but it won’t recognize anything else. Fortunately, there’s a workaround: Just use the Switch 2’s USB-C cable to get past the “connect your console to an AC adapter to proceed” screen on both systems.
The process doesn’t check if the cable stays connected after you hit OK, so you can unplug it and reuse it. Why this requirement exists at all—especially since Nintendo’s last two consoles charge fine with third-party cables—is anyone’s guess.
The eShop that was promised
Setup weirdness aside, one thing has to be said: the new eShop is fantastic. It’s sleek, makes smarter use of screen space, and—most importantly—it’s fast.
Gone are the days of browsing digital games like it’s 2003 and you’re trying to download $3 ringtones through a J2ME browser on a BlackBerry. The Switch 2 eShop finally feels like a modern Nintendo digital storefront.
My only early gripe is that downloading Mario Kart World took a staggering hour and 32 minutes on a gigabit connection. At 21.9GB, that averages out to about 33.2Mbps, or 4.15MB/s—likely a sign the servers were overloaded.
For comparison, the 18.2GB Tears of the Kingdom downloaded in about a quarter of that time immediately afterward. Not the best first impression, but hopefully just a launch-day hiccup.
Ergonomics & Controls: Better handheld, worse grip
The Switch 2 is roughly 25% larger than its predecessor, though not any thicker.
I find it comfortable to hold—but then again, I’ve got monkey paws for hands. I can even use the much bulkier Steam Deck for extended periods without any trouble, so your Switch 2 mileage may vary.
One thing that’ll be the same for everyone is the firmness factor: the magnetic Joy-Cons make a world of difference, resulting in a much sturdier handheld compared to the Switch’s flimsy mechanical connectors.
I don’t mind the larger Joy-Cons in handheld mode, but Nintendo’s really pushing the limits with its grip this time. The new Joy-Con 2 controllers are so big they tip the included grip over, and the overall shape is… not what I’d call comfortable.
Though the original Joy-Con grip wasn’t some pinnacle of ergonomics, I much prefer it. Thankfully, my old Pro controller still works with the Switch 2, so the new grip can rest easy in my drawer, now and forever.
The Joy-Con 2 mouse mode piqued my interest ahead of release, but just from using it in the system menu, it feels rough and lacks sensitivity. It’s good enough to kind of stumble through a turn-based game like Civilization 7, but I don’t expect it to revolutionize console first-person shooter controls like some fans were speculating.
Display & Hardware: Sleek screen, smart tweaks
The 7.9-inch display is a solid upgrade over the original: it’s larger, brighter, and has much slimmer bezels, giving it a more modern look. The touchscreen is also noticeably more responsive and pleasant to use.
There was a lot of talk about HDR before launch, but temper your expectations in handheld mode—the Switch 2 uses an LCD panel, so no individually lit pixels. And without local dimming, true HDR just isn’t possible, meaning this kind of visual flair is reserved for docked play.
The addition of a second, top-facing USB-C port is a small but hugely helpful quality-of-life upgrade. It makes handheld play far more convenient and even lets you keep playing while the device is propped up on a kickstand.
Speaking of which, there was some early skepticism that the Switch 2’s kickstand might be a step down from the Switch OLED Model, but in my experience, it’s just as sturdy. The console even comes with two rubber feet to keep it from sliding around while resting on a surface.
The anti-slip pads felt a little odd at first during handheld use—my pinkies or ring fingers were always touching them. But I got used to it within about 30 minutes, and the added stability is hard to argue with.
The new dock is functionally identical to the old one and nicely matches the Switch 2’s rounded look. Even after long gaming sessions, I haven’t noticed the device getting anywhere near as hot as my original Switch—especially during docked play.
Battery Life: Concern number one
For the most part, the Switch 2 is a clear hardware upgrade over Nintendo’s first hybrid console. Unfortunately, it takes a step back in one key area for any portable device: battery life.
The original Switch could run its flagship launch title, Breath of the Wild, for about four hours at around half brightness. The Switch 2’s equivalent, Mario Kart World, can sap a full charge in just over half that time under similar conditions—not great, to put it mildly.
Disabling HDR, haptic feedback, and internet connectivity unsurprisingly has some impact, and I was eventually able to get just under three hours of battery life while playing Mario Kart World offline at a super low brightness. But the console is definitely more power-hungry than the Switch.
While Nintendo’s making a big deal of the Switch 2 not being any thicker than the original, I’d have honestly preferred more bulk if it meant matching the Switch’s battery life. I’d also happily sacrifice screen real estate for the same purpose.
An OLED screen or a smaller process node would’ve been more energy efficient too, though I guess those options were less realistic if the Switch 2 already costs around $350 to make. After all, Nintendo isn’t exactly known for selling consoles at a loss.
Enthusiast devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X can get away with poor battery life because their niche audience of power users has different priorities. But for something like the Switch 2—a mainstream device meant to offer real, take-it-outside portability—it’s a much bigger drawback.
With as little as two hours of battery life, the Switch 2’s portability feels more symbolic than practical—like a dog you can walk, but only as far as the leash/charging cable allows.
That said, playing older titles—like those from the Nintendo Switch Online catalog—is still far less demanding on the battery. Even so, the overall shorter battery life means the Switch 2 will likely go through more charging cycles over its lifespan than the original, raising valid concerns about long-term battery health.
Camera(s): Anything goes
Nintendo finally discovered online chat in 2025, and it’s touting GameChat as a major selling point of the Switch 2. It’s so confident you’ll love it, in fact, that it’s making it free until March 31, 2026.
Aside from voice, GameChat also supports video. Highlighting this feature, the Switch 2 launched with two cameras, one from Nintendo, and another one from HORI, shaped like a Piranha Plant.
What might not be obvious, though, is that you don’t need these officially licensed gadgets to use video chat on the Switch 2—any USB-C camera will work. Moreover, all licensed Switch 2 cameras also function as PC webcams right out of the box.
As for the current crop of official options, HORI’s Piranha Plant camera wins in terms of style and practicality, as you can actually bend its neck to alter the recording angle. Sadly, it’s only 480p, which is quite frankly terrible for a $60 device in 2025.
So, if you’re thinking of picking up a camera for your new console, the official Switch 2 one offers a much clearer 1080p image than its Piranha Plant rival. It’s also cheaper, retailing at around $50, depending on the market.
Is the Switch 2 a worthy upgrade?
If you liked the Switch, you should find Nintendo’s new console to be a worthy successor. Its battery life is definitely a concern, but nearly every other aspect of the device feels more polished—from the sturdier build and better screen to the long-overdue eShop overhaul.
It doesn’t reinvent the hybrid formula—but then again, no one really wanted it to. The original Switch is on track to become the best-selling console of all time, so a focused, iterative upgrade feels like exactly what the doctor ordered.
