Switch 2 Is Nintendo About to Steal Our Hearts (and Wallets) Again?

Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On: It's the Sequel Handheld We Wanted

The Nintendo Switch redefined handheld gaming, and now, the Switch 2 aims to elevate that experience. After spending considerable time with the device, here are our initial impressions.

The **Nintendo Switch 2 is a demonstrable improvement over the original** in several significant ways. From the feel of the sticks to the texture of the plastic, Nintendo seems to have paid close attention to the details. The result is a device that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

One of the first things you'll notice is the enhanced feel in-hand:

• The sticks offer the right amount of resistance.
• The subtle, grainy texture of the plastic provides a luxurious feel.
• The device maintains a slim profile, similar to the original, while packing in more power.

Nintendo is positioning the Switch 2 as a premium device with a **$450 price tag**, launching on **June 5**. The appeal, however, goes beyond mere specifications.

Hands-On Experience: A Return to Form

Until you've held the Switch 2, it's difficult to fully appreciate its improvements. Our team spent eight hours with the console, diving into various aspects. Most of the time was spent playing Mario Kart World to get a good feel for the hardware.

We also explored other features, including:

• GameChat: A new feature for online play.
• Local Co-op with Camera Functionality: Enhancing social gaming.
• Welcome Tour: An interactive tutorial "game" designed to showcase the console's improvements.

The **Joy-Con 2 mouse controls** are a standout feature. They are responsive and comfortable, working effectively on various surfaces.

Familiar Territory, Enhanced Experience

While the Switch 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel, it refines the core experience. Features like GameChat, mouse controls, and GameShare build upon the original Switch's strengths. It's still the best console for playing with friends.

Bridging the Tech Gap

Nintendo faces the challenge of communicating the nuances of its hardware to a broad audience. Terms like "60Hz vs. 120Hz refresh rates" and "VRR" (Variable Refresh Rate) aren't typically part of the average gamer's vocabulary. VRR allows a screen to support a wider range of frame rates, reducing flickering.

To address this, Nintendo created the **Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour**. This interactive manual uses minigames to demonstrate the hardware's upgrades. It's an excellent way for users to understand the technology behind the console.
The game includes several islands sectioned off for the left and right Joy-Con 2, the main screen, and the dock, each containing their own minigames and quizzes. The maps include help guides and trivia to teach the layperson what certain Switch 2 tech jargon means and how the hardware works.

The Welcome Tour features mini-games and quizzes that highlight the difference between 20 fps and 120 fps, and compares the size of 4K resolution to that of Super Mario Bros. on the NES. It's a valuable resource, but it's sold separately for $10, a decision that feels like a missed opportunity.

Incremental Improvements, Meaningful Impact

Aside from GameChat and mouse controls, the Switch 2 is a true sequel. Mario Kart World showcases the console's capabilities with impressive animations and visual fidelity, but it may not be the killer app to fully demonstrate its raw power.

The Joy-Con 2 controllers are larger, catering to adult hands. The 1080p screen is brighter and more vibrant, and the addition of 4K support is a significant upgrade.

Nintendo's challenge lies in communicating the importance of these improvements. The original Switch, despite being underpowered even at launch, has sold over **152 million units**. Its ubiquity made it a go-to for social gaming.

With the Switch 2 costing **$150 more** than the original, which has been around for 8 years at a cost of $300, Nintendo needs to make a strong case for the upgrade.

GameShare: Bridging Generations

One of the most intriguing features is **GameShare**. This allows Switch 2 owners to share supported games with both original Switch and Switch 2 users, even if they don't own the game.
The bigger Joy-Con 2s still support a similarly thin body that made the original so easy to schlep to a friend’s house.

While GameShare will be limited at launch, it incentivizes keeping the original Switch around. It highlights Nintendo's focus on social gaming.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Successor

From our hands-on experience, the Switch 2 improves upon the original in almost every way. It's more comfortable, offers enhanced controls, and is capable of handling more demanding games.

Playing Mario Kart World in four-player co-op rekindled the same joy found in playing Mario Kart 8 or Super Smash Bros. with friends. Features like the live view camera in multiplayer enhance the sense of community, and the potential for mouse controls in multiplayer is exciting.

The Switch shines as a communal console, and as gaming costs rise, we hope Nintendo remembers what makes its handheld console truly special.

See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart

Tags: Nintendo Switch 2, New console, Handheld, Mario Kart, GameChat, June 5 launch, Gaming, Console review, Nintendo, Gizmodo

Source: https://gizmodo.com/8-hours-with-nintendo-switch-2-its-the-sequel-handheld-we-wanted-2000610277