The takeaway from hours with the Switch 2: The games are a blast
After several hours of play, I can confidently say the Nintendo Switch 2 is an expected but welcome upgrade to Nintendo's console capabilities, as the century-old entertainment company finally enters the 4K high-definition era.
The biggest surprise is the console's newest feature: mouse functionality, enabled by turning its detachable controllers on their sides. While the slim build of the controllers will cause discomfort for extended play like this, they operate as smoothly as any computer mouse. Aiming lasers in 'Metroid Prime 4,' the long-awaited entry in the firm's sci-fi series, feel just as crisp and precise as a PC game.
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CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
New Footage Confirms Switch 2 Versions of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Run at 60fps
We've long known that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were on the list to receive a Switch 2 performance upgrade. Now, players have their first look at how these games play on the new console, via Nintendo Today, the Switch 2 news app. There's no way to embed the video in this article — Switch 2 footage is locked down on Nintendo Today — but the Wario64 Bluesky account shared a 33-second-long recording of the footage that you can view here. The showcase confirms that Scarlet and Violet will run at 4K at 60 frames per second on the Switch 2, at least while it's docked. This is a refreshing upgrade to the generation nine Pokemon games, which are among some of the best Pokemon games of all time but are hampered by a slew of performance issues. Nintendo included shots of key in-game locations, such as Pokemon Academy in Mesagoza and Casseroya Lake. With the original Switch hardware, the frame rate would frequently tank anywhere between 20 and 30fps when exploring these areas. The Switch 2 footage shows the game maintaining a smooth 60fps with no visual stutters no matter where the player is exploring. The art style for the game remains largely unchanged, with wild Pokemon plodding around mostly flat textures on the overworld. But when it comes to Scarlet and Violet's performance issues, the Switch 2 seems to be making a big leap in the right direction. The Switch 2 officially launches on Thursday, so you won't have to wait very long to explore a more optimized version of the Paldea region. If an upgraded version of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can't satisfy your pocket-monster collecting urges, Pokemon Legends: Z-A launches for the Switch and the Switch 2 on Oct. 16.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews Won't Drop Before Launch — Here's Why
Mario is pictured at a Nintendo display ahead of the launch of the company's Switch 2 console, an ... More electronics store in the city of Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan on June 2, 2025. Are you waiting impatiently for Nintendo Switch 2 reviews to start popping up? You'll need to be a little patient for those, as well as reviews of Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 launch games. In fact, you might have your very own Switch 2 in your hands before you're able to read a review of the console or its launch titles. The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5. However, Nintendo did not provide Switch 2 units to reviewers ahead of the release date. A company spokesperson told VGC this was because "important features and updates" will be unlocked via a system update that will only be available on launch day. That's despite reviewers being used to games and products getting new features and updates over time and accounting for that in their coverage. Many publishers now only grant reviewers access to review copies once their games are live, especially in cases of live-service games or when there are major day-one patches. But some publishers simply ask reviewers to bear in mind issues that will be resolved with day-one patches or updates that will be soon be available. (Certain companies also sometimes set review embargoes for a game's release date if they're pretty sure their product stinks, but I doubt that's the case for the Switch 2.) Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo may also have valid technical reasons for not offering reviewers early access to Switch 2 units, as VGC rightfully points out. It could very well be that the company needed as much time as possible to make sure core features like GameChat are working optimally. Reviews are pretty important in the grand scheme of things. Before you spend $450 on a new product, you probably want to know if the thing you're buying works as advertised out of the box. That takes time for reviewers to fully assess. It's a process that requires days, not hours. Having sufficient time to properly analyze new features, and critical factors like battery life without relying on Nintendo's claims of how many hours you'll get on a single charge, is key. Reviews don't inherently exist to tell you what to buy or use your valuable time on. That's up to you. The whole idea of reviews is to help you make more informed decisions on how to spend your time and money. But that's going to be a tough needle for Switch 2 reviews to thread. Many reviewers will feel compelled to rush out coverage as quickly as possible after the Switch 2 launches to ensure they get enough attention from readers and viewers to make their efforts worthwhile. That's not ideal, for either reviewers or their audiences. Switch 2 review scores are unlikely to end up mattering much for Nintendo in any case. The Switch 2 is going to do huge numbers right out of the gate. Many, many people are already clamoring to get their hands on one as soon as possible – including me, for both professional and personal reasons. Lots of people aren't going to wait for reviews to snap up a Switch 2 especially not those who are already lining up for retailers to open on June 5 so they can pick up the console. It's likely that you already have a decent idea of whether you want a Switch 2 now, you're happy to wait until more first-party games and other exclusives are available for the device, or you don't feel the rush to get the console anytime soon. Still, having in-depth Switch 2 reviews available from trusted critics at launch would have been helpful for both consumers and media outlets (many of which are battling to keep the lights on and would have greatly benefited from pre-launch review traffic and views). It stinks for fans and reviewers alike that that won't be an option on launch day. Follow my blog for coverage of video games and word games (though I can't promise I'll have Switch 2 reviews to share). It helps me out a lot! Follow me on Bluesky too! It's fun there. And make sure to subscribe to my newsletter, Pastimes!
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Nintendo Can't Afford a Slip Up With Switch 2
By , Yang Yang, and K Oanh Ha Save Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take daily podcast today. The Nintendo Switch has generated some $100 billion in sales for the Japanese gaming giant since its launch in 2017, propelling the company's shares to record highs. Now the game-maker is under pressure to do even better with the new Switch 2, out this week.
