I played the Nintendo Switch 2 for nearly a week. Here are my honest thoughts

CNN

a day ago

The Nintendo Switch 2 is strikingly familiar. When I'm navigating its recognizably blocky home screen, swapping between handheld, tabletop and TV play and, at least for now, playing a lot of the same games, I can't help but feel like Nintendo's new console is a subtle iteration rather than a true generational reinvention like the Super Nintendo or Nintendo 64 were. That said, when that subtle iteration improves on one of the best consoles of all time with things like better controls and smooth 4K gameplay, it's hard to be too upset.
And that's not to say the Switch 2 doesn't deliver moments of Nintendo magic we haven't seen before. Playing Fortnite using your Joy-Con as a mouse is a game-changer; being able to seamlessly hop into an online video chat without a microphone in sight is arguably even cooler. It also brings a great new Mario Kart game, a bunch of big third-party blockbusters Nintendo fans may have missed and improved versions of some of your favorite Switch games.
But does that all add up to a package that's not only worth a steep $450, but also the hassle of trying to track this elusive system down right now? And what's the real expense when you factor in the ballooning price of games and storage? I've done the hard work of playing the Nintendo Switch 2 obsessively for the past week, and am ready to answer those questions for you.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 delivers an improved design, fun new tricks like mouse controls and built-in video chat and great performance for new and old games alike. A bigger, mostly better design
Improving on one of the most popular consoles of all time isn't an easy task, which is why the Nintendo Switch 2 simply refines what already works. You've still got a touch screen, detachable Joy-Con controllers that allow for instant multiplayer and the ingenious ability to switch between TV and handheld gaming on the fly — except it's all packed into a bigger, mostly better design that flaunts some cool new party tricks.
First off, this thing is large. The difference in dimensions between the Switch 2 and the OG model is evident the second you pick the new model up, with a roughly 2-pound design that stretches just under 11 inches wide. It's not quite as big as, say, a Valve Steam Deck, but it makes my Nintendo Switch OLED feel damn-near pocketable by comparison.
The added real estate is largely a good thing; the Switch 2 just feels sturdier and more substantial, from the bigger buttons on the Joy-Cons to the grippy black matte finish that permeates the entire design. The kickstand on the back is Nintendo's most durable and flexible yet; a far cry from the puny stick stand on the original Switch and more akin to the Switch OLED stand that lets you smoothly adjust from fully upright to near-flat. You're also getting a lot more screen than before, with a 7.9-inch 1080p display that trumps the 7-inch Switch OLED, 6.2-inch Nintendo Switch and 5.5-inch Switch Lite on sheer real estate.
There's now an additional USB-C port at the top of the console, which makes it easy to connect a camera or (finally) charge your system while using it in tabletop mode. The Switch 2 dock is likewise beefed-up, with familiar ports within a larger design that I still didn't have much trouble tucking behind my TV. I just wish Nintendo didn't drop the two USB-A ports that were on the original Switch dock, as they were clutch for hooking up extra accessories like wired controllers and adapters.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers are the real highlight here, as they detach with a quick button press and attach via a satisfying magnetic snap. I never really had an issue with sliding my Joy-Cons on and off the original Switch, but this is an even more seamless solution that should lead to less accidental damage when you're looking to get some tabletop Mario Kart going. Speaking of which, the bigger size and buttons make each Joy-Con 2 feel much more comfortable and enjoyable to use as a standalone controller. The enlarged SL and SR shoulder buttons are a particularly nice upgrade from the borderline microscopic inputs on the classic Joy-Cons, meaning I can finally drift around as my beloved Luigi without guaranteed hand cramps. Fortunately, you can still use your older Switch controllers wirelessly, which is a godsend for anyone who's already accrued a massive Joy-Con collection.
It wouldn't be a new Nintendo console without some sort of new control gimmick, and I'm happy to say that the Switch 2's new mouse mode is a delight to use. You can now plop a Joy Con 2 down on just about any surface and use it as a mouse, which allows you to navigate the home screen like you would on your computer and play select games that allow for pointing and clicking. There are only a handful of titles that support mouse control right now, but I've had a real blast using my Joy-Con (Joy-Mouse?) to whack golf balls, complete timed mazes and try and paint between the lines in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Using it in Fortnite was a revelation; I suddenly could enjoy the same pinpoint aiming that PC gamers do with their favorite gaming mouse, all from simply sliding my existing controller around on my table. I hope a good amount of games —- both competitive and quirky — end up taking advantage of mouse controls, because it's one of the system's most underrated features.
Noticeably better performance
The Nintendo Switch 2 might not be a massive generational leap the way that the PS5 was over the PS4, but it still delivers a noticeably better gaming experience than before. Even before you fire up any games, the extra snappiness is apparent; everything from the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online apps to massive games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom loaded up a few seconds faster on the Switch 2. Those small time savings add up, especially if you're trying to knock out a quick level or two while on the subway.
Thanks to the system's new custom Nvidia processor, you can finally play Nintendo games in proper 4K when you connect to a TV (and an improved 1080p in handheld mode). The system even supports gameplay at up to 120 frames per second — an ultra-high level of smoothness that was once reserved for powerful gaming PCs and current-gen consoles. These perks all combined to make the vibrant, expansive racing of Mario Kart World look and play fantastic, even while I engaged in chaotic 24-player races across massive, sprawling courses.
But that's to be expected from the system's marquee launch title. I was far more impressed by my time with Street Fighter 6, a game that I've played obsessively on my PS5 — and one that feels far less compromised than I'd expect it to be on the comparably underpowered Switch 2.
Sure, the character models aren't nearly as sharp as they are on Sony's console, particularly in handheld mode and especially so during close-ups that reveal stringy hair and blurry faces. But in motion, this is very much the same smooth, explosively colorful fighting game that I poured dozens of hours into on my PlayStation. If it weren't for the Switch 2 Pro Controller in my hands, I would have completely forgotten I wasn't playing the PS5 version of the game in the heat of a competitive online match.
And then there's the fact that the Switch 2 can make some of your existing Switch games run even better. I'm glad I waited until now to start The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in earnest, because its upgraded Switch 2 edition looks and feels like a true triple-A game rather than something chugging along on ancient hardware. It was actually jarring to see a modern open-world Zelda game running at a silky 60 frames per second and sharp 4K HDR on my TV; that's how relatively behind the curve the original Switch was.
In addition to special 'Nintendo Switch 2 editions' of select games (which require either a paid upgrade pack or a Nintendo Switch Online subscription), a handful of Switch titles got free performance upgrades that simply smooth out the edges a bit. I didn't really notice a difference when playing updated titles like Super Mario 3D World or Arms, but a close friend (and the biggest Pokémon fanatic I know) noted that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet practically feels like a whole new game. That's high praise for a title that was notorious for its poor performance on the first Switch. Even games that didn't get a proper Switch 2 patch, like NBA 2K25 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2, seemed to look nicer on the new hardware.
A more social system than ever
Even with its improved hardware and performance, I couldn't shake just how familiar the Nintendo Switch 2 felt. But then I hopped on a video chat with a friend, our little heads chuckling and nodding at the bottom of the screen while I played Street Fighter and he played Mario Kart. There wasn't a single microphone or headset in sight, yet we heard each other just fine. 'Okay,' I told myself. 'This feels new.' Sure, built-in online chat functionality is long overdue for Nintendo, but the system's new GameChat feature delivers it in a way that is distinctly fun and frictionless — and even has some advantages over the competition.
If you've played games online just about anywhere but a Nintendo console, GameChat will likely feel familiar. Tap the new 'C' button on your controller or head to the GameChat icon on the home screen, and you can join or set up an online lobby where up to 12 people can yap over some video games. But here's the kicker: up to four of those people can be on video, whether it's via the $60 Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or any USB webcam you happen to have lying around. You can even share your screen, which often leads to blurry video but is still handy if you want to, say, show a friend how to conquer a tricky Zelda dungeon. Oh, and don't worry about grabbing a mic or gaming headset; the Switch 2 has a built-in microphone that works shockingly well, even from across a living room. These features have existed in some form on other platforms for decades, but I'm still impressed by how well Nintendo managed to package them all together.
Some of the most fun I've had with the Switch 2 came from an hours-long GameChat with a friend. We gamed together for a bit, trading some heated rounds of Soul Calibur II, before I switched over to Mario Kart World and he hopped into MLB The Show 25. No matter what we were doing, our camera feeds remained at the bottom of our screens, meaning he could say hi to my dog and I could compliment his cool Space Jam poster. Neither of us were using a dedicated gaming headset, yet we could hear each other just fine — even with my air conditioner cranked to the max. I've been gaming online for two decades now, and this video-forward, microphone-free approach replicates the feeling of playing games in the same room as my buddies better than just about any other platform I've used.
This is a far cry from the original Switch, which lacked built-in chat and instead encouraged players to download a dedicated mobile app for in-game communication (most of us just used better options like Discord). The PlayStation 5's controller has a built-in mic and speaker for chatting and allows for screen sharing, but the system lacks video calling functionality. Both PlayStation and Xbox support cameras, but mainly for broadcasting your gameplay to the larger internet on Twitch and YouTube. PC gamers are probably laughing as they read this given their vast amount of options for video and voice calling, but there's a big difference between the gamer that sits at their computer and the one that games casually in their living room. Nintendo is even integrating camera support directly into select games with CameraPlay, which I found very entertaining during a Mario Kart session in which I could see my opponent's reaction to every pesky red shell.
And just to put a bow on the Switch 2's vastly improved social experience, Nintendo also introduced GameShare: a feature that lets you invite your friends to play a game locally or online even if they don't own said title. This worked as advertised in my testing — I invited a friend to an online Super Mario 3D World session, which he was able to join instantly without having to own or even download the game. While we had to fight through some initial lag, we were eventually able to conquer one of Bowser's castles in pretty smooth fashion. And while you'll need a Switch 2 to host a GameShare session, you can still share select titles with your friends that are still on their original Switchl. GameShare is currently limited to a handful of older Switch games, but it will work with the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Party Jamboree that's coming this month (a perfect fit for this feature), and will hopefully continue to roll out for more of Nintendo's multiplayer staples.
It's a bit bulky, and the display and battery life are just fine
While the Switch 2's 'bigger is better' approach generally rings true, there's no getting around the fact that this thing is hefty. The new console might only be about a half pound heavier than the Switch 1 on paper, but the added weight feels significant, and younger gamers or folks with smaller hands might have some trouble getting used to it. While I didn't find the Switch 2 to be overly heavy during prolonged handheld sessions, its wide, thin design resulted in the Joy-Cons digging into my palms a bit — something I alleviated by throwing on this Supcase protective shell.
I also find the console's 7.9-inch, 1080p LCD display to be just fine. It is indeed sharper than the 720p screen on the older Switches — something that was noticeable when I pit Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 against Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch OLED — but it also lacks that added pop of color that I love so much on my OLED model. I also wish the Switch 2 screen was a little brighter and less glossy, as playing outside was near-impossible (though a glare-free screen protector can help with this).
Also, you'll want to keep a good portable charger handy if you plan on playing on the road a lot. During an evening spent playing Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6 and a few classics on my couch while watching the NBA Finals, the Switch 2 ran out of battery in almost exactly three hours. That's well within Nintendo's estimate of two to 6.5 hours depending on what you're playing, though notably below the Switch OLED's rating of 4.5 to nine hours. It's possible that bigger games mean a bigger battery drain; Mario Kart in particular seemed to devour a charge pretty quickly.
Increased storage is nice, but you'll still need more
The Nintendo Switch 2 packs 256GB of storage, which, on paper, is a pretty big upgrade over the 32GB Switch and 64GB Switch OLED. But when game downloads are only getting bigger, that space is going to fill up very fast if you're buying most of your stuff digitally. It's great that the Switch 2 can finally play big blockbusters like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077, but those take up around 50GB and 60GB of space, respectively. By the time you transfer your existing Switch library and tack on a handful of new titles, you'll likely run out of space like I did within my first day with the system. And expanding your storage is a bit tricker and more expensive than before.
Unlike the original Switch, which let you pop in just about any microSD card to make space for games, the Switch 2 requires you to use specific microSD Express cards that allow for faster transfer speeds. The problem is, there aren't a ton of options available right now, and the ones that do exist are pretty pricey — like this 256GB SanDisk model that'll run you $72. Want to future-proof your console with 1TB of storage? Get ready to pay at least $190 for this GameStop model. Adding storage to any console isn't cheap these days, but when you compare that to this $110 Xbox Series X 1TB expansion card or this 1TB PS5-ready SSD that can be had for $65, upgrading your Xbox or PlayStation suddenly seems like a bargain. I imagine that microSD Express cards will become easier to find and more affordable over time, but if you find yourself needing to make space in the immediate future, get ready to pay up.
The launch lineup is good — if you're a specific type of gamer
I've been struggling to properly assess the Nintendo Switch 2's game lineup. If you're coming from the original Switch and are mainly a Nintendo gamer, you'll get a great new Mario Kart game, access to some cool triple-A titles you couldn't play before and some nice upgrades for some of your existing games. And this is your first Nintendo Switch? Sheesh, get ready to enjoy one of the best game libraries of all time. But if you're like me — a Switch fanatic that also plays games elsewhere — you can probably wait for the Switch 2 game library to flesh out a bit.
As you've probably pieced together by now, the system is headlined by Mario Kart World, an expansive new take on the series that introduces huge 24-player races and an interconnected open world that you can drive around freely. It rules. I played more Mario Kart 8 Deluxe than just about any other Switch game, so having a sequel with new courses and moves to master — not to mention the option to just chill out in free roam — is worth the price of a new console for me. If you're not big on Mario Kart, that might not be the case.
The other notable first-party launch game is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a playable instruction manual that packs charming visuals, some fun mini-games and a bunch of tedious but informative quizzes that cover everything from key features to nerdy tech specs. It would have been the perfect pack in game; instead, it's a $10 purchase that I can only recommend tepidly for folks who want to see everything their new system can do.
You've also got the special Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, each of which are packed with performance enhancements and some nice quality of life improvements. If you've never played them, congrats: you can now experience the two of the best Switch games ever made, running the way they always should have. And if you own them already and are ready for a replay (or, let's be real, still haven't beat either of them), you can upgrade your existing copy to the Switch 2 version for $10 each or as part of your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Speaking of Switch Online, Expansion Pack members will also get access to a handful of Nintendo GameCube titles alongside the dozens of NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis classics already available on the service. The selection is limited to just F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soul Calibur II (featuring Link!) at the moment. I'm happy with this, because I really like Soul Calibur II. For everyone else, know that the library is slated to gain more essentials like Super Mario Sunshine and Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance over time.
Then you have the third party stuff, which includes blockbusters like Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0 and Hitman World of Assassination that skipped the original Nintendo Switch. These are some great games, and their inclusion is a big deal for folks that only play on Nintendo and want to see what else is out there besides Mario and Zelda. If you already own a PS5, Xbox Series X/S or a good PC, their inclusion likely won't do as much for you (unless you really like the idea of taking these games on the go).
Of course, like any new console, the Switch 2 is only going to get more big games over time. The next big exclusive is July's Donkey Kong Bananza, which promises some satisfyingly destructive platforming. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, Madden NFL 26 and Star Wars Outlaws will help fill out the third-party selection this summer and fall. The latest Mario Party and Kirby games are getting Switch 2 editions, and the much-anticipated Metroid Prime 4 with launch for both Switch systems at once.
Looking further into 2025 and beyond, you can expect some promising new Kirby and Zelda spin-offs, and even a new exclusive from the Dark Souls team called the DuskBloods that will almost certainly be infuriatingly hard. As it stands now, there's plenty of great stuff to play on the Switch 2, particularly when you factor in its back catalog of thousands of Switch games. But you won't be missing out on a ton if you decide to hold out for that next Big Thing.
It's pricey, and hard to find right now
At $450, the Switch 2 is $150 more than the original Switch and $100 more than the OLED version. While I don't think that's an unreasonable price compared to the $500 PS5 and the $600 Xbox Series X (which recently got a price bump), it's still more expensive than its predecessor and may be out of range for some folks.
But perhaps the bigger issue is that the Switch 2 is just hard to buy right now. As of this writing, both the $450 base console and $500 Mario Kart World bundle are sold out at most major stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Target, with occasional restocks happening for short bursts of time. I've seen a good amount of folks online find success by just going to their local store, but your mileage may vary there. I fully expect the Switch 2 to become easier to buy later this year, but just know that you'll have to do some savvy online hunting to score one right now.
Even if you do get your hands on a system, you'll probably notice that the typical Nintendo Switch 2 game price is more than you might expect. Mario Kart World alone costs a whopping $80 (that's $20 more than the typical first-party Switch game) while Donkey Kong Bananza goes for the same $70 price tag that's become commonplace on other consoles. It's hard to pin all of this on Nintendo — pretty much everything is getting more expensive lately — but it does add even more expense to an already premium-priced console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is without question one of the best consoles I've ever gotten my hands on and the best Nintendo Switch yet, retaining everything that made the original a staple in millions of households while adding some welcome quality of life improvements and a few innovative, delightfully Nintendo-ey features. And hey, that new Mario Kart game is pretty dang fun.
If you're a Nintendo diehard, you've probably made up your mind already; heck, maybe you were even lucky enough to score a Nintendo Switch 2 preorder. If you're still on the fence, the question of whether you should spend your nights trawling multiple retailers for a $450 Nintendo depends on what kind of gamer you are.
I can't overstate how great a purchase this is for folks who somehow missed the boat on the original Nintendo Switch — you'll have access to one of the greatest game libraries ever assembled, while still being future-proofed for all the cool new stuff. And if you only game on Switch, get ready to finally see what the hype over Cyberpunk 2077 or Street Fighter 6 is about. Heck, if most of your Switch diet consists of playing games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 3 and Fortnite online with friends, you just might find the Switch 2 worth it for the radically improved social experience alone.
But for the less fanatical Nintendo player, especially one that games on other platforms, there's nothing wrong with waiting it out right now. The system is only going to get more big games, and it hopefully won't be long before you can buy one without obsessively tracking restocks across multiple screens like some sort of evil villain. Even if that'd make Bowser proud.
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
The base Nintendo Switch 2 costs $450; there's also a $500 Mario Kart World bundle that includes the system's marquee launch game.
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 have an LCD or OLED display?
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 have an LCD or OLED display?
The Nintendo Switch sports a 7.9-inch, 1080p LCD display. There's no word yet on whether we'll eventually get an OLED model.
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 support 4K?
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 support 4K?
Yep! Games like Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played in 4K in docked mode on compatible TVs, and even support High Dynamic Range (HDR) for extra-vibrant color. Keep in mind that you'll be limited to 1080p in handheld mode, however.
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been covering gaming for more than a decade, and has been doing tested reviews of Nintendo consoles since the Nintendo 3DS (which is still in his top five). For this review, he spent six grueling days playing lots of video games both solo and with friends in order to see just how well the Nintendo Switch 2 holds up.