I wasn't expecting to be so impressed by Nintendo Switch 2
These are games that normally need to be run on something like an Xbox or PlayStation; the fact that they can be run here, without any discernible difference in quality, indicates where Nintendo's ambitions lie. If I were a Steam Deck or PS Portal, I'd be worried: this is a device that promises to do it all, for all ages. Give it a few years, and Nintendo's share of the console market will likely go up even further – not hard, when neither Xbox nor PlayStation have released a new console in years.
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Geeky Gadgets
5 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Nintendo Switch 2 Durability: Will Your New Console Last?
The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant step forward in gaming technology, combining enhanced performance with thoughtful design improvements. While the console impresses with its structural durability and innovative features, certain aspects, such as the plastic screen and absence of water resistance, may raise questions about its long-term resilience. The video below from JerryRigEverything explores the durability, design, and performance of the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting its strengths and areas that could benefit from further refinement. Performance Upgrades: A Leap Forward The Nintendo Switch 2 delivers a substantial improvement in performance, offering a tenfold boost in graphical capabilities compared to the original model. At the heart of this upgrade is a 7.9-inch 120Hz 1080p HDR LCD display, which doubles the pixel density of its predecessor. This results in sharper visuals, richer colors, and smoother gameplay, making sure an immersive experience whether you're gaming in handheld mode or docked. The console's ability to seamlessly transition between handheld and docked modes enhances its versatility, making it a standout choice for gamers who value flexibility. The upgraded hardware ensures that even graphically demanding games run smoothly, providing a gaming experience that feels modern and polished. Design Innovations: Magnetic Attachments and Enhanced Stability One of the most notable design changes in the Nintendo Switch 2 is its redesigned Joy-Con attachment system. Moving away from the mechanical rails of the original model, the new system uses steel components and magnets to create a secure yet easily detachable connection. This design not only improves durability but also allows the Joy-Cons to attach in multiple orientations, including upside down, offering greater flexibility during gameplay. The console also features a sturdier metal kickstand, which significantly enhances stability during tabletop use. This improvement addresses a common complaint about the original Switch, where the flimsy kickstand often led to accidental collapses. These thoughtful design updates improve both the functionality and convenience of the console, making it more user-friendly and reliable. Durability: Strengths and Weak Points The Nintendo Switch 2 demonstrates impressive structural durability, withstanding significant stress without compromising its functionality. The Joy-Cons are engineered to detach safely under force, reducing the risk of internal damage during accidental drops or impacts. This feature ensures that the console remains intact even under challenging conditions. However, the plastic screen is a notable vulnerability. It is highly prone to scratches, which could detract from the overall gaming experience over time. To mitigate this, using a glass screen protector is strongly recommended. Another area of concern is the console's lack of water resistance. While this does not affect everyday use, it does require users to exercise caution around liquids, as exposure could lead to irreversible damage. These factors highlight the importance of taking protective measures, such as investing in a screen protector and a durable carrying case, to ensure the console's longevity. Build Materials: Balancing Durability and Cost The materials used in the Nintendo Switch 2 reflect a careful balance between durability and cost efficiency. The plastic screen includes a permanent protective layer designed to minimize minor damage, while the buttons and joystick caps feature inlaid lettering to ensure long-term legibility. These design choices enhance the console's usability without significantly increasing production costs. Metal components, such as the kickstand and Joy-Con triggers, add to the console's robustness, making sure it can withstand regular use. These durable materials contribute to the overall structural integrity of the device, making it a reliable option for both casual and dedicated gamers. Additional Features: Enhancing the Experience The Nintendo Switch 2 introduces several features aimed at improving the overall gaming experience. These include: Dual stereo speakers with protective wire mesh, delivering clear and durable audio output. with protective wire mesh, delivering clear and durable audio output. Game cartridges coated with a bitter substance to discourage ingestion by children, enhancing safety. coated with a bitter substance to discourage ingestion by children, enhancing safety. A docking station that supports 4K output, providing a significant visual upgrade for TV gaming. that supports 4K output, providing a significant visual upgrade for TV gaming. LED integration in the Joy-Con grip, offering visual feedback during gameplay for added immersion. While these features enhance the console's appeal, some game cartridges may only include download keys instead of full games. This could disappoint collectors who prefer physical copies. Despite this minor drawback, the additional features significantly improve the overall value of the console, making it a compelling choice for gamers. Concerns and Positives: A Balanced Perspective The Nintendo Switch 2 excels in many areas but is not without its shortcomings. The plastic screen and logo are particularly prone to cosmetic damage, making them vulnerable to scratches and wear over time. Additionally, transporting the Joy-Cons without proper protection could lead to joystick damage, especially during frequent travel. On the positive side, the console and Joy-Cons demonstrate exceptional structural integrity, remaining intact even under significant stress. The improved docking station and LED-integrated Joy-Con grip further enhance the gaming experience, offering features that cater to both casual and serious gamers. These strengths make the Nintendo Switch 2 a well-rounded and versatile gaming console. A Durable Yet Fragile Companion The Nintendo Switch 2 strikes a commendable balance between durability and functionality, offering substantial improvements over its predecessor. While its cosmetic fragility and lack of water resistance require users to take extra precautions, these concerns can be mitigated with proper care and protective accessories. By addressing these vulnerabilities, the Nintendo Switch 2 can serve as a reliable and enjoyable gaming companion for years to come. Uncover more insights about Nintendo Switch 2 in previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: JerryRigEverything Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy
The Independent
19 hours ago
- The Independent
Nintendo Switch 2 – live updates on where to buy as stock sells out
A day after launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 has little stock in the UK. Consoles began quietly landing at shops yesterday morning, and now it's a race against the clock to secure one. Argos, Amazon, and Currys have completely run dry, as has ShopTo. Not only is there no same-day stock, it looks like there's almost no stock at all. The good news is that Nintendo has finally dropped some stock, and Very has a Mario Kart World bundle. EE and O2 have stock, but you have to have an existing contract with them. However, we've seen a lot of surprise stock drops over this console launch. While there's precious little stock at the moment, it's worth checking back every half hour or so in case there's any movement. Where to buy the Nintendo Switch right now Nintendo Switch 2 specs The Switch 2 might look familiar, but there's a lot going on underneath. It's powered by a new custom Nvidia chip, so games don't just load faster, they look better and run more smoothly. You get 12GB of RAM (up from 4GB on the original Switch), and most of that goes straight into powering games, not just background stuff. The screen is still LCD, not OLED, but it's bigger at 7.9in and has 1080p resolution. It supports HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate. Colours pop more and motion looks buttery-smooth in handheld mode. There's also DLSS upscaling built in, so older games look better. Sadly, while it supports variable refresh rates, it doesn't work when docked – just in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 price The Nintendo Switch 2 on its own costs £399.99, and the main bundle with Mario Kart World costs £429.99. Buying the bundle saves you £40 compared to picking up the game separately, so it's the better value if you're planning to grab it anyway. No big discounts yet – it's launch day, after all – but some retailers have larger, more expensive bundles. These include the new Switch 2 camera (£49, the Pro controller (£74.99, and the official carry case and screen protector (£20.99, as well as extra games and accessories. Nintendo Switch 2 launch games There's a stacked line-up of Switch 2 games for day one. Mario Kart World is obviously the big one, but you've also got upgraded versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, plus mammoth games like Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition and Hogwarts Legacy – two games that really test the console's muscle. Other launch day games include Hades 2, Split Fiction, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Street Fighter 6, Survival Kids and Suikoden I & II HD Remaster. You've also got Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, and Deltarune Chapters 1–4, plus more niche picks like Fantasy Life i and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD. Civilization VII and No Man's Sky are here too, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour acts as a mini showcase for the new hardware. On top of that, loads of older Nintendo titles have been patched with free performance updates, and Wind Waker, F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur II are now available through the new Switch Online GameCube library. Here's our Nintendo Switch 2 review So, I've officially had 48 hours with the Nintendo Switch 2, and it's a definite step-up over the Nintendo Switch OLED. My colleague Jake Brigstock and I have been putting it through its paces. Here's our initial review – yes, you're getting two takes for the price of one. Nintendo Switch 2 review: What we like (and dislike) about the console After almost a decade's wait, the Nintendo Switch 2 is here Alex Lee6 June 2025 17:01 Here's where you can buy a Switch 2 right now You can still buy the Nintendo Switch 2 from a few places in the UK, but each option comes with a caveat. The My Nintendo Store has the console in stock now, though you'll need an active Switch Online membership to place an order. Delivery is fairly quick though, with consoles arriving in two to three days. Very also has a bundle available to buy, but delivery is on the slower side. Orders aren't expected to arrive until Friday, 13 June. EE has stock as well, but it's only available to pay-monthly customers and delivery takes between 1-3 working days. O2 is also selling the Switch 2 to existing customers, but shipping is particularly slow – some orders could take more than four weeks to arrive. Alex Lee6 June 2025 15:28 Nintendo just dropped stock I predicted it earlier and it's come to pass. Nintendo's just dropped some stock. You have to have a My Nintendo account to buy a console, but the stock is there. There's a standalone Nintendo Switch console and a Mario Kart World bundle. Alex Lee6 June 2025 12:59 Smyths Toys taking orders Smyths Toys sold out around midday yesterday, but they're taking orders once again. It won't be a fast delivery; the retailer says it expects stock between 10-16 June, and delivering your Switch 2 could take up to three working days after that. However, if you missed out on the console yesterday, this is a good bet. Buy now at Smyths Toys Alex Lee6 June 2025 11:57 Nintendo Switch 2 stock at O2 Huge thank you to reader Mark Brooker, who got in touch about some Nintendo Switch 2 stock at O2. It's unlike any of the stock we've seen so far. It's a Mario Kart World bundle and only for O2 customers. You have two options. You can either pay in full for £449.99 or spread the cost. If you spread the cost, it costs £110 up front, but you can pay as little as £9.44 a month at 0% APR. The catch? Delivery could take more than 4 weeks. Buy now at O2 Alex Lee6 June 2025 11:40 Stock just dropped at Very It's been quiet since 6am this morning, but Very just dropped stock. You can get a Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, and a Switch 2 Camera for £479. It will arrive on Friday 13 June. Buy now at Very Alex Lee6 June 2025 11:04 More detail on EE stock Right now, EE is the only place in the country you can buy a Switch 2. You have a few options: The first is the basic Mario Kart World bundle. You get a Nintendo Switch 2 console and, unsurprisingly, Mario Kart World. You also get a 12 month Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, so you can play online. This also gives you access to 170 old-school games from the NES, SNES, GameCube, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis. It costs £22 a month for £24 months, and you have to pay £20 upfront today. Buy now at EE The other option is more expensive, but you get a lot more. As well as the Nintendo Switch 2 console Mario Kart World, and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, you get some hardware. You also get a Nintendo Switch camera for online gaming. That bundle costs £25 monthly for 24 months, and you have to pay £20 upfront. Buy now at EE Alex Lee6 June 2025 10:11 Who else might drop stock? It's hard to predict stock drops, but two big players have been noticeably quiet so far. We haven't seen any stock from John Lewis, despite rumours that the retailer might have a few consoles. It might be that their stock has been held back for today or the weekend to capitalise on the limited stock at other sellers. The other conspicuous absence is Nintendo itself. There was no stock on the My Nintendo store, so we might see some drops over the coming days. Alex Lee 6 June 2025 09:18 Nintendo Switch 2 back in stock at EE It looked like EE had sold out, but The Mario Kart World bundle is back. It's a £22 a month for 24 months plan. This might be your best chance for a Switch 2 this morning, but you can only buy it if you're an EE customer. Buy now at EE Alex Lee6 June 2025 08:43 Where to buy a Switch 2 right now Stock looks very depleted this morning. As of right now, you have two options, and neither is great. The Switch is technically still available at Argos, but I've only found it in one shop in the country. It's still worth checking if you live somewhere relatively remote, but it looks like there's no stock in big cities. Keep refreshing – you might have more luck over this morning Buy now at Argos Your other option is EE, which seems to have plenty of stock. the drawback here is that you need to be an EE customer. The Mario Kart World bundle is available on a £22 a month for 24 months plan, which works out at £526, much more expensive in the long run than the £429.99 launch price. You can't buy the deal if you're already on a 24 month plan with the network, either. Alex Lee6 June 2025 06:50
The Guardian
19 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Guide #194: Six things you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 came out this week. Depending on your familiarity with gamer culture, that sentence will either mean absolutely nothing to you, or have you bouncing up and down in your seat with excitement. Nintendo fans have endured an eight-year wait for this new console, so anticipation has been high: pre-orders have sold out everywhere and Nintendo wants to sell 15m of the things over the next year. I've only had my Switch 2 for a few days but if you're wondering whether this £400 new toy is worth your attention, I've got your answers. Why is this a big deal? First: you can race around as a little penguin in Mario Kart World. Second: the first Switch sold 150m units and pre-orders for the Switch 2 have sold out everywhere, so everyone is hoping that this will be a bit of a shot in the arm for the games industry. But most importantly: a new console launch is like Christmas for gamers, promising exciting new worlds to immerse ourselves in over the coming years, and they don't happen as often as they used to. The last major event was the PlayStation 5 in 2020. Is it any good? Yes! It's everything you could want from an upgrade to the Switch: the screen is bigger and clearer, games look much better on a TV, the controllers are better and sturdier with less finicky buttons. Both the machine itself and its menus have a sleek look, with a tasteful pop of colour on both Joy-Cons. It still has all the Switch's old advantages: you can take it with you when you're travelling, it's family-friendly, and the quality of the games is high. However, if you were hoping for something truly new and boundary-breaking, you won't find that here – the most significant new features are voice and video chat, which every other console has been doing for ages, and the fact that you can pop the controllers down on a flat surface and use them like a mouse. What games should I get? Mario Kart World is the biggie. About 65 million people bought the last Mario Kart, and it remains one of the world's most popular and easy to enjoy games. In this new one, the courses are run into each other in one huge world that you can explore freely in between the traditional grand prix and time trial races. It's got squillions of characters and costumes and karts to collect to keep kids busy; adults who grew up with Mario Kart will be more interested in mastering the new wall-riding and rail-grinding tricks that make the courses feel more challenging. Two other good recommendations: Survival Kids (above), a multiplayer game about working together to survive on a desert island (it's a bit like Overcooked, the chaotic game about trying to get dinner ready while everything collapses around you); and, for the hipsters, Deltarune, a surreal indie game about talking your way out of fights with kooky monsters. What games shouldn't I get? Nintendo Switch2 Welcome Tour is a little £7.99 introduction to the console's new features, rather than a proper game, but I found it bafflingly tedious. It's a cute-looking little virtual museum that almost bored me to death with information about the Switch 2's fine technical details. And be aware that almost all the launch games are updated versions of games that are already out, rather than brand new experiences. Will I like this if I basically haven't played a video game since the 1990s? Actually, you can play games from the 1990s on the Nintendo Switch 2 if you want – Nintendo's online subscription service includes a library of old-to-ancient games from its massive back catalogue, from the NES to the GameCube via the Nintendo 64, SNES and Game Boy. They're all lovingly emulated, complete with the scan lines you used to get on old TVs, for maximum nostalgia punch. Step away from the eBay listings, there's no need to spend half your life savings amassing a collection of rare retro cartridges. Should I get one for my kids? Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion With all the justified worry about young children playing Roblox and other online games, a Nintendo console is a much better option (if also vastly more expensive). A Switch has long been the safest and highest-quality family gaming choice, and the Switch 2 continues that legacy: parental controls are easy to use, there's a huge selection of imaginative and creatively interesting child-appropriate games to draw from with more to come in the future, and it's even got Fortnite on it for when your 11-year-old starts complaining that Mario is for babies. Each week we run down the five essential pieces of pop culture we're watching, reading and listening to PODCAST – Missing in the AmazonEven Guardian readers familiar with the story of journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira should listen to this new six-part investigative series about the pair's disappearance in the Amazon three years ago. Narrated by the Guardian's Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, who reported on the incident, and featuring insight from those close to Dom and Bruno for the first time, it goes deeper into their story than ever before, while offering a celebration of the pair's vital ecological work in the region. The first two episodes are available now, and can be heard on the Guardian's new investigations feed, along with other great investigative pods such as Black Box and Can I Tell You a Secret?Want more? Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd return with series three of Sara and Cariad's Weirdos Book Club – and, as ever, they are happy for you to listen, regardless of whether you've read the book! Plus, here are the best podcasts of the week. TV – What it Feels Like for a GirlThis adaptation of Paris Lees' memoir about the journalist and activist's chaotic teenage years prior to transitioning will inevitably be viewed by many through the prism of this most inflamed of culture wars. Which is a shame because, while this is a story about the trans experience (and a valuable one at that), it's about much more besides: class, sex work, the long-tail impact of abuse. What's more, it does all this without being political or preachy – instead offering up a drama that is at times bracingly morally ambiguous, caustically funny and utterly compelling. Available on BBC more? Owen Wilson is at his breezy, slackerish best as a failed golfer-turned-mentor in Apple TV+'s cheery comedy Stick. For even more, here's seven shows to stream at home this week. BOOK – A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda ArdernThe former New Zealand prime minister's memoir tells the story of her rise to power, and how she tried to govern in a new, different way, while privately battling with the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment. 'I closed the book feeling a pang of nostalgia for a time when scrapping tax cuts and spending the money on a more generous safety net, or clasping immigrants to a nation's heart (as she did after Christchurch) still seemed completely plausible things for a prime minister to advocate,' wrote Guardian reviewer Gaby more? We lost a literary great this week in Edmund White, beloved for his groundbreaking depictions of gay life. If you're unfamiliar with his work, Neil Bartlett has put together this handy guide to his books. And here's the rest of this week's books reviews. ALBUM – Turnstile: Never EnoughAn endorsement by Charli xcx, who declared that the next few months would be 'Turnstile summer' underscores the intriguing position this Baltimore hardcore group finds themselves in. A scene success story, attracting ever-swelling audiences with their enticing mix of bright, melodic vocals and brutal breakdowns, they now are on the cusp of mainstream success. Their fourth full length album reckons with the tension between those two worlds, expanding on the more pop-adjacent sound first heard on last album Glow On, with dreamy washes of synths, and at one point Mariachi horns, interrupting the heavy stuff. As ever, it's best experienced live: you can catch them headlining Outbreak London next Friday (13 June). Want more? Just the 24 years since their last album, Pulp return as sharply observational as ever, with More, also out today. For the rest of our music reviews, click here. FILM – BallerinaConsidering it started out as a simple story of a man going loco on the crims who offed his dog, John Wick has grown into quite the universe. After three much-loved sequels and one already long-forgotten TV series (The Continental), the latest hyper-stylised, hyper-violent addition is this spin-off film which is set between Wicks 3 and 4, and stars Ana de Armas as a ballet dancer/ruthless assassin on the hunt for her father's killer. Probably best not to expect anything that deviates too far from the revenge thriller template, but it's nice to see de Armas given a bone-crunching action role after the sad debasement of Blonde. In cinemas more? After grimy, low-budget horror? Take your pick between Dangerous Animals (serial killer tries to feed surfer to sharks) or Clown in a Cornfield (killer bozo slashes his way through a small town). Or for something truly horrifying, opt for the rerelease of Michael Haneke's still-twisted 2001 drama, The Piano Teacher. Plus, here's seven films to watch at home this week. A half-century on from their heyday, Fleetwood Mac are still as massive as ever, riding high in the charts and the inspiration for a hit West End play. Michael Hann looks at why they endure. Musical AI fakery isn't just limited to talent show carpenters: streaming services are rife with it – and indie artists are bearing the brunt. Eamonn Forde looks at a growing problem. Semafor speaks to Jonathan Nolan, brother of Christopher, and a pretty big Hollywood player in his own right, about how his forgotten early 2010s series Person of Interest predicted our AI age. Vulture's big Hollywood issue looks at a traditional film industry in a death spiral – and the new one that is replacing it. Over at the Guardian print shop, you can buy some rather fetching limited edition prints from one of our sister newsletters, Well Actually, which covers health, relationships and the wellness industry. They're available until Saturday. Get yours here. Last week we asked for your favourite 1960s films. Here are a few of your favourites, including some stone-cold classics and one under-seen film that I really need to catch up on: 'So many to choose from but I am going with A Hard Day's Night which came out when I was 11 and a huge Beatles fan. Ordering tickets and then standing in a long line to see the film was such a thrill.' – Marsha 'Released in 1970, so made in the 60s, I still love Borsalino starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo. A fun French gangster movie with a sparkling soundtrack.' – Rob Taylor 'Billy Liar. It perfectly expresses the conflicting and yearning and fantasising of the teenage/early 20s mind. Brilliant script by Keith Waterhouse, while Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie perfect in the lead roles. I can never forget Leonard Rossiter as 'Shaddy, Shaddy Shadrack.' 'Get on the train, Billy!' – Paul Howard 'Lawrence of Arabia is not only my best film of the 60s but my best film of all time. No women, questionable – to put it mildly – makeup and accents (looking at you Anthony Quinn and Alec Guinness). But thanks to David Lean, Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Freddie Young's iconic cinematography and Maurice Jarre's unforgettable score, it beats everything else hands down. @ me if you like but you will never change my mind.' – Sharon Eckman Prompted by Turnstile, this week we're after songs that you can't help but headbang to. Which tracks have you starting a one-person mosh pit in the living room when they come on? Let us know your choice by contacting Gwilym on
