I played Nintendo Switch 2 BEFORE it's released – I'm obsessed with new Mario Kart mode but console tweak is even better
I'VE now spent hours playing the new Nintendo Switch 2 – and it's hard to imagine not buying one.
The new Nintendo console won't come out until June 5, but I was invited to a special extended preview session to put the machine through its paces.
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I had a full day with Mario Kart World, the blockbuster game for this next-gen Nintendo gaming gadget.
And I've got three main takeaways to share.
THE MACHINE
My first thought was: this really is a beautiful machine.
It takes all of the best bits of Nintendo's half-handheld, half-plug-into-your-telly Switch, and makes it look so much better.
The first thing you notice is the size of the screen.
It has a giant 7.9-inch OLED panel with improved contrast and colours.
And it serves up Full HD 1080p resolution at 120Hz, which is gaming gold for a handheld. Ultra HD is arguably overkill at this screen size, especially when you factor in battery life pressure.
Of course you'll be able to get up to 4K resolution when it's plugged in.
The machine has upgraded Nvidia graphical processing, 12GB of memory versus the old 4GB, and a whopping 256GB of storage that eclipses the original Switch's 32GB. This might be the best upgrade of the lot. You can cram loads of games onto the console now, which is perfect for a portable device.
And the Joy-Con controllers that now magnetically snap to the console feel more premium too.
Everything we know so far about the Nintendo Switch 2
Oh, and you can flip one Joy-Con on its side to use it like a computer mouse. Clever. It works really well.
THE GAME
On to Mario Kart, which is pure unadulterated kart-racing fun.
This is the Mario Kart you know and love, but it's more beautiful than ever.
The iconic cartoonish art style has been retained, but it's more pixel-dense and detailed than ever.
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It brings the tracks to life like never before.
That's important, because Mario Kart World makes the game's universe come alive in a way we've never seen.
This title has a special 'free roam' mode that lets you move between courses.
So you can travel a giant Mario Kart World to see what all the 'in between' stuff looks like.
NINTENDO SWITCH 2 – THE OFFICIAL SPECS
Here's the official list...
Screen:
Capacitive touch screen
7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen
1920x1080 pixels
HDR10 support
VRR up to 120 Hz
Storage: 256GB
CPU/GPU: Custom Nvidia processor
Size: 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 inches
Weight: 1.18lbs with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached
Video output:
Output via HDMI connector in TV mode
Maximum of 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 60 fps (TV mode)
Supports 120 fps when 1920x1080/2560x1440 resolutions are selected
Supports HDR10
*Maximum 1920x1080 resolution in tabletop mode and handheld mode, following screen resolution.
Speakers: Stereo
Microphone: Built-in microphone with noise- and echo-cancellation
Connectors: 2x USB-C
Audio Jack: 3.5mm
Game Card Slot: Supports both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch game careds
Storage Expansion: microSD Express cards up to 2TB
Battery Life: 2 to 6.5 hours
Charging Time: 3 hours
Picture Credit: Nintendo
There are fun quests and mini-games to complete in this vast open world.
And the open world is multiplayer-friendly too, so you can roll around with pals wherever you like.
The other change that struck me was the addition of a Forza-style rewind function that lets you undo a mistake.
It won't drag everyone else back in time though: they'll keep racing.
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So use it with caution: it's for getting out of a tricky spot, but it won't help you cheat.
THE QUESTIONS
My third takeaway, after hours of play, is: I still have questions!
Firstly, I haven't been able to test the machine's battery life, so I have no idea if it achieves the promises six-plus hours promised by Nintendo.
Secondly, is it worth the money? I'm inclined to say yes, but it's too soon to tell.
Ultimately, some Mario Kart fans will want to put down all of the money for the console, the game, and nothing else. It's a global sensation, and delivers fun for the whole family – plus guests too.
And chuck in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and you can easily lose hundreds of hours into this game.
So it's starts to make the £395 price tag (or £429 with Mario Kart World bundled in) feel very compelling.
Ultimately, Nintendo is a master of game design, and has created some of the best-loved machines and titles in console history.
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And at this stage, it doesn't seem like the Nintendo Switch 2 will ruin that track record.
Time to check my piggy bank.
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