Gaming experts' first take on the Nintendo Switch 2 console as UK retailers launch stock
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally on sale - here's what one gamer likes and dislikes about the new console
The Nintendo Switch 2 has launched in the UK, after a flurry of pre-orders, the newest console is available to buy. Nintendo may have already sold out of stock, but the Switch 2 is still available to purchase at Currys, Amazon, Very and more, with prices starting at £395.
Demand has been soaring, with retailers like Currys open its stores at midnight for gamers to pick up their pre-ordered devices. But is it worth the £395 price tag? The main selling point of the Switch 2 is its upgraded graphics, boosted performance, and a bigger and brighter display.
The Daily Express Gaming Editor, Liam Martin, has shared his first thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2. He began: "The Switch 2 feels much better in the hand than the Switch OLED I've been using for the past couple of years. The kickstand is much wider than the flimsy stand of old, and easily on par with the OLED version, with the ability to move it from top to bottom and back again.
"The console is around 10.7-inches long with the JoyCons attached, and feels a lot bigger compared to the Switch OLED, despite only having just over an inch on its predecessor. It's not as wide as the Steam Deck OLED, but much more svelte, although I think I prefer the slightly bulkier Steam handheld.
"Even though the device is smaller than its Steam counterpart, the 7.9-inch screen is bigger and looks really impressive. It's actually surprising how good the display looks, considering it's not an OLED screen. If you turn the brightness up, there's not too much difference between the Switch 2 and OLED model, thanks in no small part to the superior resolution and HDR support."
Speaking about the console's new magnetic JoyCons, Liam wrote: "They are also far superior to the OG controllers, attaching instantly to the console with a satisfying snap. It's much faster and feels more secure than the fiddly rail system used in the previous Switch. The bigger analogue sticks and buttons are a big improvement on the older model, although I'll still probably hunt down a version with a d-pad once a quality third-party alternative is available.
"I've always favoured the HORI Split Pad Pro for the original Switch," Liam reveals, however, that he believes the JoyCons are 'definitely an upgrade', adding: "Hopefully the lack of Hall Effect sticks won't lead to drift problems further down the line, but this remains to be seen."
One of the Switch 2 elements Liam is looking forward to the most is the mouse controls. He explains: "I'm really excited to play first-shooters, strategy and point and click adventure games using the mouse controls. I played Metroid Prime 4 using the mouse controls during a previous hands-on event and thought they were a revelation.
"You can enter mouse mode by holding a JoyCon sideways against a flat surface and sliding it like you would a mouse on PC. There's no need to fiddle around in the menu screen, just press it against a flat surface and you're instantly in mouse mode."
Liam notes the other big draw of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its additional power: "When docked, the console is capable of playing games in 4K at 60 frames-per-second, or at 120 frames-per-second with a lower resolution. 120Hz is also possible with supported games in handheld mode.
"Whether many games reach these lofty heights remains to be seen, but for now at least, Switch 2 fans can hope for visuals and performance closer to the PS5 and Xbox Series. It also means many of the bigger third-party games can now be ported to the Switch 2, something we've seen with titles like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 launching with the console on June 5."
Liam concludes that his early impressions of the Switch 2 have 'so far been positive', adding: "While the Switch 2's £395.99 price tag might be off-putting to some, I think early adopters will be pleased with the upgrades. Likewise, if you've spent £429.99 on the Mario Kart World bundle, you'll be having too much fun to care."
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