Latest news with #Ninty
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo says your old Switch HDMI cable "isn't compatible" with the Switch 2, but I'd argue that's not strictly true or helpful
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Soon, the Nintendo Switch 2 will officially arrive to replace the OG system on TV benches. Whether you deal with your own setup or have a parent who holds dominion over the living room, you'll no doubt have to do a bit of re-wiring to ensure the console can reach its true visual potential. To help with this, Nintendo has offered up accessory compatibility advice that covers HDMI cable support, but its guidance isn't entirely correct. Over at Ninty's "Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 Accessory Compatibility" page, the company says the old console's HDMI cable is "not compatible" with the new gaming handheld. While there's a left-hand box that's meant to clarify things, the extra information instead only states that you should only use the wire that comes with the latest system to "maximize performance." The reason I'm all hot and bothered by this advice is that the old cable will still actually work with Switch 2. Therefore, it's not strictly incompatible, but since it boasts older HDMI 1.4 specifications, using it will come with caveats. Namely, the dock will only be able to output 4K 30Hz max, whereas newer 2.0 and 2.1 standards can hit 4K 60Hz and up. Simply put, you'll notice things feel a bit less slick on UHD displays using the old cable since the handheld will only run at 30 frames per second in docked mode. So, why does any of this matter? Well, forgive me for being a nerd, but I'm already picturing a scenario where some players or their unaware parents plug the old Switch HDMI cable hanging out of their gaming TV into the new dock for convenience, spot that it's technically working just fine, then call it a day. Nintendo's current advice doesn't point out that doing that will mean not taking advantage of higher frame rates and instead suggests that it won't work at all. Ideally, Nintendo will include some sort of software solution that will alert players if they've got anything older than HDMI 2.0 plugged into the Switch 2 dock. That way, they won't think they've actually got the right wire just because the console is showing up on their screen in 4K. But, at the very least, Ninty could clarify this on the accessory compatibility page so that if anyone does read it and is using the OG Switch cords, they can rectify the situation. To complicate things further, an alternative accessory compatibility page specifically says you should use the Switch 2 "Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable" that's included in the box. That terminology is typically used to refer to faster HDMI 2.1 cables, but the one you'll be getting with the handheld will be HDMI 2.0 since the system won't be hitting 4K 120Hz like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Using this specific term could come with cost implications if future Switch 2 owners need to replace the HDMI cable that came with the system. I'm willing to bet that most people have HDMI 2.0 cables hiding in their house, and they'll provide the handheld with everything it needs to hit 4K 60fps. However, if you look up "Ultra High Speed" options online, some players could end up thinking they need something with 2.1 support. I'll be diving into Switch 2 setup best practices and offering up plenty of advice once I get my hands on the handheld. But, for now, here's a TLDR when it comes to connecting it to a TV. By default, you should use the HDMI cable that comes with the console since it boasts the right specifications. The old Switch cable is indeed compatible, but you won't be able to match the system's 60fps output with the right refresh rate to fully enjoy the faster speeds. Those of you with an older TV or even a 1080p or 1440p gaming monitor will be able to use the original Switch HDMI cable without a hitch, especially since games like Metroid Prime 4 support 120Hz at full HD. I'd still recommend using the new one, but if you plan on using your handheld on more than one external screen, it could save you purchasing additional wires. At the same time, those of you who need an extra wire won't need to opt for potentially more expensive HDMI 2.1 options, which in turn means you likely have a cable that's 4K 60Hz compatible already lying around your abode. Oh, and if you're hunting for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders today, don't add any HDMI cables to your cart with the handheld. Retailers have a habit of trying to get customers to buy extra accessories with every purchase, and since everything you need to get hooked up to a TV is in the box, there's zero need to pick up additional wires. Prepping for Ninty's handheld? Take a peek at upcoming Switch 2 games and Switch 2 backwards compatibility for a complete list of adventures for the system. You'll also want to peek at our Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck rundown if you're still trying to decide between the two.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo responds to questions of Switch 2 stick drift with assurances the new Joy-Con 2 controllers "have been really designed from the ground up from scratch"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In response to a question over whether the Nintendo Switch 2 improves the stick drift that plagued its predecessor, Ninty assures that the new Joy-Con 2 controllers really have been "designed from the ground up from scratch." As part of a press conference following the Switch 2's big showcase, a selection of Nintendo developers have taken questions over the sparkly new console. Naturally, one of them was over whether Nintendo had remedied the OG Switch's stick drift issues with the Switch 2. "As you may have witnessed and felt, the new Joy-Con 2 controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 have been really designed from the ground up from scratch, and they have been designed to have bigger movement and smoother movement," Switch 2 hardware design lead Tetsuya Sasaki says. That's not the firmest of replies and speaks more to a 'we'll have to wait and see', I suppose. You're always at risk of picking up a faulty controller and potential issues with things like stick drift are likely to emerge more clearly after people have had their Switch 2 for a while. Still, it sounds like Nintendo has taken the time to consider and improve upon the original Joy-Cons, so here's hoping the gang have knocked the issue on its head. You'd hope so, anyway. The Nintendo Switch 2 costs $449.99 whereas a Joy-Con 2 pair itself costs $89.99. That's roughly within the range we expected but it's still a rather meaty investment. Maybe all the upcoming Switch 2 games will make the plunge all the more worth it. Missed a beat? Catch up with all the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct news right here.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
My PC is screaming for an update, but the Switch 2 will be taking all my money this year
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. As I sit, surrounded by a shrine of Nintendo merch and a game collection that's 30 years in the making, I'm undoubtedly looking forward to seeing what Ninty has been cooking up when it comes to the Nintendo Switch 2. Even with no release date in sight, I've already set aside what I hope is enough cash for the handheld, with some left over for the next batch of the best Nintendo Switch accessories likely to drop right afterward. Yet, while the Switch successor may have inspired my need to save, my gaming PC is in far greater need of an upgrade than my Nintendo console collection. Over the years, my Windows PC has caught more of my attention, partially due to needing it for work and partially due to spending far too many hours playing Sea of Thieves through Game Pass. As it's never been my preferred platform, its specs are a little lacking, and a shiny upgrade in the form of a new GPU, more RAM, and maybe a new, speedy SSD is more than warranted. Having a powerful PC at my disposal would be a worthwhile investment for more than just gaming. But I can't help but set my sights on pre-ordering the new Switch from day one gaming PC has served me in good stead over the years too, but it's a far cry from being one of the best gaming PCs out there. Its graphics card is older than, not just Nvidia's last-gen RTX 40 series, but the RTX 30 series and then some. It's at least running Windows 11 and can chug along as I take on fiery megalodons on the seven seas, but I don't dare throw much else at it. An upgrade, or at this point, even an entirely new build altogether, makes more logical sense than buying a Switch 2. Nintendo hasn't officially announced how much it wants us to fork out for its new handheld. However, a former Nintendo of America employee stated recently that he can't imagine the Switch 2 launching for "much more than $400' on the Kit and Krysta podcast. That's far less than the best graphics card I'd need to future-proof my rig and play the kind of graphically intensive Triple-A releases I have my eye on. The Switch 2 is likely not going to have the power to play the most spec-demanding PC games, either. But as someone who comes from a background of not being able to afford the best tech, I much prefer the idea of spending a reasonable amount on a brand-new console for years of entertainment, rather than more than double that to upgrade my PC, which may need to be upgraded again just to keep up with the latest the current Switch, I can pop in a cart, and load up Emio The Smiling Man, or Super Smash Bros Ultimate in minutes. Yet on my PC, there are multiple gaming platforms to rummage through, and settings to constantly tinker with, which I don't always have the patience for. Sure, I'm not gonna to experience the most impressive-looking games available, but with consoles like the Switch, there's always the benefit of being able to grab your Joy-Cons, or Pro controller, and get comfy on the sofa, without the constant tedious business of updating drivers, software and more. Both come with their regular system updates of course, but the Switch doesn't come with the need to constantly update and maintain multiple gaming platforms at a time. Additionally, gaming PCs don't just need to be integrated with the latest GPUs and the best CPUs for gaming, but these need to be regularly updated too, which can be stressful to keep track of. This can lead to consuming more storage, which in turn might need further investment in additional storage and the eight long years I've owned Nintendo's current handheld, I have had to pick up one of the best Nintendo Switch SD cards, or two, to keep up with my latest eShop purchases. But during the Switch's long lifespan, microSD cards have become more affordable than ever and can be re-formatted and re-purposed for other devices. If other modern handhelds like the Steam Deck are also anything to go by, we'll likely see a microSD card slot make a return on the Switch 2, making any compatible cards I already own even more worthwhile. It's not just the cost of decking out my PC that has me clamoring to ensure my funds remain set aside for the new handheld. No matter how souped-up I make my gaming PC, it's never going to do the one thing the Switch 2 will excel at most: running Switch 2 games. Besides the odd smartphone exception like Pokemon TCG Pocket, or Pikmin Bloom, Nintendo games are exclusive to Nintendo hardware. I'm not going to be able to play Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Pokemon Legends Z-A, or my dream Super Mario Odyssey sequel on my PC - those will all be found on the Switch my PC can give me access to my Steam account, games via PC Game Pass, and a ton of libraries from game services like Epic Games, the Humble Bundle, Nvidia GeForce Now, and GOG, which are already filled to the brim with games to play. But as someone whose favorite games of all time regularly feature a certain mustached plumber and a green tunic-wearing elf boy, I, and anyone else who mostly looks forward to Nintendo's latest releases, is going to get more value out of the Switch 2 over a PC the years, it's been my experiences with Mario, Link, and a ton of notable Nintendo characters that have kept me fixated on gaming as a whole. There are, of course, many standouts from the PS5 especially, (looking at you Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart). But to this day, my favorite gaming memories in the last eight years have been found in stealing stars from my father-in-law in Mario Party Superstars or winning race after face against my fiancé and friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The bright and vivid saturated worlds of nearly every Nintendo-developed series out there, still manage to claim the majority of my attention. And the portability of the Switch means I can take those worlds with me. With my gaming PC, I feel constantly tethered to my desk, which even with one of the best gaming chairs, doesn't live up to the comfort of gaming on the sofa with the Switch in hand and Netflix on in the background - a set up I'm more than planning to continue with the Switch 2.I also can't pack my gaming PC tower in my backpack, or play it on the train into town like I can with the Switch, either. Alternatively, I could invest in one of the best gaming laptops, but that would still leave my current PC in need of some dire attention and wouldn't solve my need to play every major game release Nintendo day, I'll get to a point where I'll have to invest some hard-earned cash into ensuring my PC is fit for not just gaming but running at all - that's unavoidable. Yet, as far as 2025 goes, the amount I have set aside for the Nintendo Switch 2 will remain for the Switch 2. Not just because it will provide me with the ability to play the latest Ninty games, but its stress-free setup will mean I can spend more time gaming, and less time fixated on updating drivers, and tediously tinkering around with tech. I just hope that come April 2, we'll finally get that long-awaited release date, so my cash can stop burning a hole in my pocket. Check out our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide to be kept up to date on the brand-new handheld. Our guides for the best gaming headsets and the best Nintendo Switch headsets also have all you need to prepare your audio setup for whatever Nintendo has cooking up.
