With over 152 million units sold worldwide, the Nintendo Switch has had a wonderful lifecycle. With thousands of games available for every type of gamer, the question on everyone’s mind was what the next-gen Nintendo console would look like.
Today, on June 5th 2025, we have our answer in the form of the Nintendo Switch 2. Arriving in two versions, with and without Mario Kart World bundled inside, it brings us the next chapter of gaming with Nintendo. However, is it a worthy upgrade?
With the Switch 2 being iterative, rather than innovative, does the console do enough to justify the price point with its limited number of games available on day one? Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store for Nintendo fans worldwide when they open their Switch 2 boxes.
TL;DR
The Nintendo Switch 2 is larger, more powerful, and more advanced than the original Switch in every regard. The only things holding it back are an LCD and a less-than-stellar lineup of launch games, which Nintendo already promised to expand in the coming months.
The Look and Feel of the Nintendo Switch 2
The console comes with the standard assortment of cables and accessories identical to the original Switch. That means you’ll receive your set of HDMI and power cables, the newly redesigned dock, as well as a new set of Joy-Cons and their respective straps.
The quality of the Switch 2 build truly surpasses that of the original console, as it feels smoother, heavier, and more stable to hold and play for extended periods. Naturally, you can play the console either in handheld or docked mode, with the Joy-Cons now magnetically attaching to the console instead of sliding in.
This is a substantial ergonomic improvement as the console feels more stable and less prone to the connectors breaking or getting stuck, which is especially important for younger gamers. The Switch 2 is also larger than the original by a substantial margin (more on that in the hardware breakdown below). Ensure you’re comfortable holding a larger handheld console in your hand, especially if you have small hands, as the new console feels bulkier than the original.
Switching over from 1 to 2
When you first boot up the Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll be greeted by a question. Do you already have a Switch 1? If not, carry on and enjoy your new console. If you do, there are a few things you can do before you start using the Nintendo Switch 2 as your primary console. The device is designed to natively transfer all of your data, including games, save files, screenshots, and more, from your original console wirelessly.
All you need to do is log in to your Nintendo account and connect both consoles to their respective AC adapters and let the Switch 2 do the rest. The process is smooth, painless, and fast, and you’ll quickly find the new console to be a worthwhile gadget in your gaming arsenal.
If you’re a physical game fan, you’re in luck, as all of your Switch 1 games can still be played on the new console. Better yet, many of them will work even better than before, as Nintendo continues rolling out updates over the next weeks and months.
Nintendo has already rolled out a lot of these free updates for their games to make the transition smoother (and cheaper). Premium titles have received paid upgrades as well, with native Nintendo Switch 2 editions ready on day one. Like in the case of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While the lineup of games may not be great on day one, what’s here will satisfy the majority of gamers looking to take their shiny new consoles for a spin.
The Hardware – What’s Under the Hood?
In terms of raw hardware, what’s packed into the new console? For the average player, the power of the Nintendo Switch 2 is comparable to last-gen consoles, which was always the case for Nintendo. However, it was always the creative and original ways in which developers used that hardware that made it stand out from the competition. Let’s break down the hardware so we understand what you’re getting with the Nintendo Switch 2:
Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware
| Size | Approximately 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick (with Joy-Con™ 2 controllers attached). *The maximum thickness from the tip of the control sticks to the protruding parts of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.2 inches. |
| Weight | Approximately .88 lbs (Approximately 1.18 lbs with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached) |
| Screen | Capacitive touch screen 7.9-inch wide colour gamut LCD screen 1920×1080 pixels HDR10 support VRR up to 120 Hz |
| CPU/GPU | Custom processor made by NVIDIA. |
| Storage | 256 GB (UFS) *A portion of the storage is reserved for use by the system. |
| Communication features | Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6) Bluetooth In TV mode, Nintendo Switch 2 can be connected using the wired LAN port on the dock. |
| Video output | Output via HDMI connector in TV mode Maximum of 3840×2160 (4K) resolution at 60 fps (TV mode) Supports 120 fps when 1920×1080/2560×1440 resolutions are selected Supports HDR10 *Maximum 1920×1080 resolution in tabletop mode and handheld mode, following screen resolution. |
| Audio output | Supports linear PCM output 5.1ch Output via HDMI connector in TV mode *Surround sound effect can be applied when outputting to headphones or to the built-in speaker (surround sound effect when outputting to the built-in speaker requires a system update). |
| Speakers | Stereo The independent enclosure structure provides natural, clear sound quality. |
| Microphone | Built-in microphone (monaural) Noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control provide a more comfortable voice chat experience. |
| Buttons | POWER Button/Volume buttons |
| USB-C® connectors | 2 USB-C® connectors The port on the bottom is used to charge the console and connect to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock. The port on the top is used to connect accessories and/or charge the console. |
| Audio jack | 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard) Please note: Nintendo cannot guarantee functionality with all products. |
| Game card slot | Both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch game cards can be inserted. |
| microSD Express card slot | Compatible with microSD Express cards only (up to 2 TB) *microSD memory cards that are not compatible with microSD Express can only be used to copy screenshots and videos from Nintendo Switch. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor located in Joy-Con 2 controllers Brightness sensor located in console |
| Operating environment | 41-95 degrees F / 20-80% humidity |
| Internal battery | Lithium-ion battery/5220mAh |
| Battery life | Approx. 2 – 6.5 hours *These are rough estimates. The battery life will depend on the games you play. |
| Charging time | Approximately 3 hours *While the system is in Sleep mode. |
Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
| Size | Approximately 4.5 inches tall x 7.9 inches wide x 2 inches thick The height includes the .08 inches added by the feet on the bottom of the dock. |
| Weight | Approximately .84 lbs |
| Ports | 2 USB Ports (USB 2.0 compatible) on the side System connector AC adapter port HDMI port LAN port |
Joy-Con 2 Controllers
| Size | Approximately 4.57 inches tall x .56 inches wide x 1.2 inches thick *The maximum thickness from the tip of the control sticks to the protruding parts of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.2 inches. |
| Weight | Joy-Con 2 [L] 2.3 oz Joy-Con 2 [R] 2.4 oz |
| Buttons | Joy-Con 2 [L] Left Stick (pressable) Up/Down/Left/Right/L/ZL/SL/SR/- Buttons Capture Button Release Button Sync Button Joy-Con 2 [R] Right Stick (pressable) A/B/X/Y/R/ZR/SL/SR/+ Buttons HOME Button C Button Release Button Sync Button |
| Wireless | Joy-Con 2 [L] Bluetooth 3.0 Joy-Con 2 [R] Bluetooth 3.0/NFC |
| Sensor | Joy-Con 2 [L] Accelorometer Gyroscope Mouse sensor Joy-Con 2 [R] Accelorometer Gyroscope Mouse sensor |
| Vibration | HD rumble 2 |
| Internal battery | Lithium ion battery / battery capacity 500mAh |
| Battery life | Approximately 20 hours *Battery life may vary depending on the usage. |
| Charging time | Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes *Joy-Con controllers are charged when attached to the system or Joy-Con 2 charging grip. |
Joy-Con 2 Straps
| Size | Approximately 4.6 inches tall x .65 inches wide x .28 inches thick *Excluding cord part |
| Weight | Approximately .25 oz *Excluding cord part |
Joy-Con 2 Grip
| Size | Approximately 4.57 inches tall x 5.67 inches wide x 1.58 inches thick |
| Weight | Approximately 3.35 oz |
Conclusion – Should You Buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Today?
Whether or not you should invest in switching to the new console is up for debate. Nintendo fans have waited a long time for a successor to their favourite console, so the jump to new hardware makes sense. However, if you’re a hobbyist gamer with a powerful PC or other consoles, it might be worth waiting for a few games to arrive.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches with Mario Kart World, the Welcome Tour, as well as a series of upgraded games that take full advantage of its hardware. Whether or not that’s enough of a reason to upgrade is up to personal preference. The console is impressively built and represents a substantial improvement over the original, however, and you won’t regret investing your time or money into it.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is available today, June 5th 2025, and is distributed by CD Media S.E. for the South-East European region, with its Greek branch handling the distribution within Greece. It’s available as a standalone console and bundled with Mario Kart World, depending on your preferences!