Nintendo Switch 2 review: is it worth it?

Telegraph

06-06-2025

Score: 9/10
Price: From £395.99
We like:
Massive screen
Improved design
Powerful gaming performance and graphics
We don't like:
You might struggle to buy one
Only one new Nintendo game at launch
What is the Nintendo Switch 2?
The long-awaited sequel to Nintendo's highly successful handheld games console, the Nintendo Switch, is finally here. Queues formed at midnight shop openings up and down the country and stock has already sold out. The Switch 2 is the hottest tech launch of the past few years.
Indeed, on the day of the Switch 2's launch, there were more Google searches for 'Nintendo' than there were for 'Trump'. Either this means that global interest in US politics is declining, or Nintendo really does have a scene-stealer on its hands.
Either way, I've been thoroughly testing Nintendo's latest handheld games console to figure out whether it's worth all the fanfare, or if this is yet another over-hyped and over-priced piece of tech.
Where can I buy a Nintendo Switch 2?
While there's no guarantee of stock being available, these UK retailers are selling the Switch 2: OnBuy, EE, Amazon, Game, Very, Currys, John Lewis, Smyths, My Nintendo Store and Argos.
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How we test games consoles
I've been testing and reviewing games consoles for over ten years and have written about every Nintendo console since the launch of the Wii U in 2012. When it comes time to test handheld gaming consoles, I assess five key metrics: design and features, display, games and software, performance and graphics, and battery life.
I use the console as my main gaming device, comparing the ergonomics, controls and buttons during long play sessions versus the previous model, as well as against any competitors. In this case, that's the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally portables.
The quality of a handheld console's display is by far the most important metric. Performance is also crucial. Games such as the new Mario Kart World should run flawlessly without any noticeable lag or stutter. If I spot any performance hiccups, I remove points from the overall score.
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Design and features
Score: 9/10
'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. That seems to be Nintendo's motto with the launch of the Switch 2, with an overall design that, at first glance, is broadly the same as the original model. Its premise remains the same: it's still a rectangular screen, with two removable controllers attached either side for gaming on the go. You can still drop it into the 'dock' when you get home to play it on your living room TV.
It's effectively two consoles in one, which is the main reason why the original device was so popular. It's an experience that still works incredibly well, and it means you can spend pretty much all your waking hours gaming. I'm sure many people do.
No longer is it catering to the younger audience with bright colours, however. The Switch 2 is clad almost entirely in black, with just a glimpse of orange and blue peeking through. This is perhaps an indication that it's here to fight back against much more powerful living room gaming machines like the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5.
It's also much bigger, about the same size as the Steam Deck. This is due to the increase in the size of the screen, which now measures 7.9in (up from 6.2in). You will also notice the difference in weight during long handheld gaming sessions, at 535g versus 422g.
The other notable change is the way in which the two 'Joy-Con' controllers attach to either side of the screen. Rather than awkwardly sliding them into a track, they're now held securely in place by a pair of strong magnets and they feel much more secure than the previous model.
The Switch 2's built-in speakers have turned out to be the unsung heroes of this new console. The virtualised surround system simulates audio coming from behind you, which I found especially useful in games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to help minimise enemies out of view from getting the jump on you. The microphone did a great job at picking up my chatter, even when sitting far away from the console in docked mode. Background noise was eliminated effectively.
It's worth mentioning the suite of accessories Nintendo have released alongside the new console. First is the £49.99 Nintendo Switch 2 camera, which is essentially a small webcam that you plug into the console via USB when it's docked to the TV. This allows you to broadcast your face to your friends while playing games.
There's also the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, which is a traditional game pad, with all the usual buttons you might expect from something like an Xbox or Playstation. This costs £74.99 and is designed to be used when your Switch 2 is connected to the TV. In testing, the buttons and sticks felt pleasingly tactile and were instantly responsive.
Display
Score: 9/10
The Nintendo Switch 2's screen is larger than the original model (7.9in vs 6.2in) and has a higher resolution (Full HD vs 720p). What this means for the Nintendo gamer is that not only is there extra screen real estate available for your favourite games, but they also look much better than ever before, with a huge increase in visual fidelity.
Even if you aren't an avid gamer, if I showed you both versions side by side, you will notice the difference. Every game I tested had a remarkable amount of crisp, intricate detail, with some of the new Mario Kart World tracks, in particular, looking incredibly vibrant with loads of colour.
Sadly, all this detail is let down slightly by the screen brightness, still could be improved. At maximum, it gets about as bright as the Switch OLED model, which is to say that it's vivid enough while you're playing indoors, but take it outside in the bright summer sun and you might have to squint to see what your character is up to.
Games and software
Score: 8/10
With Nintendo, you can always rely on there being some truly exceptional gaming experiences on offer. At launch, however, there aren't that many new titles to play on the Switch 2.
The only new major Nintendo game at launch is Mario Kart World. Destruction-centric platformer Donkey Kong Bananza is coming in July and you'll have to wait even longer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Not that I think that's too much of a problem, since Mario Kart World is very good. I've already sunk many hours into the game, whizzing through all of the brand-new courses and tracks, trying out the expanded roster of characters and karts and getting a proper beating in the online Knockout Tour mode against 23 other racers around the world. This is a proper system-seller, no doubt about it.
There's also a game called Welcome Tour. This costs £10 and showcases what the system is capable of, via a series of fun minigames. This isn't the sort of game you keep coming back to but it's an enjoyable distraction for an hour or two nonetheless.
Some older Nintendo games have also been updated for the Switch 2 with improved graphics and in some cases, additional features. 'Upgrade packs' cost £7.99 or £16.99, depending on the game. At launch, the four games with paid-for upgrades are Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and both Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
I spent some time playing the latter during my testing period, and it completely transformed the experience. The game looked and played significantly better than it did on the original Switch, with a vastly improved frame rate and graphical fidelity. No doubt about it, this is the way these games are meant to be played.
Performance and graphics
Score: 9/10
In graphical fidelity and performance, the Switch 2 really shines. Everything is just so much faster, from responsive menu scrolling, game load times (playable now in the blink of an eye) and flashier graphics.
Mario Kart World is simply dazzling. It's practically a barrage of the senses, in many ways, with visually striking scenery such as robotic apes, trains and flames whizzing past as you speed across the course at a fluid, rock-steady frame rate with no noticeable stuttering. The same can't be said about the original Switch these days – it was already beginning to show its age, but the chasm in performance and fidelity is now even wider that the Switch 2 exists.
It's a shame that there isn't a wide selection of games to truly show off this newfound power, but what we do have to pay around with on launch day is something truly special.
Another upgrade for the Nintendo Switch 2 is that it has four times the storage as the original Switch. With 256GB of space and the option to expand this further with a microSD card, you can download and install more games than ever. Games typically take up between 4GB and 15GB of storage, so there's loads of space to play around with this time around.
Battery life
Score: 7/10
It's still early days with testing the Switch 2's battery life. Over the last 48 hours I've been spending as much time as possible putting the console through its paces, and I have a rough impression of how long the Switch 2 can last between charges. I hope things improve in time, because at the time of writing this review, battery life could be better.
The Switch 2's battery size is 5,500mAh, which is 27% larger than the cell inside the original Switch, so you would think that the battery life is longer. However, the size of the screen (the most power-hungry piece of hardware) is also 27% larger over the previous model. And what I've seen so far is that the battery life is largely comparable across the board.
After playing 30 minutes of Mario Kart World at maximum screen brightness, the Switch 2 went from 100% charge to 73%. That suggests a full battery would give roughly two hours of gameplay. Personally, I would always recommend dropping the brightness of the screen to try and squeeze as much juice out of the battery.
I will update this section of my review after further testing.
Technical specifications
With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, it makes the most sense to compare its specifications against the previous model. As you can see, a lot has changed over the last eight years.
Should you buy the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Switch 2 is all I could have wanted from an on-the-go games console. It doesn't reinvent the formula, but Nintendo has managed to keep the excitement of the original while thrusting the Switch 2 into the modern gaming era. It's undeniably the best way to play games on the move and it's a fantastic living room console as well.
It's a shame, then, that buying one isn't going to be easy. If you want one, you'll have to fight your way through the crowds, at least for the next few months as stock levels stabilise. However, if you are lucky enough to buy one, either via pre-orders, keeping tabs of stock on a daily basis, or simply waiting it out, then there's no doubt in my mind that this is the best portable games console you can buy right now.
Nintendo Switch 2 FAQs
When is the Nintendo Switch 2 being officially released?
The Nintendo Switch 2 released at midnight on the 5th of June. If you weren't lucky enough to secure a pre-order ahead of the official release, then you might struggle to buy one, with limited stock at the time of writing this review.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 be backwards compatible with original Nintendo Switch games and accessories?
The Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the majority of original Nintendo Switch games, both digital downloads and physical cartridges. The full list can be found on Nintendo's website. You won't be able to play Switch 2 exclusive games on the previous Switch.
Original Nintendo Switch controllers can also be used on the Switch 2, with a full list of compatible devices on Nintendo's website.
What are the features and specs for the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 might look similar to the original, but it's much larger with a 7.9in Full HD screen (versus 5.5in) and when plugged into the TV it can output at up to 4K resolution at a frame rate of 60fps or Full HD resolution at 120fps. It comes with more storage for games (256GB vs 64GB) and it has a new as-yet-unnamed Nvidia processor for faster performance.
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost in the UK?
The Nintendo Switch 2 costs £395.99 in the UK. At the time of publishing this review, you can purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle (which comes with the console and the game) for £429.99. The Switch 2 Pro controller costs £74.99, and both the left and right Joy-Con controllers are individually priced at £41.99.
Will there be a new Mario or Zelda game with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2?
Racing game Mario Kart World is the only new Nintendo game at launch. If you're after a new side-scrolling Mario game, like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, then you're going to have to wait a little while longer. There's no new Zelda game at launch, either, but the previous two games – Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom – have both received next-generation updates, with improved performance, graphics and new gameplay features.