Latest news with #Switch1
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
We have to accept the Nintendo Switch 2 is not for hardcore gamers
A reader examines the pros and cons of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and argues the 2025 line-up is perfect for casual gamers, even if other fans are disappointed. I think a lot of people are starting to realise that the Nintendo Switch 2 launch has been a bit of a let-down. Only one good game and no clue as to what is happening with most of the big franchises. Literally no clue, because how do you follow up the Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? The formula has already been perfected, so either you reinvent it again or… you do what Nintendo is doing with this year's line-up. I know some fans are holding out for a secret big Christmas game, but I would bet anything there's not going to be one. The games scheduled for this year may look minor and uninteresting to long-time Nintendo fans but I think the truth is they've been very carefully and cleverly chosen. Hardcore fans might be upset at the Switch 2 at the moment, but Nintendo isn't, not with it being the fastest selling console ever, and ordinary people aren't going to be either. Whatever problems you and I might have with Mario Kart World (I'm assuming anyone reading this is at least a relatively hardcore gamer) ordinary people don't see a problem at all. I think that Nintendo might have learned a little to well from Sony and the PlayStation 5. What is the big take away for this generation, from Sony's point of view? That the less you do and say the more you get rewarded. Sony has no competition from Xbox now, so the PlayStation 5 is really the only console to buy. They don't have to do anything to earn people's support, except make less of a mess of things than Xbox, which is not difficult. Nintendo hasn't had any direct competition since the Switch started. If it wasn't for the Wii U you could say they've been untouchable since the Wii in 2006. Nintendo has a captive audience, that likes their stuff and most people are, for good reasons, very happy with how the Switch 1 turned out. So, I really don't see any eventuality where the Switch 2 isn't a massive success or, I should say, doesn't continue to be a massive success. The Switch 2 could probably go its whole generation just being the Mario Kart machine, which the Switch 1 pretty much did. Obviously, there will be other games, they've got Donkey Kong in just a few weeks, but Mario Kart and whatever Mario game they release to tie into the new movie next year is going to keep Nintendo execs in unicorn pâté for a long time to come. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. What I'm saying, is that we need to calm down a bit with wild expectations and then getting upset because those, completely made-up, expectations don't come true. Nintendo's in no hurry with any of this. They don't want to cannibalise sales of the games they've got out this year, which include a Donkey Kong game (that seems close to being a 3D Mario), a Zelda game, a Pokémon game, a Kirby game, and a new Metroid Prime. The Zelda and Pokémon ones are spin-offs, that might not be that great, and I'm not sure anyone cares about Kirby, but on top of that you've got new content for Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby And The Forgotten Land this year. That really is all the big hitters, in some form or another, and while hardcore gamers can pick problems with all of them (even Metroid Prime 4, in the sense that it's still basically a Switch 1 game) that is not going to matter to casual gamers. Your average parent looking to see whether the Switch 2 is worth getting their kids for Christmas is going to see it has all these major franchises represented right from the start and they're going to think it's a worthwhile investment. They're not going to complain about the screen not being OLED or whether Game-Key Cards are a good idea, they're going to care that it has all the games their kids like and, despite what they've heard, none of them are £80. More Trending It may not seem that way to the likes of you and me, but I'm afraid to say the Nintendo Switch 2 launch was almost perfect, even if I'm not all that happy with it myself. By reader Gunther The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature MORE: As a former Xbox 360 owner I don't understand Xbox today - Reader's Feature
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Switch 2 has a secret feature that's perfect for an overlooked genre
Aside from its docked, handheld, and tabletop modes, Nintendo has unintentionally created a fourth way of playing games on Switch 2. Everyone knows the Nintendo Switch can be played in one of three different ways: connected to your TV via the dock, as a handheld, and in tabletop mode where you use its kickstand to rest it on a table. This all applies to the Nintendo Switch 2 as well, but it has a different and more versatile stand, which anyone who's played Welcome Tour will know is made of a special high strength metal. As such, it's been discovered that there's a secret fourth way of playing the Switch 2; one Nintendo probably didn't even mean to make and yet is an ideal set up for playing vertical shooters… and Donkey Kong 3. If you remove the Joy-Con 2 controllers and turn the kickstand 90° you can stand the Switch 2 on your desk or table vertically. It's extremely stable, and just leans a little, back because the stand isn't flush with the end of the console. As regular readers will know, we love our vertical shooters and the Switch 1 is home to a decent number of them, even if there are even more in the Japanese eShop than here. This includes the likes of genre classic Ikaruga, the Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha and Bravo collections, and Vasara Collection; all of which can run on Switch 2 through backwards compatibility. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. These games already came with TATE (*tate* is Japanese for 'vertical') mode support, which allows them to be played when the Switch is rotated vertically. This was something certain older TVs used to be able to do, for the same reason. 1942 series (as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium) AngerForce: Reloaded Arcade Archives Alpha Mission Arcade Archives Argus Arcade Archives Donkey Kong 3 Arcade Archives Front Line Arcade Archives Heroic Episode Arcade Archives Image Fight Arcade Archives Omega Fighter Arcade Archives Star Force Arcade Archives Terra Cresta Arcade Archives Xevious Atari Flashback Classics Commando (as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium) Contra Anniversary Collection Danmaku Unlimited 3 DoDonPachi Resurrection DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou (unconfirmed) Downwell Dragon Blaze Ghost Blade HD Gunbarich Gunbird Gunbird 2 Horizon Shift '81 Ikaruga Konami Anniversary Collection: Arcade Classics Namco Museum Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha & Bravo collections Psyvariar Delta Raiden 4 X Mikado Remix Samurai Aces Sega Ages: Gain Ground SNK 40th Anniversary Collection Sol Cresta Strikers1945 For Nintendo Switch ACA NEOGEO Strikers 1945 Plus Strikers 1945 2 for Nintendo Switch Strikers 1945 3 for Nintendo Switch Vasara Collection There may well be more, so if you know that TATE mode works with a Switch game do let us know and we'll update this list. While these games could be played like this on Switch 1, you couldn't rest it on a table with the kickstand, which prompted someone to design an accessory called the Flip Grip, which can be slotted into the Joy-Con rails. This accessory isn't compatible with Switch 2, since the Joy-Con 2s attach via magnets, but it's arguably no longer necessary since the Switch 2 feels tailor made for TATE mode. We first spotted this over on ResetEra but had to test it for ourselves and are pleased to report that it works incredibly well with the sturdier stand. More Trending Ikaruga automatically detects when the Switch 2 is vertical and reorients itself, which is great, though we also tried Raiden 5 which, tragically, lacks a TATE mode and thus won't change no matter how many times you spin the console. We've half a mind to believe this was intentional on Nintendo's part, but the company has never acknowledged this as a potential function for the console. Although Donkey Kong 3 does have a TATE mode, so it's not like they've never made their games that way. Regardless, this could make the Switch 2 the go-to console for vertical shooter fans and encourage studios to ensure any new vertical shooters or retro collections get a Switch 2 release and come with a TATE mode option. At the very least, we'd love to see Japan exclusive games receive dedicated Western releases. There are a number of vertical shooters that are regrettably only available on the Japanese Nintendo eShop, including gems like 1998's ESP Psi. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Irem Collection Volume 1 and 2 review – classic 2D shmups from the 90s MORE: Switch 2 third party games sold 'below our lowest estimates' says publisher MORE: Every Nintendo Switch 2 launch game reviewed – all 25 games so far
Tom's Guide
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Tom's Guide's readers have spoken
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for two weeks and has already sold an astonishing 3.5 million units worldwide. That's no small feat considering its lofty $449 asking price and the difficulty of finding Nintendo Switch 2 restocks. Right now, Nintendo's latest handheld/console hybrid is a hit, but does it live up to the hype? I recently wrote an article discussing how I've grown bored with the Nintendo Switch 2, one week after its launch. Though the system addresses almost every technical issue I had with the original Nintendo Switch, I'm disappointed by the lack of Switch 2 exclusives and the abundance of third-party games that are years old. Yes, I'm stoked for Donkey Kong Bananza, but for the moment, there's not a lot for me to play on Switch 2. That article received a lot of comments, so we decided to gather our readers' opinions on the Switch 2 for this article. On our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we asked folks what they thought of Nintendo's console two weeks later. We also selected a handful of comments from some of our other Switch 2 articles to get a fuller sense of how people felt. Not surprisingly, opinions are mixed. Here's what Tom's Guide's readers have to say about the Nintendo Switch 2. Walmart's Switch 2 product page is live, and the mega retailer has been one of the most frequent sources of Switch 2 restock since the console's launch in early June. On June 25th, Walmart will have restocks starting at 9 pm ET for Walmart+ members and 10 pm ET for everyone else. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Walmart While the Switch 2 doesn't yet have a robust selection of brand-new games and is more expensive than its predecessor, many of our readers are pleased with the new system. Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy. - Daniel (post commenter) 'I'm happy with it,' says one Facebook user. 'Maybe I could have waited until there were more exclusives, but for me, it was even important to play improved Switch 1 titles. And there are so many titles running much better on Switch 2. Mario Kart World is also great, even if you see that it's an unfinished game where more is to come over the months and years.' This reader also said they are looking forward to playing Donkey Kong Bananza and a potential new Zelda title. Similarly, a commenter in our forum said they think of the Switch 2 as an investment for the future.' Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another comment said they didn't regret their purchase because of their experience with most Nintendo consoles since the GameCube. 'I knew exactly what I was signing up for and adjusted my expectations accordingly,' they said. 'One or two early killer apps surrounded by ports of third-party games of yesteryear, plus the occasional JRPG sleeper hit or two.' So, which games are Switch 2 users playing right now? Based on feedback, folks are playing a mix of Switch 2 and Switch 1 titles. One commenter said they 'bought the Switch 2 specifically for local multiplayer games with friends, and it has been very fun. 4-player Switch Sports bowling/golf, Mario Kart, Mario Party Jamboree, and Mario Brothers Wonder have been some early favorites.' 'Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy.' Most of the comments we've seen are generally positive, but some folks regret buying the Switch 2. 'I was bored of it after a few hours,' said one user. 'I haven't touched the thing in days. Maybe if it were my only access to gaming, I'd be more inclined to use it. But my PC and Steam Deck offer a vastly superior gaming experience in nearly every way.' 'Yep, I feel exactly the same,' said another user. 'I almost regret buying one at this point. Looking forward to a year or two down the road, but it's mostly going to go unused until then. Very underwhelming.' 'Putting out new hardware to tap pent-up demand for an upgrade without a decent software library to support it seems like a cynical cash grab,' said another commenter. An Instagram follower shared their thoughts on Switch 2 as a piece of hardware, saying it's a 'great piece of kit with many improvements, but the battery and the finishing aren't great at all.' They also said the 'Joy-Cons wobble and creak.' We haven't seen comments discussing that last part, so it might be unique to that reader. As I said, I received a lot of comments from my post, with most disagreeing with my opinion. That said, even the folks who disagreed were generally respectful and articulated their thoughts well. Here is one of the best takes from someone with a different view from mine: 'I don't want to say this perspective is worthless,' said the reader. 'But it was facilitated by a dismissal of what the S2 currently has to offer (I mostly bought at launch for better performance on S1 titles, upgrade packs, and GameCube), a misunderstanding of MKW's main appeal (which, despite the open world, is still pretty obviously racing), and a disinterest in engaging with anything besides exclusives (which is fair, but the lack there of will be moot by year's end — which is probably when your demographic should've considered buying the thing).' The demographic that this reader brings up is folks like me who own a current-gen gaming console like a PS5 and/or a gaming PC. Some of the other folks who agree with me are also in the same boat. To that end, the reader above is correct when saying that if you already own another gaming system, the Switch 2 might not be that appealing for the moment. One of the points I brought up in my article is that the Switch 2 currently doesn't have many first-party titles and that most games are third-party, which have been available on other platforms for years. 'Just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?" - Muhahahahaz (post commenter) We saw commenters who shared this opinion in a piece written by my colleague Rory Mellon titled I've played 8 Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — here's the 3 I'd buy first (Mario Kart World isn't one of them). 'Those aren't launch games,' said one commenter. 'I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on my PS5 for cheaper with better graphics. I already have BoTW and ToTK on my Switch 1 OLED. Switch 2 ports aren't launch games.' Another person shared a similar sentiment, saying, 'just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?' '$450 on hardware and $80 a game for titles I already own and have played at higher resolution on better platforms? Yeah, no, thank you,' said another commenter. 'I'm not interested in an $80 1080p version of Cyberpunk, Hogwarts, or any of the others. A $10 mini game collection is a must-have on a new $450 console? LOL. You have to be pulling my leg!' Hardware-wise, the Nintendo Switch 2 offers many meaningful updates over its predecessor. Its larger size and heavier weight make it feel more premium, and its 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display allows games to look and run like a dream. Games also appear fantastic on 4K TVs when the system is docked. While technologically impressive, the Switch 2 is lacking when it comes to exclusives. That's going to change over time, but right now, you won't miss much if you decide to purchase the system at a later time. This is as true for Switch 2 as it is with all launch systems. That said, many folks are enjoying their Switch 2 for what it currently provides. Mario Kart World can be a huge (and fun) time sink, and it can be worth firing up old Switch games to see how they run on the system. And if the original Switch was your primary gaming console, you now have a chance to check out some awesome third-party games you might have missed out on. Whether you own a Switch 2 or aren't interested, let us know in the comments below! We'd love to hear what you have to say.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
Nintendo may ban players who want to play these games on Switch 2 console
Image via Nintendo Nintendo may ban players who attempt to play certain "older games" on the new Switch 2 console. The Japanese gaming company is specifically targeting those using flash cartridges associated with piracy, a report claims. Some new console owners have reportedly been banned after trying to use a type of flash cartridge designed for Switch 1 games on their Switch 2 devices. The device in question is the MIG Switch, a cartridge that allows users to load games, either from legally backed-up copies or pirated files. Last year, Nintendo began suing sellers of the MIG Switch and designed the Switch 2 to be incompatible with these cartridges. However, the makers of MIG Switch recently released a firmware update. This update made it possible to use these devices to load Switch 1 games on the Switch 2, which then prompted Nintendo's reported bans. How Nintendo is trying to tackle pirated games on Switch 2 Nintendo has reportedly started banning Switch 2 consoles that appear to have used illegal flash cartridges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Telidesk Saved My Business Undo 'My NS2 has been console banned and I have absolutely no idea why! The only thing I can think what has happened is that I tried my Mig switch in my NS2 once,' a Reddit user named SquareSphere wrote on the Switch 2 subreddit, A similar report came from another user named givemeupvote on the Switch Hacks subreddit, who wrote: 'Just wanted to let everyone know to refrain from using their mig flash on the Switch 2 online for now. My switch 2 was just banned (my account is fine for now).' 'The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo,' the user added sharing an image of the error message. X user SwitchTools said they used a MIG Switch with ROM dumps of their games and were also banned. The user wrote: 'I strongly recommend that you do not use the mig switch, it was already very risky to use but it is even more so on Switch 2.' While some players use such tools to back up their game libraries, these devices also raise piracy concerns for the new console. Although Nintendo has banned affected users from online services, it hasn't yet exercised the full extent of its terms of service. In a pre-launch update, the gaming company notes: 'You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions, Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part.' Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Highlights: Biggest Game Reveals, New Consoles & More!
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch 2 Review: A Better Switch in (Almost) Every Way
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to the brilliant console/handheld hybrid many of us have been using daily for more than eight years. While not a radical departure in concept, it's much more powerful, features a larger and sharper screen, supports 4K and 120Hz gaming, and has Joy-Con 2 controllers that double as mice. On the downside, it costs more at $449.99, requires some visual trade-offs when connecting to a TV, and has unimpressive battery. Those drawbacks don't hinder a great gaming experience, though, which features the excellent Mario Kart World and deep backward compatibility with Switch 1 titles. For taking just about everything from the original and making it better, the Nintendo Switch 2 is equally worthy of our Editors' Choice award for gaming systems. The Switch 2 is a plain black tablet that closely resembles the original. At 4.4 by 7.9 by 0.5 inches (HWD), it's 0.4 inches taller than the Switch 1 (both LCD and OLED versions). That extra size accommodates a larger 7.9-inch display. However, the system doesn't look or feel much bulkier than its predecessor. It's a little heavier, though, at 18.9 ounces to the OLED model's 14.9 ounces. Adding less than half an inch to the Switch 2's height is an acceptable trade-off for a bigger, sharper display. The 7.9-inch 1080p LCD is almost a full extra inch in diagonal measurement than the OLED Switch's 7-inch screen, and is downright massive compared with the LCD Switch's 6.2-inch panel. The 1,920-by-1,080 resolution is more than double the pixels of the first generation's 720p (1,280 by 720) screen. The display is a clear win in terms of size and clarity, but note that it uses LCD instead of OLED. On smaller displays, OLED screens show much more vivid colors than LCDs, which is the case when comparing the OLED Switch with the original LCD Switch. Fortunately, the Switch 2's LCD is noticeably brighter and more vibrant than the original's. Colors aren't quite as deeply saturated as they are on the OLED Switch, but it's an excellent picture across the board. Like the original, the Switch 2 has a USB-C port on its bottom edge that connects to the dock, charges the system with a cable, or connects a USB-powered accessory. That said, the port's location makes the Switch 2 hard to use when the kickstand is deployed. That's why Nintendo added a second USB-C port to the top of the console that's far more accessible. Besides the second USB-C port, the Switch 2's top edge holds a power button, a volume rocker, a game card slot protected by a plastic door, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The thin kickstand is much improved. It's a U-shaped metal arch on stiff hinges that props the console up at almost any angle. When closed, the stand rests flush against the Switch 2's chassis. A microSD Express card slot sits behind the kickstand, like on Switch 1 models. The Switch 2's dock is functionally identical to the one that comes with the OLED Switch, but with rounded corners to make it look a bit more friendly. Inserting the console into it lights up a power indicator, and video automatically outputs to your TV. The dock contains ports for USB-C (power), HDMI (TV), and Ethernet (wired network connectivity). Two USB-A ports let you hook up accessories. Thanks to a new custom processor from Nvidia, the Switch 2 supports a 120Hz refresh rate, 4K graphics, variable refresh rate (VRR), and high dynamic range (HDR) video. That means sharper, smoother, brighter, and more vibrant visuals—but not all at once. You must make a few choices on just how sharp or smooth you want your games to be. 4K is only available when outputting to a TV, and it's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. You can drop the resolution to 1080p or, if your TV supports it, 1440p, and use a 120Hz refresh rate. VRR, which lets the display adjust the refresh rate on the fly and helps reduce judder and screen tearing, is only supported on the Switch 2's screen, not a TV. HDR works on the Switch 2's display and a TV, but I ran into a strange problem. The HDR picture sent to my Hisense 65U8H TV was dim and washed out. Disabling the HDR signal output made everything look much brighter and colorful on the TV, when it should have been the other way around. In handheld mode, HDR works exactly as it should. The Switch 2 has 256GB of internal storage, up from 64GB on the OLED Switch. You can expand that by up to 2TB with a microSD Express card (make sure you get one labeled microSD Express; a standard microSD card won't work). For wireless communication, the Switch 2 has Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), upgraded from the Switch 1's Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Bluetooth is available for controllers and other accessories. Battery life is one of the few areas where the Switch 2 is a downgrade from its predecessor. Nintendo estimates that the system will last between 2 and 6.5 hours on a charge, with the wild variation being the processing power a game demands. In testing, Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour sessions killed the battery in just under four hours. The OLED Switch and the original LCD Switch (that received a battery upgrade) last between 4.5 and 9 hours, so this is a big step back. The Switch 2's battery life is short, even compared with PC gaming handhelds like the Valve Steam Deck OLED (3 to 12 hours). In fact, the Switch 2 only lasts as long as the original LCD Switch did at launch (2.5 to 6.5 hours). If you want to use the Switch 2 on the go, keep it charged and consider getting a portable battery pack. The Joy-Con 2 controllers look and feel just like the originals, though they're slightly taller. They're still thin, flat gamepads, and that extra bit of grip area makes them more comfortable to hold when not attached to the console. The control layouts are almost identical, with the left and right Joy-Con 2 each holding an analog stick, four face buttons, two system buttons (plus or minus, and home or capture), a bumper, a trigger, and a pair of additional buttons (SL and SR) on the mounting rail for when you hold a single Joy-Con 2 sideways. The rail buttons are now large enough to easily press with your fingers, no longer requiring a snap-on grip to access. The right Joy-Con 2 has a new C button for accessing the GameChat communication feature, which I'll discuss in a bit. The Joy-Con 2 controllers connect to the console and accessory grips differently from the original gamepads. Instead of sliding a rail vertically down a long groove, you simply line up the Joy-Con 2's rail and press it directly inward. It connects with a much softer click than the classic Switch 1 snap and stays in place via a physical lock and magnets. The result is a very secure connection with no wobble. You can also wirelessly connect them to the system. For most games, you'll use both Joy-Cons at the same time for the full dual-analog control scheme afforded by conventional gamepads. Like the first-generation Switch, the Switch 2 comes with two types of controller accessories. There's a double grip that holds both Joy-Con 2s at once to make them feel like a standard gamepad. In addition, a pair of wriststraps lets you use the controllers separately and prevents them from flying across the room when you play a game with motion controls. You can play some games with a single Joy-Con, in which case you simply turn the controller sideways. This is the control scheme I like the least, and not just because it's uncomfortable. Making it work requires having four identical face buttons on either Joy-Con 2. That means you must use the face buttons instead of a conventional, plus-shaped direction pad. It's a compromise that makes the Joy-Con 2 awkward for controlling 2D platformers, fighting games, and other titles that benefit from precise directional movements. Of course, this was the case with the original Switch and its Joy-Con, too. Internally, each Joy-Con 2 features motion sensors and haptic feedback motors. The seldom-used infrared camera on the right Joy-Con is gone, but it's not much of a loss when compared with the big, new Joy-Con 2 feature: mouse mode. A small optical sensor built into the rail of each Joy-Con 2 lets you use them as mice by simply placing them flat on a surface. A mouse cursor automatically appears on the screen and tracks the Joy-Con's movements. You should snap one of the wriststrap grips onto your Joy-Con when you want to use it as a mouse, for more stability from the extra surface area and smoother sliding from the low-friction pads (similar to the ones found on the bottom of ordinary mice). It's a great addition that adds precise control that benefits shooters, strategy games, and other genres. Although they act as mice, the Joy-Cons aren't remotely shaped like mice. As a result, the thinner design and starkly vertical (in mouse mode) face buttons and analog stick feel more awkward than a flatter, conventional mouse. My wrist hurt after prolonged sessions. The Switch 2's interface is similar to the Switch 1's, with a nearly identical menu structure and design elements. It's simple and easy to use, laying out your 12 most recently played games in a single row of big tiles. If more than a dozen games are installed on the Switch 2, you can access the full list by scrolling all the way to the right. You can also arrange games into folder-like groups, just like on the Switch 1. Annoyingly, you can't put those groups on the home screen; you have to go into the full installed software list to view the groups. Browsing your game collection has become slightly more convenient on both the Switch 2 and the original Switch, courtesy of virtual game cards. Previously, if you wanted to access your digital games, you had to either navigate to the installed game list or open the eShop app and select Redownload Software if they were uninstalled. Now, you can easily find all your games by clicking the virtual game card icon on the home screen. It's convenient and lets you virtually lend the game to a family member if you're a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber with a family plan. The Switch 2 has an additional game-lending feature that the Switch lacks. GameShare lets you share your game with friends over Wi-Fi, so the whole group can enjoy local co-op (or competition) with only one game copy. Nintendo had a similar system for select DS and 3DS titles called Download Play, and it's a cool way to let friends game together, each on their own Switch 2. Like Download Play, GameShare is only available on titles that support it, and that's currently a very short list. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Clubhouse Games, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, Split Fiction, Super Mario Odyssey, and a few others are compatible with GameShare. Mario Kart World is notably absent. You can participate in online voice and video communication via . Simply press the new C button on the right Joy-Con or Switch 2 Pro Controller to make or join chat rooms. The service leverages the Switch 2's integrated microphone and uses your Switch 2 or TV speakers for audio. You can connect the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or any compatible USB webcam to add your face to the mix. Surprisingly, GameChat doesn't require a Nintendo Switch Online membership—yet. Until March 31, 2026, any Switch 2 owner can talk with their friends on GameChat for free. GameChat works well, thanks to the microphone's remarkably good noise cancellation feature. I tested the Switch 2 docked right in front of my TV, inches from the TV's speakers. Not only was my voice clear in testing, but none of my game sounds came through the microphone. Mario Kart World is the Switch 2's biggest launch title, though Nintendo has a compelling short-term slate of upcoming releases. Donkey Kong Bananza, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are scheduled to come out by the end of the year, which is about as stacked as a Nintendo schedule can be without a new mainline Mario or Zelda title. On the third-party side, the system has Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Deltarune Episodes 3 and 4, Hitman: World of Assassination, Split Fiction, and Street Fighter 6 as major launch titles, with Borderlands 4, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 rounding out the calendar until 2026. The reasonably strong launch window library is backed up by the Switch 2's excellent backward compatibility. Whether it's on physical cards or digital, nearly every original Switch game will work on the Switch 2. Out of more than 15,000 Switch 1 games, only 136 currently have on the Switch 2. That list is already two-thirds the size of the list of 209 games that Nintendo warned about a few weeks before launch, so if one of your favorite titls doesn't currently run properly on the Switch 2, there's a good chance that it will be updated in the future so that it does. Don't expect every Switch game to suddenly look much sharper or run more smoothly on the Switch 2, though. If a game isn't programmed to take advantage of the system's extra power, it likely won't. Nintendo states that most Switch games will perform on the Switch 2 like they did on the Switch 1. The exceptions are games labeled as Switch 2 Editions, which are updated to use the new system's capabilities. The good news is that these versions, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, look far better on the Switch 2 than they did on the Switch 1, with higher resolutions, faster frame rates, and new content and features. The bad news is that these versions aren't always free, and upgrading a game you already own costs between $10 and $20. The Switch 2 also has several classic game collections for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. The $20-per-year subscription includes dozens of NES, Super NES, and Game Boy games, and upgrading to the $50 Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack adds Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, and GameCube titles. GameCube games are new to Nintendo Switch Online and are exclusive to the Switch 2. The collection currently includes F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Several others, such as Chibi Robo, Luigi's Mansion, and Super Mario Sunshine, are confirmed for release. The original Switch wasn't the most powerful console when it launched in 2017, and has been showing its age for some time, with a 1080p maximum resolution and difficulty consistently hitting 30 frames per second in many games. Nintendo has poured a lot more power into the Switch 2, so the console can play in the same graphics league as the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. It isn't their total equal, though; Sony and Microsoft's consoles might be older, but they're larger and more expensive than the Switch 2. They also don't have screens, batteries, or any of the other elements required for portable gaming, which means they have more space for more powerful hardware. I played several games on the Switch 2 and can confidently say that you can expect strong performance in both 1080p handheld mode and 4K TV mode. It's comparable with the PS5 and XSX, but don't expect PS5 Pro or high-end gaming PC levels of incredibly smooth action and fancy graphical effects. That said, it's much sharper and smoother than the original Switch across the board. On the Nintendo side, Mario Kart World looks fantastic on the Switch 2. It's bright and colorful, staying close to 60 frames per second in 4K and pushing well above that most of the time in 1080p handheld mode. The frame rate slightly dips when 24 racers are on the screen at the same time, but it's still highly playable. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is an incredible visual upgrade from the Switch 1 version, simply on the virtue of its maximum resolution and consistent performance. The game renders in 4K on a TV, appears to run at 60fps in nearly all situations, and maintains an incredible draw distance. It's even smoother in 1080p, hitting close to 120fps. Hitman: World of Assassination runs very well on the Switch 2. That's a testament to the system's power, considering Hitman 3 was only available on the Switch 1 as a cloud-based game. It's visually sharp and doesn't chug even when rendering dozens of people in crowded areas. The game struggled a little in 4K60, but it didn't drop below 30fps in testing. It really demonstrates that the system can keep up with the PS5 and XSX. Fortnite is smooth on the Switch 2, though it ran perfectly well on the Switch 1, too. More than performance, I found the Switch 2 version better due to the controls. I prefer to play shooters with a mouse, and Fortnite supports the Joy-Con 2's mouse controls. I found it a more accurate gaming experience than using the right analog stick to aim.
