Here at The Outerhaven, several of us have had access to the Nintendo Switch 2 for a while now. So, after many discussions and some differing opinions, we decided to gather together and write about what we think so far.
Nintendo Switch 2 Is Better Than Its Predecessor But…
From the moment I unboxed my Nintendo Switch 2, one thing became abundantly clear. Nintendo Switch 2 is a better machine than its predecessor, feeling more premium and well-built with a bigger screen while still feeling light to hold. The magnetic connection for the new Joy-Cons really helps give the whole device a much more solid feeling in handheld mode. I even like the dock, but that doesn’t mean it’s without problems.
It’s unfortunate to hear of people having issues with their Nintendo Switch 2 docks, especially since the Switch 2 does look excellent on 4K screens now, something which always bugged me with the original Nintendo Switch.
Before we go any further, I’d like to hand over to our Editor-in-Chief, Keith Mitchell, who has unfortunately experienced a rough start to life with the Nintendo Switch 2.
What Keith Mitchell has to say:
To be perfectly honest, I’m not the biggest fan of the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s not because I own several handheld PC gaming devices, or because I hate Nintendo (though yeah, I’m still salty about the lack of a new F-Zero). My experience with the Switch 2 started rough, thanks to a defective dock. That alone led to a frustrating back-and-forth with Nintendo, which wanted me to send the entire unit back (Switch 2 and all) for $180. Meanwhile, GameStop kept telling me they had no replacement units in stock. Eventually, that mess got sorted, and I was finally able to play the way I wanted.
Except… there wasn’t much to play.
Sure, I could play up my older Switch library, and while having access to Mario Kart World was nice, it didn’t hold my attention for long. Honestly, it feels like Nintendo rushed the launch. They should’ve delayed it until there were actual reasons to get excited—Metroid Prime 4 or Donkey Kong Bananza would’ve been perfect launch titles. Instead, people scrambled to buy the Switch 2 out of FOMO, not because there was anything truly compelling to play at launch.
That said, the hardware is definitely an upgrade over the original. I love the larger screen, and the device is more comfortable in handheld mode. When docked, the output looks great, especially on a 4K TV or monitor, so no more need for an upscaler. The Joy-Cons feel better in my hands as well. But that D-pad? It’s still awful and a total joke for anyone who plays fighters or needs tight directional input. Which is a shame, as out of the gate, the Switch 2 has access to one of the better fighting games around, that being Street Fighter 6 Years 1–2 Fighters Edition.
While I am starting to enjoy it a bit more now, I really can’t wait for the new games—Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4—to give me a real reason to stick with it. I’m holding off on final judgment for now, but if you asked me today how I feel about the Switch 2, I’d say wait until something you want to play is finally released, now that we’re past the FOMO period.
Though I’m 100% onboard once Duskblood gets released. You know how much of a FromSoft Stan I am.
Todd Black’s (Incredibly Accurate) Take:
As the host of the Nintendo Entertainment Podcast, many of you might expect me to “gush endlessly” about the Nintendo Switch 2 and say that anyone who hates it is a fool. Well…I’m not going to do that…for the most part.
Do I think the hate the Switch 2 gets is lame? Absolutely, especially with what we’ve been seeing with Sony and Microsoft recently. Do I think the Switch 2 is flawless? Of course not! My biggest issue is with the battery. It feels like it drains much faster when I’m not playing, forcing me to remember to charge it to max before I do a gaming binge. Plus, the fact that it’s basically on par with the original Nintendo Switch battery isn’t what I was hoping to see. Granted, my life usually doesn’t allow me to go above three hours for a gaming binge these days…but I would’ve liked the option!
That being said, the Switch 2 is still incredible! As I noted in my Mario Kart World review, the games are rendered beautifully, and that applies to the OG Switch titles that got upgrades, too. I played Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition on it, and it looks/plays better than ever. My NEP co-host Will refuses to go back to the Switch after playing Splatoon 3 on the Switch 2.
Now, as for the “games debate,” I see both sides of this coin. Would I have loved to see some more exclusives right at launch? Sure! But here’s the thing: the Switch, the Wii U, and the Wii didn’t have the best launch lineups either, outside of one big game for each. Ironically, two of those three were Legend of Zelda titles. Go figure.
And Mario Kart World IS A GREAT GAME! One that you can jump in and out of whenever you want. Plus, THIS IS NINTENDO! Unlike Sony and Xbox, we KNOW they’re going to be releasing great 1st party titles at a good clip, and we’ve already gotten proof of that with Donkey Kong Bananza coming in two weeks and Pokémon Legends ZA coming out in October, and that’s just the start of things!
Nintendo is known for quality. It’s just what it does. Could they have gone bigger with the console launch? Sure. But once things get rolling games-wise, we won’t care about this “opening period” anymore. Instead, we’ll just be wondering what the next epic game is that’s releasing on the Switch 2, and how it will potentially push things forward even more.
Because that’s what Nintendo does.
Scott Adams’ Experience With The Nintendo Switch 2
There is personally a lot to love about the enhanced Nintendo Switch 2. You have a better framerate, fewer dips in the games you can play, and the screen looks visually stunning in the games that utilize the enhanced LCD screen in handheld mode. One in particular being Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD. I was hoping to get some time in with my older Switch library that I had issues with when I was playing them initially, like Shin Megami Tensei V and Pokémon Scarlet, but a good stream of third-party releases has been keeping me busy from doing that. One thing that it looks like the Nintendo Switch 2 has going for it that the original did not is consistent 3rd party support in the first year.
I fear that the support may waver thanks to the perception online about game-key cards. I hope that Nintendo figures out a path between the game-key card and the expensive cartridges that will bolster more support from preservationists, as well as other third-party publishers still on the fence to ship their games on Nintendo Switch 2.
I do think the actual handheld device is a huge step forward for the Nintendo platform. NVIDIA really set Nintendo apart, giving the console 4k support, and hooking up a Nintendo Switch 2 to a TV looks night and day different from any other handheld’s upscaling to 4k. I have yet to play one of the games to support 120 FPS, but the 60 FPS holds well, so I have high hopes for that to gain more traction.
In terms of ergonomics, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a step up from the original model, mainly because the first Switch wasn’t exactly ergonomic to begin with. Its lightweight design masked a lot of flaws, but once you’ve used something better, those flaws become hard to ignore. The Switch 2 feels more refined, but it still doesn’t fully satisfy me. It could benefit from a bit more weight and some actual contours to grip onto, as the edges still dig into my palms during extended play sessions. For the first time, I’m seriously considering buying a grip for a Nintendo handheld, which is something I never felt the need to do with the original Switch.
That said, I’m still very much in the honeymoon phase with the Nintendo Switch 2. I love Mario Kart World. I’m blown away by the tech upgrades. I just want more games to take advantage of the system’s power. And Nintendo, if you’re listening, I need a Xenoblade Chronicles 3 60 FPS patch—like, yesterday.
So, There You Have It… For Now
As you can see, we’ve all had different experiences with the Nintendo Switch 2 so far. However, one thing we seem to agree on is that this console launch has been somewhat underwhelming, even with the hardware offering a decent upgrade over the previous iteration.
The dock issue is a concern that needs to be addressed. Hopefully, Nintendo is already working on resolving this, because having such a major potential defect during the launch of new hardware is never a good look.
To end on a positive note, one thing we haven’t discussed much so far is the superb initial third-party support the Switch 2 has received. Of course, many of these games were previously available on other platforms. However, being able to play games like Hitman: World of Assassination anywhere is a nice perk for people who don’t want or can’t afford a PC handheld.
Then there are the timed third-party exclusives like Yakuza Zero: Director’s Cut, which adds a new combat rush-style multiplayer mode, marking the first time the franchise has ever featured multiplayer. I’ve had a chance to test this mode, and it’s enjoyable, especially as someone who has always appreciated the real-time combat of the Yakuza games.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a solid launch, but it’s not without a few issues. I think I speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Nintendo Switch 2. I’m especially excited for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it looks fantastic.
