Hands-On with Nintendo Switch 2: Enhanced Size, Speed, and Innovative Mouse Controls

The Nintendo Switch 2 certainly brought back some familiar feelings, yet it managed to stand out in its own right. At a media event in New York, I had the privilege of being among the first to get my hands on this successor to Nintendo’s wildly successful console. While I walked away buzzing with excitement, it was the lineup of games that truly left an impression on me rather than the hardware itself.

Make no mistake, the Switch 2 is a well-crafted piece of tech. But as much as the console’s features are impressive, its true value lies in the software that both Nintendo and third-party developers will produce for it.

Playing the Switch 2 felt like encountering a sequel that has matured while staying true to its roots. After a few hours of diving into its early game lineup, I found myself anticipating even more goodness down the line. It might be time to start setting aside some savings.

Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

From the first moment, the Switch 2 makes a statement with its sleek black matte finish on both the console and the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. Although it weighs in at 1.18 pounds with the Joy-Cons attached, which is slightly heftier than expected, the larger 7.9-inch display justifies the trade-off. This is still quite a bit lighter than portable gaming PCs like the Steam Deck OLED.

The absence of vibrant colors feels slightly out of step with Nintendo’s usual style, reminiscent of the neon hues of past Joy-Cons and even the GameCube’s colorful options. But having had a black GameCube myself, I found I could overlook this easily, guessing that more colors are likely to follow.

The Joy-Cons release with a satisfying click by pressing buttons on each side, a feature I briefly tested. While most of my time with the demo units kept the system tucked out of view, the build quality inspired confidence, feeling sturdy enough to withstand daily use without accidental detachment.

The extended Joy-Cons also offer a better grip than the originals, maintaining a thin profile but feeling more balanced in hand. That said, the difference might not be striking to everyone.

It seems that Nintendo stuck with potentiometer-style sticks similar to the originals. During a Q&A with developers, they shared that the sticks have been re-engineered for smoother, broader motion, without throwing around terms like “hall effect” that enthusiasts might wish for. My initial impression, gathered over several short gaming sessions, was that the feel remains familiar, although a longer trial is essential to confirm any real difference.

The new kickstand is a notable upgrade. With a broad, adjustable stand replacing the flimsy original Switch’s kickstand, it feels functional enough for everyday use, like setting it up on an airplane tray.

But what truly sets the new device apart is its display. It may not be OLED, which might be a letdown for some, but this LCD panel’s jump to a 1920 x 1080 resolution, paired with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and HDR10 support, is impressive. Colors popped while playing Mario Kart World, and though it wasn’t OLED, I hardly found myself missing it during my quick playthroughs mostly showcased on TVs.

As for the dock, it made a brief appearance during one demo alongside the Switch 2 camera. It’s more substantial, accommodating a fan, yet operates much like its predecessor.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specs

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CPU and GPU: Custom Nvidia processor with DLSS and hardware ray tracing support.
Display: 7.9-inch, 1920 x 1080p touchscreen with HDR10 and 120Hz VRR.
Storage: 256GB UFS, expandable via microSD Express up to 2TB.
Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and dock-integrated Ethernet.
Audio: Stereo speakers and a monaural microphone with noise cancellation.
Ports: Console with 2x USB-C, headset jack, game card slot, microSD Express card slot; Dock with 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI, and Ethernet.
Battery Life: 2 to 6.5 hours (according to Nintendo’s estimates).
Price: $449.99, or $499.99 with Mario Kart World bundle.
Release Date: June 5, 2025.

Mouse Controls

It’s not just about gaming ease-of-use with Nintendo; there’s a touch of PC gaming slipping in here, highlighted by the innovative mouse control.

Both Joy-Con 2 controllers are equipped to act as mice, thanks to their sensors combined with accelerometers and gyroscopes. Eager to explore this novel feature, I spent some time testing these capabilities during the event. Revisiting a mouse on a Nintendo console resonates as a throwback to the SNES mouse days of the early ’90s. Additionally, Switch 2 wrist straps come with built-in mouse skates to minimize friction.

I experienced mixed results. In Metroid Prime 4 Beyond’s Switch 2 Edition, swapping between controller and mouse controls was possible. With mouse mode, Samus Aran’s targeting grew remarkably precise. However, despite enhancements to the ZL and ZR buttons, extended use led to wrist strain, eventually pushing me back to traditional controls.

The pacing of Civilization VII felt much more aligned with the mouse functionality. It mirrored a PC gaming experience well, though it could benefit from integrating quick-action commands across both controllers.

Players might find the Drag x Drive experience to be refreshingly unconventional. You maneuver with both mice in a setup akin to a mix of Rocket League and wheelchair basketball — one of the most creative uses of mouse controls I’ve encountered. However, I left wondering if a joystick mode might simplify things in the future.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition’s demo used a Pro controller, with CD Projekt Red signaling future mouse control integration. It’s intriguing to think how that will unfold.

Imagine lounging on the couch with your Joy-Cons as mice; realistically, that setup seems a bit impractical. So, while sitting or standing at desks might enable optimal play during demos, I question the long-term uptake among users. Nintendo had equipped the venue with ample mouse pads and adjustable desks for these trials.

Resolution Options and Quality Modes

The Switch 2’s exploration into a higher resolution and configurable quality options feels like moving into enthusiast territory. Building on the original Switch’s jump to 720p with docked output up to 1080p, this evolution keeps in line with trends seen in consoles like Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

In docked mode, the Switch 2 can output in 4K at up to 60 fps. Alternatively, selecting 1080p or 1440p lets you experience 120 Hz with variable refresh rate.

The built-in screen handles resolutions up to 1080p at 120 fps, making portable play a significant step up.

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Resolution: Maximum frame rate: Play Mode
3840 x 2160: 60 fps: Docked
1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440: 120 fps: Docked
1920 x 1080: 120 fps: Handheld or tabletop

Additionally, games often include modes optimizing for quality or performance. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was upfront about this, running in 1080p at 120 fps with performance mode during the event. This delivered fluid gameplay that almost felt like playing a Nintendo-made PC title.

Firaxis aims for Civilization VII to operate at 1080p 60 fps, which matches its strategic gameplay well.

Pro Controller and Nintendo Camera

Nintendo is also introducing a Pro Controller at $79.99 and a camera for $49.99.

While similar to its Switch predecessor, the new Pro Controller offers clicker buttons and extra rear buttons mappable to face controls. The inclusion of the C button mimics right leaning towards Nintendo’s Game Chat feature.

The camera is tagged for Game Chat and customizable avatars in titles like Mario Party Jamboree. However, I found the green screen effect on our animated outlines to be less polished than expected.

Despite the camera’s price, their site mentions “compatible USB-C cameras,” giving players choices beyond Nintendo-branded products. Keeping my Logitech StreamCam could be worthwhile.

Game Notes

Let’s delve into the games showcased at the event.

Nintendo’s first-party offerings often drive console adoption, epitomized by the Switch 2 launching with Mario Kart World, a jot down a surefire winner. A highlight reel shows the game bustling with vibrant graphics at about 90 fps, although specifics remain unconfirmed. Its new Knockout Tour mode elevates the battle with 24-player races, ratcheting up excitement with eliminations at intervals. Having fun with off-track vehicles and rotating characters — even encountering guests like Mariachi Waluigi or a cow — added to the appeal.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition signals the system’s muscle, though early demos carried rough edges. Characters and textures lacked sharpness, but with pre-release builds, there’s potential improvement coming. Despite the absence of confirmed modes, bridging this AAA to Switch 2 underscores the console’s potential.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour isn’t just a feature showcase — surprisingly, it’s not a freebie. I enjoyed its challenges, like guessing object frame rates, perhaps disproving my set beliefs. Yet, it rings more like an Astro’s Playroom ride than a standalone buy.

Donkey Kong Bananza brings the fun of chaotic destruction upfront. Its levels encourage exploratory destruction, whether digging tunnels or smashing surfaces, inviting completionists eager for them. A mechanical companion joined Donkey Kong on this portion of the demo, and its latent role remains under wraps.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has a tactile FPS appeal with powerful visuals and a seamless 1080p, 120 fps flow. With an open invitation for both controller styles, it was rewarding enough to inspire another round.

Drag x Drive merges Rocket League with wheelchair sports in a manner demanding spacious gestures. Though space constraints raised questions, gameplay strategies, like jump shots, displayed nuance that encourages anticipation for expanded control options.

Nintendo Classics: GameCube entries like Soul Calibur II or F-Zero GX revived emotions and the controller performed commendably, sans tactile feedback. The classics extend beyond these showings, provided Nintendo Switch Online and its Expansion Pack support it, showcasing a bigger library.

Other titles like Civilization VII, Hades 2, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and Kirby and the Forgotten World also made appearances, giving fans much to look forward to.

In sum, the Nintendo Switch 2 presents a vibrant horizon of possibilities blending familiar sensations with new, exciting features just waiting to be unlocked by future games.