I used to think the new Nintendo Switch 2 was just a configuration upgrade over the original, but holding the device in my hand completely changed my mind. In this Nintendo Switch 2 quick review, I will share the details of the new console when it was first opened, including its appearance, game experiences, and more. I will then expand on these details in a separate review article.
Nintendo has crafted the new Switch 2 as a beautiful handheld game console, featuring a finely finished, high-quality material surface. The two Joy-Cons attach using a sturdy magnet, eliminating the looseness felt in the first generation. The refined design elements and mechanical innovations all come together to deliver an outstanding user experience—one that truly reflects the legacy Nintendo has built over the decades.
Nintendo Switch 2 Quick Review
Unboxing
Inside the Switch Gen 2 box, the toys and accessories are essentially the same as those in the original Switch box. First, of course, is the console, which is designed like a 16:9 tablet with two Joy-Con controllers. Remove those three items, and the following will be the remaining accessories.
The most notable is, of course, the dock with three ports. The first is a USB-C port for charging the device. The second is a standard HDMI 2.1 port. The third is an Ethernet port, which creates the most stable connection for Switch 2 when the device is in Docked mode, allowing for smooth updates and online gaming. Finally, the package includes a user manual, a charger, and a cable with both ends featuring USB-C connections.
Slim, Sleek, and Surprisingly Light
The first impression when holding it is that the Nvidia Nintendo Switch 2 is very thin compared to other handheld gaming devices. Although the parameters of this version are the same as those of the previous generation, due to the strongly curved edges of the device, from its appearance to the feel of holding it, it feels thinner than the old square design.
The total weight of the device is 534 grams, which feels comfortable to hold and play. Especially with a 7.9-inch screen size, this weight can be considered light.
In terms of size, the Nintendo Switch 2 console is much larger than the original. The larger 7.9-inch screen replaces the previous 6.2-inch size. At the same time, the resolution jumps from 720p to 1080p, and the refresh rate reaches 120Hz. For me, this configuration is entirely suitable for a handheld gaming device in mid-2025.
On the back is a stand that opens up to prop the device up. We will be able to adjust the tilt angle to a range of positions, from an upright to nearly a lying-down position on the table.
The foot part is both sturdy and straightforward; the pulling force is just enough for the user to conveniently remove it without much effort while also maintaining a balance between firmness and ease of removal.
Bigger Screen, Better Specs
The 7.9-inch touchscreen still features an IPS panel, 1080p resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and VRR support. The colors are reproduced vividly, bright, and solid. It will be optimized for Nintendo games, which are also known for their vibrant colors.
Compared to the 6.2-inch 720p resolution screen of the first-generation Switch, or even the 7-inch OLED with the exact 720p resolution, the new screen looks much more pleasing to the eye, sharper, and more impressive.
We still have the same touchscreen as before. The screen responds quickly and sensitively, feeling very close to swiping or touching a phone or tablet screen today. However, the screen border is still large, simply because Switch 2 currently only has one version with an IPS panel. Of course, using an OLED screen will create a more impressive contrast and allow the use of larger panels; battery life will also increase slightly. But in return, the device is more expensive.
Detachable, Versatile Joy-Cons
Nintendo has covered the entire body of the device—including the center and both Joy-Cons—with a matte plastic surface. This material feels more modern than the glossy plastic used in previous models. Both sides of the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons are black and attached to the body of the device. Only the area around the joystick is blue, with orange accents to make it easier to distinguish between them.
Joycon is attached to the body of the console with a very special mechanism. In the Nintendo Switch 2 version, Nintendo uses magnets to attract instead of using the sliding mechanism as before. The first impression is that the magnet attracts very firmly, feeling fixed and not loose or wobbly, which creates an excellent overall impression when installed.
When we want to open it, we need to hold the lever at the back and pull it out gently. At this time, the Joy-Con will vibrate once and then retract.
This will be one side of the Joy-Con after it has been removed; it can be used as an independent joystick for 2-player play. On it, we will have the joystick navigation button, four function buttons, and two buttons on the top edge.
The Joy-Con will be connected to the body of the handheld with a contact pin similar to this. The protrusion inside the body will help shape when installed, supporting the mounting mechanism more firmly. Of course, the Joy-Con will also feature full sensors and gyroscopes, allowing for many interactive games that Nintendo has always excelled at.
Ports, Buttons, and Audio
The top edge of the device houses the volume up and down buttons, while a recessed power button helps prevent accidental presses.
Next, on the top edge, there are also heat dissipation holes for the device. Adjacent to them is a USB-C port and a 3.5mm port.
On the Gen 2 switch, as usual, we will still have a game cartridge port designed in this manner.
The bottom edge will feature another USB-C port for simultaneous charging and playing, which is ideal for those who prefer this option. On both sides will be the speaker cluster. In the middle will be a recess for users to put their hand in to open the stand.
Custom Nvidia Chip and Efficient Hybrid Architecture
In terms of configuration, the new Nintendo Switch 2 utilizes Nvidia’s customized Tegra chip, which is based on the ARM architecture, so battery life is likely to be longer than that of x86 handheld devices.
Nvidia and Nintendo jointly developed this semiconductor product, combining the ARM CPU architecture and the GPU’s CUDA core architecture. More specifically, on the surface of this SoC are 8 Cortex-A78C CPU cores operating at 998 MHz when docked and 1,101 MHz in handheld mode. The CPU clock speed will compensate for the clock speed difference of the 1,536 CUDA cores in the 1,536 Ampere architecture (RTX 30 Series).
Scalable GPU Performance with DLSS Upscaling
When the Switch 2 is docked, the GPU operates at 1,007 MHz, creating 3.09 teraflops of graphics processing power. When taking the device out or sitting on the sofa playing video games, the GPU clock speed is only 561 MHz, creating 1.72 teraflops of processing power.
With the application of Ampere GPU core architecture, the Tegra T239 has more than enough DLSS processing capability to increase game resolution, thereby helping to reduce the rasterization burden on both CPU and GPU. In other words, the processor chip will render the game at a lower resolution, and then DLSS takes care of the rest. Now, everywhere you go, you see similar solutions. AMD has FSR. Sony has PSSR, developed based on the FSR 3 platform. And Nintendo Switch 2 has DLSS.
DLSS guarantees you a smooth gaming experience with games made specifically for Switch 2, ensuring high frame rates and detailed images.
Storage and Battery Life
Additionally, the SoC will feature 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory, operating at 102 GB/s in docked mode and 68 GB/s in handheld mode. It will cover the microSD card slot, allowing you to download digital games from Nintendo’s app store to the device if the 256GB of internal memory is insufficient.
Also see: MSI Claw A8 Hands-on
Powering the entire system will be a 5,220 mAh battery, up from the 4,310 mAh capacity of the first-generation Switch. Nintendo says this battery allows you to play games continuously for 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the graphics requirements of each game.
Gen 2 Switch Keeps Your Game Library Alive
The Game Card slot is very familiar simply because Nintendo uses the same storage format for Game Cards. Thanks to backward compatibility, the new console lets you play all game cartridges and digital titles from your Nintendo account. Insert the cartridge, turn on the handheld device, and start playing.
Nintendo will release patches for older Switch games, including titles like Mario Kart 8, enabling them to run at 4K 60 FPS when the device is docked and connected to a screen. Developers also promise updates for other games that will enhance image quality and breathe new life into classic favorites. For example, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both have graphics upgrades. You will spend $10 to purchase the Upgrade Patch, which allows you to play the game more smoothly and beautifully. This strategy is quite similar to Sony’s approach with games during the transition period between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Currently, there are a total of 26 games exclusively for the Switch, in addition to approximately 12,000 titles released on the Platform from 2017 to 2025. Of course, when you buy the device, you will want to experience the latest works, the most prominent of which is probably Mario Kart World. Besides that, fans also love popular titles like Hitman, Hogwarts Legacy, Split Fiction, and Street Fighter 6, among others.
Final Line
In hand, Switch 2 is slightly larger than the old version, but its thin design and weight of 534 grams make it feel comfortable to hold. I think there is no need to install an additional grip for the Joy-Con of Switch 2. The tactile feedback and experience of playing video games with this device remain very comfortable, and, as mentioned above, there is no concern about the Joy-Con 2 falling off.
Also see: ZOTAC Zone 2025 Hands-on
So, here is the end of this Nintendo Switch 2 quick review. The following detailed Nintendo Switch 2 review article will share specific experiences evaluating the quality of new game graphics made exclusively for the Switch 2 and comparing them to those on the first-generation Switch.
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