We’ve had the reveal and seen the console in more detail at the recent Nintendo Direct. We’ve seen some of the games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Games include the likes of Mario Kart in Mario Kart World. We have a new game from From Software in The Dusk Bloods, and Elden Ring comes across with a Tarnished Edition. The original Switch saw CD Projekt Red bring The Witcher 3 to the platform, and on the new hardware, we see Cyberpunk 2077. We also see upgraded games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as well as the successor Tears of the Kingdom. Therefore the worst-kept secret for some time is close to launch
So lets start the hardware, well it comes out soon. The Nintendo Switch 2 is available on 5th June this year for £395.99 /$449.99 / €469.99 and comes in a bundle with Mario Kart World which costs £429.99/ $499.99 / €509.99. Eurogamer have a good article with in depth pricing of all accessories. However it would be worth looking at what the official website has to say on in terms of what it is all about.
The next evolution of Nintendo Switch is here!
Bring games to life with a larger 1080p screen – or connect to a TV and play in up to 4K resolution*. Support for HDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps let you enjoy brilliant colour, clarity, and smooth gameplay.
Snap the new Joy-Con 2 controllers into place with magnetic connectors. Each controller can even be used as a mouse in compatible games.
Experience new, exclusive games like Mario Kart World only on Nintendo Switch 2. Plus, you can play compatible Nintendo Switch games**.
*TV and game must be compatible with 4K resolution. Frame rate is fixed to a maximum of 60 fps for 4K output.
**Nintendo Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. Some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch Online members can continue using the service on Nintendo Switch 2. Find out more about compatibility.
In summary, we see the console will support a 4k 60 output and supports 120 fps.
Though What Else Do We Know About The Nintendo Switch 2
Well, the console features a new button on the revised Joy-Cons and controllers. This is for the Game Chat feature. What we have is the information provided by Nintendo here.
GameChat, a brand new feature on Nintendo Switch 2, lets a group of up to 12 people chat while playing games.
You can share your screen in real time, even if you’re playing different games! Whether you’re sharing an in-game discovery or just waving hello, GameChat makes it feel like your friends are right there next to you.
If you connect a compatible USB-C camera (sold separately), you can also see each other while playing with GameChat.
Together, Wherever You Are
With GameChat, you can play games and hang out like you’re all in the same room, even if you’re miles apart.
Up to 12 people can join a voice chat session. Up to four people can share their game screen or take part in video chat simultaneously. GameChat is only available on Nintendo Switch 2.
GameChat is included with any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
How Game Chat Enhances Your Gaming Experience
So we can attach the consoles camera (bought seperately) to enhance chat and games . Not only that we can game share on the console as part of the game chat feature.
If a game supports GameShare via GameChat, you can share your game with friends in the chat – even if they don’t own it. Play select modes with up to four people in a chat group.
You can share compatible games and play together online via GameChat for Nintendo Switch 2 systems.
The Tech Specs And Changes
The console also offers a bigger screen, meaning the console is bigger, but it’s the same thickness. The tech specs tell us the following and much more
- Size – Approximately 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick (with Joy-Con™ 2 controllers attached).
- Weight – Approximately .88 lbs
Screen – Capacitive touch screen
7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen
1920×1080 pixels
HDR10 support
VRR up to 120 Hz - Storage – 256 GB (UFS)
- Communication features – Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6)
Bluetooth
In TV mode, Nintendo Switch 2 can be connected using the wired LAN port on the dock. - Video output – Output via HDMI connector in TV mode
Maximum of 3840×2160 (4K) resolution at 60 fps (TV mode)
Supports 120 fps when 1920×1080/2560×1440 resolutions are selected
Supports HDR10
*Maximum 1920×1080 resolution in tabletop mode and handheld mode, following screen resolution. - Microphone – Built-in microphone (monaural)
Noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control provide a more comfortable voice chat experience. - Buttons – POWER Button/Volume buttons
- USB-C® Ports – 2 USB-C® Ports
The port on the bottom is used to charge the console and connect to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock. The port on the top is used to connect accessories and/or charge the console. - Audio jack – 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard)
Game card slot – Both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch game cards can be inserted.
microSD Express card slot –
Compatible with microSD Express cards only (up to 2 TB) - Sensors – Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor located in Joy-Con 2 controllers
Brightness sensor located in console - Internal battery – Lithium-ion battery/5220mAh
- Battery life – Approx. 2 – 6.5 hours
*These are rough estimates. The battery life will depend on the games you play. - Charging time – Approximately 3 hours
What This Means For Us
The console dock has also been revised, and we have much more storage this time. The memory cards we use on the Switch can’t be used on the successor for gaming, just for copying screenshots and video, so please bear that in mind. However, the new dock isn’t the only change we see to gaming on the new Switch. So, let’s look at the tabletop mode. This offers “150 degrees of freedom.” You “can always find a comfortable viewing angle.” Another change is the addition of a USB-C port on the top of the console. So now we can charge the Switch 2 in tabletop mode, something we couldn’t do previously
The New Joy-Cons
Though the dock and the system aren’t the only things changing, the Joy-Cons do as well. Now, the first change is the way they connect; they are connected with a magnetic lock. So, we get told to “simply press the release button on the back to disengage the magnetic lock—and off.“
But wait, we have more on the new Joy-Cons. They can be used as a mouse. So each optical sensor on the side of the new Joy-Con allows you to “use mouse controls on surfaces like a table or your lap.” Though even better, both can be used as a mouse simultaneously, and all of this can be shown below.
Some Game Information To Be Aware Of
Eurogamer has published an article on backward compatibility. What we have is the Switch 2 isn’t playing them natively. So let’s allow Takuhiro Dohta, the Senior Director, Entertainment planning and development department explain further.
When we first started Switch 2 development, the focus was on enhancing its performance as hardware, namely, expanding its capacity. So, compatibility was a lower priority.
But, it was still something the team wanted to ensure, and in the end the Switch 2 developers settled on “the challenge of using new technology to run Switch games”.
If we tried to use technology like software emulators, we’d have to run Switch 2 at full capacity, but that would mean the battery wouldn’t last so long, so we did something that’s somewhere in between a software emulator and hardware compatibility.
Also, we mentioned upgrades, and thisis an interesting point to note on physical copies
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