The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and after spending some real hands-on time with it, we have a lot of thoughts. In this week’s Geek Freaks episode, Squeaks took the lead with his early impressions, and we all agreed. This is an impressive upgrade where it counts, but not without a few caveats. In the end, we gave it an 8 out of 10.
So, is the Switch 2 worth your money? Let’s break it down.
Hardware That Feels Premium
The moment Squeaks unboxed the Switch 2, one thing stood out immediately. The hardware feels great. The new 7.9 inch 120Hz LCD screen is big, bright, and smooth. It is not OLED, but for a handheld, it is still a major improvement. The snappy refresh rate makes games look and feel better right out of the gate.
He also called out some nice little quality of life touches. The magnetic snapping on the new Joy-Con 2 controllers just feels satisfying. The handheld as a whole comes across as more premium than the original Switch.
Performance and Gameplay
Squeaks spent most of his playtime with Mario Kart World, one of the Switch 2’s key launch titles. He noted that the game runs smoother, with brighter colors and faster load times. “It looks great, runs great,” he said. “Feels like an enhancement all around.”
That said, while the system is fully backwards compatible, the library of true Switch 2 titles is limited at launch. Games like Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and older Pokémon titles run better now, but many players, like Squeaks, are waiting on upcoming releases (Donkey Kong, Kirby, Metroid, Hyrule Warriors) to really feel like they are getting the most out of their new hardware.
Battery life is good but not great. After a couple of sessions with Mario Kart, Squeaks noticed a “chunk of battery” missing, though he had not run it fully down yet. It looks like we are seeing roughly 2 to 6 hours, depending on the game. Solid, but a slight step down from the best performing original Switch units.
A Gimmick That Has Not Landed Yet
The Switch 2 includes an optional camera accessory that works with new chat features in certain games like Mario Kart World. The problem? Squeaks called this one out as a bit of a gimmick so far.
Right now, it only works if you are in a party with friends, and it is not used dynamically during normal gameplay. “I have not been able to use it yet,” he said. For a 50 dollar add-on, that is a disappointment. Hopefully Nintendo expands this feature soon.
Family Friendly But Leaning More Gamer Centric
One interesting takeaway from our chat. Squeaks felt that the Switch 2 leans a bit more toward core gamers than the original Switch did. The focus on performance, improved third party support, and enhanced visuals clearly aims to satisfy players who want a true hybrid console. But the family friendly core is still intact, especially with a growing online component that remains safe and structured.
Should You Buy It?
Our verdict was clear. 8 out of 10 Yoshi eggs. This is the best version of the Switch yet, and it is a fantastic handheld console hybrid. But unless you are eager to be an early adopter, you might want to wait just a bit longer. Squeaks recommended holding off until at least Donkey Kong releases, so there is more variety to justify your purchase.
If you skipped the original Switch, this is the one to get. If you are upgrading, it is a solid leap forward. Just know that you are mostly buying future potential right now.
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