First Impressions: Nintendo Switch 2 ‘Wows’ Most When You Go Back To Your Old Switch

After years of conjecture, the Switch 2 has finally arrived. It boasts a release date, a ticket, a suite of accessories, and — most notably — a collection of games that are both organized and compact, all unveiled during an hour-long presentation that addressed a variety of queries.

However, how does the device genuinely feel in your hands? How does that display compare to the gorgeous OLED screen we’ve grown accustomed to? Is the ‘clack’ as satisfying as the ‘click’?

We have now gone hands-on with the device and a whole range of its software to provide you with our initial impressions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Overview – Initial Impressions

Let’s begin with our initial thoughts after receiving the device. Check out impressions from both myself and Alana here.

For those with larger hands, the Switch 2 might feel considerably more comfortable than the original. It feels very familiar, and within an hour, you may find that any differences in feel are easily forgotten — all the buttons are exactly where you expect them to be. Returning to the original Switch makes you immediately appreciate the ergonomic enhancements of the S2.

I can’t wait to see how it holds up after a few months of heavy usage (I noticed a light scuff on a demo Joy-Con 2 that had apparently taken a tumble), but it appears sleek with Nintendo’s signature durability – strong enough to endure a drop or two.

Your thoughts, Alana?

“Oh wow, it has some heft!”

I believe that statement can convey a lot about the Switch 2, but in this case, I mean it quite literally. The new hybrid device feels sturdier than its predecessor; less warm to the touch, featuring a speckled black exterior and matte finish. It feels like a premium product. The more I hold the handheld version of the console, the more I fell in love with how it felt in my hands. I learned to appreciate the original Switch in handheld mode, especially after the OLED, but it felt too light, and the Joy-Con were too small for my piano-playing fingers.

This is not the case with the Switch 2. It feels just right, and any doubts I had after uncovering the hidden features of the console online quickly vanished. Almost. – Alana

The Display

While it’s not an OLED, the display is quite stunning. We didn’t have access to brightness controls on any of the demo units (all menu functions were non-responsive for almost all demos), but the panel appeared sharp and clear. As someone who was genuinely concerned that a non-OLED display would feel like a significant downgrade, it didn’t feel that way at all.

Of course, I will jump at the chance to buy the inevitable Switch 2 OLED model the moment it’s available, but I didn’t come away feeling short-changed.

Oh goodness, we’ve come a long way from the LCD screens of 2017. My Steam Deck and even other writers had assured me of this before I went hands-on with the Switch 2, but once you start playing Breath of the Wild in handheld mode on a stunning new device, you are overwhelmed with a sense of excitement.

In fact, the new display is impressive — the colors are significantly brighter than the original Switch, and they might even rival an OLED thanks to the larger screen size. It seems that .9 inches makes a huge difference. I also didn’t really notice the bezel around the display; it wasn’t distracting, and because the screen is so vibrant, my eyes were never drawn to the black border. – Alana

The New Joy-Con + Official Controller

Both the Joy-Con 2 and the Official Controller 2 highlight the essential quality of the new system: the novelty might wear off quickly since it’s all so familiar and intuitive, but switching back to Switch 1 will feel odd after this.

The rumble impresses just like it did in the original – whether it will have additional longevity this time around is debatable, but I always enjoyed shaking numerous balls in a box, and HD Rumble 2 (Nintendo is really driving home the ‘true sequel’ messaging) puts rubber balls in maracas – what’s not to love? There’s no confirmation on whether the triggers utilize Hall Effect technology or not, but we’re working to get a definitive answer.

The Official Controller 2 appears slightly more compact than the original, and I appreciate the lighter accents. The programmable buttons on the back are potentially innovative, but they fall into a natural position and feel spacious – although, once again, we weren’t able to access them or the (presumably device-level menu) to program them.

You might be surprised to hear that no, the first thing I did with the Switch 2’s Joy-Con wasn’t to unclick and click them. I was eager to, but don’t get me wrong! However, all my major concerns with the Switch revolve around the Joy-Con. Specifically, the buttons and the ZL/ZR shoulder pads.

Everything on the Switch 2 Joy-Con has been improved. No more clacky, hard buttons — there is now a slight sponginess that makes them click in a bit softer, both on the D-pad and the face buttons. I didn’t feel like I was going to develop blisters when I was racing to victory in Mario Kart World or vacuuming up power-ups in Kirby & the Forgotten Land.

The same is true for the larger ‘ZL’ and ‘ZR’ buttons, which feel delightful to rest your fingers on. I’m not struggling to keep my fingers from slipping off the console; they feel closer to the PS5’s shoulder buttons — not as satisfying, but definitely better than what the original Switch offered.

I genuinely have so many thoughts on HD Rumble, which might just be my favorite feature of the Switch 2; the immersion level in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Drag x Pressure in particular blew me away. I usually turn off the rumble in controllers because I worry about battery life way too much, but I wouldn’t dream of doing that here. It’s phenomenal.

Finally, the sticks: no more hard rubber, smooth and comfortable rotations. I don’t have to worry about damaging them anymore, and my thumbs won’t feel like they’re on fire anymore. – Alana

The ‘C’ Button

It feels like a button, yet it was disabled on all the demo units we tested, so there’s nothing to see here.

Well, it was there. I pressed it when I touched it! However, I wouldn’t say I could reach out to Doug Bowser using the Switch 2 right now. – Alana

‘Mouse Mode’

Drag x Drive was the biggest surprise for me – a game that is dull to watch, yet contained moments of the magic I truly desire from Switch 2. The controls required some time to master, but dual-wielding them on a nice flat surface or my thighs (common!) resulted in similar successful outcomes. A system built around this mode will be worth keeping an eye on.

I was less impressed by the more conventional mouse-style usage demonstrated with Metroid and Civ VII. With the latter, I found myself reaching for a scroll wheel that wasn’t there (you might use the stick instead), and my unfamiliarity with the latest Civ didn’t help. It functioned well and the game looked outstanding, but it didn’t feel like Civ had naturally adapted to the Switch – Firaxis had already done an excellent job of adapting the controls for console play.

In the case of Metroid, the absence of gyro functionality outside the lock-on display (hold down ‘ZL’) caught me off guard. PC gamers will pick it up right away, of course, and my lack of experience contributed significantly to my frustration. Simply flipping the Joy-Con on its side instantly activates the mode — no menu options or anything — and I appreciate that. However, this feels like an optional extra that I might end up overlooking except in games specifically designed around it.

I approached the experience knowing that Mouse Mode probably wasn’t for me, and I still feel that way. I’ve never really played games using a mouse and keyboard, and that’s perfectly fine! Some people love and excel at it. It has always felt clunky to me, and my left/right coordination isn’t particularly great. But at least mice are wider.

In my opinion, I’m not a fan of Mouse Mode. But credit to Nintendo — it’s incredibly smooth. You can transition from Joy-Con to Mouse effortlessly by simply placing the Joy-Con down on a flat surface thanks to the built-in sensors. It genuinely feels remarkable switching between controls and the mouse in Metroid Prime 4.

However, ultimately, the thin Joy-Con on the side feel unnatural to me. I found it was too easy for the Joy-Con to slide and tilt, which became frustrating while playing games like Drag x Drive. And I haven’t seen enough creative uses for the mouse outside of those mentioned, Welcome Tour, and Mario Party Jamboree! Prime 4 and Civ VII are straightforward. Let me steer my kart around using the mouse. Or perhaps not since I’m terrible at it. – Alana

Switch 2 – The Games

You can explore deeper insights into the software we tried in our other articles, but here are some quick thoughts and comparisons on what it feels like to really play games on Switch 2:

Mario Kart World

A warm, cheerful experience, but I only scraped the surface based on the demos available. It controls exactly as you expect. Knockout Mode got my heart racing.

Is Mario Kart World just another Mario Kart game? Kinda. At least based on what I got to play. We only got to try out Grand Prix and Knockout Mode, the latter of which is new, but both felt great and, most importantly, looked and ran phenomenally. It’s more Mario Kart, so it’s a winner — and there are new Power-Ups, characters, and Kart types to discover. What’s not to love? – Alana

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Aesthetically, the detail and fluidity here were astounding. I struggled with the Mouse controls and I would also want to replay it with the Official Controller, but it is an extremely demanding game.

I think I’ll stick with 4K60 in the final version (the difference between 60 and 120 fps isn’t as obvious as it may sound), but this one delivers on its premise and elevates the Prime series to another level.

Probably the highlight of the entire experience for me. It’s not even technically a Switch 2 game. But with 4K output and 120fps on full display at the event, my jaw was on the floor. Not a single frame dropped during the opening sequence of Prime 4, with rain and neon visors and explosions breaking up the environments. If this is what Nintendo Switch 2 Edition means, then wow. – Alana

Donkey Kong Bananza

A delightful surprise. Terrain deformation is the game’s feature, and it felt like a Kirby-style colorful energy had been infused into DK. Packed with surprises, I’m not the biggest DK fan, but this felt significant… after I managed to switch the default jump button to ‘B’.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

It’s painfully clear to everyone except Nintendo that this should have been a pack-in, but it’s a fun introduction to the system’s capabilities.