Launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch quickly became one of the best-selling consoles in history due to its versatility, allowing players to enjoy games both at home on a TV screen and on the go. It became an essential device for Nintendo fans. Now, after eight years, a worthy successor has arrived, promising to function just like the original Switch but with improved features.
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| Nintendo Switch 2 |
It's called the
Nintendo Switch 2. Starting at 49,980 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, Nintendo insists that this is the worthy successor to the original Nintendo Switch, which promises to carry on the predecessor's flexibility but with new and exciting ways to get hooked.
How much has the Switch 2 changed compared to the original Switch? Although the thickness of the device is the same as before, the display is now larger at 7.9 inches, and thanks to improved graphics, playing games has never felt so alive as before, especially when you play it on your 4K TV via its dedicated dock.
The rear stand now occupies the entire console, and it features a free-stop system, allowing users to freely tilt it to an angle that is just right to see while playing.
The Switch 2 introduces a new Joy-Con 2 controller that can be easily attached with a magnet. The strong magnetic force keeps it firmly attached without wobbling, meaning it cannot be removed by even a tiny force, but you can easily detach it with one hand by pressing the button on the back.
In addition, the Joy-Con 2 controllers work like a mouse pointer, meaning you can do stuff that requires precise aiming, so you can enjoy games in a different style of play than before.
The Nintendo Switch 2 allows players to interact with others while playing online (requires subscription) courtesy of its built-in microphone and the new C button on the Joy-Con 2. With the available USB camera (sold separately), you can engage in webchat with other players.
Before you ask, no, you can't livestream your gameplay on the Switch 2, just like with the original Nintendo Switch. This means you won't be able to broadcast your gameplay for longplay purposes. Instead, you can only take snapshots and record 30-second clips, which you can save to its 256GB internal memory or to compatible microSD EX memory cards, which are different from standard microSD cards.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with nearly all existing Nintendo Switch games, as well as new titles made exclusively for it. Some of these new games include "Mario Kart World," "Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour," and Konami's idol-raising game titled "Shine Post: Be Your Idol!", among others. Additionally, certain Nintendo Switch games, such as "Super Mario Party Jamboree," "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," and "Pokémon Scarlet/Violet," have received upgrades to take advantage of the Switch 2's enhanced capabilities. That said, a Switch 2 game card can be differentiated from the Switch game card by the color of its cartridge, as Switch 2 game cards are colored red.
Best of all, you can transfer most of your data from your Switch to your Switch 2 console. Games and content you've bought digitally can be loaded via a Virtual Game Card. You can continue to use your current Nintendo Switch Online subscription, can still use Nintendo Parental Controls Switch, and can still use your existing controllers.
And there you have it. The Nintendo Switch 2 is by no means one of the must-haves of 2025 in the midst of the new normal. It carries the same flexibility as its predecessor, with new and exciting ways to get hooked for more. Nintendo must be serious, stating that they've bet on the company's future with the arrival of the Switch 2, and with such sales, rest assured that the Switch 2 is another one of Nintendo's success stories. It is a worthy successor to the original Switch, and the whole world is hunting for it.
Time to make the Switch to the new Nintendo Switch 2.
