The Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant advancement in Nintendo’s console strategy, promising notable improvements while retaining its unique approach to hybrid gaming for both television and handheld use.
With this review, we aimed to answer several critical questions: How much of a generational leap does it deliver? What are our impressions of its system performance? What features does the hardware and its peripherals bring to the table?
Overall, the answers to these questions are largely positive, but there are notable concerns regarding the quality of the LCD screen, particularly in relation to its HDR and VRR features.
In terms of core specifications, the Switch 2 is built around a custom Nvidia processor, combining elements from Samsung’s 8nm and 10nm fabrication nodes. While this might be considered a trailing technology against the 7nm and 6nm chips present in competing devices like the Steam Deck, it nonetheless showcases substantial improvements over its predecessor.
The architecture includes eight ARM Cortex A78C CPU cores, with six available for developers, presenting a clear generational improvement over the original Switch’s four Cortex A57 cores. Clock speeds in handheld mode reach up to 1101MHz, with an impressive theoretical maximum of 1.7GHz.
The graphical capabilities, driven by the T239 GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores from Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, are also promising. The GPU operates at 561MHz in handheld mode and can reach 1007MHz when docked, with theoretical spikes to 1.4GHz dictated by thermal and battery limitations. Powerful 12GB of LPDDR5X memory runs at 6400MT/s while docked, boasting a bandwidth of 102GB/s in performance mode and downclocking to 4200MT/s for handheld play, allocating 9GB for developers after the essential system reservation.
Power consumption figures during performance testing show that the system generally maxes out at 22W when docked and drops to around 10-12W in handheld mode, showcasing the power efficiency brought about by this upgraded hardware. Nintendo estimates a minimum battery life of two hours for the Switch 2, which we found to be accurate during demanding gameplay sessions, achieving an average power draw of under 8W.
However, there are caveats to consider. The device never exceeds 22W while docked, which means users should not expect to charge the battery efficiently while engaging in maximum performance gameplay. Connecting the charger during handheld use does allow for battery charging, but the performance ceiling must be considered potential slow charging when docked.
The aesthetics and ergonomics of the Switch 2 have seen welcome refinement. While the console is noticeably larger than its predecessor, the design retains the thinness of the handheld, providing a less bulky feel than competing devices such as the Steam Deck. The enlarged screen enhances immersion, and color reproduction shows marked improvement over previous models.
Encouragingly, many games, including Mario Kart World, run at native 1080p in handheld mode or employ DLSS technology to upscale gameplay, demonstrating promising performance for users.
Yet, the screen does present several issues. The edge-lit LCD struggles to deliver a satisfactory HDR experience, peaking at only 420 nits, failing to offer significant contrast or vivid highlights essential for a high dynamic range experience. Motion clarity, particularly, is disappointing; users may find the blurring characteristics notably worse than those displayed by the 2017 version of the Switch. Side-by-side comparisons with the Switch OLED panel highlight the shortcomings clearly.
The VRR functionality also raises concerns. While it theoretically can function effectively, our tests revealed discrepancies in its execution. The Switch 2 Welcome Tour shows VRR capabilities, suggesting it offers a substantial 40-120Hz VRR window alongside support for low frame-rate compensation.
However, in practice, software testing of demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man’s Sky revealed perceptible judder when frame rates fell below the targeted 40fps, leading us to recommend a locked 30fps setting for smoother gameplay. The experience with Hitman: World of Assassination also revealed significant issues, leading to inconsistent performance during demanding scenes.
Anticipations were high for notable improvements in WiFi capabilities, given the previous models’ struggles. Our tests confirmed that the Switch 2 outperforms its predecessors vastly, achieving impressive download speeds of 363Mbps compared to the Switch OLED’s 32.6Mbps when both devices were distanced from the router. Ethernet performance similarly elevated, with the Switch 2 registering 720Mbps against the original Switch’s 154Mbps, thanks to the inclusion of an Ethernet port in the new dock.
Loading times for games have also improved; for instance, downloading Persona 4 Golden took seven minutes on Switch 2 versus 32 minutes on Switch 1, showing a marked efficiency advantage in both WiFi and Ethernet scenarios. Meanwhile, the Game Share function presents an interesting avenue for multiplayer interaction, allowing players to share experiences across devices while maintaining their individual screens.
Nonetheless, this feature comes with drawbacks. Much like the system’s game capture function, video quality suffers during fast-paced action sequences, with laggy performance evident in demanding titles like Fast Fusion. It’s clear that while Game Share has potential, it requires further refinement to reach its ambitions.
In contrast, the Game Chat feature has proven to be a polished addition. Our testing demonstrated its capabilities in allowing seamless communication among players while utilizing Nvidia RTX technology increases clarity and effectiveness. Player backgrounds can be isolated and integrated into gameplay, while the gaming chat UI displayed native quality, albeit with lower frame rates for moving images.
System performance aligns with expectations during docked play, where handheld gaming emerges as an unexpected strong point despite the hardware’s efficiency. The ability to deliver good mobile performance while also rendering games at nearly full HD resolution is commendable.
Game Chat has pleasantly surprised us; its realistic integration enhances the multiplayer experience significantly. That said, there are evident concerns with the HDR and VRR features, particularly regarding screen quality, contrast, brightness, and motion clarity, which need attention. Additional issues such as the Virtual Game Card system disappoint, showcasing regression in user experience.
In conclusion, while the Switch 2 effectively picks up from where its predecessor left off—delivering exciting gameplay and engaging experiences—it is evident that it has room for improvement, particularly regarding screen characteristics and additional software functionalities. The Switch 2 establishes a solid foundation for the future, enticing players with its polished features and promising new games on the horizon.
image source from：eurogamer
