Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch 1: What’s new and what’s not?

Curious about the comparison between switch 2 and switch 1? Thousands of gamers are asking the same question.

Nintendo opened the floodgates for Switch 2 reservations on Thursday. Whether you manage to get one before every retailer website crashes, you might be wondering it’s so different from the original Nintendo Switch Console.

After the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 ended a few weeks ago, I spent hours playing Switch 2 and upcoming games like Mario Karting World and Metroid Prime 4. After nearly five hours of hands-on work, I was impressed by the Switch 2, but I was also worried about several key factors. Let’s dig.

On the surface, Switch 2 seems to be a rather iterative upgrade. Fortunately, this is not the case.

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This is a more advanced device

First, I want to focus on the hardware and its new features, not the software.

Compared to the Wii U, the first switch is a godsend to industrial design. But as time goes by, things like Steam deck start to make it feel a little bit like a toy. Personally, Joy-Cons are always too small to use in comfort, which makes it a TV controller-only machine in my home. Admittedly, it turns out to be a great device for children, but I’m not a child, at least not physically.

From the first second I had a switch 2 unit and I immediately loved the feeling of it. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (with HDR and 120Hz refresh rate support) is much better than the 6.2-inch 720p display on the previous console. In addition to the larger screen, Joy-Cons also has some added muscle. I still prefer to use the new Pro controller (it feels great, but very similar in functionality to the last one), but I played multiple games with Joy-Cons and didn’t have any comfort-related issues at once.

It is crucial for Nintendo to maintain the same level of thinness from switch 1 to switch 2, so it is in that optimal position, “just high enough to feel quality and light enough to be comfortable enough”. I also want to shout out the magnetic joy connection mechanisms that immediately shut down any doubts I might have about its reliability on my second attempt. It cleverly requires you to pull some release trigger on the back to separate the joy meter from the device, so it seems almost impossible to operate unconsciously. However, the magnetic work miraculously inserted into the joy gauges is like magic. Nintendo definitely determines this aspect of the device.

The Switch 2 has more horsepower and shows

The new professional controller feels great.
Image source: Alex Perry/Mashable

It’s no surprise that the Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, as the console wasn’t enough when it was launched eight years ago. Nintendo did not provide us with detailed technical specifications at the event, so it would have to wait for an accurate comparison of other hardware. However, I can confirm that Switch 2 is obviously more powerful than the original.

Conduct off-road competitions Mario Karting WorldThere is no even sign of the gorgeous open world between the tracks. See The Legend of Zelda: Breathing in the Wild and The tears of the kingdom Running at 60 frames per second is very convincing. Switch 2 can run Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 From the brief glimpse I saw on the show, at least the acceptable level seems acceptable. Absolutely not a handheld PS5, but a tablet that Nintendo forced to run (some) games at 4K resolution or 120 frames per second (some) games (Metroid Prime 4 It looks incredible) is a real sight.

You can use Joy-Con as your mouse

The new Joy-Cons are very good.
Image source: Alex Perry/Mashable

Nintendo confirms in what we all basically already know: Joy-Cons has a mode that doubles them as a computer mouse. I don’t know if you can use one on your PC (until someone is about five minutes after launch, until someone hacks it to death), but my main experience with them is very similar to a PC. My main contact with Joy-con mouse support is in a brief demo Metroid Prime 4its position…basically like a PC first-person shooter.

The mouse controls respond quickly and feel Correct. I do think the Joy Array is a little weird, and can turn one side toward a flat surface, as this will surely cause some unexpected button presses at an inappropriate moment. I also won’t sell this regular feature in the game after the launch window or on what I personally want to do, mainly because I usually don’t keep my flat surface within reach of my arms when playing the game. But I can confirm that it works exactly the way it is expected, and as an extra bonus you can lift joy and resume playback Prime 4 With the help of dual analytics sticks, you can control seamlessly without even pausing the game.

Nintendo is going all out

The legendary “C” button.
Image source: Alex Perry/Mashable

One thing I didn’t try at all due to the nature of the event itself is GameChat, a new voice chat feature activated by the new “C” button on the correct Joy-Con. You can allegedly hold similar and discordant chats from a small group of friends with accessories sold separately and provide very volatile game streaming, or even webcam support. Nintendo really goes all out Mario Karting Worldas the latest ones are directly dedicated to the game.

You can even book a Piranha Plant webcam for the Switch 2.

Honestly, it’s silly to see Nintendo spend about 10 minutes on the direct voice chat concept, and other consoles have actually been around for 20 years. But being late is better than not. I’m not really for sale the only part is that Nintendo seems to really want you to use an open microphone instead of headphones on the console itself. The company claims it can remove unnecessary background noise, but I didn’t test it. Let’s take a look. At least, Nintendo admits that people like to play video games with friends online, and companies don’t always do well, or do well at all.

Battery life is obviously worse, and switch OLED

This is the beginning of bad news when comparing switch 2 and switch 1.

More horsepower and better display also mean that the battery level on the battery is confirmed through Kotaku, which is more of the battery. ((WOMP, WOMP.) It has about 2 to 6.5 hours of battery life, depending on what you play on it. Comparing it to the OLED’s switch, which ranges from 4.5 to 9 hours, it doesn’t look that hot for the new console. Again, this is something that cannot be tested in the activity, so we need to determine when the console is actually turned off. But don’t expect the Switch 2 to have amazing battery life.

This is the much greater water consumption on your wallet

Of course, it still comes with a dock.
Image source: Alex Perry/Mashable

Here’s the worst news about the Switch 2: Price is $450 start. There is also a $500 model Mario Karting Worldwhich actually looks like a more tempting deal, as Nintendo is gone wilderness There is a price for the game this time. Mario Karting World It’s a shocking $80, and Donkey: Bannanza It’s $70. There is also a small mini collection that is about to be a technical demo for the console, as I can’t understand why paid downloads are. Putting all of this together, the older game version of the upgraded “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” version will come with an upgraded price tag, which feels like Nintendo is nickel and lowering us.

I’ll grant the company a little bit of elegance due to the chaotic tariff policy of the Trump administration, but those customers who think a reasonable $500 host purchase weight won’t give Nintendo the same benefit of doubt. No matter what the Switch 2 upgrade brings, it’s $150 more expensive than the Switch 1 launch. This is not ideal.

Updated: April 24, 2025, 3:29 PM EDT This story has been updated with other photos of the Switch 2 and its accessories, as well as new details about the console’s social features and bookings released in the U.S.