After years of waiting, rumours, and countless leaks, Nintendo has finally delivered the successor to one of the most successful consoles ever made. The Nintendo Switch 2 landed on June 5th, 2025, and it's already breaking sales records. But is it worth your hard-earned cash? Let's break it all down.

The original Nintendo Switch was a phenomenon. Over 150 million units sold, more than a billion games shifted, and it completely changed how we think about home console gaming. Taking your games on the go wasn't just a gimmick – it became the way millions of us preferred to play. So when Nintendo announced the Switch 2, expectations were sky-high. Thankfully, for the most part, Nintendo has delivered.

The Important Specs

Under the hood, Nintendo has partnered with Nvidia once again, this time using a custom Tegra T239 processor. It's based on Nvidia's Ampere architecture – the same tech found in their RTX 30-series graphics cards – which means proper ray tracing support and DLSS upscaling. In plain English? Games look significantly better than they did on the original Switch, and that 4K output when docked is genuinely impressive.

That Beautiful New Screen

Let's talk about that display, because it's a significant upgrade. The Switch 2 sports a 7.9-inch LCD screen – that's noticeably larger than both the original Switch (6.2 inches) and the OLED model (7 inches). More importantly, it now supports 1080p resolution in handheld mode and can hit 120Hz in compatible games. HDR support is also included, delivering richer colours and better contrast.

Now, some folks were hoping for an OLED panel, and I get it – the Switch OLED's screen was gorgeous. But Nintendo clearly made a choice here to prioritise refresh rate and HDR over the deeper blacks of OLED, and honestly? In motion, the 120Hz support makes games feel incredibly smooth. It's a trade-off, but one that makes sense for a gaming-focused device.

Joy-Con 2: Magnetic Magic

The new Joy-Con 2 controllers are a welcome evolution. Gone is the fiddly sliding rail mechanism – these babies attach magnetically now. It sounds like a small change, but in practice it's brilliant. Snapping them on and off is satisfying, they stay firmly in place during handheld play, and there's a release button on the back when you want to detach them.

The elephant in the room? Drift. The original Joy-Cons were notorious for developing drift issues over time. Nintendo hasn't used Hall effect sensors (which would have essentially eliminated drift), but they've stated the new analogue sticks are "larger, smoother, and more durable." Time will tell if that's enough, but early reports are cautiously optimistic.

GameChat: Nintendo Gets Social

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how seriously Nintendo is taking online social features this time around. GameChat is essentially Discord built directly into your Switch. Press that C button, and you can instantly start voice chatting with friends – whether you're playing the same game or completely different ones. It supports up to twelve people in a chat, and if you've got the optional Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately), you can even video chat.

You can share your screen with friends, showing them what you're playing in real-time. It genuinely feels like Nintendo finally listened to feedback about their online services. The best part? Until March 31st, 2026, GameChat is free for everyone – no Nintendo Switch Online subscription required. After that, you'll need a membership to use it.

The Games Situation

Here's the really good news: backward compatibility is excellent. The vast majority of your existing Switch library works on the Switch 2, and many games have received free updates that take advantage of the new hardware. Titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Super Mario Odyssey have already been patched with Switch 2 enhancements.

The launch lineup is solid too. Mario Kart World is the flagship title – available bundled with the console or separately – and it's exactly what you'd expect from Nintendo: polished, fun, and absolutely gorgeous running on the new hardware. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally released after years of waiting, launching on both Switch and Switch 2. Other exclusives include Donkey Kong Bananza, The Duskbloods, and Kirby AirRiders.

And for retro fans, Nintendo has added GameCube games to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Launch titles include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SOULCALIBUR II, and F-ZERO GX. A dedicated GameCube-style controller is available separately if you want that authentic experience.

What's the Damage?

Let's address pricing, because it's probably the most controversial aspect of the Switch 2. The console comes in at:

£395.99 / $449.99 Console Only

£429.99 / $499.99 Mario Kart World Bundle

That's a significant jump from the original Switch's launch price. Nintendo's explanation is essentially "everything costs more now, and there's new tech inside," which is fair enough. Games are pricier too – first-party titles like Mario Kart World retail at around £70/$80. It's a lot, but arguably in line with where the industry has been heading.

With over 10 million units sold in its first few months – making it Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever – the Switch 2 is clearly resonating with gamers worldwide. It's not trying to compete with the raw power of PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, and that's perfectly fine. Nintendo has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and the Switch 2 continues that tradition brilliantly.