There’s been a lot of hype (and even more controversy) over the upcoming release of Nintendo’s new console, theNintendo Switch 2, but how are we truly supposed to know if the console holds up to the excitement or disappointment until we actually get our hands on the system?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is Set to Outshine its Predecessor (and Everyone Else)
Everything we learned at our hands-on demo and design team roundtable for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Hardcore Gamer had the chance to experience the Nintendo Switch 2 in-person during an extended hands-on look at the hardware and software coming later this year. While it was a fun time overall, it’s still hard to determine whether or not it will be worth purchasing the $450 console at launch on July 23, 2025.
An Upgrade in Hardware
The first thing we can say about the Nintendo Switch 2 is that there has been a massive improvement in the overall quality of the console. It’s a noticeably sturdier (and slightly heavier) piece of hardware, with stronger and more secure attachment options thanks to the magnetic connections on the new Joy-Con 2 controllers.
The button to “disconnect” the Joy-Con 2 is a larger, heftier trigger that requires intentional force to unlock, clicking off of the side of the screen with a satisfying release. The blue-and-red interior sides of the Joy-Cons have new steel shoulder buttons, which are used in the magnetic connection process for a more secure, fail-safe method of connecting.
The screen is not OLED like the upgraded version of the original Nintendo Switch, but this was hardly noticeable (we actually thought itwasOLED at first) as the screen is insanely crisp and bright, with a noticeably higher resolution and refresh rate than its predecessor. While we didn’t get much time with it in handheld mode, we did notice a significant improvement in the flimsy and toy-like design of the last console, and felt much better in a pair of adult hands this time around.
Same Shape, More Possibilities
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers have a lot of new additions, but we did notice that the new joysticks are essentially the same as the past iterations of the console. They may have been slightly bigger, but it’s hard to compare without playing games that have previously been available on standard controllers (all the ports we saw were only playable on the new Switch 2 Pro Controller).
8 Best Switch 2 Features We Are Ready For
From visual upgrades to smoother online and faster load times, the Switch 2 is leveling up how we play on the go.
There’s more to the Joy-Con 2 than the joysticks, and with the new mouse controls feature, they may not be necessary at all in some cases. We had the chance to try out the new mouse controls on Metroid Prime 4: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and DragxDrive, and while it works, it’s hard to imagine playing with the mouse in fast-paced games like these.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers have a lot of new additions, but we did notice that the new joysticks are essentially the same as the past iterations of the console.
Holding the controller sideways against a surface is going to take some getting used to, and playing on surfaces that aren’t flat and level is going to take even more of an adjustment. Due to how narrow the side of the controller is, it’s easy to accidentally tilt it too far to one side and lose contact with the surface you’re playing on (we also felt a lot of muscle memory reaching for the now-inactive joystick on the front of the Joy-Con 2).
Otherwise, everything that has been redesigned worked just as well as it did on the original switch. Motion controls were accurate and responsive, and the rumble feature still has a three-dimensional depth that you can feel throughout the controller. It’s an improved version of the Nintendo Switch, but aside from the mouse feature, the only thing that really set it apart from the original was the fidelity, which was hit-or-miss over the course of the experience.
It’s All About The Games…
The titles we played that are releasing exclusively on the new console ran at a steady 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, such as Mario Kart World and DragxDrive. It should be noted that all of the titles we played besides Mario Kart World were running solely in docked mode on a 4K TV.
The majority of Nintendo Switch 2 titles releasing on launch day are ports and re-releases, however, taking the form of either upgraded versions of Nintendo Switch games or games previously unavailable on the Switch due to hardware requirements. From what we saw, the majority of these games are not capable of reaching the advertised benchmark of simultaneous 120 fps and 4K resolution. Metroid Prime 4: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will make you choose between the two, with a 120fps performance mode at 1080p or an undisclosed fps and resolution in quality mode.
Our time with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition was rough in the fidelity department thanks to upscaling and frame drop issues, and it was recently revealed that the game will only be able to hit 40 FPS at most in performance mode. Other last-gen games like Hogwarts: Legacy and Street Fighter 6 ran better, but still noticeably slower than their Nintendo-exclusive counterparts. Even the new Gamecube virtual console for Switch 2 had inconsistent graphical specs, with some titles featuring upscaled resolutions and unlocked frame rates, while The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker remained relatively unchanged from its original state.
Leaving the experience, we were unfortunately underwhelmed and less excited about the new generation of Nintendo games than when we started. With products like the Lenovo Legion and Steam Deck on the market (with a larger library of games at much lower prices), it’s hard to justify upgrading to the Nintendo Switch 2 for playing modern console games on the go. There’s always the argument that the value of Nintendo’s consoles is in the exclusives, but there are simply not enough must-have games on the launch roster (especially with the extra-high price tags they come with). If the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was any indication, it seems that Nintendo wants to re-enter the arms race of the console wars with a handheld device capable of playing the same titles, but so far, it’s hard to imagine their efforts reaching a level of success anywhere close to the first Nintendo Switch.
8 Games for the Nintendo Switch 2 We’re Most Excited For
New console, new hype. These games already have us counting the days until the Switch 2 finally launches.
