Lander and I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the Nintendo Switch 2 and its lineup of games during the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in Amsterdam. So, after watching the Nintendo Direct and reading about all the technical details, it was finally time to touch the console, play with the Joy-Con, and look at all the other new things they added to the successor to the Nintendo Switch. And oh boy, that did not disappoint – this is a clear winner in our books. Let’s dive in!
Nick: So, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a larger but heavier version of the Nintendo Switch 1 and feels a lot more mature. The whole feel is less plastic and much more of what you would expect from a handheld developed today. I compared it to the ASUS ROG series, which is around the same weight level as the Switch 2. The Switch 2 has a very comfortable grip in both hands due to the larger and smoother Joy-Cons. The new upgraded LCD screen looks fantastic and offers a very bright and colorful display of the games we got to play (I’ll cover those in a minute). Some games even looked better on the handheld screens of the Switch 2 compared to the Samsung TVs they had set up in the venue. So, are we missing out on OLED screens? It’s not in my book. I don’t have an OLED, but Lander compared his Switch 1 to the new Switch 2 and liked the latter more. I compared it with my Switch v2 screen and Ally screen, and I must say that I like the Switch 2 screen over both.
Lander: I have to side with Nick on this one, the Nintendo Switch 2 genuinely feels and looks like a premium device. The sleek black design perfectly complements its form factor and stunning display. I use my OLED Switch 1 a lot, so I was pleasantly surprised by how good the LCD screen on the Switch 2 actually is. I get that some people are worried about the switch back to LCD, but honestly, Nintendo nailed it. The games still pop with vibrant colors and look fantastic on that bigger screen, and handheld mode is an absolute joy. The larger display also brings along bigger Joy-Con, which, for me, is the real game-changer. They fit my hands way better than the originals, and even though the system itself is noticeably larger, it’s still comfortable to hold thanks to its slim design and lightweight build. All things considered, just from the hardware perspective, this truly feels like the next evolutionary step for Nintendo’s consoles.
So, with that elephant in the room covered, let’s talk about the other things we noticed. The Joy Cons click off and on with the magnetic switches on the side. The process feels very safe and extremely smooth. They can be connected upside down if you want, which can be helpful if you want to play in a specific position or if you want to charge the Switch while using another USB-C peripheral like the camera, which brings me to the kickstand, which is probably one of my favorite changes. It’s big, flexible, and you can put the Switch almost in tabletop mode with the improved kickstand. Perfect for games like 51 Worldwide games or card games like Balatro (if they come to the Switch 2). I can’t wait to test out all the possibilities that come with the kickstand, which could also be used with games like Civ VII, and the mouse controls the Switch 2 has as its main innovation.
The mouse controls feel smooth and easy to use. We played a few games compatible with the mouse controls, and you noticed that they thought about different mouse functionality uses. In Metroid 4, you use it in an FPS aim-and-fire setting. Drag x Drive gives you a full-on workout, utilizing Joy Cons to ride, turn, pass, score, and brake around the field. It has potential, but I need more time to see if it works. I couldn’t find a position that felt comfortable for me in the time I had with both games, and I see myself using this function primarily for things like RTS, puzzle, or even point-and-click games (or Nintendogs… Nintendo?).
Lander: I agree; he mouse controls felt a bit off for me during the event. Funny enough, they worked flawlessly in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It was incredibly snappy, and using Samus’s hand cannon with mouse precision was pure satisfaction. But when it comes to things like transforming into a morph ball, where you still need to press other buttons on the controller, it just doesn’t feel very ergonomic. Maybe it’s just because it’s new and I’m not quite used to using my Joy-Con as a mouse yet, but I wasn’t entirely convinced of its added value.
And then there’s Drag x Drive… Honestly, it feels more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game. The controls are clunky, steering feels off, and even just getting the ball is more of a struggle than it should be. I’m really not sold on mouse controls being the right fit for this one. That said, like Nick mentioned, I can definitely see potential for mouse controls in strategy games or simulators. There, it just makes sense.
And what other games did we test while we were there? Well, a lot. We started the day with a Grand Prix in Mario Kart World, hands-down, becoming the best Mario Kart game to date. I can’t wait to dive into that one, since it looks and feels fantastic. Next, we got to the venue floor and got our hands on Metroid 4, of which we have some footage on our Instagram account. The demo level featured the start of a mission with Samus and ended with beating a boss. The game looked amazing and felt like a Triple-A title ready to launch; sadly, we need to wait until the next Direct for more information on a release date. After Metroid, we took a swing at Donkey Kong Banaza, which I covered in depth in another article on our website – so you can read my thoughts there. Lucky for us, there were also a lot of third-party developers with demo pods, so I played a run of the new Hades II game, which felt super smooth. The colorscheme pops out of the Nintendo Switch 2, and the controls feel very reactive in handheld mode. Same goes for Split Fiction, which looks amazing in the Docked mode version we played. Sadly, we got stuck on a puzzle, and our time was up before we figured out the solution.
What’s impressive about the Switch 2’s lineup is seeing both new and older games running at such a fantastic quality standard. We got into the 18+ section and played with Cyberpunk 2077, which felt incredibly smooth and shows that CD Project Red did a tremendous job bringing this to the Switch 2—especially compared to the already impressive port of the Witcher 3 on the original Switch. The same goes for the Yakuza 0 game launching on Switch 2. The gameplay looked smooth and reactive, so I can’t wait to also look into that one. And as they mentioned, this is just the beginning of a new era of partnerships with Nintendo. I can’t wait to see what native developed games are in the future for the Nintendo Switch 2, especially with the knowledge that Metroid 4 was originally a Nintendo Switch 1 reworked into a Nintendo Switch 2 game.
Lander: Talking about the games, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia replaying a few GameCube classics. I grew up with that system, so diving back into those titles was pure joy. Nick fired up Wind Waker, and I’ve got to say, it looked fantastic on the Switch 2. Sure, it’s not the long-awaited remaster we’ve all been begging for (seriously, Nintendo, what’s the holdup?), but it’s definitely the next best thing. We also jumped into Soul Calibur II and F-Zero GX, and the muscle memory kicked in instantly; it felt like we were back in 2003, smashing buttons and drifting around corners like no time had passed. Adding GameCube games to the Online Expansion Pass is such a smart move; it brings some absolute legends to the Switch 2 lineup right from launch. To top it off, the new GameCube controller is honestly a dream. It’s super lightweight while keeping that iconic form factor. It’s still one of Nintendo’s best controller designs, and the Switch 2 version absolutely nails it.
So, to conclude my part of the story, the Nintendo Switch 2 looks and feels fantastic. It’s modern, looks mature, and has a good and acceptable handling weight and great feel. The line-up is strong and offers something for everyone, with more games to come from both Nintendo and the third-party developers. I felt a bit sad to leave the venue and not bring one home with me, since I can’t wait to share the experience I had today with my kids and cruise around the Mario Kart World and hunt for gemnanas with them. And you know, while they are asleep, I work my way through the city of Cyberpunk or try to conquer the world in Civ VII.. There are just a few weeks of waiting left, but I’m hyped.
Lander: I have to agree with Nick, getting hands-on with the system and its games just made me want it even more. Going back to my Switch 1 after experiencing its worthy successor honestly stings a bit, but that just goes to show how well-crafted the Switch 2 really is. It’s that polished powerhouse I was hoping for, and the games only make it shine brighter. My personal favorites so far are Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Both titles do an incredible job of showcasing the system’s power, and I genuinely love that Nintendo kicked off this generation with a bit of a risk. Instead of the usual safe bet with a 3D Mario, they went all in on celebrating Donkey Kong and I’m so here for it. If this is a sign of what’s to come, then we’re in for some truly spectacular Nintendo years ahead.
