Nintendo Switch 2: Everything You Need to Know

Nintendo's first-ever Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was broadcast late last night in Australia. What an event and what an introduction to the upcoming console. There is a lot to discuss about the system, and in this article, I will guide you through everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2, from the technical specs to storage and power. 

Here is everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 :

The Appearance

First, you will notice that the Nintendo Switch 2 is slightly bigger than any other Switch model, including the OLED model. The original Nintendo Switch had a 6.2-inch screen; the Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch wide LCD screen. It is slightly disappointing that the Switch 2's screen is not an OLED screen. However, Nintendo has found common ground by offering HDR compatibility with the Switch 2 to give greater colour depth.

Interestingly, while the Switch 2 is much bigger than other models, it weighs the same as the original Switch. According to Nintendo, the Switch 2 (with the Joy-Cons attached) will weigh around 400 grams. So, not only is the Switch a bigger system, but it also weighs the same as the original Switch and is the same thickness. It is lighter than the Switch OLED (around 420 grams) and is only slightly heavier than the Switch Lite (around 275 grams).

On top of the Switch 2, there is a slot for inserting game cartridges, a USB-C port, and a brand-new built-in microphone (more on this later). On the bottom, there is another USB-C cable, and a microSD port is underneath the brand-new kickstand.

Speaking of the kickstand, the Switch 2 has a brand-new stand, and it looks so much better than the original. The original Switch stand is fine, but you cannot adjust it, and it stays at one particular angle. This new kickstand is more flexible and wide, so the Switch 2 will sit more securely on any surface.

The Nintendo Switch 2 also comes with a brand-new dock. It looks very similar to the original dock, but it is slightly bigger to match the Switch 2's size. It also has two USB ports, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI port for attaching to your TV.

The Joy-Cons

The Joy-Cons are back, and they look better than ever. At first glance, the Joy-Cons look more or less the same as they did on the original Switch, minus the new colour scheme. However, there are a lot of new features in the Joy-Cons.

The most obvious change is how they connect to the Switch 2 itself. On the original Switch, the Joy-Cons slid on with a locking mechanism; the Joy-Cons 2 attach to the console using very strong magnets. The SL and SR buttons are now made of steel and contain very strong magnets to connect to the Switch 2. Each Joy-Con 2 comes with a sliding button near the top, which you press to detach the controllers from the Switch.

The Joy-Cons 2 are slightly heavier than the first-generation Joy-Cons, but only by 15-20 grams. The extra weight is due to some new features in the controllers, most notably the mouse functionality. With a selection of compatible games, the Joy-Cons 2 can be used as a PC mouse to control the game. The mouse controls open new avenues for possible games on the Switch 2, specifically first-person shooters, which are ideal for mouse functionality. 

Now, we get to the burning question that plagued the internet for weeks after the initial Nintendo Switch 2 reveal: What does the C button do? For those unaware, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a brand new button on the Joy-Cons 2, and Nintendo was negligent in revealing what this button does. We now have an answer, and it involves a wholesome new feature called GameChat. 

GameChat is a multiplayer feature that you can use in both online and local multiplayer. The idea is that the newly built-in microphone on Switch 2 acts as a microphone with which to speak to whomever you are playing online. The C button opens a pop-up interface on the Switch, which allows you to either chat with someone or share a screen with someone, and (with a webcam) you can put your face onto the image of the game like a Twitch streamer. I like this idea, and it is a wholesome way for friends to share their gaming.

The Technical Specs

The Nintendo Switch 2's technical specs are where it gets very exciting. When it came out in 2017, the original Switch was significantly less powerful than its competition, but this was understandable due to its handheld/home console duality. Now, though, the Switch 2 has to prove itself more due to the recent boom in handheld gaming with systems like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Nintendo has not only delivered on the technical specs, but they have also hit the ball well out of the park.

The Switch 2 screen in handheld mode is capable of 1080p rather than 720p, and the screen itself has a 120Hz display, meaning that (if your TV supports VRR) you can achieve up to 120 fps with Switch 2. Also, when playing in docked mode on a TV, the Switch 2 is capable of 4K 60 fps graphics. Switch 2 games will come with two default graphics options: the first is Quality Mode, which targets 4K 60fps HDR on a TV and 1080p 60fps HDR playing handheld; the second is Performance Mode, which targets 1080p 120fps HDR on a TV and 720p 120fps HDR playing handheld.

These graphical options are absolutely insane, especially since Nintendo consoles have been behind in terms of power and specifications in recent years. I am so happy to see Nintendo reaching its full potential with its most powerful and versatile console yet.

The Storage

To put it bluntly, the original Nintendo Switch had a pitiful amount of storage. On launch, the system only had 32GB of built-in storage, which is less than most USBs you can buy in a shop. Of course, you could buy a microSD card for the Switch to add more storage, but this is something that should have been part of the console from the beginning. The Nintendo Switch 2 is a dramatic improvement in terms of storage.

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a massive 256GB of built-in storage, which is 8x more than the original. The extra storage means you can store more games on your console at a time, and game files will be much larger, hinting at the more powerful NVIDIA processor in the Switch 2. 

In addition to the added storage, you can still add a microSD card to Switch 2, giving you much more storage. However, microSDHC and microSDXC cards will not work with the Switch 2. Instead, the console supports microSD Express cards only, which are much faster than the previous compatible cards for the original Switch. 

The Battery Life

This factor is an open question, and we will not know for certain until the Switch 2 comes out. According to several sources, Switch 2 will have a battery life similar to that of the original Switch. The original Switch (depending on the game) would last me around 3-5 hours. I am not disappointed with the battery life, and like I said at the start, we will have a much clearer answer when the system goes on the market.

Nintendo Switch 2 Everything You Need to Know: Summary

Nintendo has packed much power into the Nintendo Switch 2. The screen size is a lot bigger; the console is capable of running much more graphically demanding games, there is a lot more storage, and the brand-new kickstand looks amazing. The updated Joy-Cons are also a huge improvement; the analog sticks are a little bigger, the SL and SR buttons are larger and easier to use, and the controllers snap into the console rather than the sliding mechanism of the original. Nintendo has taken the genius concept of the Nintendo Switch and refined it with the Nintendo Switch 2. 

That was everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be released worldwide on June 5th, 2025.