Switch 2 is here, and it might become my main handheld. Big screen, portable body, and already tempting me to re-buy games I own on PC. My wallet weeps.
I was hyped.
Not cautiously optimistic, not “let’s see what Nintendo cooked up this time”. I was genuinely looking forward to the Switch 2.
I even tried to convince the shop where I preordered it to let me pick it up one day early (I called them three times). Now thinking about it, to say I was hyped might be an understatement after all. Also, I apologize to the shop for bothering them so much.
Despite being used to the Steam Deck, to the ROG Ally, and all kinds of big-ass AYANEO devices, the first thing that hit me was the screen. It’s surprisingly big. Maybe it’s because I’ve been using the Odin 2 Mini a lot lately, or because I spent the past few days fiddling with the old Switch to prep for the transfer, but the contrast was striking.
But it’s not just about size (ha!). What also surprised me is how manageable it feels. Compared to something like the Steam Deck, which always felt a bit too bulky, the Switch 2 nails that combo of large display and a thin frame. It’s comfortable to hold, easy to carry, and still feels like a proper console. (It also helps that, compared to its predecessor, the Switch 2 feels more premium.)
I plugged it into the dock right away to handle installs over Ethernet, but the whole time, I kept wanting to pull it back out and hold it. That screen really draws you in.
The new Joy-Cons help, too. They feel sturdier, the magnetic snap is a meaningful upgrade, and the buttons are more satisfying. I also picked up the Pro 2 controller, which is clearly a step up. More ergonomic, better weight, and just an overall more premium experience. Now I just need to dig up a pair of wired headphones to use the audio jack on it. For its (hefty!) price, this should have come with a built-in microphone.
Tonight is Mario Kart night with friends. I haven’t tested the voice features extensively yet, but what I’ve tried is solid. It's simply just "good enough", so no Discord needed.
(I’m also still waiting on the camera add-on to arrive, but honestly, I don’t even know what I’d use it for. Maybe some weird Nintendo magic will convince me otherwise.)
Unfortunately, I can’t try Tears of the Kingdom yet. My dad still has my copy. But Cyberpunk 2077 is arriving tomorrow, and I’m curious how it’ll run. That might be the moment the Switch 2 proves it can handle the big stuff. Right now, I’m still a bit skeptical. Despite all the smooth-looking online footage, I’m half-expecting it to feel choppy in practice.
But after a few hours (and mostly waiting on it to install games), the Switch 2 feels exactly like what I hoped for: a better Switch and/or a lighter Steam Deck. The screen alone might make it my go-to handheld. It’s large enough to feel immersive, but the device stays light and compact. After spending so much time with x86 handhelds that start feeling like arm weights after an hour, it’s refreshing to use something that feels portable again.
What I didn’t expect is that the Switch 2 might slowly introduce a new kind of problem: the “where do I buy this?” dilemma.
I still have a 4090 at home, so anything that truly thrives on ultra settings will stay on PC. But I already caught myself browsing the Switch eShop and hovering over games I already own elsewhere. I even re-bought No Man’s Sky, just because the Switch 2 upgrade exists. My wallet’s going to hate this.
(Can someone please port Moonlight to Switch 2???)
