The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 is here finally arrived. With a larger screen, more powerful hardware and a recognizable hybrid form, the new console tries to combine the old and the new. But with a higher price and a weak catalog of exclusives upon release, the question arises - is this really next-gen for Nintendo fans or just a light refresh for those who didn't jump in earlier?
I'm not the type to buy consoles on release day. I would wait to buy until the hype dies down, the prices drop, and until I read all the possible impressions. I had a similar plan now - my backlog is huge, I've already played most of the classics. I don't need it. Not yet.
But as the release date approached, I scrolled through reviews and first impressions more and more often and finally gave up. The console arrived just in time for my friend's bachelor's day. It was fun, but I couldn't shake the thought, “I could play Mario Kart now”.
A week later, I finally spent a few evenings with the Switch 2 console and I have to say - it was worth it.
Design and first impression
After opening the box, the Switch 2 doesn't look radically different at first glance, but as soon as the new Joy-Cons click satisfactorily into place with the help of a magnetic connector - you can see that this is an evolution.
The connection is solid, and disassembly is easier, and the whole device in handheld mode seems much more robust, as if it is not composed of 3 parts at all. The Joy-Cons are heavier and more comfortable in the hand, and each of them can also serve as a mouse.
The matte surface looks modern and gives the impression of a higher quality, more serious device. The larger, 7.9-inch screen with HDR support, 120hz in FullHD 1080p resolution is ideal for handheld gaming - the old Switch feels like a toy in comparison.
Jedina mana - Nintendo se (još) nije odlučio za OLED ekran. Poznavajući Nintendo, vjerojatno ćemo get OLED version s alreadyom memorijom through koju godinu za 150€ višu cijenu.
For safety reasons, Nintendo glued a thin plastic film over the glass to protect against the scattering of debris upon impact. That foil is terrible and scratches very easily. I'm really careful with my devices, however, after a couple of attempts to insert them into the dock, I was greeted by a scratch. Highly recommended, buy a protective glass right away. I personally think that any mobile device that is not a Nokia 3310 should have a protective glass included in the price.
The stand for tabletop mode is much stronger and can be adjusted to the desired angle. You don't have to be afraid of accidentally knocking the console off the table. Bonus points for the extra charging port on the top – a small but handy thing.
Dock: new form, new frustrations
New, forobljeni dock sada comes with vlastitim ventilatorom i modernim dizajnom koji se estetski bolje uklapa u dnevni boravak. Međutim, inmetanje consoles sada djeluje nezgrapno. Dok je stari Switch jednostavno "kliknuo" u mjesto, kod nthis one docka sam se nekoliko puta borio s pozicioniranjem. Onžalost, rezultat toga je ogrebotina na ekranu, innatoč tome what sam was oprezan. This is it tim više razočaravajuće jer je upravo to bila jedna od najalreadyih kritika the first generacije – i sad smo opet tu. Ponavljam, obavezno stavite zaštitno staklo, frommah po vađenju iz kutije.
Although the design is more elegant, it does not suit me personally. I preferred the boxy shape of the original. I am particularly bothered by the change on the rear panel: you no longer open the door "on a hinge" but have to remove the entire cover to access the ports. That step back seems like an unnecessary complication, especially if you move the console around a lot.
Admittedly, the fan in the dock remains quiet, and the console does not overheat during prolonged gaming, which is definitely a plus. Despite all these improvements, the sense of practicality that the old dock had is missing here.
Sučelis and agonos - besagokorno
Firing up the console brings up the familiar minimalistic interface. We still don't have the ability to set a theme other than white and dark options. After the transfer, all the games, saves and screenshots were waiting for me exactly where I left them. In the settings, it is possible to adjust HDR, limit battery charging to 90% while the Switch is docked for battery life, and even replace the functions of the A and B buttons if you are used to the Xbox layout.
Agonos s prethodne consoles he was brz i jednostavan - samo stavite staru konzolu pored new ones, slijedite upuand on ekranu I za par minuta sve je spremno. Nema stresa, there is none gubljenja saveova – agolaz je prošao gotovo neprimjetno.
4K, DLSS and a real jump in performance
From the very first launch, it is clear that Switch 2 brings a generational leap. The new Nvidia processor, 12 GB of RAM, DLSS and ray-tracing represent a huge leap compared to the original, which in 2017 came with outdated hardware from 2014.
Većinu sam vremena proveo u handheld modu, but kad sam finally spojio konzolu na 4K monitor ostao sam zabeigeeknut how slika izgleda kristalno čisto, fluidno i oštro. WITHwitch 2 u dock modu brings 4K prikaz zahvaljujući DLSS-u – tehnologiji koju koristi Nvidia za "mindno" poalreadyavanje slike iz niže rezolucije with help AI-a. To znači da, iako se games često renderiparadiseu u nižoj rezoluciji radi uštede performansi, DLSS ih podiže na gotovo nativni 4K with impresivnim rezultateam.
Games like Zelda and Mario Kart look incredibly sharp and run smoothly – to the point where the old Switch feels like a relic of a bygone era. It's the first time we've really enjoyed Nintendo exclusives in native 4K at a steady 60fps and once you've experienced it, it's impossible to go back.
Legacy Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers are fully supported on Switch 2, which is great news for anyone who already has extra controllers. It's even possible to combine one old and one new Joy-Con, if for some reason you want to. It would be nice if the console could be turned on with the old controller. Maybe a future update will surprise us.
eShop and memory: progress at last!
eShop experienced a pleasant renaissance. If you've ever lost your temper waiting for an old version to load, Switch 2 will pleasantly surprise you. eShop now responds instantly; scrolling, filtering and searching for games is fluid and enjoyable.
Switch 2 comes with 256GB withinnje memorije - 8 puta vise od svog prethodnika. Onpokon mogu instaliwari više AAA title beige razmouseljanja o proširenju memorije. Otherwise, imajand on umu da Switch 2 podržava samo microSD Express mapice, koje nude znatno brže učitavanje, but su, naravno, skuplje.
Old titles on new hardware
The LCD screen looks great with modern games, but old Switch classics aren't all born under the happy resolution. Considering that the games on the Switch ran in 720p, on the new one the same resolution is stretched to 1080p, which can look blurry, say in pixel-perfect games like Octopath Traveler, which is a shame, because the visual style of the game deserves a clean presentation. Also, Fire Emblem Three houses and Cuphead just look grainy and bad. I'm hoping that Nintendo will release an update that forces the original Switch games to run in docked mode, or that we'll get individual updates, at least for first-party titles.
Some older games have received "performance" patches that improve framerate and resolution. Pokemon Scarlet/Violet looks like a new game and is finally running without the hiccups that plagued it earlier. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom upgrade packs cost 10.00 euros each, and you get them for free if you already have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription (Expansion pack version). It's a real pleasure to explore Hyrule again in all its glory, and I think it's worth buying them, even though they could have been free. I hope that this is not an exception, but the beginning of a trend in which other developers will also refresh their titles for the new generation.
The new Switch leaves the V1 far behind in terms of impression and build quality, but OLED still has an ace up its sleeve – that screen.
Sound, chat and online services
Jedno od tihih improvements na Switchu 2 jest new prednji stereo sustav loudspeakera. Dok su prethodni modeli često there isli "plosnati" i tihi zvuk, here finally osjetite prostor oko vas. Sound there is dubinu, eksplozije u Zeldi grme, a soundtrack u Mario mapu there is slojevitost koju stari modeli nisu mogli prenijeti beige slušalica. Probajte stati ispred
waterfalls in Mario Odyssey, you'll see what I'm talking about.
The new "C" button on the right Joy-Con activates GameChat - the ability to chat and video call with friends while playing the game. I haven't tried it, I don't have many friends with a Nintendo console. GameChat offers chat with 12 friends and is free until March 2026, after which it will be part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Nintendo also offers a USB-C camera, which I honestly have no need for.
In addition to the standard NSO service that includes online play and cloud saves, the Expansion Pack version unlocks Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Mega Drive and GameCube games. If you plan to go deeper into the Nintendo ecosystem, it is worth considering the family sharing option, which significantly reduces the cost per user.
Battery – still a compromise
Nintendo officially states battery life between 2 and 6.5 hours. In my practice, the battery lasts about 2 hours and 20 minutes on more demanding titles. If you turn off HDR and reduce the brightness, a little more can be squeezed out.
It takes about 3 hours to charge the console to 100%. The cooling system works very quietly and efficiently - the console stays warm, but does not overheat even during long sessions, and the fan is almost inaudible.
Where are the games? Lack of exclusives
The biggest drawback of Switch 2 is the starting catalog of exclusives from Nintendo's studio. If Mario Kart World doesn't appeal to you, and you're not happy about another "deluxe" return to Zelda, there really isn't a fresh first-party offer yet. Yes, there are third-party titles, but most of us buy the Switch precisely for the Nintendo exclusives. Donkey Kong Bananza is already on the horizon next month, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 are coming soon, but for now - we're waiting.
Given the significantly higher price of the console and games, if your current Switch is still serving you well and you're in no rush to switch, it might make sense to wait a little longer - at least until the catalog of new titles expands and Nintendo plays its cards right
Mario Kart World – first rounds
I didn't expect to devote so much time to Mario Kart. World connects tracks into one huge world through which 24 players rush.
The new Knockout Tour definitely shines: the battle-royale with eliminations at checkpoints with six connected tracks is full of adrenaline. The AI is more aggressive and it's much harder for me to leave it in the dust like before, and the real chaos only starts when you play online.
The soundtrack is a real treat for the ears, with covers of popular Super Mario songs and addictive new sounds. There is also a new open world, the so-called Free roam mode, in which you drive around the entire map and do various hidden challenges. It's great for relaxing after work, although free roam lacks a bit of content.
In any case, it's a great title that opens up a new generation and deserves its own article and review.
More comfortable, heavier and more precise – the Joy-Cons are going in the right direction.
Switch or not?
Nintendo Switch 2 is not a revolutionary new console, but a smart and welcome evolution of one of the most successful consoles of all time.
A bigger and sharper screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, noticeably better performance and faster loading make every return to the old model a bit painful.
The battery remains a weak link: in more demanding games, two and a half to three hours of handheld gaming will hardly be enough for those who want to game on long trips without an outlet nearby.
If you've never owned a Switch, now is the perfect time. You get more powerful hardware and access to a huge existing library of games that provide hours and hours of entertainment. Owners of the original V1 Switch will feel the difference after just five minutes of use. Faster loading, a stronger battery and a more modern feel make the switch justifiable. If you already own the OLED version, it may be advisable to wait a little longer, unless performance is a priority for you.
Personally, I'm happy with my purchase. Although it is still early to talk about the long-term impression, after a week of use I can say one thing - I don't see going back to the old Switch. Too much has improved, and while it's not perfect, the Switch 2 already feels like the logical, almost inevitable next step in Nintendo's ecosystem.
I believe the best is yet to come – the new Joy-Cons clicked, and so did I.
