Nintendo Switch 2 Console Review – A Console You Can’t Put Down

by Jim Smale · Published June 17, 2025 · Updated June 16, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Console review – Nintendo’s latest iteration of the Switch is finally here, and it’s time to put it through its paces. With updated hardware, new features, and refinements to the hybrid gaming experience, does it deliver on expectations? We’ll examine its design, performance, and functionality to see how it stacks up against its predecessor and whether it meets the demands of modern gamers.

Nintendo Switch 2 Console Review Pros

7.9-inch Screen size.
HDR support amd you can set the output and adjust HDR levels.
TV display settings – resolution (720/1080/1440/2160), RGB range, check dock output information, adjust screen size, screen burn-in reduction, match TV power state, auto low latency mode, and 120Hz option.
Bluetooth audio support.
Ethernet and WiFi Internet connection options.
Parental controls via the smartphone app, the console has a QR code and an introduction video.
Accessibility options – change button mapping for each Joy-Con and the Pro Controller. Text size, bold text, High contrast, zoom, change display colours (default/Invert colours/greyscale), mono audio, and text-to-speech with optional voice types, speed of speaking and volume. You can also have speech-to-text in the game chat.
You can easily transfer games between the onboard memory and the microSD Express card (sold separately) and vice versa.
I was able to quickly and wirelessly transfer all my data, accounts, and installed games from my Nintendo Switch to my Nintendo Switch 2 with no hassle.
Calibrate the sticks option.
You can test and update your Camera from within the menu. (Camera sold separately)
The Pro Controller (sold separately) can be set up for wired or wireless use. You can change what the additional GR and GL buttons do from the menu.
Swap buttons A and B buttons around option.
Full microphone testing, input volume, and noise suppression.
Create and edit Miis on the console.
Amiibo support with delete game data, reset Amiibo and register Owner and nickname.
Two theme options – White and Black.
Set up what notifications you get.
Sleep mode settings – auto sleep time handheld, auto sleep time docked, auto sleep whilst playing media, play console wake up sound in TV mode, maintain wired connection in sleep mode, and wake when an adapter is disconnected.
System settings – console battery percentage display, stop charging around 90 per cent option, date and time, region, language, console lock, manually unlock screen after sleep mode, console nickname, and update prompts for the system and for the dock, each showing current version numbers.
Flight mode option.
The manual can be checked via a smartphone using the console’s QR code.
Initial boot up of the game chat app will launch a step-by-step setup.
Smartphones are required to use game chat as it needs the phone for verification.
Game chat settings – chat approved friends, and mute the microphone when entering a chat session.
It’s the same UI as before, except it has a few new icons and it’s all rounded.
The Nintendo eShop is faster and has a quick list on the side for wish lists, new releases, deals, etc. Hovering over any thumbnail of a game will trigger a video of the game to play immediately.
Original Nintendo Switch games can be played on the console, and some will have updates or performance enhancements.
You can press and hold the capture button to record the last 30 seconds of gameplay, and it saves to the media library.
You can upload media from the library to the Nintendo Switch smartphone app.
The media library lets you trim videos, save video screens as a screenshot and copy media to a microSD Express card.
Images in the media library can have text added to them before uploading.
You can create groups (folders) to have games put together.
The Koycons attach via magnets, and I was initially wary of this, but they are solid and locked in.
The handy long-hinged stand pops out of the back of the console.
Using anything on the dashboard is lightning fast.
The dock has a detachable back to add all the plugs like HDMI and power, etc, you can put the backing back on as there is a huge hole down the bottom for cables.
You get a new 8K compatible HDMI cable with the console.
The Joycons come with a smaller set of attachable straps for when you are playing with the Joycons in your hand.
The Joy-Cons can be used as a mouse.
You can turn the console on with the Pro Controller by pressing the button.
Setting up and pairing controllers is super simple.
The Finish on the console is matte, and it looks like you could easily mark it, but you can’t; it cleans up well.

Nintendo Switch 2 Console Review Cons

You can only chat with friends, and they have to be separately approved for chat.
Setting up game chat is just a lot of steps.
No easy way to check or see if a game has any enhancements or updates for Nintendo Switch 2 additions.
Not all games can record gameplay.
You don’t get any capture settings like the time amount captured, or quality, etc.
The view more button on the UI dashboard shows all the time where whereas on the last Nintendo Switch, it would only show if you had more games.
No social media or streaming services are built into or downloadable for the console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t offer any TV subscription services.
No achievements system.
The time played is back, but it’s the same, and it can take days for it to show actual game time rather than starting x amount of days ago.
If you saw the console on the big screen but didn’t see the console, you would think it’s just a UI update. It’s no,t but what I’m saying is it looks the same.
The HDMI cable is very short.

Official Website:

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Store Link:

Official Nintendo Store