The Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially released, and MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has already had the chance to try out the Switch 2. A few things have caught his attention. While the build quality and display in particular are impressive, there is still a question mark regarding the ergonomics.
The Switch 2 officially released on June 5, 2025, and I was lucky enough to be able to hold my console, which I ordered directly from Nintendo, early. My wife and I have already been able to play quite extensively on the new console, and we played a few rounds against each other in Mario Kart World.
In this article, you will read what first impressions I have of the console. There is a lot of good to report, but there are also criticisms of the new Switch 2. You will also soon be able to read a proper and comprehensive test of the Switch 2 on MeinMMO.
Heavier and larger than the original Switch
The obvious first. Already in the pictures, it was clear that the Switch 2 would be larger than the original Switch and the later OLED model. The Switch 1 weighs about 400 grams, while the Switch 2 is exactly 100 grams heavier. The Steam Deck weighs a substantial 650 grams more. Read more about the comparison of Switch 2 and Switch 1 in the following article on MeinMMO.
I find the slightly higher weight well resolved since it can be held comfortably with the Joy-Cons. However, my partner finds the Switch 2 almost too heavy. But she prefers to play on the TV via the docking station anyway.
Large, bright display
The Switch 2 features a large, bright display, but relies on LCD rather than OLED. In my opinion, it is one of the best improvements, especially when playing in handheld mode. So far, I have played on the Switch OLED, which has a larger display than the original Switch (6.2 inches vs. 7 inches), but still only offers a resolution of 720p.
The new Full HD display suits the Switch 2 very well and even makes my Steam Deck jealous. For me, it is already a great improvement in everyday use. In my view, the installed LCD still shows vibrant colors and is extremely stable in terms of viewing angles. I notice this when I sit next to my wife and watch her play. In particular, the increased resolution and the higher frame rate of 120 Hz provide a noticeably sharper and smoother presentation compared to the previous model, even compared to the OLED device.
However, compared to the OLED model, the display is still a slight setback, among other things, the YouTube channel GamingTech reports that the display offers a peak brightness of only 422 nits, while black is represented with 0.5 nits. This results in a contrast ratio of 844:1.
The Switch 2 gets noticeably warm in everyday use but is not loud
When the Switch 2 gets to work, it feels noticeably warm. I especially notice this in comparison to the old Switch, which mostly remained cool and only became audible with a few games (for example, with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet). However, the Switch 2 does not get as hot as the Steam Deck under load.
Despite the heat development, the Switch 2 remains inaudible. If you hold your ear directly to the console, you can hear a very faint whirring of the fan. In everyday life, however, you typically hardly notice it.
The magnetic connection of the Joy-Cons has become really good
With the Switch 2, Nintendo uses a new solution for connecting the Joy-Cons to the Switch. Instead of sliding them in as with the original, magnets are now used. And that feels much better.
The Joy-Cons slide smoothly into the Switch 2’s connector and make a satisfyingly click sound when they snap into place in the console. Once attached, the Joy-Cons hold securely and can only be removed with a button.
With the old Switch OLED, I always had the problem that sooner or later one of my Joy-Cons came loose in handheld mode.
A friend of mine joked that it could only be a matter of time before one of the magnets breaks or shows signs of wear if you constantly remove the Joy-Cons. But that remains to be seen in the future.
Improved interface and finally a smooth eShop
The improved eShop is (almost) a revelation: It finally runs smoothly and allows me to navigate through the store quickly. The old eShop drove me crazy every time. Sometimes the menu would jump back, or I wanted to go to my shopping cart and ended up back on the direct shop page. Exactly this has been tackled by Nintendo, fixing one of my biggest criticisms.
The interface (UI) of the Switch 2 is more or less identical to the old Switch, but the large, bright display makes everything feel smoother and more enjoyable. It may not necessarily be due to the UI, but it is still a positive change.
Behind ergonomics stands a question mark
The ergonomics is a topic where my partner and I do not agree.
My personal standpoint: I like that the Switch 2 is larger. The new Joy-Cons fit well in my large hands (7.5 inches) and the higher weight of the Switch 2 confirms my feeling that the ergonomics feel better. The old Joy-Cons always pressed uncomfortably into my palm, which is no longer the case with the new Joy-Cons of the Switch 2.
However, my partner tends to find the Switch 2 already too heavy and too large. She does praise the significantly larger display, but also mentioned that the new Joy-Cons are almost too big for her. She has significantly smaller hands (6.7 inches) compared to me. Children and teenagers may have even smaller hands and may also encounter problems in handheld mode.
The surface of the Switch 2 and display are very fingerprint-prone
The new design of the Switch 2 is quite stylish. However, you can see every fingerprint immediately on the chassis of the Switch 2, the Joy-Cons, and the display. I never noticed this as strongly on my old Switch OLED, and even on the Steam Deck, I do not see every finger, despite the touch display.
If you primarily use the Switch 2 in the docking station, then fingerprints should only be a limited problem. However, it annoys me quite a bit in everyday life.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially released on June 5, 2025. To ensure a smooth start with the console, guides are particularly useful. If you need tips and tricks for Nintendo’s new hybrid console, you can find here a collection of all important guides for the Nintendo Switch 2 on MeinMMO.
