Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch 1: All the differences I found while playing the new console

Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: Is it worth upgrading?

Tens of millions of players are asking the same question: How does the Nintendo Switch 2 compare to the first-generation Switch?

Nintendo opened pre-orders for the Switch 2 last Thursday, and whether you grab it or not, you might be thinking about how it differs from the first Nintendo Switch.

A few weeks ago, after the Nintendo face-to-face Switch 2 live broadcast, I had the honor of having a few hours of Switch 2 and tried upcoming games like Mario Kart World and Metroid Prime 4. After nearly five hours of personal experience, I was impressed by the Switch 2, but I also had some concerns. Let's dive into it in depth.

At first glance, Switch 2 seems to be just an iterative upgrade. Fortunately, this is not the case.

Still looking for Switch 2? Please check out our latest pre-order guide to prepare for pre-order through Nintendo's official website and learn how to track the restocking information of Switch 2.

More advanced feel

From the first second I got the Switch 2, I immediately fell in love with the feeling of holding it in my hand. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (supports HDR and 120Hz refresh rate) is much better than the previous 6.2-inch 720p display. In addition to the larger screen, the Joy-Con handle is also stronger. I still prefer to use the new Pro controller (it feels great but has very similar features to the previous generation), but I played a few games with Joy-Con and didn't have any comfort issues this time.

Nintendo cleverly keeps the same thickness from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2, so it's at its best "heavy enough to feel advanced and light enough to feel comfortable". I also want to praise the magnetic connection mechanism of the Joy-Con handle, which instantly eliminates my doubts about its reliability. It cleverly requires you to pull a small release trigger on the back to separate the Joy-Con from the host, so it is almost impossible to separate it inadvertently. However, miraculously, the magnetic insertion of the Joy-Con is like magic. Nintendo did a great job of this aspect of the device.

Honestly, it was a bit hilarious to see Nintendo spend about 10 minutes explaining the voice chat feature (other consoles have been around for 20 years) at the face-to-face meeting. But being late is better than not. The only thing I'm not too satisfied with is that Nintendo seems to really want you to use the open microphone of the console itself instead of the headphones. The company claims it can remove unwanted background noise, but I didn't have the chance to test this. Let's wait and see. At the very least, Nintendo admits that people love to play games online with friends, and that the company doesn’t always do well or even fail to do it at all.

Battery life is obviously not as good as Switch OLED

This is the first bad news that appears when comparing Switch 2 and Switch 1.

More powerful performance and better display also mean greater battery consumption, as confirmed by Nintendo through Kotaku. (Alas!) It has about 2 to 6.5 hours of battery life, depending on the game you play. Comparing it to the Switch OLED's 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life, the new console doesn't look that great. Again, this is something that cannot be tested in the event, so we need to confirm after the console is actually in the city. But don't expect the Switch 2 to have amazing battery life.

It has a greater impact on the wallet

Of course, it still comes with a base. Image source: Alex Perry/Mashable

The worst news about the Switch 2 is: Starting at $450. There is also a $500 set that includes Mario Kart World, which actually looks even more tempting, as Nintendo's game price has soared this time. Mario Kart World itself costs up to $80, while Donkey Kong: Carnival costs $70. There is also a small collection of mini games designed to be a demo of console technology, which is a paid download for reasons I can't understand. In addition, the old games with the upgraded version of "Nintendo Switch 2" will also have an upgraded price tag, and it feels like Nintendo is a bit squeezing us.

I would give the company a little tolerant given the chaotic tariff policy of the Trump administration, but those customers who feel the weight of a $500 gaming console will certainly not give Nintendo the same tolerance. No matter how many upgrades the Switch 2 brings, it's $150 more expensive than when the Switch 1 went on the market. This is not ideal.

Update: April 24, 2025, 3:29 PM ET This article has been updated with additional photos of the Switch 2 and its accessories, as well as more details about the console's social features and pre-order releases in the U.S.

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