So there I was, barreling through Bowser's Castle again. Toad was my partner-in-chaos, lava was bubbling, banana peels were flying, and I swear I saw a cow overtaking me on the final lap. Just another day in Mario Kart World. But this time, it wasn't happening on the aging Nintendo Switch we've come to love (and sometimes side-eye). No, this was the debut lap on the brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 — and it's… something else.
Priced at US$449.99 (RM1,907), the Switch 2 promises a more powerful, slicker experience. But let's dig deeper: is it just a graphical upgrade, or does it really elevate Nintendo's iconic hybrid console to the next level?
Bigger Screen, Sharper Graphics – But Not Quite PS5-Level
The first thing you'll notice is the display. At 7.9 inches, it's a solid jump from the OG Switch's 6.2-inch screen. Resolution gets a boost to 1020p, and while it's still LCD (so, no OLED pop), the image is definitely cleaner, sharper, and more vibrant.
When docked to your TV, things get even better. We're talking 4K with HDR support now. That's a big deal, considering how the original Switch often struggled to maintain HD fidelity even on simpler titles. But don't get your hopes up for PS5-style jaw-dropping detail. Games like Assassin's Creed Shadows still run better on other platforms.
Still, Nintendo's not really trying to win the console graphics war. They've always marched to the beat of their own Goomba-stomping drum — focusing on fun, creativity, and nostalgia rather than raw power.
Performance Upgrades That Actually Matter
Graphics aside, the Switch 2 packs some serious performance upgrades under the hood. The framerate has been bumped to 120 fps, and you'll immediately notice the difference. In titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, what used to be a blur-fest now runs much smoother and cleaner.
Storage gets a major overhaul, too. Gone are the frustrating days of juggling your 32GB of space. The Switch 2 now boasts 256GB of internal storage. But beware — modern AAA games are memory hogs, and if you want more breathing room, you'll need a microSD Express card, which is… not exactly cheap.
A Joy-Con Evolution: Snappier, Smarter, Mouse-ier?
Nintendo didn't reinvent the Joy-Con, but it definitely gave them a tune-up. They're still detachable, still quirky, but now they connect magnetically — and that satisfying snap is weirdly addictive. Also, they now support a more traditional grip controller feel if you're playing at home.
The real curveball? Built-in optical mouse support. Flip a Joy-Con on its side, roll it on a surface — and voila, it's a mouse. It's a bizarre yet potentially genius feature that might shine in strategy games like Civilization VII. Not sure I'll ever be dragging units across a table while playing in my lap, but hey — options.
Social Features: Catching Up to the Present
Finally, Nintendo is taking a stab at the social frontier. There's a new "C" button on the right Joy-Con that activates GameChat, letting you talk with friends mid-game. The kicker? You have to be registered as friends first (no surprise there), and come March 31, 2026, you'll need to be subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online to keep using it.
There's also GameShare, which lets you play selected games with other Switch users who don't own the title — a clever, welcome feature.
But here's the thing: kids playing Minecraft or Fortnite on Xbox and PlayStation already chat effortlessly. Nintendo's just now joining that party. It's great that it's happening, but it's hard not to think, "Welcome to 2015, Nintendo."
Launch Titles: Where Are the Must-Plays?
This is the big one. A console's future lives and dies by its games.
At launch, the Switch 2 offers just two exclusives:
Beyond that, there are enhanced ports (Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction), and backward compatibility means your existing Switch library works out of the box — a massive win.
But there's a catch: the big guns — Zelda, Super Mario, Smash Bros, Animal Crossing — haven't been officially announced yet. We do know Donkey Kong and Kirby are coming later this year, but the launch window feels… light.
Competition's Heating Up
Here's where it gets interesting. Nintendo used to dominate handheld gaming. Not anymore.
Enter the Steam Deck — Valve's powerful handheld that costs less than the Switch 2 in some models and runs an enormous library of PC games. Then there's the newly announced ROG Xbox Ally from Microsoft and Asus, aiming for a holiday 2025 release. This time, Nintendo isn't just fending off Sony and Microsoft on the couch — it's fighting them on the move.
Verdict: Worth It Now, or Wait?
So, should you buy it now?
If you're a die-hard Nintendo fan, you already know the answer. The Switch 2 is the best way to play Nintendo's iconic franchises, and that alone might be enough.
But for everyone else, the verdict's still out. The hardware is solid, the improvements are real, but the games — and we mean new games — just aren't here yet in meaningful numbers. The true test will be in 2026 and beyond, once developers unlock the console's full potential.
For now? If the idea of racing through Mario Kart in smooth 4K glory sounds tempting, or if you've been itching for a portable Civilization session with a Joy-Con mouse on your clipboard… the Switch 2 might just be your next adventure.