Review: Why the Nintendo Switch 2 Doesn’t Need to Change Much to Win

Nintendo hosted a laid-back play party on a Friday afternoon, in the month of September, to celebrate the launch of EAFC 26, and it was all good vibes: snacks, games, and easy conversation. There were no formal presentations, just an opportunity to pick up the controllers and dive in. It’s the perfect metaphor for Nintendo itself, a household name that has quietly become synonymous with approachable, enjoyable gaming.

I still remember when the original Switch launched in 2017. A friend of mine got an early unit and brought it to school one day, and the detachable Joy-Cons felt like a small miracle. Its success was cemented further with the OLED model in 2021, and eight years later, Nintendo is introducing its successor: the Switch 2. It’s clear that Nintendo knows the original was a hit. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the Switch 2 refines the formula that already works, enhancing what made the original so compelling without overhauling it entirely.

Design & Build: If It Isn’t Broken, Polish It

At first glance, the Nintendo Switch 2 looks and feels familiar, but that’s the point. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, just smooth it out. The new 7.9-inch LCD screen is a welcome jump from the original’s 6.1 inches, offering a crisp, bright display that’s great for handheld play. It’s still light, surprisingly so, thanks to the same plastic construction that makes it comfortable and ergonomic in long gaming sessions. You won’t find any premium aluminium here, but that’s never been Nintendo’s goal: practicality wins.

The biggest design evolution comes in the Joy-Cons. Gone are the sliding rails of the original; in their place, a clever magnetic system that clicks satisfyingly into place with the press of a button. It’s quicker, smoother, and comes with a neat touch; the Switch 2 plays sounds and shows little animations when you attach or detach them. They can even double as a mouse now, which is a fun addition. The SL and SR buttons have also seen a noticeable improvement, feeling far more usable and tactile this time around.

Nintendo’s improved the stand too. It’s sturdy and supports multiple angles, and now the docking station includes an Ethernet port for those who prefer a stable wired connection.

There’s a headphone jack on top, two USB-C ports for accessories like the new camera add-on, and the dock now supports 4K at 60fps with HDR, a big leap from the original’s 1080p. You’ll also find a built-in cooling fan that keeps performance stable even during marathon sessions.

Performance & Gameplay: Still the Heart of Nintendo

Here’s the thing about the Switch 2: no one’s buying it for third-party titles, and that’s fine. Nintendo’s always known where its magic lies: in its first-party games. Still, the Switch 2 does open the door to a majority of second-party games, and I got to test it out with Mario Kart World and EAFC 26.

EAFC 26 runs surprisingly well, especially in handheld mode. It’s smoother there than when docked, though it’s obvious that the visuals and performance lag behind the PS5 and Xbox crowd. It’s not laggy, but it doesn’t quite hit that premium fidelity either. Load times were decent, not lightning-fast, but not the kind of wait that makes you check your phone. The haptics, meanwhile, are solid.

The real drawback, however, is battery life. This is where Nintendo’s refinement starts to show its limits. I managed about three and a half hours with Mario Kart World and a little over two with EAFC 26. It’s a reminder that this console shines brightest when running the games it was made for, Nintendo’s own.

To its credit, the Switch 2 never got uncomfortably warm, even during longer sessions. The fans do kick in, but they’re whisper-quiet, barely noticeable over the game’s sound. Speaking of which, the speakers are perfectly fine; clear, loud enough, and backed by the nice touch of Bluetooth pairing for your earbuds.

Features & Ecosystem: The Joy of Staying in the Family

The Nintendo ecosystem continues to be its biggest strength, and its biggest lock-in. Switch 2 owners can tap into GameShare and GameChat, two new features that expand multiplayer and community play. You can even plug in Nintendo’s optional camera to see your friends live as you play, a fun if slightly niche addition.

There’s also Bluetooth audio support for pairing earbuds or speakers, and the console’s UI remains simple and familiar. The Switch 2 ships with 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. It’s a decent bump, but still not massive, especially for those planning to download multiple large titles.

Verdict

The Nintendo Switch has carved out its own market, and a sizeable one at that. This isn’t a console trying to compete with the Xbox or PlayStation; it’s in a league of its own. The people who love Mario, Donkey Kong, and the rest of Nintendo’s colourful first-party world are completely justified in buying the Switch 2 for those games alone. It’s worth it.

This is the perfect console for when you’ve got friends over, or when you just want something light, fun, and portable that doesn’t demand too much from you. Switch OLED owners might feel a little hard done by since this isn’t a radical leap forward, but it’s still an upgrade, especially with the bigger display, magnetic Joy-Cons, and refined design.

Now priced at $450 (R12,499 in South Africa), up from the original Switch’s $300, it’s fair to ask if the Switch 2 is $150 better.

Nintendo cited tariffs as part of the reason for the increase, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t seem to have mattered. As of November 2025, the Switch 2 has achieved the highest global sales figure of any Nintendo platform in its first four months, with 10.36 million units sold, more than double the original’s performance in the same period. Clearly, fans didn’t hesitate.

My verdict still stands: Nintendo has perfected its formula. It’s not chasing anyone else’s idea of what a console should be. It’s doing its own thing, and doing it better than ever. Those who’ve been fans from the beginning will no doubt love the Switch 2, and with production ramping up for next year, it seems the rest of the world agrees.