Hands-On with the Nintendo Switch 2: Enhanced Size, Speed, and Mouse Control Integration

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and it’s both comfortingly familiar and excitingly fresh. At a special event in New York, I had the chance to go hands-on with Nintendo’s follow-up to their best-selling console, and while the hardware itself certainly has its charms, the real thrill seemed to come from the games.

The Switch 2, priced at $450, is an attractive piece of kit. Yet, its true appeal lies in the games that Nintendo and third-party developers will bring to life on this platform. It’s an interesting mix of old meets new, capturing Nintendo’s evolving vision for gaming. After a few hours at the event, I found myself eagerly anticipating more time with it. Time to start saving!

### Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

From the moment you lay eyes on the black matte finish of the Joy-Con 2 controllers and the console itself, it makes a stylish impression. Weighing in at 1.18 pounds with the controllers attached, the Switch 2 is a tad heavier than its predecessor, but with a vivid 7.9-inch display, it’s a trade-off I’m willing to make. It remains lighter than other handheld gaming PCs, such as the Steam Deck OLED, which tips the scales at 1.41 pounds.

The subdued color scheme—save for some neon accents around the joysticks and Joy-Cons—feels a departure from Nintendo’s usual playful aesthetic. It’s not wholly unexpected, given my own nostalgia for the black GameCube. Plus, I have no doubt we’ll see more color options down the line.

Removing the Joy-Cons is a breeze, thanks to robust release buttons. I didn’t have much chance to swap them out during the demos, but one quick test reassured me they’re securely fastened—no accidental detachments to worry about.

The revamped controllers are longer, which suited my hands better than the original iteration. Although they remain slim, the extended length adds a touch of comfort. The control sticks have been redesigned, promising enhanced smoothness in movement. Missing from the discussion, however, was any mention of hall effect sensors, leaving the sticks feeling much like their ancestors during my brief playtime.

A standout upgrade is the new kickstand. Gone is the flimsy piece of plastic awkwardly perched on the original. The Switch 2’s kickstand stretches across the back, allowing any angle to be chosen, making it far more practical for use on surfaces like airplane tray tables.

Gaming is where the Switch 2 truly shines, thanks to its new, impressive display. Even though it’s not an OLED, despite its 1920 x 1080 resolution, supporting 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10, it delivered eye-popping visuals in demos like Mario Kart World. While OLED enthusiasts may frown, I found the picture quality stellar in my brief encounter, particularly since most games were shown off on larger displays.

I glimpsed the new dock just once, paired with the intriguing Nintendo Switch 2 camera. It seemed bulkier, presumably to house a cooling fan, but functioned much like the existing dock.

### Nintendo Switch 2 Specs

The technical specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 promise a powerful gaming experience. It’s driven by a custom Nvidia processor that backs both DLSS and hardware ray tracing. The device features a crisp 7.9-inch touch screen, diving into HDR10-supported gameplay at a 120 Hz variable refresh rate. Internally, it sports 256GB of UFS storage, expandable via microSD Express cards up to 2TB. It embraces connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and wired Ethernet on the dock, coupled with stereo speakers and a noise-canceling microphone. The console’s varied ports include USB Type-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a game card slot, and microSD expansion capabilities. Its energy promise ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours of gameplay, and all this hits the market on June 5, 2025, at $449.99, or $499.99 bundled with Mario Kart World.

### Mouse Controls

Though Nintendo is famed for its straightforward, game-centric approach, a sprinkle of PC gaming has crept in. The Switch 2’s controllers can function as mice thanks to embedded sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. This allowed me to experiment with games reminiscent of using a mouse, recapturing the novelty of the 1992 SNES mouse. Wrist straps sport little skates—a clever nod to smooth scrolling.

Results from using this setup were varied. For instance, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond allows toggling between controller and mouse mode. Mouse mode offered superior accuracy, though the fleeting comfort of wielding the Joy-Cons in this way was noticeable. Conversely, making strategic moves in Civilization VII felt fluid and intuitive. Drag x Drive deserves mention too; it puts an innovative twist on the Rocket League formula. Navigating with both controllers like mice introduced a compelling dynamic that might eventually inspire PC gaming mechanics.

A question lingers: how practical is it to use Joy-Cons as mice from a living room couch, rather than at a desk? Although Nintendo conveniently equipped the venue with ideal setups, replicating that at home could prove tricky.

### Resolution Options and Quality Modes

Entering enthusiast territory, the Switch 2 offers multiple resolution settings and quality modes, akin to what we’ve observed in the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 landscapes. Docked mode can unleash 4K visuals at 60 fps, or drop to 1080p or 1440p resolutions to hit 120 Hz with variable refresh rate. In handheld use, its screen showcases up to 120 fps at 1080p.

Games, too, owe players some choice, as evidenced in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, which distinguished itself in its performance mode, running at 1080p and 120 fps on the dock, delivering a highly responsive experience. Other developers like Firaxis aim similarly for 1080p 60 fps for titles like Civilization VII.

### Pro Controller and Nintendo Camera

Alongside the console, Nintendo has a Pro Controller priced at $79.99 and a $49.99 camera. The controller feels similar to its predecessor but has extra rear mappable buttons—though their functions weren’t on show. The camera, meant for Game Chat, also lets you put yourself in games like Mario Party Jamboree, albeit with some jagged green screen effects. Additionally, Nintendo’s web guidance on USB-C camera compatibility may keep users from being cornered into proprietary hardware.

### Game Notes

Nintendo paraded an array of new games, showcasing its traditional knack for exciting first-party titles. Launching with Mario Kart World, expect explosive sales akin to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Highlights included the electrifying Knockout Tour mode, thrilling with its fast-paced, last-competitor-standing format.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition suggested the system’s power, though the early build looked needful of further polish. The mini-game parade in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour charmed, even if it seemed deserving of a pack-in status rather than a full-price title.

In Donkey Kong Bananza, joyous antics and a destructible environment stole the show, while Metroid Prime 4 Beyond delivered FPS thrills at impeccable frame rates. And Drag x Drive provoked genuine awe with its unique control method.

Engagements with classics like Soul Calibur II and F-Zero GX reignited nostalgia while firmly establishing the credibility of the remastered Nintendo Classics: GameCube collection.

The grand debut of the Nintendo Switch 2 has only just begun. With promising early impressions, exciting games, and compelling new hardware features, it seems Nintendo’s next chapter is set to captivate fans old and new.