'nintendo switch 2 ticks all boxes - except one hefty downside'

After eagerly anticipating its arrival since the teaser trailer in January and the Direct in April, I've finally got my hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 console and have begun

transferring my games to the new system. I've had the opportunity to try out the device a few times, and I'm ready to share my initial impressions in this early review for fellow

Nintendo enthusiasts. The Nintendo Switch 2 Console is available at Amazon for £395.99, as well as at Currys for £395, and at Very for £395.99. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart

World bundle is available for £429.99 at Amazon, as well as Very for the same price. Very also offers a bundle with the Switch 2 + Pro Controller + 256GB SanDisk MicroSD Card for £520. READ

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my likes and dislikes about the Switch 2 so far. Firstly, the Switch 2 feels significantly better in-hand compared to the Switch OLED I've been using during the past few years. The

kickstand is considerably wider than the previous flimsy stand, matching the OLED version's quality with the added flexibility of moving it from top to bottom and vice versa, reports

the Express. With the JoyCons attached, the console measures approximately 10.7-inches long, feeling substantially larger than the Switch OLED, despite only being just over an inch longer.

It's not as broad as the Steam Deck OLED, but it's much more sleek, although I must admit I have a preference for the slightly chunkier Steam handheld. Despite being smaller than

its Steam counterpart, the 7.9-inch screen of the device is larger and looks truly impressive. The display quality is surprisingly impressive, given that it's not an OLED screen. When

the brightness is turned up, there's little difference between the Switch 2 and the OLED model, largely due to the superior resolution and HDR support. The magnetic JoyCons are a

significant upgrade from the original controllers, attaching to the console instantly with a satisfying click. This is much quicker and feels more secure than the cumbersome rail system used

in the previous Switch. Regarding the JoyCons, the larger analogue sticks and buttons are a considerable improvement on the older model, although I'll likely seek out a version with a

d-pad once a high-quality third-party alternative becomes available. I've always preferred the HORI Split Pad Pro for the original Switch. It's ideal for most genres when attached

to the console, but unlike the official JoyCons, it can't be detached and used wirelessly. For now, at least, the new JoyCons are certainly an upgrade over the old ones. Hopefully, the

absence of Hall Effect sticks won't result in drift issues further down the line, but this remains to be seen. I'm also really looking forward to playing first-person shooters,

strategy games, and point-and-click adventure games using the mouse controls. I had the opportunity to play Metroid Prime 4 using the mouse controls during a previous hands-on event and

found them to be a game-changer. Mouse mode can be activated by holding a JoyCon sideways against a flat surface and sliding it as you would with a computer mouse. There's no need to

navigate through the menu screen, simply press it against a flat surface and you're instantly in mouse mode. In games like Metroid Prime 4, the mouse can be used for aiming, while the

buttons control many of Samus Aran's abilities as usual. The other JoyCon is used for movement. Since getting my Switch 2, I've only really tested mouse mode on the menu screen,

where it functions as expected, though it's not particularly necessary. Of course, another major selling point of the Nintendo Switch 2 is the increased power it boasts. When docked,

the console can play games in 4K at 60 frames-per-second, or at 120 frames-per-second at a lower resolution. 120Hz is also achievable with supported games in handheld mode. Whether many

games will reach these impressive standards remains to be seen, but for now, Switch 2 enthusiasts can anticipate visuals and performance closer to those of the PS5 and Xbox Series. This also

means that many of the larger third-party games can now be ported to the Switch 2, as we've seen with titles like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 launching with the console on June

5. On paper, the Switch 2 is ticking all the right boxes in terms of visuals and performance, although it's still too early to provide a definitive verdict on how this will pan out.

Similarly, I'll be testing new features like GameChat with friends over the next few days. However, my initial impressions of the Switch 2 have been largely positive. Since receiving my

Switch 2, I've spent approximately an hour on Mario Kart World and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I'm eager to play more of the exhilarating Knockout Tour elimination mode

and uncover new missions in Free Roam. I've also had a brief stint on Hitman Signature Edition, which appears to perform as well as it does on Steam Deck and PS5. The loading times were

even surprisingly swift, contrary to my expectations. Despite the Switch 2's hefty £395.99 price tag potentially deterring some, I believe early adopters will appreciate the

enhancements. Similarly, if you've splashed out £429.99 on the Mario Kart World bundle, you'll be too engrossed in the fun to worry.