The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially landed, ending an eight-year wait for the original's successor.
Packed with exciting new features and noticeable hardware improvements, it's been a blast during the short time I've had with the Switch 2 so far, and I wanted to share some of my initial thoughts on the console with you below!
Nintendo Switch 2: First Impressions
After unboxing the Nintendo Switch 2, one of the most obvious things I immediately noticed was just how big it is. Boasting a 7.9-inch LCD touch screen compared to the old 6.2-inch display, it's also accompanied by slightly chunkier Joy-Con controllers. While it is somewhat larger, I'd say Nintendo has struck a nice balance with the size. It's a noticeable upgrade that enhances the experience, but it's not too overwhelming, either.
In terms of putting everything together and setting up the Switch 2, it was a walk in the park. It's pretty much the same procedure as the original Switch, you have the power cables for the dock, as well as an HDMI for TV connection. Then there's the Switch itself, which is joined by the brilliant magnetic Joy-Cons.
READ: Tips and Tricks for New Nintendo Switch 2 Owners
I say brilliant, because that's exactly what they are. Gone are the days of having to line them up with the console before sliding down to connect. It's just a simple case of letting the magnets do their job, and boom, they're on!
The straightforward setup process continued when powering on the Switch 2. Starting up the new console for the first time, I was greeted by step-by-step instructions, although each stage was quick and easy, meaning I finished the initial setup guide in roughly 10 minutes.
Because I used my brother's Nintendo account on the previous Switch, I had to create my own when setting up the Switch 2. I was worried it was going to be a bit of a faff, but I couldn't have been more wrong. There was a QR Code ready to scan on the screen, which took me directly to the account creation page on the Nintendo website. After filling in my details and confirming them via email, my account had been created, and I was ready to go.
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+ 2Before I knew it, I was on the familiar-looking Switch home screen, and decided to head straight to the settings so I could customize the console to my liking. As expected, the settings menu allows you to adjust things associated with screen, audio, accessibility, graphics, network, devices, and more. It's all very self-explanatory and clearly laid out, making personalization options a breeze to navigate.
That said, I was slightly disappointed with the lack of theme colors and backgrounds to choose from, but in the grand scheme of things, it's one of those minor issues that will no doubt be improved in the long run.
When it comes to the performance of the Switch 2, I can't go too in-depth because I haven't had an awful amount of time to play it yet, maybe two hours at most. What I will say is that those two hours have been smooth and very enjoyable. Mario Kart World is as fun and crazy as you'd expect, filled with high-speed action and a variety of tracks, which both look and feel amazing.
While I have so much more to explore and discover on the Switch 2, first impressions are very promising. Based on my time with it so far, Nintendo's latest console provides a powerful, convenient, and well-polished gaming experience, and I can't wait to uncover more of its capabilities.
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