My Switch 2 Experience

The Switch 2 is finally upon us, and I wanted to give my insights into the new console and how it differs from the Switch 1.

The first thing I noticed when I got the console out of the box is it’s size and matching it up to the Switch 1 shows the difference and for me this is a very good thing. I have very large hands, so there were times that after an hour or two of play with the original Switch my hands would start to cramp up, so the increased size was welcome, however, it still isn’t perfect and I have bought a grip case to go on my Switch 2 to help with that.

I love the screen and improvements made with the increased size and the lack of a bezel around the edge, it looks much neater being near the edge and I love how the colours pop out of the screen, especially when playing games like Mario Kart World and seeing Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.

The Joy Cons are different on Switch 2, instead of the rail design from Switch one, its been changed to a magnetic design. Now, when I first found this out from the reveal direct that Nintendo did, I was quite skeptical and didn’t know what to think. I did wonder how long they could last for with everyday wear and tear, luckily for me, I only get a few hours in the evening after my daughter has gone to bed to play, so the usage won’t be as high as say someone who maybe doesn’t have family commitments etc to tend too all the time and can play for as long as they want, someone may play 5+ hours every day, how long will the magnetic connections last for? I can only imagine that Nintendo would have tested this rigorously to make sure that regardless of play time, the magnetic connections would stay solid, and I have to admit after 2 months with the console, there are no complaints here!

Now, lets get onto the games. I have played a few Switch 2 games, and I’ve continued on a lot of my Switch 1 games, some of which have had upgrades for the new system. Most of the Switch 2 games will get a review on here so I won’t go into too much detail about them.

I never thought I’d see the day where Cyberpunk 2077 would be running on a Nintendo console, but here we are and the game does look glorious on the handheld, but the one thing about this game I want to talk about is one of the new features available on the console and that is mouse controls. Detaching the Joy Cons you can use them as a mouse, which Cyberpunk has taken full advantage of. I started the game over again when I got it on Switch 2 and there was something about the joy con sticks which made shooting feel quite awkward, and at times annoying as I found myself spraying and praying. Enter mouse controls. 

I switched on mouse controls and it (for me at least) felt like a day/night difference, the aiming and shooting was a lot easier and moving around felt better as well, the only thing I didn’t like was how the joy cons felt being dragged around over the arm of the sofa or my desk. Which I have rectified with a 3D printed joy con mouse mode holder.

Another thing that didn’t feel right to me when using mouse controls, was driving around night city, I struggled with driving and when using mouse controls tended to stay in one area, or move from quest to quest on foot. Sounds a little silly, but I felt it was quite hard to drive around the city using the mouse controls.

Cyberpunk is the only game I’ve come across where I’ve been able to use mouse controls fully and they did feel good and I’m looking forward to seeing which games utilise them next. I personally don’t think its a gimmick and if used right would prove to be a massive plus. I know Disney Dreamlight Valley is getting a native Switch 2 version and I am hoping that they use the mouse controls for the design element of the game, as it would make a huge difference. It’s so frustrating at the moment having to use the controller sticks for moving items and trying to place them where you want them, as they tend to be so sensitive with placement and always go where you don’t intend them too.

One thing I have noticed with playing Switch 1 games on a Switch 2 is the loading times are vastly improved. Animal Crossing loads a lot quicker, there are times when on Switch 1 that I could load this game up and be sat for ages to get in. With the Switch 2 though, it loads up so much quicker, and that is the same with other games as well such as the above mentioned Disney Dreamlight Valley, Minecraft and No Man’s Sky to name a few.

One of the last things I want to talk about in terms of additions to the console is the gamechat feature. I don’t have many friends who I game with, so this feature is kind of lost on me and probably won’t get used, however, the one occasion I went to try it when my wife was away for work and it didn’t work for us, it was a pain to set up and I don’t understand the need of having my mobile phone number attached to it. That just boggles my mind and has nothing to do with 2 consoles trying to connect over Wifi. If it was through the Switch app on my phone, then yeah, OK, I’d understand, but it isn’t, and that caused all kinds of headaches for us which lead to us not being able to use the feature. 

The last thing ill talk about is the price of the device, is it worth the £400 that it’s costs? I guess that’s going to be down to your playing habits, do you prefer Nintendo games and systems? Then yes, it’ll be worth it. 

I have a PS5 as well as a gaming PC, but I love Nintendo games and I love the portability factor of the Switch devices, I can just put it in its case and take it travelling with me, I can play my games where I want and whenever I want. Can I do that with a PS5 or PC? Nope, I can’t, and that for me is what makes it worth the money.

Switch 2 is a massive upgrade for me on the original Switch, the fact that I can play a game like Cyberpunk 2077 on it and it be so smooth and look so good, just shows the kind of treats were going to be in for in the consoles life cycle.