Nintendo Switch was tough act to follow – but Switch 2 is super impressive

AT last, the Switching hour is upon us. 

Yes, Nintendo’s heavenly handheld returns and, like Mario after munching a Super Mushroom, it’s bigger and better than before. 

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After a first hands-on play with the new device, I can confirm the long-awaited Switch 2 pushes all the right buttons. 

Any follow-up to the original was always going to have Donkey Kong-sized shoes to fill. After all, the first Switch — released in 2017 — has shipped 150million units. 

So what’s new with the Switch 2? 

First-off, its size — an impressive 7.9ins screen is a notable difference from the previous 6.2ins original. 

Despite no OLED display, it boasts 1080p with an uber sexy 120fps (frames per second).

All of this results in glorious-looking games which run unbelievably smoothly. 

And the Switch 2 supports 4K HDR when docked — so it becomes even more immersive when hooked up to a big screen for all the family to play together. 

It’s bigger inside, too — the whopping 256GB storage is at least eight times more than the original. 

The most noticeable of the changes, though, are the Joy-Cons.

These detachable controllers are now magnetic, so there is no more ­awkward fumbling when trying to get them back into their slots. 

You can also use them as a mouse, a feature which comes into its own while playing the new basketball-on-wheels game Drag x Drive. Big sweeping arm movements allow for brilliant steering and responsive gaming. 

And after blasting through Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it’s clear this new concept isn’t just a gimmick — it’s a fantastic addition which evolves the handheld. 

The position of the buttons is similar to the original Joy-Cons, but with larger SR/SL tabs for when you hold them horizontally — a much-needed improvement. 

And a new C button is a cool addition, taking you straight to GameShare, where you can challenge mates, either locally or online. 

Up to 12 of you can hop on to GameChat using the new Switch 2 camera — which will delight the YouTube generation.

You can see pals in the corner of the screen while playing — as opposed to just watching. 

As for the games themselves, the exclusive list of titles is as mighty as a Bullet Bill power-up on Mario Kart. 

Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders and ­Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment (a tantalising Zelda prequel) all tease the senses. 

The new Donkey Kong is an ­effervescent explosion with plenty of rock-bashing — a deluge of colourful chaos. Absolutely bananas. 

But it is, obviously, Mario Kart World that’s really worth getting revved-up about. 

An absolute joy 

Because if the other exclusive titles expand on games the way Mario Kart World does, then gamers really are in for an astonishing treat with the all-new Switch 2. 

Not only are the visuals brilliant, it’s now an interconnected open world — where you can drive from one track to the next. 

This free-run option allows you to grind railings (a la Tony Hawk), find hidden coins and explore beyond the track itself.

It’s Super Mario 64 but on wheels. And you can now race against 24 people. That’s the most in the series’ history. 

As well as exclusive titles, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, meaning you can still enjoy original games.

These upscaled and improved versions absolutely glow in the glory of the Switch 2’s impressive hardware. 

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom is an absolute joy, with its vibrant visuals and smooth framerates, an encouraging indication for other Switch 2 Edition titles. 

And the new handheld is so powerful it’s able to handle AAA console blockbusters such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Borderlands 4, showing that Nintendo means business. 

The Switch 2 is due for release on June 5, but US pre-orders were hampered by Trump’s tumultuous tariff circus.

The device is currently made in Vietnam, having moved from China in a bid to avoid tariffs. 

Then Vietnam was hit with a 46 per cent tariff, although that’s now suspended for three months. 

Here, though, it will be on sale for £395.99, with game prices ranging from £55 to £75. 

Steep for a handheld, sure, but the Switch 2 is much more than that — this is a powerful, first-rate gaming console. 

Nintendo really are taking family gaming to the next level. 

3-2-1 . . . Go! 

SWITCH 2 GAMES

EXCLUSIVE GAMES

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• Mario Kart World 
• Donkey Kong 
• Bananza (above) 
• Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment 
• Drag x Drive 
• The Duskbloods 
• Kirby Air Riders 
• Survival Kids 

SWITCH 2 EDITION GAMES 

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• Super Mario Party Jamboree 
• The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom 
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land 
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (above) 
• Pokemon Legends Z-A 
• Civilization VII 

3RD-PARTY GAMES 

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• Split Fiction 
• Cyberpunk 2077 (above) 
• Hogwarts Legacy 
• Borderlands 4 
• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition 
• Fortnite 
• Star Wars: Outlaws 

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