Nintendo is, without a doubt, the pioneer behind modern handheld gaming. Ever since they released the groundbreaking Nintendo Game Boy in 1989, they have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible, even going so far as to allow integration with their home-based consoles with the release of the Nintendo 64.

More recently, the Nintendo Switch offered gamers a choice, and as the name might suggest, it could seamlessly switch between being a portable gaming console or connected to an entertainment system for a more dedicated experience.

June 2025 saw the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, with the system benefiting from several much-needed updates over its predecessor. MKAU Gaming was fortunate enough to receive the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle from Nintendo ANZ for review, alongside a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

Of these updates, one of the first you’ll notice is the way the Joy-Cons connect to the console. Having worked in a retail environment that sold the previous consoles, the old rail system was the most common fail-point of the previous Nintendo Switch consoles, often resulting in the controllers failing to register as being connected.

The new Joy-Con 2 controllers literally snap onto the side, magnetically held in place and feel very secure once in place. They’re also quite a bit larger, being a lot more comfortable to use and hold when compared to previous consoles.

This is particularly impressive given the larger overall size of the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Featuring a 7.9-inch display, it is substantially bigger than the previous Nintendo Switch consoles, and as a result, is quite a bit heavier.

Unfortunately, Nintendo has decided to revert to an LCD screen instead of the OLED used on the latest Nintendo Switch, but this is somewhat mitigated by being a full-HD screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz and HDR10 support.

This is powered by a custom NVIDIA-made GPU, capable of providing 4K resolutions when connected to a TV at up to 60 FPS, or supporting 120 FPS when playing with either Full-HD or 2K resolutions through HDMI.

That is an incredible achievement, considering the physical size of the Nintendo Switch 2 console, and the performance comes close to matching the latest generation in dedicated consoles, even going as far as exceeding some of them.

When not physically connected to the console, the Joy-Con 2 Controllers can be secured with the included Joy-Con 2 strap, which also doubles as a ‘foot’ when you’re using the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse. Alternatively, they can be connected to the Joy-Con 2 grip, offering a more familiar controller experience. Both options are colour-coded to match the Joy-Con 2 connections, ensuring proper seating.

The Nintendo Switch 2 supports wireless internet through the built-in Wi-Fi 6 adapter, allowing you to play online with friends. As part of the online experience, they’ve also introduced the GameChat system – an online version of couch-play. This is similar to playing games on a split-screen, allowing you to see what your friends are up to, as well as talk with them as though you’re in a party chat, and by using the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, it is almost like a private streaming session, but we’ll discuss that in a later review.

While the Nintendo Switch comes with two USB-C ports, one on the top, the other on the bottom, only the one mounted on the top is used for attaching compatible peripherals. Through the dock, you’ll also gain access to two additional USB ports, an Ethernet connection for wired internet access, and an HDMI connection for connecting to an external screen, complete with audio transfer.

If you’re not using it in docked mode, the stereo speakers provide clear and natural sound, which is surprising for portable devices, but if you want something a bit more private, it can also support up to 5.1 surround sound through a 3.5mm 4-contact stereo plug.

It’s also nice to know that Nintendo are continuing with their usual practice of supporting previous generation games on the new consoles. The game card slot will accept cards for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2, while digital copies can either be stored on the internal 256GB memory or on a microSD Express card, with support for up to 2 TB.

There’s also a new system that they’ve dubbed ‘Virtual Game Cards,’ a process that allows you to ‘eject’ a game from your digital library to play on another device. The way they’ve described it is that it is like having a physical version of the game, and it grants you the same ability to ‘insert’ the game card into another console, or loan it to your friends.

Additionally, some games will support GameShare; a system that allows you to share a game with friends and family, allowing them to join you in multiplayer modes even if they don’t own the game. Combine this with a possible battery life of up to 6.5 hours and a charging time of 3 hours, and you’ll have plenty of games to keep you and your friends occupied during your travels.

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with all of the benefits associated with portable gaming systems, but it comes packed full of components that make it rival the performance of current-generation consoles. It is a significant improvement over the original Nintendo Switch.

Written by: MKAU Gaming