The Nintendo Swap 2 is the primary Nintendo console to be a direct successor to a predecessor, quantity and all. Certain, everybody knew what “Tremendous Nintendo” meant, however now greater than ever, Nintendo is seeking to rivals like Sony for cues, aiming for an easier and extra simple next-gen improve this time round. It is sensible—the Swap was its most profitable house console but, and when Nintendo tried to comply with up the Wii with the extra out-of-left-field Wii U, it flopped. So why mess with success?
However that technique does depart the Swap 2 in a precarious place, particularly given its hefty $450 value level. Is there actually sufficient new right here to justify an improve? After going hands-on, I’d say sure, however with a disappointing caveat.
The Swap 2 is lots just like the Swap 1
The Nintendo Swap 2 console and some chosen equipment.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
In contrast to how the Wii or Nintendo DS modified how we performed video games, if you have already got a Nintendo Swap, then you’re principally already acquainted with the core expertise of utilizing the Swap 2.
It’s nonetheless, basically, a pill with detachable controllers that may optionally hook as much as your TV to show on the massive display screen. There are a number of new bells and whistles, however Nintendo hasn’t strayed removed from that imaginative and prescient right here.
It’s a very good imaginative and prescient, however sticking to it signifies that itemizing the enhancements right here entails relying extra on specs than the brand new experiences I’m used to with Nintendo merchandise, and the outcomes don’t precisely work out in Nintendo’s favor.
As soon as once more, the corporate is utilizing outdated {hardware}. Nintendo hasn’t been upfront concerning the chip the Swap 2 makes use of (though there are rumors that it’s already 5 years outdated), however to chop it brief, there’s nothing right here you haven’t already seen in rivals just like the Steam Deck or, extra charitably, the Lenovo Legion Go.
Beginning with the great: The display screen is now 1080p as a substitute of 720p, and a roomy 7.9-inches—a rise from each the 6.2-inches on the unique mannequin and 7-inches on the OLED mannequin. It might probably additionally help as much as 120 fps, and when plugged right into a dock, is theoretically able to taking part in 4K video games at 60 fps or lower-resolution video games at 120 fps (this may fluctuate primarily based on the title, which I’ll get to later). There’s even ray-tracing, based on a roundtable I attended with the {hardware} designers, though I wasn’t capable of affirm whether or not I noticed it in motion whereas I performed.
The Nintendo Swap 2 boasts an improved kickstand.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
There’s an additional USB-C port up high, too, which is handy, plus a built-in microphone for the GameChat function (which I didn’t get to demo, identical to the GameShare function). The kickstand has additionally been redesigned to be sturdier and permit extra angles, and the dock has a fan that cools your console to assist hold efficiency steady over lengthy periods. (I wasn’t capable of hear it in particular person, which is nice, however the occasion the place I bought to play the Swap was fairly loud.)
Maybe the very best enhancements, although, are to the Pleasure-Cons. They now join magnetically and have bigger thumbsticks and set off buttons, plus extra distinguished SL and SR buttons, all of which makes them way more comfy to make use of. I thought of the unique Swap Pleasure-Cons just about unusable, however with these, I really wouldn’t really feel a lot stress to purchase a Professional controller. Plus, they’ve a few new secrets and techniques, which I’ll talk about somewhat bit later.
The Nintendo Swap 2 has magnetic controllers.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
As for the negatives, the Swap 2 is somewhat larger and somewhat heavier than the Swap 1, though I wouldn’t have actually seen with out placing the spec sheets aspect by aspect. The display screen can be an LCD, which implies homeowners of the Swap OLED would possibly really discover a little bit of a downgrade right here. It’s a tradeoff for value and the elevated dimension and body price, nevertheless it’s price preserving in thoughts. Actually, as a lot as I like OLED, I don’t really thoughts this an excessive amount of. The display screen’s nonetheless lots vivid and colourful, and it’s sufficiently small that I’m prepared to simply accept the balancing act Nintendo is taking part in right here. The corporate will nearly actually launch an OLED model down the road, anyway.
Actually, the gadget itself is lots glossy, nevertheless it positively reads as “extra Swap” fairly than “new Swap.” Simply trying on the enhancements on paper, I’m undecided there’s a lot motive to improve only for the brand new tech alone, which is regarding on condition that it’s the one actual change that doesn’t depend on future developer help. Even if you happen to’re a {hardware} nerd, the variations right here aren’t as stark as they have been between, say, the PS4 and the PS5. Slightly, they extra so simply deliver Nintendo in keeping with the competitors, though maybe nonetheless remaining a number of years behind.
That signifies that, greater than ever, it’s as much as the video games to promote the Swap 2.
However first, mouse controls!
You may play the Nintendo Swap 2 whereas utilizing the Pleasure-Con 2 like a mouse.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
However earlier than I speak about these video games, I do have to deal with the one massive new function right here. Whereas it’s not as flashy as movement controls on the Wii or the gamepad on the Wii U, the Swap 2 does have one new standout function that different consoles don’t—mouse controls.
In idea, I like these. By merely turning a Pleasure-Con 2 on its aspect, you may instantly slide it round and use it like a mouse. A cursor will present up in your recreation if it’s suitable, and instantly, it will be like taking part in on a PC.
There are a number of tradeoffs. The grip wanted right here is a little more claw-like than I’m used to, and urgent the face buttons whereas the Pleasure-Con 2 is on its aspect could be fairly uncomfortable. However once I examined mouse controls in Civilization VII and, sure, Metroid Prime 4, they instantly felt just like the pure method to play. I merely can’t return.
This provides the Swap 2 a whole lot of potential, nevertheless it’s actually as much as builders to capitalize on it. It may change into the de facto method to launch shooters, RTS, or MOBA video games on console going ahead, which is a bit humorous as these video games are usually extra related to older players and the Xbox. But it surely may additionally simply fall by the wayside as a tech demo, like in Drag X Drive, a recreation I attempted that has you utilizing each Pleasure-Con 2 as mice concurrently to manage a wheelchair. I’ll depart it to individuals who really use wheelchairs to touch upon the accuracy right here, nevertheless it actually was novel—and really tiring after nearly 5 minutes.
The potential right here has me excited, maybe greater than something about this method. Aggressive shooter gamers may probably play out of their front room right here. Heck, you possibly can simply use this to allow extra correct DS or Wii U backwards compatibility. However with really implementing these being left as much as particular person builders, I’m nonetheless a bit skeptical for now. What number of video games really used Wii MotionPlus, anyway?
Metroid Prime 4 makes the case for Swap 2
Metroid Prime 4 is improved for the Nintendo Swap 2
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Simply, the sport that offered me most on the Swap 2 was Metroid Prime 4, and I’m not even a lot of a Metroid Prime particular person. (I favored the primary recreation effectively sufficient, however typically favor the 2D titles.)
The sport, nevertheless, was beautiful, and performed like a dream. Sitting down with it was one of many few moments the place I assumed “this wasn’t potential on Swap 1.” Humorous, as a result of the sport is technically cross-gen.
Nonetheless, Nintendo made a degree of claiming that Metroid Prime 4 runs at 1080p/120 fps on the Swap 2, and whereas that’s pretty modest in comparison with what I’ve gotten used to on the console’s contemporaries, dang if it didn’t really feel nice to see that stage of technical polish and constancy mixed with Nintendo’s trademark “present, don’t inform” design. And the constancy really serves a gameplay goal right here, too, because the elevated body price makes maintaining with the motion a lot simpler.
And that’s with out attending to the controls, that are actually not potential on every other console. I’ve performed prior Metroid Prime video games with only a controller, and with the movement controls of their rereleases, however mouse controls are simply the easiest way to maneuver Samus in 3D. Aiming for weak factors on bosses is quick and snappy, and having the ability to shortly jerk your mouse to a vantage level makes taking within the surroundings, whether or not for scanning or simply eye sweet, a breeze.
All this does include a little bit of a danger, as a much less expert developer may simply lean too far into these enhancements, and switch Metroid into what is actually a Halo clone. However even within the transient demo I performed, I seen the identical considerate stage and encounter design I’d come to count on from the remainder of the collection (to not diss Grasp Chief an excessive amount of).
If the Swap 2 wants a lawyer, Metroid Prime 4 needs to be it, as a result of it makes a convincing case for the console, even when it’s nonetheless representing its older sibling too.
Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza really feel like extra of the identical
Gliding is again in Mario Kart World
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
If Metroid Prime 4 seems like a recreation that wants the Swap 2, then the console’s different massive first-party titles, or at the very least those I’ve performed to date, land in additional harmful waters.
Put merely, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza really feel like video games that would have launched for the Swap 1. They’re each fairly, don’t get me fallacious, however there’s nothing so novel concerning the gameplay right here that requires a brand new console to energy it. They use artwork kinds which are nice, however so just like what you’d discover on the Swap 1 that I’m undecided the common particular person may choose them out from Mario Kart 8 or Tremendous Mario Odyssey if you happen to put them in a lineup.
Of those two video games, Mario Kart World suffers extra from this. Taking part in it was identical to taking part in Mario Kart 8, for higher and worse. The nice: Mario Kart 8 is an efficient recreation! The unhealthy: Mario Kart 8 is an efficient recreation.
Frankly, it seems like Mario Kart World has little motive to exist, and little motive to be unique to the Swap 2, besides to promote the console. Its few new additions, being grinding, wall leaping, and a battle royale fashion multiplayer mode, are all issues that would have been achieved with out forcing gamers to spend at the very least $500 to get them, and are fairly simple to not even discover throughout play. Once more, it’s “Mario Kart 8, however extra,” and gamers can be simply wonderful not swapping over to it.
Granted, there’s one elephant within the room with all of this, in that I didn’t get to check out the Forza Horizon fashion free roam mode a lot. This, I may have seen struggling on the unique Swap. However I’m additionally skeptical how obligatory it’s. This might both be a full-blown map worthy of sinking hours into so you’ll find each element, or a glorified foyer to drive round in whereas ready for on-line matchmaking. However as for the core Mario Kart expertise, it’s nonetheless robust however not a system vendor, and never an considerable enchancment over what got here earlier than past some solely very barely higher visuals.
Is it me, or does this Donkey Kong design look extra like he did within the film?
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Donkey Kong Bananza, in the meantime, is the massive 3D platformer holding up the Swap 2’s launch window (it’ll be out there a couple of month after the console itself). Once more, a whole lot of what I stated about Mario Kart World holds true right here. It seems to be good, however doesn’t precisely stand out from a very good trying Swap 1 recreation. Mechanically, it’s additionally principally one thing that doesn’t require the improve, so it may have been a Swap 1 recreation if Nintendo actually wished.
That’s, apart from the destructible environments. Donkey Kong is recast as a little bit of a miner on this recreation, and you may just about tear the entire map aside, polygon by polygon, with particles flying in all places. I’m satisfied that if you happen to made sufficient compromises to the visuals, this might have labored on Swap 1, however nonetheless, it’s noteworthy that Bananza is each very fairly and by no means chugged whereas I used to be taking part in.
Nonetheless, and this hurts to say as a fan of Donkey Kong, Bananza is type of a chore to play. Possibly it’ll get higher additional into the sport, however Donkey Kong’s first 3D platformer for the reason that Nintendo 64 weirdly falls into the identical entice that recreation did: too many collectibles.
As a result of you may tear the entire map aside polygon by polygon, and since nearly each a type of polygons reveals a reward, it makes sustaining the identical type of circulation state that Tremendous Mario Odyssey, a recreation the Bananza is taking clear affect from, so closely inspired close to not possible. Slightly than specializing in fluid motion by way of an impediment course, you’re as a substitute incentivized to smash and destroy almost each a part of the map, making worlds a little bit of a slog to really get by way of as you slowly choose them aside.
What do you assume to date?
Or you possibly can settle for that you simply don’t must get completely every part, if you happen to don’t endure from the identical type of optimization illness I do. It’s enjoyable to easily play as Donkey Kong, however even in that case, I really feel the sport could possibly be higher designed to help this, for the reason that programs right here do appear to be laid out extra for Mario than DK. A much less linear design would possibly help the penchant to go ape extra, however to be truthful, I solely noticed the primary world.
Third celebration video games are a combined bag
Nintendo has a number of extra first celebration Swap 2 video games introduced for afterward, though I didn’t get to play tantalizing titles like Kirby Air Riders but. As a substitute my pre-release expertise with the Swap 2 was rounded out by third-party builders.
The video games I attempted have been, sadly, the largest motive I stay skeptical of the Swap 2. From Cyberpunk 2077 to Avenue Fighter 6, it was a seize bag of high quality. Given how outdated most of those video games are, and that all of them run effectively on gadgets just like the Steam Deck, that basically shouldn’t be the case.
Living proof: Cyberpunk is simply flat out ugly on the Swap 2. It’s pixelated, the body price dips continually, and I discovered myself steadily disoriented in fight. It’s clearly an instance of the Swap 2 reaching above it means, which works to indicate that whereas the system is prettier than its predecessor, it’s not the repair for the everyday Nintendo efficiency points some have been hoping for.
To be truthful to Cyberpunk, the construct I performed was solely seven weeks outdated, and I didn’t appear capable of swap out of high quality mode and into efficiency mode regardless of attempting, nevertheless it places a fairly clear cap on this method’s efficiency at concerning the PS4 stage. That’s spectacular for a handheld, nevertheless it’s additionally one thing we beforehand noticed with the cheaper and older Steam Deck. If the Swap 2 sticks round for so long as the Swap 1 did, it may additionally begin to really feel long-in-the-tooth fairly fast, as different firms are already on the verge of leaving that period behind.
Civilization VII additionally chugged somewhat bit, though this was much less of a difficulty given its turn-based nature. However on the plus aspect, Avenue Fighter 6 and Yakuza 0 Director’s Minimize ran with out hiccups and at high-enough resolutions. The latter needs to be anticipated on condition that recreation’s age, however as for the previous, it’s good to know that Capcom is aware of methods to work with Nintendo’s {hardware}. Even so, Avenue Fighter was nonetheless noticeably pixelated at occasions, so it’s not just like the Swap 2 is the easiest way to play Avenue Fighter 6. It is the easiest way to play it with out compromises if you happen to don’t personal every other trendy gaming machines.
That is an enchancment on the Swap 1, and may be sufficient for now. However given Cyberpunk’s efficiency, even realizing how demanding that recreation famously was at launch, I do fear that it gained’t be lengthy till the Swap 2 falls into the identical entice as its predecessor: Third celebration builders will both skip the console solely (I hoped Monster Hunter Wilds can be right here, on condition that collection’ historical past with Nintendo platforms, nevertheless it’s MIA for now), or their video games will probably be an increasing number of compromised right here as time strikes on.
The perfect video games on the Swap 2 are Swap 1 (and GameCube) video games
Breath of the Wild’s Swap 2 Version is buttery easy
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Which brings me to perhaps my saddest realization of my time with the Swap 2. The video games I loved taking part in most on Nintendo’s new console are all video games for the Swap 1.
Breath of the Wild. Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Metroid Prime 4. Even Mario Occasion Jamboree. All of those run flawlessly on the Swap 2, at excessive resolutions and even increased body charges. It is actually such a breath of contemporary air, particularly on condition that a few of Nintendo’s extra bold Swap 1 video games didn’t at all times carry out the very best on that system. (I didn’t get to play Tears of the Kingdom, however it’s deliberate for a Swap 2 improve, and it sorely wants it.)
In a vacuum, that is eye-opening. One in every of Nintendo’s strongest recreation libraries, now with no technical chains round its ankles. But it surely additionally comes with three of the Swap 2’s strongest downsides.
The primary, and most evident, is {that a} Swap 1 recreation doesn’t make for a very good Swap 2 killer app. Even Metroid Prime 4, the sport I praised as being the very best motive to get a Swap 2, will nonetheless technically be playable on the Swap 1. And that signifies that thrifty players are lots prone to simply dwell with not having mouse controls, or with occasional body drops, since they will nonetheless get the identical core expertise with out spending a whole lot of {dollars} for it.
The second, and most obnoxious, is that you need to pay to get these enhancements. Even if you happen to already personal Kirby and the Forgotten Land for Swap, and you purchase a Swap 2 for $450, you’ll have to pay as soon as once more for the Nintendo Swap 2 Enhanced Version model of the sport to play it utilizing the facility the Swap 2 already has. In any other case, you’re going to get an identical expertise as you’d on the Swap 1, barring some potential slight enhancements like marginally sooner loading occasions. To Nintendo’s credit score, you may improve your current Swap 1 library for a smaller price than you’d have shopping for the brand new model outright, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a tough tablet to swallow. “It performs your current Swap video games, however higher” would have been a motive to purchase right here, particularly if the launch lineup would not do something for you, however alas.
Third, it isn’t assured that the Swap 2 will play your current Swap video games in any respect. Based on Nintendo’s {hardware} builders, the brand new console doesn’t comprise any Swap 1 elements in it, which signifies that it performs the non-enhanced variations of Swap 1 video games utilizing emulation. This isn’t an instantaneous killing blow, and Microsoft is in reality pretty effectively revered for the way it handles a related strategy on the Xbox. But it surely does imply that Nintendo has discovered points with working over 120 video games on the Swap 2, a few of which have issue even beginning up. Out the gate, the Swap 2 goes to take a while to be an applicable Swap 1 substitute, as Nintendo goes by way of all 10,000+ Swap titles “one after the other” to make sure they work on the brand new console. Don’t throw away your outdated Swap fairly but.
The GameCube controller for the Nintendo Swap 2
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
There may be one vivid spot to Swap 2 emulation, although: GameCube help. Beginning with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soul Calibur II, Nintendo goes to start out including GameCube video games to the Nintendo Swap On-line + Growth Pack plan, completely playable on Swap 2 (and suitable with an non-obligatory GameCube fashion controller, offered individually unique to Swap On-line members). Wind Waker was flawless for me in my hands-on, and suspending and resuming was immediate. $50 a 12 months is lots to pay for such a small choice of titles, particularly when there are, ahem, different methods to get them, however it’s handy. And hey, as a bonus, the Growth Pack membership does at the very least embody the Swap 2 Version upgrades for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
The Swap 2 is boring, and that’s OK
So the place does all this depart the Swap 2? Nicely, in truth, it’s not as grim as I’ve made it sound.
At its core, the Swap 2 is a cultured piece of {hardware} with a great deal of quality-of-life enhancements and one new management gimmick (one I actually like, however am not sure of whether or not it’ll catch on). It doesn’t push the {hardware} envelope, and just like the GameCube or Wii U (finally), it depends on its video games to promote it. And earlier than I discovered that it was $450 (why didn’t we are saying that throughout the Direct, Nintendo?), this text was initially a lot kinder to it.
However with that value level, which is $150 increased than the unique Swap’s value at launch, increased than a Steam Deck, and on par with Sony’s entry-level PS5, I’ve no alternative however to get a bit choosier. It isn’t essentially an issue, nevertheless it means I’ve to present this the identical boring recommendation I’d give nearly any console launch, fairly than the recommendation I’d have usually given for a previous Nintendo launch.
Except your banana hoard is overflowing, or if you happen to completely want the brand new Mario Kart on day one, or if you happen to can’t settle for any compromise whenever you don Samus Aran’s helmet, it is best to wait to purchase the Nintendo Swap 2. There merely aren’t sufficient compelling causes to improve proper now, and on condition that Swap 1 help is both paid or liable to glitching, I doubt there will probably be for a very good whereas. Look ahead to a sale (or at the very least till the unique FromSoft recreation comes out).
That’s wonderful. That’s what I’ll in all probability say for the PS6, and it was in all probability the best transfer for Nintendo. The Wii U famously failed for throwing apart the strengths of its predecessor, so it is sensible for the Swap 2 to purpose for “Swap however extra,” and the one approach to try this whereas staying anyplace in a household console’s funds within the age of tariffs is to do roughly the identical factor once more, however with some slight enhancements.
However it’s nonetheless a slight disappointment. For one thing like the unique Swap, I really would have been wonderful recommending shopping for it at launch. It was novel and it was reasonably priced, so that you didn’t lose out on a lot by going for it instantly. Now, although, it appears even the Nintendo can’t keep away from the homogenization stomping everywhere in the remainder of the tech business. Each telephone is a sweet bar now, and more and more, each gaming console is only a featureless black field.
