Nintendo Swap 2 preorders are presently underway (if you happen to can handle to discover a retailer with stock, that’s). As we method the console’s June 5 launch date, it is price getting a bit reflective: The Swap as a product line is now greater than eight years previous, and Nintendo has made some vital modifications with this newest system. In case you have a Swap and are fascinated with choosing up a Swap 2, you could be questioning how these two generations of consoles examine.
Now, Nintendo did not simply launch one console in the course of the Swap period: It launched three. There’s the unique Swap, the Swap OLED, and the Swap Lite. I am looking in any respect three and evaluating their specs to the new Swap 2. Whereas we’ll want to attend for opinions to immediately examine the general expertise of those totally different units, we are able to at the least get a way for them on paper.
Dimensions
Proper off the bat, all of Nintendo’s Switches really feel very totally different. The Swap 2 is the biggest, coming in at 4.5 inches tall by 10.7 inches extensive by 0.55 inches thick. That is with the Pleasure-Con 2s hooked up, thoughts you. Nintendo says the thickness from the tip of the joysticks to the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.2 inches. It weighs 0.88 lbs by itself, or 1.18 lbs with the Pleasure-Cons hooked up.
The unique Swap is smaller: It is 4 inches by 9.4 inches by 0.55 inches. (The joysticks to the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches.) It additionally weighs rather less: 0.66 lbs with out Pleasure-Cons, or 0.88 with. It is fascinating to notice that the Swap 2’s show is the same as the load of the unique Swap with Pleasure-Cons hooked up.
The Swap OLED is kind of just like the unique Swap in footprint: It is 4 inches by 9.5 inches by 0.55 inches, with the identical Pleasure-Con dimensions because the OG Swap. Nevertheless, it is proper within the center in the case of weight: 0.71 lbs with out Pleasure-Cons, and 0.93 with.
The Swap Lite is the smallest of all: The hand held is 3.6 inches by 8.2 inches by 0.55 (the joysticks and ZL/ZR buttons add the identical 1.12 inches, regardless of being constructed into the unit) and it weighs 0.61 lbs.
Show
The Swap 2 has the biggest display screen of any Nintendo system ever. It comes with a 7.9 inch LCD, with a decision of 1920 x 1080. It helps HDR10, and has a VRR (variable refresh charge) of as much as 120Hz.
The unique Swap additionally makes use of LCD for the display screen, however its show is far smaller: The OG has a 6.2-inch display screen with a decision of 1280 x 720. There isn’t any HDR assist, and the show helps a refresh charge of 60Hz. It is the identical scenario with the Swap Lite, solely it has an excellent smaller 5.5-inch LCD (that is probably the most transportable Swap, in spite of everything).
The Swap OLED, in fact, has an OLED show. That implies that every of the pixels on this Swap’s show will be shut off individually, which permits for a lot deeper blacks than an LCD can reproduce. Nonetheless, the Swap OLED’s show is 7 inches, practically a full inch smaller than the Swap 2, with no HDR assist. It is also the identical 720p decision as the unique Swap, so you will not see as a lot element as in comparison with Nintendo’s newest console.
Video output and dock
Nintendo limits the Swap’s decision in handheld mode, possible for battery causes. However when docked, you possibly can push the console additional.
For instance, the Swap 2 helps a most decision of 4K (3840 x 2160) at 60 fps when linked to a TV. If you wish to increase your recreation’s body charge to 120 fps (assuming the sport helps it) you may have to drop the decision to at the least 1440p, however you can even use 1080p if you happen to like.
The OG Swap and Swap OLED each assist the identical 1080p most decision when docked. The Swap Lite does not assist video output, because it’s meant to be performed completely in handheld mode.
With a purpose to output to a TV, you want a dock. The Swap 2 dock is kind of just like the OLED Swap dock: It is barely bigger, however comes with the identical twin USB 2.0 ports, in addition to a LAN port. The unique Swap dock got here with an additional USB 2.0 port, however no LAN port. The most important distinction right here, nevertheless, is the Swap 2’s dock now has a fan for lively cooling, which is smart for a few of these extra intense recreation play modes.
Pleasure-Cons
The Swap’s removable controllers are known as “Pleasure-Cons,” and so they’re an iconic element of this specific Nintendo period.
The brand new Pleasure-Cons, known as Pleasure-Con 2, are 4.57-inches tall, 0.56 inches extensive, and 1.2 inches thick. The left Pleasure-Con is 2.3 ounces, whereas the best is 2.4 ounces. Which may have one thing to do with the best Pleasure-Cons “C-Button,” which you should utilize for the brand new GameChat characteristic.
Nintendo’s official spec web page for its units seems to be mistaken for the unique Pleasure-Cons, so I’ve sourced it from this particular Pleasure-Con web page: The unique Pleasure-Cons are 4.02 inches by 1.41 inches by 1.12 inches. The left Pleasure-Con is 1.73 ounces, whereas the best is 1.84 ounces.
Whereas all Pleasure-Cons assist HD Rumble (Nintendo’s model title for haptic suggestions), the brand new Pleasure-Cons assist HD Rumble 2, a more recent normal. Most notably, nevertheless, the Pleasure-Con 2s assist Mouse Mode, a characteristic that permits you to use the Pleasure-Cons on a flat floor like a pc mouse.
You additionally do not join the Pleasure-Con 2s to the Swap 2 the identical means as you do the originals: These join magnetically (sure, they’re sturdy magnets.) When you do not slide the Pleasure-Cons into rails such as you do on the OG Swap, you do nonetheless launch them through buttons on the again of the controllers.
All Pleasure-Con fashions use Bluetooth 3.0, assist NFC, and have the identical battery stats: It takes three and a half hours to totally cost them, and also you get 20 hours of play time on one cost.
Battery
Surprisingly, the Swap 2 does not make enhancements to the Swap household’s battery life—regardless of having the biggest battery of all. The Swap 2’s 5220mAh battery can run anyplace from two to six.5 hours. (Nintendo warns that these are tough estimates and that battery life is determined by the precise video games you play.)
Examine that to the unique Swap and Swap OLED, each of which have a 4310mAh battery, and might run from 4.5 hours to 9 hours. The Swap Lite (3570mAh) beats it too, with a spread of three to seven hours. This is not wholly shocking: The Swap 2 is kind of a bit extra highly effective than the unique Switches, so working a high-performing recreation at 120 fps goes to devour way more energy than a 720p recreation working at 60 or 30 fps, or beneath.
All consoles cost in about three hours once they’re in sleep mode.
Storage and communications
The Swap 2’s video games are possible the biggest Nintendo has ever made, because the console is able to a lot larger resolutions and body charges than previous generations. As such, it is smart for Nintendo to pack extra inner storage right here: 256GB to be actual.
What do you assume thus far?
The OG Swap and Swap Lite, however, solely ship with 32GB of inner storage, whereas the Swap OLED provides 64GB. If you happen to want more room, you possibly can broaden that storage with a microSDHC or microSDXC card on these fashions. Swap 2 additionally helps expanded reminiscence, however particularly MicroSD Categorical playing cards, which limits the pliability right here.
Swap 2 helps Wi-Fi 6, a step up from Wi-Fi 5 on the unique Switches. These Switches assist Bluetooth 4.1, whereas Nintendo says the Swap 2 helps “Bluetooth” with none extra data. It possible helps a more recent normal than that, seeing because it’s launching eight years after the unique, however we do not know for certain at this level.
The Swap 2 additionally has a second USB-C port on the highest of the unit. It is a nice change that makes it potential to cost your Swap with the kickstand out.
Audio and video chat
For the primary time, a Nintendo console has digital camera assist. The Swap 2 permits you to join a webcam to be used with GameChat, so you possibly can see your pals whereas enjoying video games—and so they can see you. Nintendo sells a digital camera of its personal, however you should utilize some third-party webcams as effectively.
The Swap 2 additionally has a built-in microphone for voice chat. That means, you possibly can speak to your pals over GameChat with or and not using a digital camera—although I am undecided how effectively they’re going to be capable to hear you in case your console and TV are throughout the room.
Talking of audio, the Swap 2 helps “3D Audio,” which the corporate advertises as a extra immersive audio expertise. Primarily, sounds ought to seem to be they’re coming from the place they originate within the recreation. (If a Mario Kart racer is in your tail, it’s best to hear their engine “behind” you.)
Video games
When it comes right down to it, crucial factor of any console is its library of video games. The Swap 2, like every new console, does have exclusives, although there aren’t as many as you may assume—at the least not at launch.
A few of the notable upcoming titles you will solely be capable to play on Swap 2 right now are Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Drag X Drive, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, and Elden Ring Tarnished Version. There are additionally the Nintendo Swap 2 Version titles—unique Nintendo Swap video games with graphical boosts because of the upgraded {hardware}. That features each Swap Zeldas (Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom), Tremendous Mario Half Jamboree + Jamboree TV, Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World, Metroid Prime 4 Past, and Pokémon Legends ZA.
In case you have a Nintendo Swap On-line subscription, Swap 2 additionally helps GameCube titles. At launch, that features The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX, however extra are on the way in which.
You should purchase Swap 2 video games bodily or digitally, however not all bodily video games are going to ship with the sport itself. That is as a result of a few of these titles are “game-key playing cards,” which comprise the “key” to allow you to obtain the sport from the web. Then, you possibly can play the sport—so long as you’ve got the game-key inserted in your Swap. It is peculiar, however price mentioning right here, because the unique Swap does not function that means.
As you may count on, the Swap 2 can play Swap 1 video games, however you may not think about this actually backwards suitable. That is as a result of the Swap 2 makes use of emulation to play Swap 1 video games, and never all video games play effectively through this emulation. Hopefully, Nintendo irons out the problems right here, however in case they do not, you may not wish to trade-in your previous Swap to pay for a Swap 2 if you wish to proceed enjoying Swap 1 video games.
Kickstand
Nintendo continues to advance the kickstand with every Swap mannequin. The unique incorporates a small, skinny stand that was vulnerable to snapping off (although simply reattached through magnets). The Swap OLED enormously improved upon this design, by making the kickstand take up the complete width of the console, and assist extra angles. The Swap 2 has a kickstand that permits for even larger number of play angles. It isn’t an enormous change, however price a nod.
Value
The Swap 2 was spared a worth enhance from the tariffs: The console runs for $449.99, or $499.99 if you’d like Mario Kart World bundled in. You most likely need that deal, as the sport prices $79.99 by itself. Not all Swap 2 video games value $80: Donkey Kong Bananza prices $69.99, however Nintendo is now not the corporate for $60 video games throughout the board.
The unique Swap retails for $299.99, whereas the Swap OLED goes for $349.99. The Lite initially launched for $199.99, however you possibly can continuously discover it on sale.
