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The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally official — and it’s generating a lot of hype in the gaming world. Marques Brownlee, a well-known tech YouTuber, has been one of the first to review it, and his thoughts are a mix of praise and critique. But before we dive into his impressions, let’s explore the new features and what sets this console apart from the original Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch 1 Features: A Noticeable Upgrade in Performance, Display & Design
The Nintendo Switch 2 brings major improvements in performance, visuals, and overall design. With a powerful new chipset, enhanced graphics, and backward compatibility, it feels like a more refined, future-ready version of the successful original. And with handheld gaming more competitive than ever, it needs to stand out — and in many ways, it does.
Display: Bigger and Better
The Switch 2 now features a 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen, a clear jump from the original’s 6.2-inch panel. It offers a Full HD resolution (1920×1080) and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, up from 60Hz — a crucial upgrade for fast-paced gameplay. With added support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), motion blur and screen tearing are drastically reduced, making the experience far more fluid.
- 120Hz refresh rate: Double the original’s 60Hz for smoother gameplay
- HDR10 support: More vibrant colors and contrast (new for handheld)
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Reduces screen tearing and stutter
- Full HD resolution: 1920 x 1080 for sharper visuals
- Larger screen: 7.9-inch LCD (up from 6.2 inches)
Performance: Built for the Modern Gamer
At its core, the Switch 2 runs on NVIDIA’s new Tegra T239 processor, a significant leap from the Maxwell-based chip in the original Switch. It boasts an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU and a GPU with 1,536 Ampere-based CUDA cores. DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing support allow the Switch 2 to push smoother frame rates and even 4K output when docked, all while maintaining battery efficiency.
- 12GB LPDDR5X RAM: Faster memory for better multitasking and performance
- Octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU: Improved processing power
- DLSS support: AI-powered upscaling for higher resolutions
- 1536 CUDA GPU cores: ~6x more than the original Switch
- New chipset: NVIDIA Tegra T239 (Ampere architecture)
- Ray tracing: Adds realistic lighting and reflections
- 4K output (docked): High-res gaming on your TV
Redesigned for Comfort and Convenience
Visually, the most noticeable change is the larger screen, but the Joy-Con controllers have also been revamped. They now attach magnetically instead of sliding onto rails, which reduces wobble and makes them easier to snap on and off. The ergonomics have been improved too, making them feel more premium in-hand. Most importantly, they include anti-drift joysticks — likely using hall effect sensors — to address the long-standing drift issue. The new aesthetic includes slimmer bezels and a more mature design, while upgraded wireless connectivity ensures faster syncing and improved multiplayer support.
Marques Brownlee highlights how the Switch 2 leans into social gaming, noting a new controller button that allows players to share screens and microphones with friends in real time. While the demo showed some lag, it’s a feature that could appeal to those who play online often — and it reflects Nintendo’s growing focus on community play.
The Catch? Game Pricing
One major concern is pricing — not for the console itself, but for the games. Marques points out that some Switch 2 titles are reaching nearly $100, which feels very steep, especially when compared to typical PC game pricing. This could turn off a lot of buyers, especially as more gamers shift to platforms like Steam where frequent sales and lower game prices are the norm. I know other consoles like the Steamdeck, Rog Ally and Legion Go are for a different audience of gamers. But they’re still handheld gaming devices in a similar price range, so there is somewhat of a comparision to be made with Nintendo’s new Switch 2. So let’s see how they fit into the mix next.
How Does It Compare to Other Handhelds?
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4-inch HDR OLED screen with a 1280×800 resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by a custom AMD APU (Zen 2 CPU + RDNA 2 GPU with 8 compute units) and includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. While its architecture resembles a PS4, its access to the vast Steam library gives it a huge edge in flexibility. The Switch 2, however, offers a sharper screen, DLSS support, and exclusive Nintendo titles. Your choice comes down to whether you value performance + Steam’s library or Nintendo’s ecosystem + portability.
ASUS ROG Ally
At a similar price point, the ASUS ROG Ally, which I’ve used personally for about a year, is another serious competitor. It runs on the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with 8 cores / 16 threads and RDNA 3 graphics — capable of up to 8.6 teraflops. It has a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz IPS touchscreen, 500 nits brightness, and FreeSync Premium. While it’s incredibly powerful and handles AAA titles, you’ll mostly need to run those games at low to medium settings to avoid heat and lag.
The Ally offers 1TB or 2TB SSD storage and 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, making it a spec monster. But despite its power, it doesn’t feel fully optimized for gaming — more like a portable PC than a dedicated console. I’ve noticed some games can freeze and the handheld can overheat if you’re not careful about what setting you’re in. So, you do have to do some manual adjusting with consoles like the Rog Ally. By contrast, the Switch 2, like its predecessor, feels tailored for gaming first and foremost. That optimization leads to a smoother, more cohesive experience, even if it can’t match the raw power of the Ally.
Final Thoughts
While the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t trying to beat PC handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally in pure performance, it makes smart upgrades where it matters: screen, comfort, efficiency, and experience. But with rising game costs and increasingly strong competitors, Nintendo will need to lean heavily on its exclusives, user-friendly design, and that signature “Switch charm” to justify its place in the handheld space.
Thanks for reading our review on the Nintendo Switch 2. Oh and by the way! If you’re on the lookout for a new laptop, make sure try our Laptop Finder Quiz. Otherwise, check out our similar tech reviews on the links below.
