The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to the immensely popular Nintendo Switch hybrid Game Console. Anticipated since the Original Nintendo Switch first launched, It's the fastest selling console of all time.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the direct successor to the original Nintendo Switch, launching worldwide on June 5, 2025, with a price of $449.99 / £395.99 / €469.99. It features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with a 1080p resolution, HDR10 support, and a variable refresh rate capable of up to 120 Hz, offering a significant upgrade over the original Switch's 6.2-inch display. The console is more powerful than its predecessor, utilizing a custom NVIDIA processor that enables performance comparable to a PlayStation 4 Pro, though it falls short of modern high-end consoles. A new dock supports 4K output when connected to a TV, with upscaling technology enhancing visuals on 4K displays. The Switch 2 includes 256 GB of internal UFS storage, a substantial increase from the original Switch's 32 GB, and features a second USB-C port for accessories like webcams. The Joy-Con 2 controllers are larger and redesigned for better ergonomics, with a magnetic snap for attachment and improved joysticks, though Nintendo has not confirmed the use of magnetic Hall effect sensors to prevent stick drift. The console introduces new features such as GameChat, a voice chat function with up to 12 participants activated by the 'C' button, and GameShare, which allows sharing compatible games with other Switch 2 and Switch 1 systems using a single physical copy. While the Switch 2 maintains backward compatibility with most original Switch games, some titles may have compatibility issues or require updates for enhanced features. Battery life ranges from approximately 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game, with high-performance titles consuming more power due to the console's 5220mAh battery.
Controversies
The Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked significant controversy primarily due to its high price point, with the base console launching at $449.99 in the U.S. and $699 in Australia—nearly double the original Switch’s launch price. Consumers have expressed frustration not only with the console's cost but also with the increased pricing of games, such as Mario Kart World retailing for $79.99 to $114 depending on the region, which exceeds standard AAA game prices on competing platforms. Critics argue that the hardware, while improved, doesn’t justify the premium when compared to more powerful systems like the PS5 or even handheld PCs like the Steam Deck. Nintendo further fueled backlash by omitting price details during its initial reveal, leading to confusion and accusations of being out of touch with consumers, especially families and younger gamers.
Specifications
CPU Architecture and Performance
The Nintendo Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia T239 SoC, codenamed "Drake", built on TSMC’s 4nm process. At its core lies an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU running the 64-bit ARMv8 instruction set with cryptography extensions—32-bit applications are not supported. Each core features 64KB L1 instruction and 64KB L1 data cache, 256KB of private L2 cache, and all eight cores share a unified 4MB L3 cache. Clock speeds run at 1.101GHz in handheld mode and 998MHz when docked, with a theoretical maximum burst frequency of 1.7GHz, potentially usable for asset decompression or future system updates. Two cores are reserved for system operations, leaving six available for game developers.
GPU and Graphics Capabilities
Graphics are handled by a full Ampere-based GPU—the same architecture as Nvidia’s RTX 30-series—featuring 1,536 CUDA cores, 48 Tensor Cores, and 2 RT Cores. Clock speeds reach 1,007MHz when docked and 561MHz in handheld mode, delivering 3.07 TFLOPS (docked) and 1.71 TFLOPS (handheld) of FP32 performance. The system supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, capable of 10 gigarays per second (handheld) and 20 gigarays per second (docked). It also includes support for DLSS 3.1, leveraging AI upscaling for higher resolution rendering at lower internal resolutions, significantly boosting performance in graphically intensive titles.
Memory and Bandwidth
The Switch 2 upgrades from LPDDR4 to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, configured as two 6GB modules on a 128-bit bus. This delivers peak memory bandwidth of 102GB/s when docked and 68GB/s in handheld mode—a massive leap from the original Switch’s 25.6GB/s. However, 3GB of RAM is reserved for the operating system, leaving 9GB available for games and applications, compared to just 3.2GB on the original. This increased reservation reflects more complex OS features, background services, and middleware support.
Storage and File Decompression
Storage has been upgraded to 256GB of UFS flash memory, expandable via microSD Express cards up to 2TB. A key innovation is the inclusion of a dedicated File Decompression Engine (FDE), a hardware block optimized for LZ4 decompression. This offloads decompression tasks from the CPU, reducing load times and improving power efficiency—critical for a mobile device. The FDE accelerates unpacking of NSP game packages, enabling faster asset streaming without thermal throttling.
Display and Audio Features
The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD with 1080p resolution (1920×1080), supporting HDR10 and VRR up to 120Hz in handheld mode via Nvidia G-Sync. While not OLED, the panel offers improved brightness and contrast. The console includes enhanced stereo speakers and retains a 3.5mm headphone jack. In docked mode, it supports 4K video output (3840×2160) at up to 60fps for compatible games, though native 4K rendering is rare—DLSS is used to upscale most titles.
System Reservations and Developer Access
Nintendo reserves significant system resources: 2 CPU cores, 3GB of RAM, and portions of GPU capacity for OS functions, background downloads, voice chat, and system UI. This leaves developers with 6 CPU cores, 9GB of RAM, and a GPU running at up to 3.07 TFLOPS (docked). Despite reservations, the overall headroom is vastly superior to the original Switch, enabling more complex physics, AI, and larger open worlds. The SDK enforces 64-bit only, aligning with modern development standards and enabling better optimization.
