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Switch

Cult favourite PC and PlayStation game, Shenmue 3, is being reworked for PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

by admin August 18, 2025

Shenmue 3 is coming back, with Yu Suzuki and publisher ININ Games announcing the Enhanced edition. The reworked and tweaked version of the 2020 game will be arriving on PS5 and PC as before, but also hitting Xbox and Nintendo consoles (TBC, but I think it’s probably safe to say that’ll be Switch 2 rather than the original Switch).

As well as improved visuals and image scaling support, there’ll be increased NPC density, a Classic Camera mode, tweaks to health and progression, expanded QTE windows, and more.

Key Enhancements:

Enhanced Graphics & Performance – Sharper textures, richer details, faster load times, and smoother gameplay.
4K Texture Uplift – Refined, more detailed environments and characters.
DLSS/FSR Support – High-quality upscaling without sacrificing performance (supported platforms only).
Increased NPC Density – The city village Niaowu feels more alive with more characters populating the streets.
Classic Camera Mode – An optional camera perspective inspired by Shenmue I & II, alongside the modern view.
Gameplay Tweaks – Optional stamina system adjustments, health restoration before fights, and reduced money barriers for smoother progression.
Improved Interactions – Cutscene and conversation skip options, expanded QTE timing window for more accessible gameplay.
Menu & UX Enhancements – Streamlined navigation and helpful purchase alerts.
Optionality First – All major changes can be toggled to preserve the original experience for purists.

Step back into Ryo Hazuki’s world, which is now more vibrant, more responsive, and more accessible than ever, guided by Yu Suzuki’s vision.

ININ Games has said that owners of the original Shenmue III on PS4 and PC will be able to upgrade to the new Enhanced Edition, but more details on how that will work are coming at a later date. Expect the full reveal of Shenmue 3 Enhanced Edition at Gamescom this week.

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

I need Wave Race: Blue Storm and its cheesy cool to return to the Switch 2’s GameCube Classics collection

by admin August 18, 2025

It’s been 22 years since the last home console F-Zero game (not counting the handheld spin-offs and 2023’s F-Zero 99), but with the launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2 we finally got a chance to revisit the GameCube’s outstanding F-Zero GX. Despite some wonky controls, it’s a game that still stands up today. No wonder Nintendo hasn’t attempted to better it.

But there’s another Nintendo racing series that’s been on hiatus for even longer. Wave Race: Blue Storm was released back in 2001 as a launch window game for the GameCube, only the third in the series behind Wave Race 64 and, before that, the Game Boy original Wave Race. Since then? Nothing.

Pitches were made for a Wii entry, including holding the Wiimote sideways and using the Wii Balance Board, but these never came to fruition. I think it’s high time for Wave Race to make a splash on Switch 2, and that begins with the return of Blue Storm.

Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics – Nintendo Direct | Nintendo Switch 2Watch on YouTube

I know it’s a bit of an ongoing joke among gaming enthusiasts, but I still often find myself judging a game’s visuals by its water graphics: the shimmering translucency, the physics of rolling waves, its splashy wetness. Thing is, Wave Race: Blue Storm nailed it 23 years ago. That’s what made it so brilliant.

It’s a jet-ski racing game, you see, and with it being on water rather than a ground-based track, the course is always shifting. You don’t simply drive a car round a corner; you have to account for the height and power of each wave as you weave in and out of each buoy (or boo-ey as the announcer infuriatingly pronounces it, sorry Americans). There’s a high level of skill required, but with practice you can skim over cresting waves or dive beneath them to utilise shortcuts. This sort of water physics was incredibly impressive back in 2001, even if Wave Race 64 managed similarly on the previous hardware generation.

But then those water physics are taken a step further with each course. Perhaps you’re racing on the glass-like serene surface of a lake, or the choppy waters of a city harbour. On coastal courses the tide sweeps in and out, revealing hidden routes over multiple laps. One level has a collapsing glacier sending turbulent shockwaves in your wake. There’s a sense of dynamism to Blue Storm’s races that’s rarely seen in more traditional racing games.

Then there are the weather effects, ranging from pleasant sunny days to a raging tempest that sends violent waves crashing towards your jet-skiier. No race in Wave Race is ever the same and your skills are constantly being tested as you adapt to the water beneath you, subtly squeezing those adaptive triggers on the controller to angle around obstacles.

I also love how the water sports theme permeates the whole game. Sure, you can flip a jet-ski and perform hand stands to increase your speed boost. But the loading screens have a little bubble you can manoeuvre to watch ripples cascade across the screen; menus overlay a glistening aquatic backdrop; and sound effects are all splishes and splashes and droplets. Everything just looks so…wet. It’s enough to make you pee.

Perhaps what I remember most fondly about Blue Storm is its surf rock soundtrack, all electric guitars smothered in chorus and flange. What’s more, the music changes based on the weather, matching its calm undulations and stormy chaos. Along with the bright visuals, eccentric announcer, and goofy characters, it all lends Blue Storm a sense of cheesy cool that will forever take me back to the early 00s and that GameCube launch period. The skies were blue, the waters clear, and the games were all short and manageable. It was a better time.

This is why Wave Race: Blue Storm deserves to make a return on Switch 2. Yes, Nintendo will obviously bring back the likes of Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Super Smash Bros. – all excellent games – but it’s the lesser known games I’m keen to see shine on the console’s GameCube service. If we can get Chibi Robo this week, there’s space for Blue Storm.

Better yet, perhaps the return of F-Zero GX and Wave Race: Blue Storm will convince Nintendo there are other racing series besides Mario Kart that deserve new outings on Switch 2. It’s been long enough now and the steering wheel and jet-ski handlebars don’t need to be reinvented. Just let me play Wave Race handheld with HD graphics in the bath for a proper 4D experience.

Which GameCube games do you most want to see return on Switch 2? Sound off in the comments!

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Leaked Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 release date suggests there’s still no Nintendo Switch 2 version at launch

by admin August 17, 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will reportedly release on 14th November, 2025, and there’s still no Nintendo Switch 2 release planned.

That’s according to noted and highly reliable Dealabs leaker billbil-kun, who suggests the latest instalment of Activision’s tentpole franchise will be coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series, but will not be available on Switch at launch.

Why Tiktok Thirsts over Call of Duty’s Ghost.Watch on YouTube

We noted Nintendo Switch 2 was notably absent from the launch platform line-up when the game was revealed during Summer Games Fest, running counter to Microsoft’s 10-year promise to launch Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms on “the same day as Xbox, with full feature and content parity” if its gargantuan $69 billion offer to buy Activision Blizzard was approved. Which it was, of course.

At the time, however, sources confirmed to Eurogamer: “We’re committed to getting the franchise on Switch. Both teams [are] working on it. Will share details when ready.”

Dealabs posits that all this release information will be confirmed at next week’s Gamescom, including news of a physical release (with a disc included) and pre-orders set to go live on 20th August, following a reveal the night before at Opening Night Live. While U.S./UK pricing has yet to be leaked or confirmed, the leaker suggests it’ll retail for €79.99 in Europe. Xbox has, of course, previously pledged not to raise prices past $70 USD.

Former Activision Blizzard president Mike Ybarra thinks Battlefield 6 will “boot stomp” Call of Duty this year, and that this will push the CoD series to stop being “lazy”.

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August 17, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

I thought Switch 2 would kill my Steam Deck, but it’s actually made me play it more

by admin June 26, 2025

In the days leading up to the Switch 2 launch I couldn’t help but feel sad for my Steam Deck. Once my pride and joy, a delight I’d take great pleasure in telling people about and even demonstrating, it had started to gather dust. I was about to enter the age of the Switch 2, and I didn’t think I needed two handhelds in my life. So certain I was of the Deck’s move down the pecking order, I even looked into how much I’d get for selling it. Goodbye my chunky boy, you served me well.

Steam Deck: Feb 2022 – June 2025.

June rolled around and I was, as predicted, Switch 2 enveloped. Mario Kart World every day, every evening, every weekend. Fast Fusion in-between, a bit of Welcome Tour, some Cyberpunk 2077. In my house the Switch 2 had quickly become the most-played console, with even my son choosing to play his mammoth Fortnite sessions on it instead of the Xbox (if you’ve not seen it on Switch 2, it’s a huge improvement over the game on OG Switch). My daughter, only four years old and not really able to play games yet, even felt the excitement, wanting to pose for a photo alongside the Switch 2 – not even the console, but the cardboard box it arrived in!

Wherever there’s a Switch 2 there’s Mario Kart World.Watch on YouTube

This kind of enamourment happens all the time, of course, but I really did get a wonderful sense of something new and exciting from the Switch 2, the kind you get when you just know you’re holding something supremely cool. Having something new that you like tends to make you want to do more with it. Something that happens to me all the time is how I might not touch a console for a while (let’s say, the PS5), but then a new game will arrive for it (Astro Bot was this game for me last year), and suddenly I’ve finished it and then find myself working through Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and firing up whatever is on PS Plus.

With Switch 2 I experienced this but in a broader, playstyle sense. My time with the Switch 2 launch lineup had rewired my mind and I was back in handheld mode. In truth I’ve never been a huge fan of handhelds. Sure, I’ve loved and adored plenty of handheld games (Ridge Racer(s) on PSP is a standout, MotorStorm RC on Vita another gem), but I’d always opt for the console under the TV whenever I could and never felt comfortable playing ‘outside’. But Switch 2 fever has resulted in, sorry eBayers, a return of the Steam Deck.

Vampire Survivors. | Image credit: Poncle

Rather than sitting casually on the sofa with Switch 2 in hand, I started to reach for the Deck. 30 minutes of Vampire Survivors? Yes please. 20 minutes of end-game wandering in Tunic? Sure. Art of Rally before Escape to the Country and dreaming of an easier life? There’s time, the intro is generally just people repeatedly saying they want to move somewhere with more space for their dogs and somehow having a budget of £800k despite working in media. I’ve played on my Steam Deck more in the past week than I remember playing it at any moment since launch.

Tunic. | Image credit: Andrew Shouldice

I’m not going to look them all up so I’ll just assume most of these games are also on Switch and playable on Switch 2. That’s not really the point, unless you are keen for some game recommendations and only have a Switch 2 – so, OK, I did just check and all three of those games are supported on Switch 2, but aren’t necessarily any better on it compared to Switch. Great games, though. The point is that the Switch 2 has revitalised my interest in the Deck.

Thanks for that, Switch 2. I’m now back trawling through Steam sales to pick up bargains I’ll likely never play and tinkering with emulators, and still trying to fit in time with Mario Kart World. I have no idea how I’m going to cope once Donkey Kong Bananza arrives in a few weeks.

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June 26, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

I tested 12 Nintendo Switch 2 cases and these are the best

by admin June 26, 2025

You might find it kind of sad to put a hard-earned gadget into a protective case. To me, it’s freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches. So, I wasted no time testing cases on the new Nintendo Switch 2, and it didn’t take long for me to find one that I think is the best.

I tried several types of cases on the Switch 2. I tested flimsy shells that snap or slide onto the Switch 2 to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing barrier from scratches to the console and its Joy-Cons. I also tried slim cases that have one job: to protect the console when it isn’t in use.

What I look for in a Switch 2 case

How we test

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We use each Switch 2 case as it was designed to be used. We follow the instructions included to get the best fit and protection, noting along the way when a feature works better than expected, or worse. We don’t perform drop tests (I’m using my personal, and thus treasured, Switch 2 unit), but we try our best to find weak points in each case.

Foolproof installation

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Installing a case should be easy, not cumbersome. Given the Switch 2’s hybrid design, a multi-step process for attaching a case is expected, but it should be easy to achieve a successful installation every time with little effort.

A perfect fit

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Since a lot of tech cases are made before said technology is even publicly available, I’m watching like a hawk to make sure the cases that I try actually fit the Switch 2. Even a millimeter’s difference isn’t good enough for me or you.

Ideally, it doesn’t diminish the Switch 2’s unique features

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Some cases come with compromises, such as not allowing the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers to be detached. Others block the kickstand, and/or prevent the console from fitting into its original dock for playing on a TV. Compromises are fine as long as you know what they are beforehand. I think most people want to access the Switch 2’s unique features, so I’ve focused mostly on picks that retain them, although I may include some picks that limit them.

I just listed my high standards for form-fitting cases made to fit the Switch 2 while it’s in use. However, the bar for slim zip-up/clasp cases is lower. They just need to protect the console and, ideally, provide some extra value, like a pocket for cables or cartridge storage.

As for my favorite case, I didn’t want to make any major compromises; I wanted one that’s just as good for handheld mode as when docked, which is why I think the Dbrand Killswitch is the best model overall. I published a full review of the Killswitch, but the skinny is that while it’s perhaps more expensive than some may hope to pay, the level of protection and versatility it offers is worth the cost.

The best Switch 2 case for both handheld and docked play

$60

The Good

Very secure fit
Makes the Switch 2 feel more like a Steam Deck (in the best ways)
Clever dock adapter

The Bad

Chunky dock adapter
Not the most affordable case
Front protection only comes in the $80 tier

The least expensive Killswitch tier costs $59.95 and includes a rear cover for the console and a small piece to adhere to its kickstand for a matching style, plus Joy-Con 2 grips, all of which securely latch onto each component. It also includes a skin for your hardware. There’s no piece of the Killswitch that feels like it’ll incidentally wiggle off.

Unfortunately, the Switch 2 console case makes it impossible to fit into the dock. However, Dbrand includes its workaround adapter that fits into it, essentially acting as a USB-C extender. It’s a fairly elegant solution that works as intended. The only downside is that it leaves your Switch 2’s screen exposed instead of concealed by the dock’s plastic wall. It’s a little clunky, but I’m willing to forgive it because it allows the Switch 2 to retain its docking functionality.

1/5Photo: Cameron Faulkner / The Verge

The tier I recommend for most Switch 2 players (especially those who will often throw their console into a bag) is the $79.85 “Travel” tier, which includes a semi-transparent travel cover that protects the front of your console during transit, or just for safekeeping when you aren’t using it. The cover fits around the front of your Killswitch-equipped console, securing around the back with a tough bungee cord latch. This tier also includes a pair of analog stick grips and a tray that holds 10 Switch cartridges and fits neatly within the travel cover.

I couldn’t post this without addressing the controversy surrounding the Killswitch’s design, specifically that it allows the Joy-Con 2s’ magnets to break away without pressing their release buttons. If you hold your Killswitch-equipped Switch 2 parallel to the ground solely by either of the Joy-Con 2 controllers and give it a shake, the entire console portion is likely to detach. This could obviously cause serious damage to the console. Dbrand insisted in a lengthy Reddit post that most players don’t (and shouldn’t) hold their consoles this way. I can easily replicate the issue, though I didn’t notice it during my testing, mainly because I’m a worrywart who’s perhaps unnecessarily gentle with tech. However, I could see this being a more pressing issue if you have, say, a younger kid who roughhouses with technology. Either way, Dbrand later confirmed on Reddit that all buyers are getting improved Joy-Con 2 covers that should fix the issue.

The grips are modular and can be swapped at will. Image: Genki

Genki’s Attack Vector case is similar in some ways to the Killswitch, as it consists of three pieces: one that goes around the console, and two pieces that wrap around each of the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The $49.99 kit improves on the Killswitch with swappable modular grips that come in three sizes to let you customize how the Joy-Con 2 fits in your hand. It follows a small, medium, and large model, with the smallest adding some minor ergonomic benefits, and the largest being what large-handed folks will likely gravitate toward to make the Switch 2 comfier to hold. Its large, palm-filling grip feels as good to use as the Killswitch, but it’s a very close race and I’d be smitten to use either.

However, one notable downside with the Attack Vector is that the Joy-Con 2 sleeves can be pulled off with relative ease, unlike Dbrand’s. Their fit is accurate, technically, and they won’t fall off during normal use. But they’re not as secure as I want them to be.

Also, Genki advertises that you can keep the Attack Vector on when you insert your console into the Switch 2 dock, but its launch unit doesn’t work as intended. Genki addressed complaints on forums that the case doesn’t fit the console perfectly, and is working on a fix that it expects to finish in July. It will ship a replacement middle piece to all who have already purchased the case, and those who buy the case going forward will receive the fixed product.

The best slim, protective Switch 2 cases

Power A’s slim zip-up case for the Switch 2 is a simple and inexpensive way to keep your console safe when you aren’t using it. It’s not a hard case, so it won’t survive catastrophic damage, but it’s a fine choice if you don’t want to add a bunch of heft. To that end, it’s one of the slimmest cases that I have tried.

At just $19.99 (half the cost of Nintendo’s official carrying case), protection alone would be sufficient, but it offers safe storage for up to 10 Switch cartridges, too. The cartridge holder has a soft bottom that protects the screen, and it can also fold into a tent, allowing the Switch 2 to rest against it (the Switch 2 already has a kickstand for this).

This case doesn’t suffer from a negative trait that’s common among other slim cases (some of which are pricier than PowerA’s): being able to press on the Joy-Con 2 joysticks from the outside. Other cases might allow your Switch 2 to suffer some joystick damage unbeknownst to you, but not this one, as well as the ones listed below.

For $10 more ($29.99), Belkin’s slim case is better-looking than PowerA’s and is made with better materials. It has a carrying strap, a large mesh pocket, and a secret compartment for an Apple AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracker, all of which the PowerA case lacks. Belkin’s case can carry 12 cartridges, and it’s only slightly thicker than the PowerA case, likely to compensate for whatever cables or small gizmos you might stuff into its pocket. It features deep grooves to fit the Joy-Con 2’s triggers, and its outer shell prevents accidental presses on the joysticks. It comes in dark gray, cream, and a fun green shade.

Belkin sells a $69.99 version of its slim case that features everything above and includes a 10,000mAh 20W battery for keeping the Switch 2 charged while it’s inside the case. The company says the battery can fully charge the console 1.5 times. The battery results in a thicker case, and its bespoke compartment only holds the specific Belkin model that’s included, so you won’t be able to swap in a different, faster-charging battery. Neither of those may be deal-breakers for you, but are worth keeping in mind.

JSAUX makes a relatively slim zip-up Switch 2 case that absolutely pops with color. Expressiveness is its main appeal, as this $25.99 case slouches on other features you might want. Once it’s opened, all there is to see is a velcro strap that secures your Switch 2. Underneath it is a fabric tray stitched into the case that can hold 12 game cartridges. Like the Belkin and PowerA cases, this one prevents accidental pressing on the Joy-Con 2 sticks through its shell. It’s a little too light on features to recommend broadly, and it’s thicker than the other models.

Genki’s $42.99 Sleeper Case is a very tough soft case. Its wool-wrapped shell doesn’t have nearly as much give as other slim cases. Plus, its screen guard can carry up to 18 cartridges. However, I dislike how much the Switch 2 moves around when you shake the case (the fit is snug if you have the company’s Attack Vector case equipped). Notably, Genki’s Neil Trachy, who handles marketing and media relations, shared with The Verge that a production error may impact how well its zipper works in the long run, and that a free fix is coming in July for all who’ve already purchased one. The fix will be implemented for all future purchasers of the case.

“Our Sleeper Case was upgraded to a waterproof zipper last minute and unbeknownst to our production team, the adhesives used were not binding well to the zipper. […] While the case is still rock solid, the weak point will be the glue that holds it all in place.”

The best form-fitting shells for the Switch 2 in handheld mode

The Killswitch is the best case for handheld mode because it allows you to remove the Joy-Con 2 controllers and includes an adapter to easily connect to the dock. Plus, it offers kickstand access.

If you don’t ever plan to connect your Switch 2 to its dock or detach its Joy-Cons, or it’ll be a rare occurrence, you might pick an all-in-one shell that fits completely around the console. It will protect every angle of your Switch 2 from dings and scratches, and may even keep it safe in the event of a drop.

The $29.99 Spigen Rugged Armor is a suitable option. It fits around every nook and port of the Switch 2, with openings for its speakers and air intake. It gets bonus points for fitting around the edges of the Joy-Con 2 while providing more pronounced grips, which may be a boon for those who experience hand or wrist pain while holding the console in handheld mode. However, as noted, you’ll need to remove the case in order to install the Switch 2 into its original dock.

The JSAUX Split Protective Case

This case features many of the qualities that I like about the Dbrand Killswitch for a lot less ($29.99 versus $59.99), even one-upping it by being able to fit into the Switch 2’s original dock without the need for an adapter. I look forward to testing it when it launches.

I intend to keep this post updated as frequently as I’m able to test new cases.

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June 26, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Switch 2 has a 120 Hz screen with response times that are too slow for 60 Hz gaming, tester claims

by admin June 26, 2025

Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 handheld has a screen with room for improvement. According to Chinese reviewer Chimolog, the Switch 2’s display has an abysmal 17.06 ms average response time.

It’s worth mentioning that the reviewer makes no mention of their testing methodology so take this information with a pinch of salt. The Switch 2 comes armed with a 1080p, 120 Hz, 7.9-inch, LCD display.

At best, the Switch 2’s screen was allegedly capable of an 8.88 ms response time, but at worst, it achieved an impressively slow 27.46 ms response time. At a 17 ms average response time, the Switch 2 screen is so slow that the pixels cannot physically change to some colors fast enough to project a 60 Hz (60 FPS) gaming experience accurately. The Chinese reviewer compared the Switch 2’s response time to a plethora of 60 Hz and 75 Hz gaming monitors, and the console came in dead last by quite a significant margin.

Dying Light 1 gets free audio and visual “enhancements” this week, but they won’t be coming to Switch

by admin June 25, 2025

It’s a big year for Dying Light; the open-world zombie series is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and developer Techland is marking the occasion with a variety of projects. That includes a newly detailed audio and visual refresh for the series’ debut instalment, which arrives in a free update – titled Dying Light: Retouched – this Thursday, 26th June.

“One of the best things about working with your own engine is that the people building it are just next door,” Techland explains on its blog. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve added a lot, customised a lot, and learned how to squeeze more from the tech we already have. One day, someone just started applying those learnings to some old assets – and it just clicked that we could do that across the whole game.”

As such, players can expect increased texture resolution and quality, as well as improved lighting and physics-based rendering. Techland also promises a new 8K Ultra shadow quality (“a lot of surfaces that previously looked rather flat now really pop out and get depth!”, it writes), and there’s an increased maximum level-of-detail option for those with hardware to support it, meaning Dying Light’s most detailed assets can now be seen much further away.

Dying Light 2 standalone expansion The Beast arrives in August.Watch on YouTube

As far as audio goes, original composer Pawe&lstrok; Blaszczak has remastered Dying Light’s soundtrack for the update, while new tracks and ambient sounds have been “woven in” throughout. That’s alongside “seriously juiced up… hit reaction audio in combat”, which is said to sound “more satisfying [and] more impactful.”

Techland does, however, take great pains to stress that Dying Light’s Retouched update is all about “enhancements” and is “not a complete overhaul or remaster.” Additionally, the “level of changes” players can expect will “vary by platform”.

Dying Light: Retouched launches Thursday, 26th June for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Notably absent from that list is the original Switch, which received an impressive port of Dying Light back in 2021, and Techland has confirmed to IGN the update is “not coming” to Nintendo’s platform. Don’t expect a version of Dying Light for Switch 2 either, as Techland says it has “no plans [to release one] at this moment.”

Instead, it’s apparently all-hands-on-deck for the studio’s upcoming 18-hour standalone adventure, Dying Light: The Beast, which launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on 22nd August. And there’s more planned for the series beyond that; Techland previously revealed it’s working on “multiple unannounced projects” that “go beyond video games”, including board games, a webcomic series, merchandise, and “more”.

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Nintendo Switch 2 | Critical Consensus

by admin June 25, 2025

On June 5, 2025, over eight years after Nintendo debuted its innovative hybrid handheld/home console, the publisher launched its successor – the Nintendo Switch 2.

Four days after release, the console had already broken internal records, reaching global sales of 3.5 million units. It surpassed expectations in the US, with over 1.1 million units sold, and became Japan’s biggest console launch to date after shifting almost one million units in the country.

It’s a far stronger start than for the original Switch, which sold 2.7 million within its first month. Nintendo has predicted hardware sales of 15 million and software sales of 45 million by March 2026.

Clearly, the Switch 2 has been met with an eager audience of gamers. But because critics had to wait until launch day to get their hands on one, opinions have been slow to come in as to whether it’s worth the $450 price tag.

Safe bet

Game Informer’s Kyle Hilliard, who gave the console a B rating, said it was a no-brainer for Nintendo to iterate on the Switch’s success.

“Nintendo has sold more than 152 million Switch consoles, which goes a long way toward explaining why, for the first time in its history, Nintendo released a follow-up and added a sequential number to its name instead of coming up with something new,” wrote Hilliard. “In many ways, the Switch feels like a safe sequel to a previous success.”

“The new hardware is all very familiar,” Hilliard noted, “and as a result, it does lack much of the excitement that usually accompanies a new Nintendo console.”

Tabitha Baker offered similar sentiments in her 4.5/5 review for GamesRadar. “The Switch 2 takes its lead from its predecessor, offering (broadly) the same functionality and form factor. At its core, this is an easily recognisable experience, the same docking system, same control scheme. But it’s so much more than that on top.”

Better Joy-Cons

Image credit: Nintendo

Despite looking similar, the new Switch 2 Joy-Cons snap onto the console magnetically rather than sliding into place. They attach to protruding pins that Baker feared could cause problems.

“Having these sticking out the side of the device felt like a recipe for disaster, even if they are sheltered by the edges of the tablet itself,” she wrote. “There’s a little flex to these pins – but that could be a good thing. If those pins were rigid, I’d be worried about snapping them straight off, but the extra flexibility does give me a little more peace of mind. Time will tell whether that flexibility becomes a problem in itself, though.”

Still, Hilliard thinks the new Joy-Con controllers are a marked improvement: “The control sticks feel smoother, the buttons are a little bigger, and the magnetic system […] is an upgrade compared to the button and rails system of the original Switch.”

Mouse controls

The new Joy-Cons also have mouse capability. “[It’s] either going to be the best thing this console has going for it or will be forgotten about in a matter of weeks,” said The Gamer’s Jade King. “There’s potential here, but at launch it seems like a gimmick.”

“There’s potential here, but at launch [mouse control] seems like a gimmick”

Jade King, The Gamer

NME’s Ali Shutler, who gave the Switch 2 a four out of five rating, noted that there’s not much need for mouse control outside of Switch 2 Welcome Tour and believed it’s “the only part of the Switch 2 experience that feels awkward.”

Baker thought that the success of the mouse functionality will be measured by which games support it. “If it’s relegated to toggle-able mini-games and the odd shovelware escapade, it’s an expensive mistake.”

Still, she was impressed with the performance. “Tracking is nippy, acceleration feels well-balanced, and response is consistent. The slimmer form factor of a Joy-Con under your hand doesn’t feel nearly as comfortable as a full mouse during longer play sessions, and the skinnier R button has a particularly short stop that’s a little vulnerable to accidental presses. But the actual sensor part? Good to go.”

Game Chat and UI

Another new feature for the Switch 2 is its chat function, enabling users to play with friends without having to use a third-party app via an in-built microphone and additional video capabilities.

Shutler called this function “perhaps the biggest innovation” for the console, as it “makes playing online a lot more communal”. He did note, however, that to use this function you’ll eventually need a Nintendo Switch Online membership once the free first year offer runs out on March 31, 2026.

But Hilliard found the Switch 2’s UI to be underwhelming, calling it “sterile” compared to what was offered on Wii, 3DS, and the Wii U. “Scrolling through games on the Switch 2 is quiet and boring,” he expressed. “I was hoping using the Switch 2’s menu would feel new and novel.”

King had similar feelings, and remarked that it’s “the same template you’ve been using for the past eight years.”

“There’s no getting around the fact that this underwhelms, and despite feeling like I can slide into this ecosystem without fear of being lost and overwhelmed, I still crave something new,” she wrote. “A daring and fresh way for my games to be presented instead of taking the safest route.”

Battery life

The Switch 2’s battery was another area that came in for criticism.

“At the system’s most demanding, I managed two hours and 40 minutes of battery life,” Baker noted. “That was a test from 100%, playing Breath of the Wild: Switch 2 Edition at full display brightness. That’s a downgrade from the far more power-efficient Switch OLED and a fairly short battery life even compared to the original device.”

“While it’s certainly lasting a lot longer than more power-hungry devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Nintendo has produced more battery-efficient handhelds in the past.”

Hilliard was of the same opinion. “Nintendo reports that the Switch 2’s battery is about 1.2 times better than the original, but I admit skepticism. Across my hours of playtime since the Switch 2 launch, the battery seems to drain faster in handheld and tabletop play. Thankfully, the two USB-C port options make charging easier while playing, but this may be the primary – potentially only – disappointment between the Switch and Switch 2.”

However, The Guardian’s Keith Stuart, who gave the Switch 2 a four out of five rating, was more neutral.

“Nintendo is promising between two and 6.5 hours [for battery life],” Stuart wrote. “I did a mixed test in which I played Mario Kart World, downloaded and played Hitman, and used GameShare and GameChat, and got about 3.5 hours, which is not bad.”

Display

One aspect reviewers were pleasantly surprised with on the Switch 2 was its larger display, despite the console dropping back to an LCD screen rather than an OLED.

Hilliard expected to be disappointed with Nintendo’s decision “having spent so much time with the OLED model”, but was impressed with how similar they appear to be.

“The Switch 2 does not have an OLED screen, but you could have fooled me,” he expressed. “The screen is vibrant and colourful, and the HDR options do make a positive difference with certain games. The refresh rate is strong, and the games that take advantage of it benefit tremendously.”

King said she “hardly [noticed a] difference” between the two due to the Switch 2’s 7.9 inch screen, increased colour range, HDR options, and the 1920×1080 resolution.

GamesRadar’s Baker did a side-by-side comparison between the Switch OLED and Switch 2 playing Pokémon Violet. She found that while the “jump from OLED screen to LCD is noticeable, it’s still a good-looking panel.”

“The OLED presented brighter yellows and greens much better, and a more vivid picture overall and a punchier feel. By comparison, the Switch 2 darkens those tones slightly. Its blacks aren’t as deep as those of the OLED, but it’s vibrant where it counts.”

“[While the] jump from OLED screen to LCD is noticeable, it’s still a good-looking panel”

Tabitha Baker, GamesRadar

Games on the Switch 2 run between 720p and 1080p in handheld, and up to 4K in docked mode. But The Gamer’s King said that she hasn’t seen much evidence of the latter.

“Claims that the majority of titles [support] a full 4K resolution are exaggerated,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see many peaking at 1440p or making decent use of dynamic resolution while docked.”

Stuart emphasised that for ports like Cyberpunk 2077, players will not get the same experience as on a higher spec gaming setup. “[The game] caps out at 1080p with the framerate at 30fps in performance mode. Don’t expect cutting edge PS5 Pro or PC visuals – we’re looking at something between PS4 and PS5.”

As for HDR capabilities, Baker described it as “a slightly more complicated beast”.

“The system does seem to be a little off in its implementation in certain games. I’ve noticed that Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild appear washed out with the HDR setting enabled,” she wrote. “Switching the feature off reveals a far more punchy picture, with rich colours and greater impact overall.”

“With HDR switched off and that screen running at full brightness, this is a real delight. Smoother motion, a bigger panel, and 1080p resolution make for real tangible upgrades over the previous generation and I’d certainly take them over a higher-contrast OLED experience.”

Launch games

Moving on to software, the Switch 2’s launch line-up didn’t impress critics. Mario Kart World is the only headline first-party title, followed by Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

But as NME’s Shutler pointed out, there are ports, upgrades, and enhanced editions of popular titles to play on top of that.

“The Switch 2 is powerful enough to make old favourites feel new,” he wrote. “From rediscovering the magic of GameCube software via the expanded online library to travelling through the open-world Pokémon Scarlet without all the technical drawbacks, there’s something for everyone.”

Then there’s the ports of AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, which Baker noted provided an “indication of where Nintendo wants its system to be positioned.”

“If Nintendo can keep up with upcoming blockbuster releases, the Switch 2 could well be in with a shot at becoming a primary driver for a lot more players,” she said.

King highlighted upcoming games like Donkey Kong Bananza, Splatoon Raiders, The Duskbloods, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, alongside ports of Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

“By the end of the year, the Switch 2 library is going to be a potential force to be reckoned with, but right now, it is very wanting,” she concluded.

Comparisons with rivals

In terms of graphics capabilities, Baker pointed out that consoles like the PS5 still “hold the upper hand” against the Switch 2.

“Side by side with PS5’s 4K performance, it’s obvious this isn’t a miracle worker. Everything lacks that final touch of sharpness in docked mode compared to the PS5.”

“But this is still all very impressive. We’re talking about the difference between a slimline handheld that has far more functionality than the PS5 and measures in at a fraction of the size to boot.”

King is optimistic about blockbuster third-party titles on the Switch 2. “They are still going to lag slightly behind other versions on PS5 and Xbox, but now differences are much less substantial,” she wrote. “In a couple of years, you should be able to pick up major games on Switch 2 and no longer feel like you’re having to compromise so drastically.”

Image credit: CD Projekt Red/Nintendo

When comparing to other handhelds like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and even the OLED Switch, GamesRadar’s Baker said the Switch 2 “isn’t without competition”.

“The cheaper OLED version runs with better battery life and the Asus ROG and Steam Deck OLED offer better grip, a wider choice of games, more storage, and a larger set of controls.”

However, Baker does recognise that the Switch is “threatening these handheld PCs for the first time”, writing that it’s “smoother in some scenarios, comes with its own set of exclusive titles, and is far more portable than chunkier models.”

Conclusions

Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Switch 2 is a worthy successor to the original Switch, and the upgrade is more than worth it.

The Gamer’s King described the Switch 2 as a “fundamental improvement” on the Switch, and “easily the most capable console Nintendo has ever made with the hardware to prove it.”

She added: “The Switch 2 is a refinement of everything that came before. It feels like Nintendo looked at the original console and more general complaints and sought to create a successor that felt more sturdy, appeared more premium, and beneath the aesthetics, was more capable and powerful.”

“You have increased potential for third-party blockbusters, a smoother user interface, and an easy transition to a new generation that almost makes up for its banal and predictable delivery.”

“I like it when Nintendo tries something new in an attempt to give me something I didn’t know I wanted. It didn’t do that with the Switch 2″

Kyle Hilliard, Game Informer

Game Informer’s Hilliard felt the same, stating that the Switch 2 felt “arguably too safe”.

“I like it when Nintendo tries something new in an attempt to give me something I didn’t know I wanted. It didn’t do that with the Switch 2. It improved on basically every element of the Switch (except its battery life), made it backwards compatible, and made it look feel better. My primary complaint is that I have not been surprised.”

He concluded: “Rather, I have been nodding appreciatively, grateful that I have a version of one of my favourite consoles of all time that looks sharper, plays some of my favourite games at a higher quality. It’s what I wanted as opposed to what I didn’t know I wanted, and I am happy with that.”

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Drag x Drive Launches On Nintendo Switch 2 This August

by admin June 25, 2025

Nintendo has revealed that its upcoming 3v3 basketball game, <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/product/drag-x-drive”>Drag x Drive</a>, will launch on August 14. Announced during the Switch 2 reveal presentation, the game sees players <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/04/02/drag-x-drive-is-a-mouse-controlled-basketball-game-coming-to-switch-2″ target=”_blank”>use Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to move players in wheelchairs</a> around the court and score goals. Nintendo revealed the release date in its <a href=”https://gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2025/03/27/future-nintendo-and-switch-2-news-will-arrive-via-new-nintendo-today-app”>Nintendo Today app</a>, where it also announced <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/06/10/splatoon-raiders-is-the-series-first-spin-off-game-and-its-coming-exclusively-to-switch”>a new Splatoon game</a> earlier this month. Despite knowing when Drag x Drive launches on Switch 2, we still don’t know how much the game will cost. Neither the Nintendo Today app nor the game’s listing on the Nintendo eShop features the price, so we’ll have to wait and see. Check out the Drag x Drive reveal trailer below: <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ frameBorder=”0″ width=”640″ height=”360″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hku89o38-hQ” frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay” allowfullscreen=”true”> </iframe>In the meantime, read <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/hardware-review/2025/06/09/switch-2-review-a-safe-but-effective-bet”>Game Informer’s Switch 2 review </a>and our <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/review/mario-kart-world/roam-if-you-want-to”>Mario Kart World review</a>. After that, check out <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/impressions/2025/06/12/the-switch-2-games-to-play-when-youre-done-with-mario-kart-world”>our list of the Switch 2 games to play</a> after you’re done with Mario Kart World, and then read <a href=”https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2025/04/04/rolling-start”>Game Informer’s hands-on Drag x Drive preview thoughts</a>. Are you going to pick up Drag x Drive in August? Let us know in the comments below!

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Switch 2 launch game Fast Fusion gets update to improve image quality

by admin June 25, 2025

Futuristic racer Fast Fusion will receive an update later this week, adding new tracks and a new rendering mode without upscaling.

As Digital Foundry reported, the Switch 2 launch game actually renders at a low image resolution but uses the console’s DLSS equivalent to upscale the image. Put simply, the game has been criticised for poor image quality, despite being such a fast game.

Now, developer Shin’en Games is introducing a new render mode called “Pure” that removes upscaling and instead renders at a native 1440p when docked (and 1080p in handheld).

Fast Fusion on Switch 2 – DF Tech Review – Brilliant Technology, Exceptional GameWatch on YouTube

What’s more, a new Carbium Cup will be added, including three new tracks: Alpine Trust, Sunahara Plains, Zenshoh Habitat.

Players of previous game Fast RMX may recognise these tracks, though they have all-new graphics and changed layouts to make use of Fast Fusion’s Hyperjump feature.

Further additions include: a new particle effect for snow, two new jukebox entries, a lower price to unlock the third cup for easier progression, fixed an issue where the game shut down when changing render mode, while stability and performance improvements have been implemented.

The update will arrive on 26th June.

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Fast Fusion is one of the few brand-new launch games for Nintendo’s new console. It’s the follow up to Switch game Fast RMX, itself an improved version of Fast Racing Neo on Wii U.

Anyone who’s a fan of the F-Zero or WipEout series will find much to enjoy here, with the game’s high speed thrills, rollercoaster tracks, and techno soundtrack. Indeed, it’s a modern day rival to F-Zero GX – one of three GameCube games available on Switch 2 through Nintendo Switch Online.

“The Switch 2’s best launch exclusive might not be Mario Kart World, but another racing game,” wrote Eurogamer’s Tom Orry on Fast Fusion.

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June 25, 2025 0 comments