Summary
Fans finally got a closer look at theNintendo Switch 2on April 2, with a livestream confirming details like a 4K-capable Docked mode, improved resolution in handheld mode, and more. Expectations were high going into the hour-long Direct after months of speculation with little official word from the company itself. Now that the presentation has finally come and gone, it’s clear just how big of an upgrade theNintendo Switch 2is over its predecessor.
Nintendorevealed a lot during its Switch 2 Direct, starting with more details regarding theMario Karttitle unveiled in its initial Switch 2 announcement. After showing offMario Kart Worldand some new chat features, the company dug into the specifics of its new hardware. Fans and analysts had already predicted many of the specs, but now there’s no more uncertainty around what exactly the upgraded system offers over the original Switch.
The initial reveal in January seemed tosuggest the Switch 2 would have an 8-inch screen, and Nintendo confirmed that the built-in display clocks in at 7.9 inches in its latest Direct. As many fans expected, this screen offers an improved resolution over the original’s 720p visuals, offering 1080p resolution and frame rates of up to 120fps. It also supports HDR in compatible titles and variable refresh rates to make games look even clearer and run more smoothly. When docked, the Switch 2 supports 4K visuals, although frame rates will drop to 60fps at most when running at this resolution.
Nintendo Switch 2 Offers 4K Support, HDR, and Eight Times the Original’s Storage Space
In addition to the larger handheld screen and improved resolutions, the Switch 2 provides a significant storage upgrade over its predecessor. It boasts 256GB of internal storage, which, while far below the likes of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, is eight times the 32GB of storage found in the original Switch. Now thatNintendo has made it easier to transfer digital games, that extra space may come in handy. The system’s reading and writing speeds are also higher than the original’s, although Nintendo has not specified exactly what these speeds are.
The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool while maintaining higher frame rates and resolutions. Other confirmed features include the rumored mouse functionality for the Joy-Cons, larger SL and SR buttons, bigger joysticks, and the previously hinted magnetic attachments for the Joy-Cons. Most importantly, for those eager to get their hands on the upgraded console, Nintendo announcedthe Switch 2 will launch on June 5at a suggested retail price of $449.99.
