Unstable Joy-Con Mouse Controls
Both Joy-Cons contain an IR sensor along the magnet connector strip that can imitate a mouse when held on it's side against a table. Games must implement a patch to support Mouse Controls or the feature can not be used at all. Without the use of a Joy-Con wrist strap the controller will likely wobble during normal gameplay and increases the risk of damage to the side of the controller. Currently Gyro can not be used alongside Mouse Controls for enhanced aiming and there are no third party grips that offer more comfort or stability when holding the Joy-Con on it's side. Joy-Con Drift has also resurfaced within 1 week of launch and would interrupt gameplay during mouse mode since all other buttons (and sticks) remain active.
The following information has been fact checked using video evidence and hardware analysis from industry experts. Most of these technical details can be corroborated via Nintendo's website and developer interviews.
Use these comparisons to decide if Switch 2 is truly offering an experience worth paying $450.
Hardware Breakdown
The following information is accurate to the launch model of the Nintendo Switch 2 and has last been updated 8/26/25.
8x Arm Cortex CPU Cores + Ampere GPU
The most substantial upgrade is doubling Switch 1's quad-core CPU setup and running them at 1100 MHz now over the previous 1000 MHz alongside the GPU clocking 1536 CUDA Cores against Switch 1's 256 CUDA Cores. There is a significant leap in processing power across both handheld and docked play when compared to it's predecessor. Unfortunately this is barely on par in comparison to the base PS4 which matches core count with higher clock speeds on CPU. Worse yet is that Switch 2 runs at a higher resolution which heavily cuts into the performance boost you may expect when doubling power from Switch 1.
Worse Battery Life in Handheld Mode
Battery may be the most underrepresented issue in the transition to new hardware because while every other spec was upgraded to consume more watts, the 4,310 mAh battery on Switch 1 did not receive even a 20% boost to Switch 2's 5,220 mAh. The majority of users have settled on a 2 hour battery life which is half of the Switch 1's 4.5 hour battery life. To explain why this will severely bottleneck handheld playtime, here's a look at every spec draining more power:
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4 more CPU cores will be running at higher clock speeds.
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GPU is rated for 5x speed outside of the dock.
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Screen resolution has been increased 27% in size.
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Frame rate has been doubled to 120 frames per second (in select titles).
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HDR and DLSS are running by default all the time.
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Switch 1 titles rely on emulation overhead to run.
Nintendo Switch Online Game Chat
Frame rate for video feeds is capped at 10 frames per second with a maximum of 4 video feeds available in one Game Chat. The game window you play through is permanently framed by black bars that reduce the resolution of gameplay to <720p. Face cropping from backgrounds is imperfect with many examples of pop-in and hair outlines shrinking. This feature is currently free but will require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use past June 6th 2026, rendering the C button useless for others. Users are also required to verify their active phone number and have their audio/video recorded by Nintendo for future use.
Live Demo for Unpaid Users
C
Console Weight and Dimensions
Despite being marketed as a portable gaming console, the Switch 2 adds over 1 inch in length and half an inch in height with a 33% weight gain over it's predecessor. The reshaped Joy-Con 2s present a front facing edge that makes holding uncomfortable without support from leaning or a table. Rounded edges along the bottom of the Joy-Cons presents slipping and instability when gripping the console in handheld mode. One-handed play when using touch screen controls is straining and difficult to maintain.
Fragile Screen Display
New to the Switch 2 is a protective screen cover that is meant to shield the user from shattered glass if the console were to fall or break. Unfortunately this means the front of the screen is now more susceptible to scratching and noticeable marks upon impact. This also fails to protect the hardware inside from small punctures and bending applied to the tablet screen device. The application of this built-in screen protector is questionable and poorly documented among reviews.
Nightmare to Repair or Replace
Switch 2 hardware including the Joy-Con 2s, Pro Controllers, and tablet screen have shown newly increased efforts to reduce repair. Most notably these parts have single-use glue seals, layered screw plates, and proprietary screws + components among multiple other issues. By lacking a removable back compartment, the Pro Controller requires full disassembly just to diagnose or replace a faulty battery. Joystick drift is now more prevalent on Joy-Con 2s and Pro Controllers because of recessed stick designs. Anti-repair measures are a form of planned obsolescence to guarantee customers must buy new hardware or pay up for direct repairs.
2025
2020
Graphics Side by Side
Switch 2 has specialized ports of third party titles that took an extra 2-5 years of optimizations to run at full framerate.
Distant Alpha Cards
Terrain details like leaves, grass, and moss are generally unloaded at a distance to reduce strain on the GPU in open scenes.
Reduced Vertices
Switch 2 uses low detailed 3D models with less polygons. Notice the completely new terrain shape and simplified trees/rocks.
Lack of Lighting
Visibility on distant objects is more difficult without the use of dynamic light sources. This upper row of distant trees is hidden by the general world lighting casting shadows.
Hogwarts Legacy
The biggest comparison?
$20-30
Offered as a free game on PS Plus and regularly goes on sale for 50%+ off.
Price
$70
Sales are rare, biggest discount offered was 10%
Supports previous gen with automatic upgrades on both disc and digital.
Free Upgrade
60+
Framerate
30-40
5 Hours
Battery
2 Hours
Performance mode can reach 100 FPS in Badlands.
Frame generation creates ghosting and smears.
PS Portal game streaming offers longer portability.
5220 mAh struggles to maintain AAA games.
Third Parties Dire Future
With extremely poor initial sales on Switch 2, publishers are less likely to pursue dedicated optimized ports that release the same time as other consoles. Most third party games release exclusively on Game Key Cards as their "physical" option which threatens the ability to truly own your games (while bans are prevalent). The accessibility of game streaming and handheld PCs will compete as more reliable portable experiences for AAA games going forward. With the lack of dev kits available and Nintendo encouraging AAA developers to prioritize Switch 1 development, it looks rough for Switch 2.
Switch 2 fans should expect much less support from major developers and have to count on first party releases,
which are currently limited to just 5 new titles coming for the entirety of 2025.
CONTINUE?