Like many Nintendo gamers around the world, several of the writers of LadiesGamers.com happily greeted Thursday, June 5th, the release of the new Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the very popular original Switch and the Switch OLED.
People around me have asked me why I am going for yet another device. It was not that I had to justify myself, but it made me think. Why did I pre-order the Switch 2? To be honest, looking at it from an objective standpoint, I’m not so sure I can really pinpoint an important motive. And it made me curious: What was the feature that the others loved most? Let’s dive in and highlight some of the Switch 2’s unique features.
Feature 1: Performance
I’m not gonna talk here about all the tech stuff, but it’s undeniable that the performance of the Switch 2 is better. I’ve read reports online about adventure games that struggled on the Switch, but are really performing better on the Switch 2, even without an upgrade to the game. (see this article on Notebookcheck.net )
Gfinitysports.com tested several games to see if they reached the 60 FPS (Framerates per Second), and concluded that they are definitely running better on the Switch 2. On the list there are games like Zelda: Link Between Worlds and Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
Margaret: As someone that fell hard in love with the Steam Deck, I’m really impressed with the performance on the 2. Kart graphics are incredible, load times are down. I’m sure that’ll be game by game, but it’s definitely a jump.
Of course, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a five-year-old game, but I noticed lately that loading times were getting loooooong. It’s no problem for me otherwise, though I have seen reports of lagging when you have a very full and developed town. Playing it on the Switch 2 just now, I do feel the loading times are shorter compared to playing the game on my Switch OLED.
Feature 2: GameShare
In the days before the release, you might have noticed an update to your ‘old’ Switch. This was done to make them compatible with GameShare. Since that moment, you will see the icon in the home menu at the bottom of the screen. But what exactly does it do?
Switch 2 can share certain games with others, even if they don’t have a copy of the game themselves. It can be done in two ways:
GameShare Local: As a Switch 2-player, you can share the game with one friend. You both need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The friend can use another Switch 2, but even an original Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED will do nicely.
GameShare via GameChat: Only when all players have a Switch 2 you can share your game with up to three other players online via GameChat. GameChat is currently free for a year (until March 31st 2026) and will become a feature that gets enabled via the Nintendo Online Subscription in future. Back to the GameShare via GameChat though: you can only invite friends from your friend list in your profile.
Lynne says: For me, the GameShare is absolutely amazing. Used it for the game I’m currently reviewing, with my Gaming Buddy in a different room (on Switch 1), and both of us had a full TV screen!
Currently, there’s a limited list of games that use GameShare. Not every title allows starting the share in a Local situation or through GameChat.
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
- Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- 51 Worldwide Games
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Survival Kids (newly released on the launch day of the Switch 2)
Feature 3: Connection to the Nintendo App
The Nintendo Switch App, available for iOS and Android, is a nice addition that helps you get even more out of your Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. What makes it extra handy is that you can upload screenshots and videos from your Switch 2. For us, working on a review, that’s great, as it used to be a bit clunky to get our review images on a laptop or desktop. But you could also use it to put the screenshots on social media.
Paula: I tried out the Nintendo App and the photo upload works like a dream and it is so simple to get photos of the Switch2, I also played around with the Zelda Notes in the app, that’s fun and works well too. All in all I’m glad I got the Switch2.
Feature 4: Bigger!
I know this isn’t a plus for everyone, but the Switch 2 has a bigger screen. The Switch 2’s touch screen is 7.9 inches, bigger than both the original Switch (6.2 inches) and the Switch OLED (7 inches). However, as opposed to my Switch OLED, the Switch 2 has an LCD screen.
Yvonne: Overall, a bigger screen with crisp visuals makes it easier to read texts and enjoy the games I love.
The new display does have a higher resolution to 1080p (from 720p) and supports a variable refresh rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz.
So there you have it—our very coloured opinions on why we needed the new Switch 2 in our lives! Maybe James said it best, when he conveyed his feelings about the new handheld:
James: playing the Switch 2 is like coming home to a old friend only it runs better and looks nicer but doesn’t judge you for being older.
In a later article, we will also discuss the launch games and the upgrade packs available.
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The only problem i’ve encounterd with the Nintendo Switch 2 is that oftentimes i have low wifi connection, i can’t even access the Nintendo Eshop unless im near my router. If im not near my router i get error codes in the Eshop or it doesn’t load properly.
Did you not have that problem with your old Switch then? But true, I feel it can be finicky with the WiFi signal. Just moving it back and forth shows up and down in signal. Strange!