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Nintendo Switch 2 Launches to Strong Demand With Premium Upgrades and Lingering Drawbacks

High-demand launch underscores Nintendo’s challenge to balance premium performance with consumer concerns over joystick drift and repair costs.

The Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck next to each other
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Overview

  • Pre-orders began in April and the console sold out launch stock within days as Nintendo positions the Switch 2 as a premium handheld at $449.99 in the US and £395.99 in the UK.
  • Reviewers have lauded its 7.9-inch 1080p 120 Hz HDR display and upgraded Nvidia T239 chip for smoother performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
  • The console delivers new social features—Game Chat with integrated USB-C camera support and Game Share—that enable shared play sessions even among non-owners.
  • Improved magnetic Joy-Cons offer larger buttons and tighter attachment but retain the original joystick potentiometer tech, leaving drift issues unresolved and contributing to a 3/10 repairability score.
  • Battery life ranges from roughly two to six and a half hours depending on game intensity, keeping pace with rival handheld PCs like Valve’s Steam Deck but trading off longevity for enhanced visuals.