Nintendo Switch 2 Tested: Major Performance Boost with New Internals

So, you want to know the scoop on this new Nintendo Switch 2, right? Well, buckle up, because I’m diving in headfirst, and fair warning—my thoughts are going to tumble out like an avalanche, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes in utter chaos. But hey, that’s just how I roll.

Okay, so let’s be real. Weird thing about semiconductors? It’s all about power, buddy. Like, squeeze all the juice you can outta those tiny chips and what do you get? Magic, that’s what. And guess what? Nintendo—you know, the folks who gave us Mario and those timeless tunes—did a bit of wizardry with Nvidia’s Tegra X1 for the first Switch. Low power, high performance. Boom. Yeah, millions of units zipping off the shelves.

Fast forward, Nintendo’s doing it again with the Switch 2, but now with a beefier chip, swanky VRR display, and bigger controllers. I mean, I dug into this thing deeper than you’d dive into a tub of ice cream on a bad day. For me, it’s been mostly PC gaming (team RGB all the way), but my husband? Total Nintendo fanboy. There’s always one of their consoles parked under our TV. So, you can see why this caught my eye.

Let’s talk about this display though—7.9 inches of pure visual upgrade. Everything’s just sharper and more vibrant. Objects? They just pop. It’s like when you get new glasses and see individual leaves on a tree for the first time. Mind blown. Meanwhile, HDR10 support? Well, in theory. But don’t expect miracles or it’ll feel more “meh” than “woah”.

The design, man. It’s got these two USB-C ports now (party on top, you know?), making charging way more convenient. The speakers? They’re like those old school boomboxes after a few too many drops. Not amazing but gets the job done. You know the kind. Anyway…

Joy-Con updates? They click on with this magnetic wizardry now. Swear, they just snap into place. If it squeaks, blame the magnets—I jest, mostly. Plus, these sticks are bigger but still leave a little to be desired. Am I right? Nintendo practically stuck a “plan for drift” warranty sticker on these babies. It’s a throwback no one asked for. But hey, I’m basically resigned to it at this point.

When it comes to games, let’s dig in, shall we?

Breath of the Wild—A divine experience, truly. Running smoother than butter, no ranting about frame drops this time. If you haven’t witnessed it on the new hardware yet, it’s like rediscovering an old flame. The awe is real, people. Thank me later.

Cyberpunk 2077—Oh boy, this one’s a doozy on the Switch. There’s some performance juggling here, but I think they mostly managed. Nights in Night City now look… respectably deserted? Go figure. And though the 40 FPS option raises eyebrows, it’s like a well-lit jazz club compared to earlier numbers.

Fortnite—Ah, my guilty pleasure. I love how it does pop culture collages. Switch 2 pretty much nails it. You’re catching all the hectic energy, and it isn’t making your eyes cry for mercy. Ever see Goku in Fortnite? Yeah, if he’s in the game, I have a weird rule—I lose. But, guess what? I DID win. Goku’s got nothing on me when I’m in the groove.

Let’s wrap this baby up. The Switch 2’s quiet as a whisper, even when it’s duking it out in graphics-heavy leagues like Fortnite and Cyberpunk. Power limits? It’s like juggling marshmallows in comparison to the consoles trying to fry eggs. Even better, it’s affordable fun. Maybe let’s talk trade-offs another time, but spoilers: they’re mostly forgivable.

We’ll see how long this honeymoon lasts, especially with battery life peeking over the horizon soon. Life’s a gamble. Gaming’s an art. Stay tuned.