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Nintendo Switch 2 launches with improved design and setup features

Nintendo Switch 2 launches with improved design and setup features

With the official launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 taking place across various global regions such as Japan and Australia on June 5, final retail units have started making their way into the hands of consumers and reviewers in the United States. While no early review units were distributed by Nintendo prior to release, the final product has now reached customers through standard retail channels. The limited window between hardware arrival and the midnight US East Coast launch has made it difficult for most to provide a full review immediately, but an early hands-on experience has offered a glimpse into what users can expect from the upgraded console.

Upon powering up the Switch 2 for the first time, users are greeted by a brief animation instructing them on how to attach the new Joy-Cons, which come packaged separately within the box. This is followed by basic setup prompts to confirm language, region, and time zone before prompting a required system update via Wi-Fi. Notably, there appears to be no way to bypass this initial update, raising questions about what functionality, if any, is available for users without an active internet connection during the initial setup phase.

Once updated, the console guides users through further steps involving Joy-Con attachment and removal, as well as instructions for using the matching color-coded holsters included with the system. The next step involves logging into a Nintendo account to initiate a data transfer from the original Switch console. This transfer handles account details and save data, while games must be downloaded separately using the newly introduced Virtual Game Card system. During the transfer process, a warning is displayed for certain games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu, noting that their save files will be removed from the original system—a security measure likely aimed at preventing duplication or cheating. Despite the warning, save data transfers appear to work without issue.

However, this system transfer does not include media files such as screenshots or recorded gameplay videos. To move those, users must remove the microSD card from the original Switch and insert it into the new Switch 2. Interestingly, while the new console primarily supports MicroSD Express cards, this specific step seems to be an exception, suggesting some backward compatibility remains in limited cases. It’s an unusual but necessary workaround for those wanting to preserve their entire content library, especially for users who relied heavily on onboard media storage.

In terms of design, the Switch 2 builds on the form factor of its predecessor while making subtle but noticeable improvements. The console feels more solid in hand compared to the original Switch but still maintains a sleeker, lighter profile than bulkier alternatives like high-end portable PCs. Compared to classic handheld systems like the Game Boy or PlayStation Portable, the advancements in build quality and ergonomic comfort are clear. These refinements make it likely that extended handheld gaming sessions will be more comfortable than before.

Control enhancements are also evident. The analog sticks and buttons have been subtly redesigned, offering slightly more comfort and responsiveness for adult hands, though they still feel small when directly compared to the larger controllers of home consoles like the PlayStation or Xbox. That said, Nintendo’s new Pro Controller 2 is a notable exception. Designed with a layout familiar to modern console gamers, it offers an experience that is more in line with what players expect from full-size gaming controllers.

Despite the short time since launch, early impressions of the Switch 2 suggest a thoughtfully improved console that retains the essence of what made the original Switch a success, while addressing many of the shortcomings that users and critics alike had pointed out. The build quality, system setup, and initial transfer process all reflect a level of refinement that signals Nintendo’s commitment to delivering a more polished portable gaming experience. While a full performance review and detailed gaming analysis will require more time and gameplay hours, this first look already shows strong promise.

As more gamers get their hands on the console and as reviewers continue to test it across a wide range of titles and scenarios, additional insights will emerge. Until then, this early retail experience offers a strong starting point for understanding what Nintendo has brought to the table with the Switch 2, blending portability, performance, and practicality in a compact design that already feels like a worthy successor.

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