This is the one thing you must not do with your new Nintendo Switch 2
There will be a lot of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles leaving their boxes today after certainly weeks and probably months of cardboard imprisonment. But there's one thing that Nintendo has had to tell new owners that they should not do as part of the small print.
The Switch 2 screen has a layer of film over it – and you must not take it off.
In the manual, Nintendo tells users not to take off the layer of film – it's there for protection in case the display is fully smashed (hopefully by accident). It prevents shards of glass from spreading. 'The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage. Do not peel it off' is the warning that Nintendo provides.
That warning is contained in very small print in what appears to be a guide to warnings and some usage tips such as how to use the Joy-cons and integrated kickstand. There's only 2.5 pages of instructions per language in the guide so hopefully it will be more obvious that you don't need to remove the film when it comes to actually unboxing the console. Otherwise we can see a lot of people removing the film thinking it's the kind of packaging protector you get on new smartphones.
Although, the film should stay, additional screen protection is already available from several vendors and this would then go on top of the film finish.
The Switch 2's screen is considerably larger than the original Switch's 6.2in display at 7.9in, but the console's thickness hasn't changed generation-on-generation. When full details of the console were revealed in early April, I was disappointed at the lack of an OLED display as it felt like a downgrade from the 7in Switch OLED. I said at the time that 'most of us are very used to OLED displays now on our phones, TVs and high-end laptops and while Mini LED is now a big segment of the large-screen market, OLED is the new mainstream for mobile displays (it already had over 50% of the market in 2024). LCD is yesterday's news.'
But not everyone felt that way, reasoning that the resulting extra battery life would be worth the retention of LCD over OLED. The 120Hz Switch 2 display certainly looks nice and bright too and with HDR on board things should be very positive on the screen front despite my early reservations.
Although the Switch 2's display is predictably Full HD in resolution, you can also experience games in up to 4K resolution at 60Hz if you plug it into your TV.
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Stuff.tv
3 days ago
- Stuff.tv
I tested dozens of Nintendo Swatch 2 accessories, and these are ones I'd actually spend money on
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a shiny piece of hardware, our best handheld gaming console, and arguably Nintendo's most premium console ever made. While it comes built in with many great features out of the box, from its incredible noise-cancelling mic to its magnetic Joy-Con that can act as single controllers and mice, there's still plenty more you'll want to buy to enhance the experience. Of course, if you owned a Switch previously, you'll be pleased to know that many of your old accessories will still be compatible, albeit with some limitations, but some things need to be upgraded, such as the new microSD Express cards, while old controllers can't be used to turn on your console. Whether you're after extra controllers for different play styles or occasions, need extra juice when taking it on the go and also want to make sure it's well protected, we've put together some of the best accessories you'll want to get your hands on along to go with your new Nintendo investment. Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Given that the Pro Controller for the original Switch has proven popular for even those who don't own Nintendo's console, there wasn't much that needed to change with this new version. The design is almost the same but sports a sleeker matte finish that complements the new, more premium-feeling console, though it does feel a bit more slippery without textured grips. The d-pad, however, feels like an improvement, a test of Tetris in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, showing I was no longer mis-dropping blocks like before. There are, however, more additions, such as the C-button for GameChat and a much-requested headphone jack for you to plug in a headset. But the standout feature (and likely why this is more expensive than its predecessor) is two programmable back buttons on the rear grips called GL and GR, which you can even map the capture button to so that you can finally take screenshots while still fully in control of gameplay. Nintendo Switch 2 Camera The console already has a built-in mic to take advantage of the new GameChat feature, but if you also want to be seen by your friends, then you'll want to get an official camera. While you can also plug in any USB-C webcam as well, this camera has both 1080p resolution and a wide lens to ensure it can capture you or anyone else in your living room and zoom in accordingly while ensuring you still appear visible on your friends' Game Chat feeds as if you were streaming directly to them. The camera also comes with a stand that is easy to adjust, at a height you can place behind the Switch 2 dock, or you can also use it when playing in handheld or tabletop mode. SanDisk MicroSD Express Card While the Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, the larger size of Switch 2 games means you'll definitely need to expand your storage, and your old microSDs will not be good enough. MicroSD Express has much faster read speeds and enables games to load much faster than previously. However, the only cards you're likely to find only offer an additional 256GB, with larger sizes either scarce or running extortionate prices. You might get confused by the labelling over whether or not you have the right card. Fortunately, you'll be glad to know that Nintendo is selling an officially licensed express card and isn't charging extra for it. GameCube Controller – Nintendo Classics GameCube games are finally available to Switch Online members with the expansion pack tier, and the best way to enjoy them is with a GameCube controller – indeed, the analogue shoulder buttons make it essential for F-Zero GX. While it's been possible to use OG wired GameCube controllers and an adaptor for dedicated Super Smash Bros. players, this new wireless controller, available exclusively on My Nintendo Store, has a nicer matte finish as well as additional buttons like the Home, Capture and C-Button. Just bear in mind that it's not going to be ideal as your only other controller since it's missing several inputs that a modern controller has. Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro Gaming Headset While this is a professional studio-quality open-back gaming headset for PC, a console adaptor means you can still plug it into either your Switch 2's audio jack or a Switch 2 pro controller so that you can enjoy incredible sound and comfortable pads for extended gaming sessions, whether at home or on the go. It's admittedly quite pricey for what it is, and annoyingly, its microphone isn't detachable, which might make it less appealing to take on the train, but you'll at least also be able to make use of it during GameChat sessions, as the noise-cancelling tech is in the Switch 2 hardware itself. Belkin Portable Power Bank with Integrated Cable Switch 2's battery life is unfortunately not great, so you want to ensure you have a power bank if you're planning to take it on a long-haul trip. This power bank from Belkin is about the size of an iPhone (albeit thicker) and has a rechargeable 20,000 mAh battery, which can recharge your console twice. It also comes with an integrated cable in case you forget to bring a cable, just enough to plug into the device's USB-C port on top when playing in tabletop mode. Of course, it also has an additional USB-C and USB 2.0 port if you need to charge your phone or another device. SnakeByte System Organiser S2 This is a bargain because only for a quid more than the official carry case, you actually get not just a carry case for your Switch 2 but also for its other components, including the dock, cables, and even room for other accessories like a controller and power bank. The Switch 2 case itself is moulded nicely for the triggers, buttons and sticks and contains space for 10 game cards and comes with a wrist strap if you want to carry it hands-free. This can then fit on the top part of the system organiser, while an an attachable and adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy and comfortable to take your whole console with you whether it's for a house party or you're heading home for the holidays. Belkin Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 Charger Case If you're taking your Switch 2 places, then a protective case is essential, but this dedicated case also comes with a power bank that fits snugly inside the case with a cable that can neatly plug into the console while stored, ensuring that once you're seated and have time to relax you'll find your Switch 2 has plenty of juice. That does however make for a bulkier case though it does have a handle so that you can carry it in your hand instead of putting it in your bag, while it also has room to store 12 game cards, additional cables or Joy-Con wrist straps, and even a hidden space you can fit an AirTag. PowerA Advantage Wired Controller If you're after a budget controller, PowerA has a range of wired Switch 2 controllers, each sporting some Nintendo-themed designs. On the whole, it's not that different from the company's Switch 1 range, apart from of course the addition of a C-button and headphone jack to take advantage of GameChat functionality. Its lower cost does mean it skimps on a few other features, such as HD rumble, gyro controls and NFC support for Amiibo, but it does have programmable back buttons. The caveat is that these are not the same as the GL and GR buttons on the official Switch 2 pro controller. For that reason, you won't be able to use these back buttons to take a screenshot. SnakeByte Twin Charge S2 While you can still use Switch 1 Joy-Cons, if you do plan to buy more Switch 2 Joy-Cons you'll also want new charging docks for them since they have new designs. For this Twin Charge, you just need to put each Joy-Con down on its side much like when using them as a mouse and an LED light on the front will let you know when it is charging or fully charged. There's also a Quad Charge available if you plan on buying more of Joy-Con 2s, perhaps when more colours and designs are available in future.
Stuff.tv
6 days ago
- Stuff.tv
Why I found microSD Express won't solve your Nintendo Switch 2 storage problems
The Nintendo Switch was the first console I embraced going digital with my games. There's something alluring about having your entire library installed and ready to play at any time. Sadly, that kind of luxury isn't really an option on my Switch 2. Nintendo's new console might have a seemingly generous 256GB of internal storage (more like around 230GB after accounting for system files), compared to the paltry 32GB of its predecessor and 64GB of the Switch OLED – but I used all of it up testing just a fraction of the Switch 2's launch line-up. Simply put, Switch 2 game file sizes are way larger than before. Mario Kart World weighs in at 23.4GB; the majority of my Switch 1 game collection ate between 2-8GB apiece. Third-party ports have absolutely ballooned, too; Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition is around 60GB, and an update temporarily demanded an additional 55GB of space on top of that. If you're wanting to play the big blockbusters, you're likely going to find yourself fitting no more than around five games. Express yourself And that's before even thinking of your back catalogue if you had upgraded from the original Switch. Over the course of eight years, I had amassed hundreds of games, and although I eventually did have to uninstall some, I could still retain a significant portion of my library. That's because it was always possible to gradually expand the console storage with relatively affordable microSD cards. I started with one 128GB card, but as time went by I would upgrade to larger sizes until eventually peaking with 512GB. However, Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards. The name itself isn't the most obvious differentiator, especially when many cards come with a bunch of other nonsensical acronyms (you're essentially looking for the 'EX' logo). But there's another distinction that'll stand out: they cost a lot more. You can pick up a 256GB microSD card under £20, but a microSD Express with the same storage will currently set you back £50. The only upside is that Nintendo isn't charging extra for an officially licensed one, like it has done in the past. These new Express cards have much faster read speeds than the bog-standard ones. While not on the same level as SSDs, they're essential for loading up the seamless interconnected tracks in Mario Kart World or those hugely reduced loading times when fast-travelling in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Switch 1 games saved to microSD Express also see reduced loading times, even without a Switch 2-specific patch. However, Nintendo has blocked any old microSDs you'd previously bought from working at all, even if you just wanted to use them for storing Switch 1 games. It's an annoyingly inflexible move, when PC-based handhelds like the Steam Deck let you mix and match whatever SSD and microSDs you like. Other consoles at least let you connect an external HDD drive, too. Low-key game-keys Even if money is no issue, you're going to have a hard time finding a larger storage card. Nintendo says the Switch 2 supports up to 2TB capacity microSD Express cards, but only the 256GB ones are currently doing the rounds at most retailers. Lexar said it would be the first company with 1TB cards, but the single listing I've found so far pegs it at a hefty $200 – and went almost instantly out of stock. A terabyte would've been a luxury on the OG Switch, but when you're dealing with beefier games that require regular updates, that's looking like it'll become the standard for Switch 2, as with PlayStation and Xbox. Don't go thinking the alternative is to just buy more physical games again, either. A lot of Switch 2 cartridges are glorified game-key cards, which don't contain any game assets and simply let you download a digital version of it to your console. With the exception of Cyberpunk 2077, virtually all third party publishers are selling their physical games as game-key cards, including launch titles Street Fighter 6, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Yakuza 0: Director's Cut. Even Bravely Default, a remaster of a 3DS game, has no on-cartridge files. The cost-saving measure also forces the retail boxes to carry ugly disclaimers. PlayStation and Xbox gamers have long gotten used to physical games installing on their console's storage. But Nintendo's USP used to be that it was different to the other platform holders. Unfortunately, with Switch 2, it looks like you'll have to get used to taking your games in and out of rotation a lot more.
Stuff.tv
05-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
This is the one thing you must not do with your new Nintendo Switch 2
There will be a lot of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles leaving their boxes today after certainly weeks and probably months of cardboard imprisonment. But there's one thing that Nintendo has had to tell new owners that they should not do as part of the small print. The Switch 2 screen has a layer of film over it – and you must not take it off. In the manual, Nintendo tells users not to take off the layer of film – it's there for protection in case the display is fully smashed (hopefully by accident). It prevents shards of glass from spreading. 'The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage. Do not peel it off' is the warning that Nintendo provides. That warning is contained in very small print in what appears to be a guide to warnings and some usage tips such as how to use the Joy-cons and integrated kickstand. There's only 2.5 pages of instructions per language in the guide so hopefully it will be more obvious that you don't need to remove the film when it comes to actually unboxing the console. Otherwise we can see a lot of people removing the film thinking it's the kind of packaging protector you get on new smartphones. Although, the film should stay, additional screen protection is already available from several vendors and this would then go on top of the film finish. The Switch 2's screen is considerably larger than the original Switch's 6.2in display at 7.9in, but the console's thickness hasn't changed generation-on-generation. When full details of the console were revealed in early April, I was disappointed at the lack of an OLED display as it felt like a downgrade from the 7in Switch OLED. I said at the time that 'most of us are very used to OLED displays now on our phones, TVs and high-end laptops and while Mini LED is now a big segment of the large-screen market, OLED is the new mainstream for mobile displays (it already had over 50% of the market in 2024). LCD is yesterday's news.' But not everyone felt that way, reasoning that the resulting extra battery life would be worth the retention of LCD over OLED. The 120Hz Switch 2 display certainly looks nice and bright too and with HDR on board things should be very positive on the screen front despite my early reservations. Although the Switch 2's display is predictably Full HD in resolution, you can also experience games in up to 4K resolution at 60Hz if you plug it into your TV.
