Latest news with #NintendoSwitch2
Metro
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Switch 2 third party games sold 'below our lowest estimates' says publisher
The Nintendo Switch 2 may have had a hugely successful launch, but sales for third party games are lower than anticipated. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in history, with over 3.5 million units sold within its first four days, but its success hasn't trickled down to third party games yet. While Mario Kart World was the main attraction at launch, the Switch 2 has arguably the best third party support of any Nintendo console yet – with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and others. When compared to the dire third party line-up for the original Switch launch (Just Dance 2017, Shovel Knight, Super Bomberman R, and Skylanders: Imaginators), it's a substantial improvement – but this hasn't translated to a significant boost in game sales. According to figures collated by The Game Business, 62% of Switch 2 physical game sales in the US on launch week were for first party games, which doesn't include the Mario Kart World bundle. As for the UK, 48% of Switch 2 physical game sales on launch week were for first party games, excluding the Mario Kart World bundle. However, if you do include bundle, this percentage jumps up to 86%, leaving only 14% for third parties. While you might be raising an eyebrow at the emphasis on physical sales, of the games which were released both digitally and physically, over 80% of Switch 2 game sales came from physical retailers – so it's a fair reflection of the overall picture. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. When you compare these figures to the original Switch launch, it is a small improvement. According to Circana figures, 81% of US physical game sales were from first party games on the Switch when the console launched in March 2017, while it was 89% in the UK. This suggests third parties have fared slightly better during the Switch 2's launch. However, according to the report, most third party Switch 2 games have sold in 'very low' numbers. An unnamed third party publisher described the numbers as 'below our lowest estimates'. This perceived improvement is also undercut by the fact the Switch 2 had far more physical games available at launch. The original Switch only had five, whereas the Switch 2 had 13 in total, so the losses for third parties are higher overall, as they had a larger presence. As for the potential reasons as to why this has happened, it's a complex mixture. Nintendo didn't release Switch 2 consoles to press until launch, which prevented outlets from posting reviews of these games until after the fact. Speaking to The Game Business last month, one unnamed PR boss said the 'lack of independent critical validation is going to make it very hard for us' and they may have been 'better off waiting a few weeks'. There are other factors at play too. The Switch 2 is expensive, and when Mario Kart World is the main attraction, many people have perhaps ignored the third party selection until they've maxed out Nintendo's kart racer. And by that point Donkey Kong Bananza will be out. Unlike the original Switch, the Switch 2 has backwards compatibility, with old titles – and including upgrades for some titles, so people have less reason to invest in brand new games. More Trending Combined with the fact that the majority of the Switch 2 third party line-up were ports of older titles, and the negativity around Game-Key Cards, it's easy to see why sales might have been lower than hoped for. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, one of the few games not to utilise Game-Key Cards, was the best-selling third party title on the system, beating launch sales for The Witcher 3 on the original Switch. It's possible this situation will be confined to the Switch 2's launch, and third party sales will pick up in the coming weeks, but Nintendo systems are synonymous with Nintendo games – which has only been amplified through the poor third party support in prior generations. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how things shake out when higher profile games hit the system, such as Elden Ring, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Star Wars Outlaws, and 007 First Light. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Metroid Prime 4 advert on London tube confuses everyone with 'out now' sticker MORE: Games Inbox: What is the hardest video of modern times? MORE: NetEase game Blood Message may have the best video game graphics ever
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Nintendo Switch 2 Review: The Ultimate Handheld and It's Not Even Close
The Switch 2 "1-Ups" the groundbreaking original in every single way. 2025 After the massive flop that was the Wii U, consumers had every reason to believe the original Switch, released in 2017, would be yet another Nintendo gimmick that would push people to buy a PlayStation or Xbox instead. But the original $300 Switch's handheld/console design, with its detachable Joy-Con controllers, proved to be a major hit with gamers of all ages. The handheld and TV-dockable game system was inventive and could be understood immediately. It felt like another Wii moment for Nintendo, only this time the Switch was the game console's final form. How could the company that gave us Mario, Pokémon, and Zelda possibly top that? See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart Apparently, with a $450 Switch 2 that has just enough new hardware upgrades and nothing too wacky. You get more performance, a bigger and sharper screen, Joy-Con 2 controllers that now magnetically attach and support mouse controls for exciting possibilities in shooters and real-time strategy games, and GameChat video and voice communications. The Switch 2 hardware is iterative—a specs bump—but it'll also be the exclusive platform for Nintendo's biggest and most recognizable gaming franchises. If you want to play Nintendo's latest and greatest titles, like the now-available Mario Kart World or the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza, the Switch 2 is the only option, even if you have a PS5 or Xbox Series S/X. In the same breath, Nintendo has also crafted a console that's more restrictive than any other similar device in recent memory. Only Nintendo could make game ownership so onerous when the hardware is this good and the top-quality games aren't available anywhere else. It's extremely frustrating that sharing games or managing game saves is so needlessly cumbersome on the Switch 2, and it's outright maddening that a company that's perfected making complex hardware easy to use—with arguably the best music and sound design—is also so reluctant to embrace how basic gaming features work on other, more open, game platforms. Nintendo Switch 2 The Switch 2 has just enough new things to keep it interesting, but most importantly it lets you play original Switch and modern games with higher fidelity. Pros Lightweight feel with solid controls Lightweight feel with solid controls Great display with HDR support Great display with HDR support Mouse controls offer new gaming possibilities Mouse controls offer new gaming possibilities Powerful enough for games like Cyberpunk 2077 Powerful enough for games like Two USB-C ports Two USB-C ports Access to GameCube games Cons LCD, not OLED screen LCD, not OLED screen 256GB of storage is low for 2025 256GB of storage is low for 2025 Subpar GameChat video and audio quality Subpar GameChat video and audio quality Way too much DRM The Switch 2 is the communal console for our current gaming era. There is no better system around for couch multiplayer—especially one you can easily pack up and take with you. The Switch 2 is its own beast, and it takes the 8-year-old design of the original Switch and allows it to compete—and beat—the growing number of handheld platforms available today. With more horsepower for high-fidelity games like Cyberpunk 2077 and a slate of already-announced Nintendo-only games coming this year and next, we have very little fear that there will be a dearth of compelling titles for the Switch 2. Nintendo's new game console is no Sony PS5/PS5 Pro or Microsoft Xbox Series S/X, but at least it now has the performance to last well into the future. The Switch 2 Looks Better and Plays Better Actually getting into Switch 2 games is more enjoyable than maneuvering around Nintendo's fascination with digital rights management, or DRM. Playing both new and old games on Switch 2 is a superior experience in every way. The 7.9-inch IPS LCD display is about 30% brighter than the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, and it has wider dynamic range and higher contrast, which helps make games pop more. The screen also supports high dynamic range, or HDR (although the specifics are a bit more complicated), and can refresh games at up to 120Hz thanks to its variable refresh rate technology (VRR), which automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on individual content. However, VRR is inexplicably tied to handheld mode, and it isn't available when docked and connected to a TV or monitor. We could play a variety of games in handheld mode and not feel like we were missing much, other than support for 4K. When the Switch 2 is hooked up to a TV via its dock, the device becomes a quiet powerhouse (the new inclusion of a fan in the dock for cooling definitely helps), at least for those games designed for its unique hardware. You can huddle next to the Switch 2 in handheld mode and not hear a mouse burp from the fans compared to the miniature jet engine you can occasionally hear blasting from a PlayStation 5. With the original Switch, Nintendo proved that stylized, artistic-minded in-game visuals were the remedy to the graphics realism of other consoles and PC gaming. Simply put, its performance was underpowered even compared to a PS4 or Xbox One, both of which came out four years earlier in 2013. Its custom Nvidia chipset was, at times, overburdened by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at launch. And when pitted against the current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, the original Switch was lapped hard. It's been eight years since the revolutionary Switch, so an upgrade was overdue. Performance matters so long as it makes games enjoyable. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom running on the OG Switch at all was a minor miracle, but rampant frame rate dips inevitably made the experience worse. We've played the game on both the original Switch and Switch 2 with the $10 enhanced edition upgrade, and there's no question Zelda on the new handheld—even when bushes and other foliage tend to 'pop in' or render only when you get close—is the better way to play the game. There's no way we can go back. Even games without a 4K upgrade, like Super Mario Odyssey, were a more enjoyable experience on Switch 2 at 1080p than the original at 720p. Would we buy a Switch 2 just to play original Switch games without upgrade packs? No, but we also know we have little reason to return to the 8-year-old handheld. One hardware spec that we were hoping for was an OLED screen. For the uninitiated, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a type of display technology that is desired for its true deep blacks. Unlike LCD screens that use a panel of backlights to illuminate pixels, OLED displays turn the individual pixels themselves on or off, allowing not only blacks that are pure black because they can be left off, but also the added bonus of power efficiency. Despite lingering love for the Switch OLED from 2021, it seems like Nintendo is saving the display tech for an inevitable mid-cycle refresh when sales for the Switch 2 start to slump. That will also likely make a $450 device even more expensive since Nintendo rarely drops the price of its systems. Case in point: Nintendo's still selling the original Switch for $300, the same price it cost at launch. It's better to have a Switch 2 available to start with rather than waiting to spend potentially $500 or $550 for a prettier screen. The Switch 2's LCD display, with its support for HDR, is more than sufficiently vibrant that we weren't eyeing our Steam Deck OLED with any subtle or not-so-subtle envy. All this makes it seem like we're settling. Instead, all you have to do is compare the Switch 2's display to devices of this size and price. Even if the screen is LCD, the Switch 2 has a larger, brighter, and better-looking display than many other LCD-based handhelds that cost more. Yes, once you go OLED, it's hard to go back, but when you're in the thick of a game, whether or not blacks are dark grays isn't going to be what breaks any suspension of disbelief. Oh, and don't peel off the screen's protective plastic layer or you might just shatter the whole thing. There are other delightful and easily overlooked improvements that Nintendo made to the Switch 2. The aforementioned Joy-Con 2 controllers connect with a satisfying click to the console using magnets instead of the sliding rail mechanism on the original Switch. Now, you just press the Joy-Con 2 release buttons located right below the ZL/ZR triggers, and they pull apart. Be careful, though, because accidentally pressing the release buttons when grabbing the Switch 2 from either side could mean dropping it. On several occasions, we caught our Switch 2 just in time before it took a hit to the ground. And speaking of the new magnetic attachment system—the SL and SR buttons tucked inside of each Joy-Con 2 are now larger, clickier, and made of metal. Additionally, while the U-shaped kickstand on the Switch 2 doesn't span the entire length of the backside like it does on the Switch OLED, it's at least not the flimsy gumstick-sized one on the original Switch. We're also glad to see the 3.5mm headphone jack didn't get removed, and it's nice to have a second USB-C port on the top of the device for charging or connecting accessories, along with the one located on the bottom. The built-in speakers are also audibly louder and fuller, producing clearer sound at higher volume levels compared to the crackling tinniness you got on the original Switch. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart The Switch 2 feels good in hand, even if it's thinner than most other handhelds sold today. It's light, and we didn't have a problem sitting up with the device on a couch or bed for hours at a time. How many hours will depend on what game you're playing. For 2D games like the award-winning Hades, it'll last for a little more than four hours. For original Switch games like Super Mario Odyssey, we found the Switch 2 could go just over three hours before needing a recharge. Playing a graphics-intensive game like Cyberpunk 2077, we ran out of juice at exactly two hours. The Steam Deck OLED will do slightly better on battery life overall, but you'd have to look at $800 handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X with its bigger battery capacity for anything better. Future versions of the Switch 2 may improve on battery life, but Nintendo would likely charge more for that, like they did with the Switch OLED. You can improve battery life by limiting refresh rate and HDR, but let's be honest, most of us would prefer a higher-quality experience over playing for longer. If you're noticing really poor battery life and think something might be up, you may need to put the Switch 2 into 'recovery mode,' which should reset the battery indicator so that it's actually accurate. About the only thing that gives us pause is the joysticks. The Switch 2 was notorious for Joy-Con drift, a hardware issue that caused the joysticks to register movement even if you weren't touching them. Nintendo originally didn't acknowledge Joy-Con drift, but later began repairing them for free after widespread outcry. Considering we've only had the Switch 2 for two weeks, we can't say if drifting joysticks will be a problem for the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Nintendo could have used Hall effect joysticks to guarantee Joy-Con drift wouldn't return, but the company didn't. Instead, Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo's Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing, said the Joy-Con 2 were 'designed from the ground up.' Although we didn't experience any Joy-Con 2 drift, there are a relatively small (but increasing) number of reports claiming the joysticks still drift. The gadget teardown and repair experts at iFixit and CT scanning company Lumafield both independently suggest the joysticks, while improved, could still suffer the same issue with enough wear and tear over time; also, the magnetic attachment system may be the reason why Nintendo couldn't use Hall effect sticks. At the very least, Nintendo will repair any Joy-Con 2 controllers exhibiting the input problem for free. Cyberpunk 2077 Sets a New High Bar for Handhelds The biggest surprise to us was how well Cyberpunk 2077 plays on the handheld. We picked up a physical game card version, which meant the download took less than three minutes before we were in the game, though the load times are slightly slower than if you're booting it directly from the Switch 2's 256GB of internal storage or from a microSD Express memory card sold separately. (Note: microSD Express cards are not the same as regular microSD cards, so you will have to buy Express-speed ones.) Game environments remain colorful and detailed, perhaps even better than at 720p resolution on a Steam Deck LCD. This is the benefit of when developers work hand-in-hand with the console maker to optimize the game to get the most from the hardware. The Switch 2 can also make use of Nvidia's DLSS (deep learning super sampling)—an AI-based upscaler that also helps improve frame rates for crispier graphics and smoother performance. DLSS can create some graphical glitches and odd textures, but those flaws can easily be overlooked. Cyberpunk 2077 is a showcase for more than just graphics, but also how well the console can handle various control options—especially the new mouse controls. The feature has proved divisive, though not because the mouse sensor on the Joy-Con 2 is imprecise or you need a flat surface for the best results (they work surprisingly well on most pants, but the surface area won't be as large as a table). The cursor on menus and in games is responsive and quick, plus games like Cyberpunk 2077 offer a multitude of options for deadzones and cursor speed. The bigger issue is comfort. Most people won't find their hand can fully relax on top of a rigid Joy-Con 2 without room for the rest of their fingers. (GameStop sells a 'mouse shell' grip to make the Joy-Con 2 more ergonomic, but we haven't tested it, so there are third-party 'fixes' if you look for them.) Even with a grip that better fits a hand, you may find it hard to press any buttons other than the trigger without playing finger twister on the controller. We wouldn't spend hours using only mouse controls, but already upcoming games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond promise you'll be able to easily swap between mouse and joysticks just by placing the Joy-Con 2 on a flat surface. Quick-aiming and then going back to motion controls seems like the perfect compromise for shooters. A few of the minigames in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour—effectively a $10 interactive instruction manual for the console—explore how these controls could offer innovative games in the future (and it's why it's so ludicrous Nintendo didn't package the 'game' for free with the new console). The Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers simply feel like larger versions of the original ones on the first-gen Switch. Nintendo's new console is thin and light, and if you don't like the feel of it digging into your palms, you need to consider other accessories that add more grip. The Switch 2 is a device that lends itself to handing off a controller for quick and dirty multiplayer, exemplified by Nintendo's premier first-party title, Mario Kart World, which was the perfect launch game. We've played more than a dozen hours in the game with various groups of friends—all of whom were jonesing to try the ultra-hyped handheld—and they all left with smiles on their faces. The Switch 2 is running a custom Nvidia chip, and it's ostensibly as powerful as some of Nvidia's lower-end Ampere-era GPUs from four years ago—or about equivalent in power to consoles from the PS4 era. Even if it's less impressive on paper than what you expect from today's PS5-level graphics, the more important thing is whether developers can mold their software to the hardware. For example, even Mario Kart World four-player split screen didn't show any noticeable frame rate drops, and as hard as we looked, we didn't get the sense that the graphics were dumbed down. Nintendo wanted to push the graphics capabilities for its new console, but it also offered an exclusive blast from the past for anybody willing to pay $50 annually for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The Switch 2 allows you to play a select variety of GameCube games, of which there are only three available at launch—F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur II, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. All three are fun games in their own right, though none but Wind Waker are the kind of titles you 'must play' before you kick the bucket. Nintendo also sells a $65 GameCube controller exclusively through its online store. You can't play the GameCube games or use the revitalized controller on the original Switch. Still, we wouldn't suggest you run out and grab a Switch 2 right now for such a limited selection of nostalgic titles. The Switch 2 is as powerful as it needs to be for modern games. It supports current-gen features like ray tracing, at least to some small degree, and has DLSS to help it keep up with systems that are rendering games natively. How well it will stack up with future hardware from PlayStation and Xbox is a more difficult question. Game developers will need to program with the Switch 2 in mind, especially if they try to port any ultra-demanding title like Grand Theft Auto VI in the future. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart GameChat Isn't All That As good as the Switch 2 is for local co-op in regular sessions of Split Fiction or Mario Kart World, Nintendo still hasn't figured out what players want from online multiplayer. Playing games with online video and voice chat is hampered by subpar camera and mic capabilities. The Switch 2's minuscule built-in microphone is supposed to pick up your voice even when you're a good six to eight feet from the TV. In our tests with a colleague, we found that you really need to be at least four feet from the mic for it to pick up your voice. On our colleague's end, he wasn't clearly audible until he took the Switch 2 off the dock and held it in front of his face. Hori's Piranha-shaped camera has a lower 480p resolution compared to Nintendo's official $55 Switch 2 Camera, but the fact that it can clip to the Switch 2's top USB-C port without a dangling cable or stand should theoretically make microphone pickup better. Nintendo wanted GameChat to be such a defining feature on Switch 2 that it put a 'C' button on all its first-party controllers. The button allows you to quickly send or receive calls and change video settings without going to the main menu. Of course, it's not as easy as it sounds. You can only send calls to friends over Switch Online, and you need to provide a phone number when you first try the feature. We used GameChat with the Switch 2 Camera, which users are expected to plug into the console when it's docked to a TV. Despite having 1080p resolution, its video quality is washed out in light, and it grows extra pixelated in low-light environments. Over GameChat, you have the choice of sharing your full video or your cropped-out body. The background blur software built into the Switch 2 is so poor that it makes early pandemic Zoom calls look like Google Beam by comparison. There's probably a generation of younger players who will be playing separate sessions of Fortnite who want to see each other's gameplay on their screen. GameChat is functional, but that's the best word we could use for it. You Don't Really Own Your Games We hold the Switch 2 in our hands with a sense of foreboding. Because of virtual game cards, the games you own are locked to a single system at a time. You can mitigate this by going into your account settings and turning on 'Use Online License,' which lets you have games on two consoles at once. The problem is, two systems with the same account profile can't play the game at the same time. Plus, your save data will remain tied to one system at a time—as we learned the hard way, moving a game save from one Switch to another deletes it off the original one instead of copying it over like how it works on every other game system. Either way, due to the proliferation of code-in-a-box and game key cards (a cartridge that's a 'key' to downloading a game from the eShop and must be inserted in the Switch 2 to play said game), Nintendo has made owning your games far trickier. Features like GameShare are amazing for playing titles with friends who don't own them or don't even have a Switch 2, but since it only supports a mere six first-party games at launch, the feature is overshadowed by Nintendo's leering gaze that mandates you can't have your games—or even your game save data—in more than one place at a time. Games now come in four flavors: game card, game key card, code-in-a-box, and digital download. Games installed on the Switch 2's internal storage will load the fastest, but with only 256GB, it'll run out fast. You may be thinking 256GB—eight times the 32GB in the original Switch—seems like plenty, and maybe it is if you're sticking to smaller indie games, but the Switch 2 operating system eats up about 10GB and games like Cyberpunk 2077 hog up 60GB; Split Fiction uses close to 70GB. Other third-party titles like Street Fighter 6 and Yakuza 0 will take up almost 48GB and 54GB, respectively. A microSD Express card, especially if you're planning to install Switch games and Switch 2 titles, helps alleviate these issues at a cost (we paid $60 for 256GB Samsung one), but the lingering problems with virtual game cards mean it's that much harder to own your games and easily swap them between friends. You can't simply offer your account to your friend so they can play your games on their Switch or Switch 2. Both consoles have to be nearby, and you can only give them a two-week trial to play that game, which also temporarily removes it from your own account. Changing your license settings keeps you from sharing virtual game cards in this way. Nintendo Wins Without Reinvention Nintendo will sell consoles because fans can't get enough of its exclusive games. At the time of this writing—two weeks after launch—all signs already point to the Switch 2 being a mega mushroom-sized success. People worldwide turned up on launch day in record numbers—many even attending midnight launches—to buy Nintendo's new game system. Nintendo's already shattered global sales records with over 3.5 million Switch 2 units sold within its first four days of going on sale. That's a lot of damn Switch 2 units sold just to play a refreshed version of Mario Kart and Cyberpunk 2077, a game that came out five years ago. Do we yearn for the days of Nintendo introducing a new gimmick with every new console release? Yes, but the Switch 2 is the familiar sequel to the original Switch, as the iPhone 3G was the successor to the first-gen iPhone. The Switch 2 is more powerful, and games run better in every way, but Nintendo routinely proves that if you design games specific to hardware, you'll get more out of them—not just in graphics but in controls and gameplay. The Switch 2 is the console that we'll keep with us often, perhaps even closer than our Steam Decks because we may bring it out for a single session on the go or share it with friends in various ways that you can't with a PS5, Xbox, or PC. There were few wholly new, must-have games on launch day, but they're coming. Nintendo knows a steady release of games featuring its most beloved characters will keep the Switch 2 momentum going. Third-party developers have been dying for more power to port their typically more graphics-intensive games to Nintendo's consoles—and now they're getting just that. So long as there's no drought of big game releases—like there were in the dark GameCube and Wii U days—Nintendo may just '1-Up' itself with the Switch 2. See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart See Switch 2+ Mario Kart World Bundle at Walmart
Stuff.tv
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Nintendo Switch 2 UK stock live: Argos restocks and you could pick up the console today
Finally, is the Nintendo Switch 2 stock shortage coming to an end? Two weeks on from launch, it's never been easier to get a console. Argos has just dropped a fresh batch of consoles and bundles, all with same-day click-and-collect, and Amazon has had stock all week. And they're not the only ones. Currys has just dropped more bundles for same-day click-and-collect, Very has a bundle in stock, EE continues to offer the console to existing customers, and ShopTo has both the standalone console and bundle available to buy on back order, so it'll be delivered in July. Game, Currys, Smyths Toys and the My Nintendo Store also restocked earlier this week, but quickly sold out. I'm updating this page with the latest retailer drops and Nintendo Switch 2 stock news, so keep checking back. Where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 right now Nintendo Switch 2 specs The Switch 2 might look familiar, but there's a lot going on underneath. It's powered by a new custom Nvidia chip, so games don't just load faster, they look better and run more smoothly. You get 12GB of RAM (up from 4GB on the original Switch), and most of that goes straight into powering games, not just background stuff. The screen is still LCD, not OLED, but it's bigger at 7.9in and has 1080p resolution. It supports HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate. Colours pop more, and motion looks buttery-smooth in handheld mode. There's also DLSS upscaling built in, so older games look better. Sadly, while it supports variable refresh rates, it doesn't work when docked – just in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 price The Nintendo Switch 2 on its own costs £399.99, and the main bundle with Mario Kart World costs £429.99. Buying the bundle saves you £40 compared to picking up the game separately, so it's better value if you're planning to grab it anyway. No big discounts yet – it hasn't even been out a month, after all – but some retailers have larger, more expensive bundles. These include the new Switch 2 camera (£49, the Pro controller (£74.99, and the official carry case and screen protector (£20.99, as well as extra games and accessories. Nintendo Switch 2 launch games There are plenty of new Nintendo Switch 2 games at launch. Mario Kart World is the big one, but you've also got upgraded versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, plus mammoth games like Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition and Hogwarts Legacy – two games that really test the console's muscle. Other launch day games include Hades 2, Split Fiction, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Street Fighter 6, Survival Kids and Suikoden I & II HD Remaster. You've also got Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, and Deltarune Chapters 1–4, plus more niche picks like Fantasy Life i and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD. Civilization VII and No Man's Sky are here too, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour acts as a mini showcase for the new hardware. On top of that, loads of older Nintendo titles have been patched with free performance updates, and Wind Waker, F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur II are now available through the new Switch Online GameCube library. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller is a big step up from the original, but it has been selling out as quickly as the console itself. It finally has two re-mappable triggers on the back, there's a built-in a headphone jack for a wired headset, and there's a C button for GameChat. Right now, the only place where you can buy one is at Amazon. When you finally get your Nintendo Switch 2, you'll notice that you won't be able to slot your current microSD cards in and play your existing games. While you can transfer them over from your OG Switch to the new one, you'll need a microSD Express card, not the regular one. The official product from Nintendo and SanDisk gives you an extra 256GB of storage and costs £49.99. Argos has just restocked the Switch 2, and same-day click-and-collect is available Morning all! I start the day with some stock news. As predicted, Argos has just restocked both the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle, and both are available with same-day click-and-collect. If you want to be up and playing over the weekend, Argos is where you want to be. Buy now at Argos Alex Lee20 June 2025 09:20 One final Nintendo Switch 2 stock check Alrighty, I'm off for the evening, but if you're still looking for a Nintendo Switch 2 – you've got plenty of options. Game has the Mario Kart World bundle in stock, with delivery as early as tomorrow. Amazon is also in stock, with the console and the Mario Kart World bundle in stock and arriving by Friday, 27 June. Smyths Toys has stock in select shops, so you might be able to nab one with same-day click-and-collect. EE is also offering the console to existing customers, with delivery in 1-3 working days. And ShopTo has it on back order. I'll catch you all tomorrow. Alex Lee19 June 2025 17:45 Alex Lee19 June 2025 15:30 How to get a Nintendo Switch 2 today If you want a Nintendo Switch 2 today, you'll want to buy a console or bundle from Currys or Smyths Toys. Both Currys and Smyths Toys have same-day click-and-collect nationwide. There seems to be lots of stock at Currys, but you'll have to check online for Smyths Toys – some stores have already run out. Alex Lee19 June 2025 15:00 Game has just restocked the Mario Kart World bundle Another retailer has just joined the frenzy. The Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World is now in stock at Game. While it charges for delivery, you can get it tomorrow if you purchase it now. Buy now at Game Alex Lee19 June 2025 14:38 EE has just dropped a cheaper Nintendo Switch 2 bundle EE has just added a cheaper pay-monthly bundle for existing customers. It costs £22 per month and comes with Mario Kart World and a 24-month Nintendo Switch Online membership. It delivers within 1-3 working days, and remember only existing EE customers can buy it. Buy now at EE Alex Lee19 June 2025 13:01 Select Smyths Toys have in-store Switch 2 stock Smyths Toys has also joined the restocking party today. There are a few shops with click-and-collect available. You can't get home delivery at the oment, but your nearest Smyths Toys may still have stock. If you're lucky, you may be able to pick up and walk out with a console today. Buy now at Smyths Toys Alex Lee19 June 2025 12:35 Currys has just restocked the Nintendo Switch 2, including bundles Currys has just restocked the Nintendo Switch 2, including several bundles with Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Street Fighter 6 and more. Both standalone consoles and game bundles are available for home delivery and free in-store collection. Prices start from £395.99 for the standalone console, while bundles range from £429.99 to £579, depending on the extras included. Buy now at Currys Alex Lee19 June 2025 12:26 Alex Lee19 June 2025 11:17
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No Pikmin games got Switch 2 upgrades, and fans say Pikmin 3 Deluxe is "borderline broken" thanks to crashes, bizarre visual bugs, and screen flickering
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nintendo Switch 2 has a list of free updates for a ton of original Nintendo Switch games. However, players have found out some games that weren't on that list are also running better on Switch 2 (like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) while others are having some unintended issues (also like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Despite being Shigeru Miyamoto's favourite child, Pikmin, is completely absent from the Switch 2 upgrade list. The Switch ports of the first three games and Pikmin 4 are backwards compatible but didn't get patched in order to take advantage of the Switch 2's features, which is frankly criminal considering how much of a slam dunk mouse controls for Pikmin would be. In fact, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is actually listed as a game "with issues that have been resolved, or are planned to be resolved, by an update" by Nintendo, and fans have quickly discovered why. In a video posted by imonlyhereforpikmin on YouTube, the user shows off the litany of issues with Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Most notably, the game has strange visual glitching and screen flickering that appears constantly. Before the Switch 2 launched the game was patched (thanks, Nintendo Life) with a note saying it "partially alleviated an issue that occurs when playing on Nintendo Switch 2 where the entire screen flickers during some scenes in the game, such as when a day starts and ends." However the issues are still extremely prevalent in the game at the moment, even outside of those two scenes mentioned. Nintendo did previously say it "will be releasing an update in the near future to fix this completely" however. But that's not the full extent of Pikmin 3's problems on Switch 2. In the video, imonlyhereforpikmin reports they experienced input lag on the game's menus, stuttering during gameplay, hard crashes, and an ominous red glow staying on the screen. Similar complaints have been echoed across social media, with threads complaining about crashing and glitching textures. The crashing in particular, imonlyhereforpikmin adds, makes the game "borderline broken." Nintendo hasn't mentioned any of these issues, but hopefully they will be targeted in the next patch too (and throw in 4K and mouse controls while it's at it, please). Mario Kart World players have found the optimal way to unlock every vehicle, and it involves driving slowly behind a pedestrian car for 25 minutes.
