Latest news with #Switch2Pro
Engadget
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Engadget review recap: Switch 2, Playdate games and a Framework laptop
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been all the rage around the Engadget HQ for the last few weeks. Even the editors who didn't write the official review have had their hands glued to their new toys. Of course, we've been testing other things too, mainly a repairable laptop that's design for student use. Read on to catch up on the reviews you might've missed over the last two weeks. With the Switch 2, Nintendo improved everything we liked about the original while retaining its sleek and portable design. $449 at Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 finally made its way to gamers this month and several of us have been putting the portable console through its paces. Senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford wrote our full review, noting that the company managed to take everything that make the original model so good and make it better. However, there's still room for improvement, especially with regards to battery life. "The Switch 2 has everything that made the original so great, but now there's more of it to enjoy," he said. "Granted, Nintendo's latest console commands a higher price, but as the successor to the iconic system that revived handheld gaming, this thing is worth it." The Switch 2 Pro controller is clearly the most refined gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It's just a shame that it's so expensive and doesn't have Hall effect sticks. $85 at Best Buy A new Switch means a new Pro Controller, so senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar took a deep dive on Nintendo's new accessory. Despite being "the most refined gampad" the company has ever made, he took offense to the price and the lack of advanced design features. "As much as I like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's undoubtedly an extravagance at $85 when 8Bitdo's Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50," he explained. "But if you're a dedicated Nintendo fan, or you just can't accept third-party controllers, it's also one of the best gamepads you can buy today." Framework's 12-inch laptop is an alternative to low-cost laptops, but it is too expensive to compete. $799 at Framework The Framework Laptop 12 takes the company's familiar spin on modular, repairable machines and puts it in a smaller body with students in mind. However, the price is an issue and overall performance isn't good enough. "The limited performance and battery life here gives me pause and I'm not sure a machine that, right now, needs a stretch to run Fortnite would be too popular," senior reporter Dan Cooper wrote. "My gut tells me Framework had intended to sell this for less before tariffs pushed the prices up beyond what made sense." Weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald recently proclaimed that there haven't been any flops at the halfway point of Playdate Season Two. The two newest additions are Long Puppy and Otto's Galactic Groove!!, two games that are fun but still offer a challenge. You can also revisit her thoughts on The Whiteout and Wheelsprung or the initial column on Fulcrum Defender and Blippo+.
Tom's Guide
15-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just spent a week with the Nintendo Switch 2 — here's the 3 essential accessories to upgrade your console
It's been just over a week since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, and I'm loving my time with the new console so far. As I wrote in my review, it's pretty much the hybrid device of my dreams — and definitely one of the best handheld consoles — and I've already had some brilliant early play experiences on the Switch 2. However, while the Nintendo Switch 2 is extremely impressive out of the box, like most consoles, it can be further enhanced with a few useful accessories. The range of compatible Switch 2 accessories at present is a little small, but will naturally grow over time. However, there's already a handful of compatible extras that I think are worthy of being considered almost essential. So, if you're a fellow Switch 2 early adopter, then these are the three accessories I've tested so far that upgraded my play experience. This trio has already become a key part of my Nintendo Switch 2 gaming setup. I was late to the Pro controller party with the original Switch, only picking up one at the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023. But for Switch 2, I've had my hands on a Pro controller from day one, and it might be one of the best pads I've ever used. The Switch 2 Pro controller blows the Joy-Cons 2 housed within the included grip attachment out of the water. Not only does it feel amazing in your hands, with delightfully clicky buttons, triggers and sticks to boot, but it also offers a key upgrade: back buttons. These customizable buttons are a serious boon, and I've already found them highly useful, particularly in Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 Pro controller is a little pricey at $84, but if you're going to be using your new console for any significant length in TV mode, then it's a worthwhile investment as it really does elevate the play experience. Plus, its battery life is fantastic. After a week, I have yet to charge mine, which is quite a pleasant change from the PS5's DualSense, which usually starts flashing 'low battery' after just a couple of play sessions, if not sooner. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is practically guaranteed to be the most in-demand Switch 2 accessory, and it packs a suitable upgrade over its predecessor adding a headphone jack, the new "C" button, and customizable back buttons. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop I've made no secret of my love for the Nintendo Switch 2 at this early stage of the console's lifecycle. However, if I have one criticism (well, I have two — battery life isn't great), it's that the console lacks the in-built ergonomic grips found on the likes of the Steam Deck OLED. In handheld mode, it's not the most comfortable device to hold for long periods of time, but this (relatively) minor issue can be pretty easily fixed via a third-party case. There's already a whole bunch of options, but the one I've been using is dbrand's Killswith case. And I'm impressed with the results. Not only does the Killswitch give the console some extra heft to hold onto, but it also comes in three separate parts (two Joy-Con 2 grips and a casing for the main console unit). This retains the ability to detach the Joy-Con 2s and make use of the Switch 2's tabletop mode. The downside of the Killswitch case is that once snugly fitted around the console, the Switch 2 no longer fits into the standard dock, but dbrand has resolved this problem by including a Dock Adapter with every order. It's not the most elegant solution, but it's effective and takes mere seconds to install. The Nintendo Switch 2 Killswitch from dbrand both protects your console and elevates your gaming experience by making the hybrid even more comfortable to hold in handheld mode. It comes in three bundles starting from $59, but those looking to take their Switch 2 on the road will want to consider the Travel bundle for $79. The Switch 2 packs a respectable 256GB of storage space as standard. That might not seem like it would go far in today's world of 100GB install sizes, but Switch 2 games typically have a smaller file footprint than PS5 or Xbox games. Even the most storage-hungry software like Cyberpunk 2077 demands only 60GB of space, but that's still a fair chunk of your available storage. Even if 256GB base storage stretched further than you might think, I maxed out my Switch 2's hard drive on day one after installing eight launch games, so an increase was needed. I opted for the officially licensed $59 Samsung Express microSD card. It even has a cute little Mario logo etched on. Users looking for a cheaper alternative might want to consider the 256GB Express microSD from Onn, for $35 at Walmart. One of my colleagues just picked it up for their Nintendo Switch 2 and reports that it works just as well. The Switch 2 comes with an increased storage capacity of up to 2TB. However, the Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, which means you'll need new storage cards for your console. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop
Engadget
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Nintendo's best gamepad simply costs too much
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . For as long as I can remember, Nintendo's gamepads have been a core part of my life. The NES's original rectangular controller was awfully unergonomic, but I still loved it, and it set me down the path of being a lifelong gaming and gadget geek. The SNES's rounded gamepad practically defined my childhood. It's so iconic, you can still see echoes of its layout in most controllers today. I didn't have much love for the Nintendo 64's triple-armed monstrosity (or that system in general), but the Gamecube's cartoonishly quirky controller was fantastic, especially when Nintendo's WaveBird finally made wireless gaming a reality. And while I didn't like the Wiimote or Wii U tablet much either, I can respect the swings Nintendo took with both of them. Nintendo 88 100 Expert Score Switch 2 Pro Controller The Switch 2 Pro controller is clearly the most refined gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It's just a shame that it's so expensive and doesn't have Hall effect sticks. Pros Incredibly smooth joysticks Responsive face buttons Accurate D-pad Comfortable ergonomics Customizable rear buttons Cons So expensive No Hall effect sticks No analog triggers $85 at Best Buy So, believe me when I say this: The Switch 2 Pro Controller is the best gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It feels wonderfully ergonomic and luxurious in your hands, its joysticks are buttery smooth and all of its buttons deliver excellent feedback. It's a huge step up from the original Switch's Pro controller, which felt weirdly cheap and plasticky, especially when rotating its analog sticks. And, as an added bonus, the Switch 2 Pro controller is also customizable, thanks to two rear buttons that can be quickly programmed in any game. There's even a 3.5mm jack to plug in wired headphones, something I've never seen on a Nintendo controller before (but which has been standard on Xbox and PlayStation systems for decades). Switch 2 Pro Controller Switch 2 Pro Controller The Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't perfect, though. For one, it costs $85 (up from its originally announced $80 price, thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs). I suppose that's not as bad as buying a whole new pair of Joy-Con 2s for $95, and it's not too far off from the PlayStation 5's $75 Dual Sense 2, but it still stings. It's even more painful when you consider that 8Bitdo's excellent Ultimate wireless controller currently costs $50 (down from a $70 launch price), it works with the Switch 2, has rear buttons and it features Hall effect joysticks. That means they're impervious to the drifting problem that plagued the Switch 1's controllers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While gamers have been begging Nintendo to implement Hall effect sticks for years, the company still hasn't listened. Both the Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller appear to use the same mechanism as the Switch 1's accessories. In an interview, Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto said the company "redesigned everything from scratch," for the Joy-Con 2, and from my time with the Pro 2 Controller it also feels significantly different than before. But really, all I can do is hope and pray it doesn't start drifting. One Reddit user claimed that their Switch 2 Joy-Cons were drifting right out of the box, but that doesn't appear to be a widespread issue. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Beyond the pricing and technical disappointments, though, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a dream to play with. It seriously leveled-up my Mario Kart World performance, since it was easier to drift around corners and hop up to rails without cramping my hands, something that's unavoidable with the Joy-Con 2. I was able to play for several hours with the new Pro controller and I didn't notice any pain, and I could also still hold it easily as my palms got sweaty. As someone who was raised on every version of Street Fighter 2 on the SNES, I also had to put the Switch 2 Pro Controller through its paces for fighting games. And let me tell you, the hadoukens came easily. The controller's D-pad sits under my left thumb comfortably, and it's a cinch to click and rotate to perform Street Fighter 2 moves. While playing Soulcalibur 2 (now available as part of the Gamecube Classics for Nintendo Online subscribers), the Switch 2 Pro controller was also comfortable while holding my right fingers above the face buttons, similar to an arcade stick. (That's a Soulcalibur technique I learned on the Dreamcast and never let go.) Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Despite being fine-tuned for Mario Kart, the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't ideal for more realistic racing games since it doesn't have analog triggers like its predecessor. Nintendo engineers have said in interviews that the company opted for digital triggers since they're quicker to respond. Premium gamepads like the Xbox Elite have switches that let you choose between quick trigger modes and long analog presses, so there's clearly a cure for Nintendo's analog aversion. But implementing that sort of customization also makes gamepads far more complex and expensive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At least Nintendo gave us a modicum of customization with the Switch 2 Pro controller's rear GL and GR buttons, which sit right above the handle grips. You can instantly remap their functionality in any game from the Switch 2's quick settings menu, making it easier to do things like switch weapons or jump without moving your thumbs away from the joysticks. I ended up remapping the drift and action buttons in Mario Kart World to GL and GR, which helped me avoid reaching up to hit the top trigger buttons. You can also remap all of the Switch 2 Pro Controller's buttons from the Switch 2's accessibility menu, where you can create presets for different titles too. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget After around 10 hours of playing a variety of games, the Switch 2 Pro Controller's battery fell to 82 percent. Nintendo claims it can last up to 40 hours, but unfortunately I haven't been able to play that much during this review. Based on what I'm seeing, though, the gamepad should reach 40 hours easily. As much as I like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's undoubtedly an extravagance at $85 when 8Bitdo's Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50. But if you're a dedicated Nintendo fan, or you just can't accept third-party controllers, it's also one of the best gamepads you can buy today.
Tom's Guide
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just played Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 — and I can't believe how good it is
Mario Kart World is a fantastic Nintendo Switch 2 game, but the game I'll be playing most on the console is Street Fighter 6. Yes, I've already spent 206 hours on the PS5 edition, but I've been having a blast playing it on Nintendo's latest console/handheld hybrid. Why? Because of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. That might come as a surprise if you're a fighting game fanatic like me. Hell, writing this is weird for me too! I still prefer using the best fight sticks, but the updated Switch 2 Pro controller isn't bad for playing fighting games. Sure, it doesn't have a six-button layout like the Hori Wireless Fighting Commander Octa Pro, but the Switch 2 Pro controller gets the job done. If you're hesitant about playing Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2, don't be. Not only does it look and perform phenomenally, but it controls like a dream, especially with a Switch 2 Pro controller. I'll explain why. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is practically guaranteed to be the most in-demand Switch 2 accessory, and it packs a suitable upgrade over its predecessor adding a headphone jack, the new "C" button, and customizable back buttons. Additional retailers: Best Buy | GameStop Before moving on, let me break down what Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 has to offer. Out of the box, you get all of the characters, stages and balance updates released for seasons 1 and 2. You'll have to pay for the inevitable season 3 (which should arrive this summer), but getting seasons 1 and 2 at no extra charge is a nice deal. Content-wise, you'll have access to everything in the game's three core modes: World Tour, Battle Hub, and Fighting Ground. There's also a pair of Switch 2-exclusive offline modes called Gyro Battle and Calorie Contest. The former has you using the Joy-Con's gyro controls to perform attacks, while the latter has you furiously shaking the Joy-Con to burn in-game calories to get a high score. While I appreciate that the Switch 2 has two exclusive modes, I likely won't indulge in them since they seem like too much work. But that's fine since there's so much other content to engage with. Content I can use the Pro controller with! The Switch 2 Pro controller isn't a huge upgrade from the original Switch 1 model, but its minor adjustments make for a better overall peripheral. The most notable update comes in the form of two programmable back buttons, but the slightly slimmer design and matte-like texture are just as nice. Nintendo also says the analog sticks are less likely to suffer from stick drift. The Pro controller doesn't have an ideal button layout for Street Fighter 6 since the controller doesn't have six face buttons. However, since the four face buttons are so large, pressing them is very easy, even when you have to press two simultaneously. The shoulder buttons are simple to reach and also feel nice to press. Overall, the buttons are extremely responsive. I usually struggle with cross-shaped D-pads like the one on the Switch 2 controller, but I had little trouble performing motion inputs for special and super moves during my playtime. The D-pad isn't that large, which allows me to easily cover it with the joint of my thumb. I sometimes misperform inputs, but I'm sure my accuracy will improve as I become more accustomed to this D-pad. The controller is relatively light but still has enough weight to prevent it from feeling cheap. The aforementioned texture feels good against my palms and helps me maintain a solid grip. It's just a well-built peripheral that's a joy to use for hours on end, even for fighting games. Street Fighter 6 1-2 Fighters Edition will features 26 characters and 20 stages. You'll fight your way to the top with all new content and game modes exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 like Local Wireless One on One and Avatar retailers: GameStop Dedicated fight pads and fight sticks are still best for playing fighting games like Street Fighter 6. However, it might be a while before officially licensed Switch 2 fighting game controllers start arriving. You might have luck pairing a Switch 1 fight stick/pad to the new console, but compatibility isn't guaranteed. Thankfully, the Switch 2 Pro controller is excellent for playing fighting games on Nintendo's new system. I expected to love the Switch 2 Pro controller since I'm a fan of the previous model. What I didn't foresee is how well the new controller would work with Street Fighter 6. Again, I've sunk hundreds of hours into Capcom's fighter, but I'm down to spend even more time beating the snot out of opponents just to continue using the Pro controller. It really is a fantastic peripheral for fighting games on Switch 2.
