Nintendo Switch 2: Digital Foundry's In-Depth Hardware Review

The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, showcasing significant advancements in hardware performance while preserving Nintendo's signature hybrid gaming experience. Although its custom-built Nvidia processor offers notable improvements over the original Switch, especially with eight ARM Cortex A78C CPU cores and enhanced GPU capabilities supporting ray tracing, the device has encountered display quality issues. The screen struggles with HDR functionality and suffers from motion blur, failing to deliver the expected visual enhancements. Testing revealed solid performance in titles like Mario Kart World and No Man’s Sky, bolstering battery efficiency and WiFi upgrades, but shortcomings in its variable refresh rate and overall display leave room for improvement.

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a more powerful processor and graphics capabilities, improved battery life, superior WiFi performance, and better handling of third-party games, making it a significant upgrade for a hybrid console experience. However, it does face drawbacks regarding display quality and HDR performance.

Mario Kart World, a flagship title for the Switch series, enjoys impressive performance on the new hardware, exemplifying Nintendo’s continued commitment to high-quality gaming experiences. Nintendo's legacy lies in its ability to innovate while delivering beloved franchises, making the Switch 2 a pivotal step in its gaming evolution.