Tag: Hardware
News Xbox Branded Handheld Photos Leak, And It's Not Quite As Slick As The Switch 2
Those fingerprints don't help
Two versions of the upcoming ROG Ally 2 have been leaked via FCC photos, showcasing a standard white model and a black model branded with a dedicated Xbox button. Highlighted by VideoCardz (thanks, Eurogamer), the photos come from the US FCC's official certification of the hardware, so seem to be pretty legit. It's...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat - How Does It Work?
Cam and see
After years of enlisting third-party apps to perform a simple call with your friends while playing Switch, Nintendo introduced a solution for Nintendo Switch 2. GameChat lets you talk to your friends via your Switch 2 system, meaning you can natter away either while playing co-op or entirely different games. You can even use a camera to...
News Store Listing Suggests Switch 2 Joy-Con Might Be Customisable
We'd advise caution, though
A new store listing on AliExpress suggests that the new Switch 2 Joy-Con might be customisable; at least to a certain degree. As highlighted by Stealth40k on Bluesky, a listing from Electronics-Dropshipping Store shows that the side panels on both Joy-Con can be removed and replaced with different colours. The two...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: GameShare - How To Share Games Locally And Online
Share the love
Alongside the launch of Switch 2, Nintendo is introducing an innovative new way to share games with your friends across multiple systems. GameShare will let you play select multiplayer titles on different systems at the same time, so your pals can join you for a gaming sesh while looking at a screen of their own. In this guide,...
Poll GameStop Offers A Tempting Switch 2 Trade-In Deal, But Is It Really Worth It?
Out with the old?
Buying a new console on or close to its launch date (or, in some cases, at any point during its lifespan) can be exceptionally costly. It's often a good option, then, to flog your current-gen console and get a discount off your next hardware purchase, especially if the new one is backwards compatible. In the case of the Switch 2,...
Poll So, Did You Manage To Get A Switch 2 Pre-Order In? (North America)
A pre-orderly fashion
Well, Switch 2 pre-orders are finally live across North America and we're interested in getting a sense of how it's been for Nintendo fans on the ground in the US and Canada. Following a 15-day delay from the planned date, Switch 2 pre-orders went live at retailers across North America at 9pm ET / 12am ET. Europeans have been...
Guide Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2
Your old Switch cards won't work, it's time for an upgrade
The Switch 2 will thankfully have a lot more internal storage than its predecessor, boasting 256GB at launch compared to the meagre 32GB seen in the original (or 64GB if you have an OLED). Still, more storage is always better, but with the Switch 2, you'll need to opt for a microSD Express...
News The Switch 2's New Magnetic Joy-Con Originally Didn't Have A Release Button
Ready? Pull!
Before the Switch 2 was officially announced earlier this year, magnetic Joy-Con controllers were rumoured for quite a while. In fact, developers at Nintendo wanted to utilise magnets on the original Switch, but the technology at the time meant that they wouldn't be strong enough to gain the late Satoru Iwata's approval. Thankfully,...
Feature The Switch 2 Sticks Might Not Be Hall Effect, But They Feel Fantastic
So smooth
One of the disappointments to come from the recent avalanche of Switch 2 information was the confirmation that the new Joy-Con 2 controllers would not use Hall Effect magnet technology. Of course, it does make sense, in a way, since the Switch 2 is already utilising magnets to attach the Joy-Con to the console, so although it would be...
News Nintendo Switch 2 US Pre-Orders Start 24th April, System & Launch Game Pricing Unchanged
But accessories "experience price adjustments" in the US
Switch 2 will remain at the previously announced price of $449.99 USD ($629.99 CAD) for the base hardware and $499.99 ($699.99 CAD) for the Mario Kart World bundle in North America, Nintendo has announced. Prices for Mario Kart and Donkey Kong Bananza will also remain unchanged at $79.99 USD...
Guide How Much Does Nintendo Switch 2 Cost?
Prices of the Nintendo Switch 2 in your region
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally out this June, and it's likely that many of you have started budgeting for the new console. There's a lot of confusion and information going around on pricing for the new system — which will be the place to play all of the latest and greatest Nintendo games — and...
Guide All Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games And Free Performance Updates
Next-gen TLC
Nintendo has been very bullish about making the transition from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2 as seamless as possible for current owners, so naturally, that means we'll be seeing a bunch of original Switch games receive updates for the new system to take advantage of that additional power. We're getting two types of updates for Switch 1...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: All Mouse Mode Compatible Games
Which games use the Joy-Con Mouse?
For anyone worried that the Nintendo Switch 2 is lacking that unique feature, then fear not: Mouse Mode is here for those of you who love the weird and wonderful. The Joy-Con 2 double as mice, which you can use by holding sideways on any surface. And many games launching on the new console will be using this brand...
News Some Fans Are Drawing Unfavourable Comparisons Between Switch 2 And Xbox One
Don Mattrick's infamous quote resurfaces
The Nintendo Switch 2 pricing reveal hasn't exactly gone down well, and with the economic instability at the moment, many consumers are frustrated at the price and lack of communication. But as interviews with Nintendo of America reps were published yesterday, one of Doug Bowser's comments in particular has...
Guide Switch 2: All New Accessories
New stuff!
With the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, we are getting that old familiar pang...for some slick new accessories. Yes, we all know that picking up lots of new bits and bobs for a new console is almost as exciting as playing it, and so we've put together this list of all first-party accessories that we are currently aware of,...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2 System Transfer: How To Move All Games, Saves, Profiles From Switch 1
When old becomes new
With the Switch 2 being a largely iterative evolution of the Switch 1, Nintendo is understandably making the transition as easy as possible for its customers. This means that backwards compatibility is a thing with many of your existing games fully playable on the new console (with some notable exceptions, mind you). So how do...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Internal Storage - How Many Games Can You Store?
How much can you stuff into the Switch 2?
With game sizes exploding and the Switch 2 being a more powerful system, you might be worried about running out of space. We've all run out of storage on our Switch 1 many times, right? So here's how to get prepared for maximising your new console's storage. This guide will tell you everything you need to...
News Is The Switch 2 A Steam Deck Killer? Digital Foundry Dives Deep
All Killer, no filler?
Now that we're getting super-close to the Switch 2 launch and with a ton of specs and technical details to get stuck into, the boffins over at Digital Foundry have been cutting through all the hyperbole to take a detailed look at what we actually know about the
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Battery Life - How Does It Compare?
Comparisons with Switch, OLED, and Steam Deck
With a swathe of new features and upgrades, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a much more powerful piece of kit compared to its predecessor. As such, we're sure many of you have questions about just how long the thing will run in handheld. With Mouse Mode, higher framerates, and generally better tech inside the...
News Nintendo Of America President Says Tariffs "Not Factored" Into Switch 2 Price
But new tariffs is "something we're going to have to address."
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a little pricier than many were expecting. The console will cost USD $449.99 / GBP £395.99 for the console itself, or USD $499.99 / GBP £429.99 bundled with Mario Kart World. For many, that's a lot, and when initially revealed last week, it brought to mind the...
News Switch 2 Devs May Assign Specific Inputs To Pro Controller's Back Buttons
Is it worth the hassle, though?
One of the biggest surprises from the recent Switch 2 Direct is that the accompanying Pro Controller will actually come with two new back buttons labelled 'GL' and 'GR'. In addition to a slightly revamped design in which Nintendo took inspiration from the GameCube controller, the new Pro Controller is also seemingly...
News Yes, You Can Adjust The Sensitivity Of The Switch 2's Mouse Controls
"I wanna play on my legs"
After lots of rumours and speculation, Nintendo has confirmed that, yes, mouse controls for the Switch 2 is a very real thing. It looks awesome too, with games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Drag x Drive making full use of the new feature to provide you with new options and completely new ways to play. The good news is...
News It's Official, Switch 2 Joy-Con Will Not Feature Hall Effect Sticks
Controllers have been designed from the ground up
One of the biggest issues that's plagued the Nintendo Switch since its launch in 2017 is stick drift. In fact, Nintendo faced several lawsuits as a result of the issue, with an ex-repair supervisor previously stating that the workload to fix drifting Joy-Con was "very stressful". Now, while we c
Feature "We Really Want To Future-Proof" - The Nintendo Switch 2 Interview
Nate Bihldorff talks pack-ins, game-key cards, and Korok Forest
Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal has been a rollercoaster ride. We've been waiting what feels like years for this momentous occasion, and from the game selection and the revelation of the 'C' button's function to
First Impressions Nintendo Switch 2 'Wows' Most When You Go Back To Your Old Switch
2 takes
After years of speculation, Switch 2 finally exists. It’s got a launch date, a price, a bunch of accessories, and — most importantly — a lineup of games large and small, all showcased in an hour-long Direct which answered a lot of questions. But what does the system actually feel like in the hands? How does that screen compare to the...
Opinion Oh No, I'm Not A Fan Of Switch 2's Mouse Mode At All
The big squeak
You've probably read a bunch of thoughts and previews about the Nintendo Switch 2 at this point, many of them from us. I was already a little sceptical of Mouse Mode before it was officially announced in the Nintendo Direct. I don't like playing games on my PC, and if I have to, I avoid keyboard and mouse like the plague. Except for...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Specs - How Powerful Is The New Switch?
All the specs from the horse's mouth
Nintendo Switch 2 represents a sizeable jump over its predecessor in pure tech terms and is able to punch well above its weight with features such as, HDR lighting, support for up to 120fps, 4K output via the dock, and up to 1080p on its handheld screen. In this guide, we look at Nintendo Switch 2 technical...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Camera Guide
Everything you need to know
There's been a ton of new information dropping about the Nintendo Switch 2, and of all the little tidbits, new accessories and additions, it's possibly the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera that's got us most interested. The all-new camera will likely play a big role going forward, especially with the C button and its creative...
Opinion No One Is Talking About The Switch 2's Best Feature
HD Rumble in the Jungle
The whirlwind reveal and showcase of the Switch 2 hardware and software was a complete blowout. So many ports! A brand new Donkey Kong game! The C button
News Nintendo Says Switch 2 Will Have "Improved" Wireless Connectivity
Connect easier
Switch 2 will be packed with all sorts of enhancements and one other thing fans can apparently expect is better wireless connectivity. Nintendo Switch 2 hardware design lead Tetsuya Sasaki was asked about this as well as improved Bluetooth connections on the Switch 2 - confirming it's "improved" on all fronts: Tetsuya Sasaki: "And...
News Nvidia: Switch 2 Has "10x The Graphics Performance Of The Nintendo Switch"
DLSS and "real-time ray tracing" also confirmed
Nintendo's technical specs chart for the Switch 2 officially confirms the system is powered by a custom processor made by Nvidia. Now, in an update, Team Green has shared some insight - claiming the new hybrid system has "10x the graphics performance" of the original Switch. It elaborates on the...
Guide Switch 2: Nintendo Switch Online - Can I Access The Retro Game Catalogue?
Playable nostalgia
Nintendo Switch Online, more than just letting you play your games online, also grants access to a wealth of retro titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. If you opt for the more expensive Expansion Pack tier, you can also play select games from N64 and Game Boy Advance. It's a service that's only...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Launch Games - All Day One Releases
Every game coming to Switch 2 on launch day
Nintendo Switch 2 will house games from three different formats: Switch 1 games, Switch 2 exclusives, and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. The latter two make up Nintendo's launch title line-up, which encompasses both new releases and ports to present a wide range of games that you'll be able to pick up...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2 Guide: Ultimate Resource
Your complete guide to Switch 2 - release date, price, hardware, games
The Switch 2 is the next console from Nintendo and is a direct successor to the original Nintendo Switch that launched all the way back in March 2017. The company has announced a Switch 2 release date — it will launch worldwide on 5th June 2025. Nintendo also confirmed the...
News Nintendo Is (Kinda) Returning To Region-Locking With A Cheaper Japanese Switch 2
Priced 49,980 yen, which is around $333 USD
After the Switch 2 Direct wrapped up, Nintendo put out a press release announcing its pricing in different regions, including Japan. However, it appears that Japanese gamers will have an extra, cheaper option if they're happy to have a Japanese-language-only Switch 2. "The Japanese-Language System" is...
News Genki Is Hosting Its Own Switch 2 Accessories 'Direct' Later Today
It won't be very long, though
Accessory manufacturer Genki – which became infamous for its Switch 2 teases earlier this year – is hosting its own 'Direct' presentation later today at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST / 2am AET (Thursday), promising roughly just one minute of accessory reveals for the Nintendo Switch 2. At first, we thought...
Rumour FCC Filing Hints At Switch 2 Pro Controller, And It May Come With One Big Upgrade
Jackin' in
With just one day to go until the big Switch 2 Direct, you'd think we'd have enough rumours by now, but oh no. Thanks to eagle-eyed Famiboards user 'LiC' (thanks, Go Nintendo), a new FCC filing has been spotted which hints at the new Pro Controller for the Switch 2. Designated 'BEE-008', the filing itself simply labels it as a 'game co
News Samsung Shows Off Its Switch-Inspired Foldable Handheld
It's pretty ugly, though
Late last year, a patent emerged that suggested Samsung was looking to create its own foldable handheld console. Now, the company has showcased what such a device might actually look like at MWC25 in Barcelona. With the Nintendo Switch 2 launching later this year, you might be wondering if the console is set to receive some...
News Rock On! CRKD And Gibson Team Up To Launch Two New Guitar Controllers
Double whammy bar
Crikey, is it 2007 again? Yes, accessory manufacturer CRKD – known primarily for the Nitro Deck – has teamed up with renowned guitar maker Gibson to unleash two new controllers for use on Switch and other devices. Available for pre-order now and expected to ship in June 2025, the two products are known as the LP Black Tribal...
News Nintendo Switch 2 Doesn't Need To Worry About Steam Deck Sales
Steam Deck has sold roughly 4 million units
As the Steam Deck turns three years old, and many of us laud its praises for allowing accessible PC gaming on-the-go, market research firm IDC has estimated that the handheld console has shifted roughly around 4 million units since its arrival in February 2022. The Verge spoke to the IDC, which uses...
Review mClassic RGB Range - Colour Us Unimpressed With These Upscalers
mBarassing
With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, you might be wondering why a company like Marseille has decided to expand upon its original mClassic dongle with two new variations. Alas, that’s exactly what it’s done, releasing the new mClassic Switch (blue) and mClassic Retro (green) products to complement the red original. When we...
News Tetris Forever Is Getting Its Own Collectable Handheld Console
Digital Eclipse's 'Gold Master Series' Goes Physical
Digital Eclipse has announced that its Gold Master Series will be going physical via publisher Clear River Games, with boxed editions available for The Making of Karateka, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, and Tetris Forever. The crown jewel of the collection is undoubtedly the collector's...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Screen Size, Resolution, Refresh Rate
Our guide to Switch 2's display - size, resolution, LCD or OLED
Nintendo's new console offers notable upgrades to its current system, most obviously with its increased size. To match its larger Joy-Con, Switch 2's screen is much bigger than its predecessor, with more display real estate for anybody playing in handheld or tabletop mode. In this...
News New Nintendo Patent Seems To Confirm Mouse Functionality For Switch 2
Squeaker
A new patent filed by Nintendo seems to confirm that the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con will include mouse functionality. The patent was filed on 1st April 2023 and made public today, 6th February 2025 (thanks to reader Davis for sending this to us!). Sure, we've been pretty confident about mouse functionality given the number of leaks over...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Dock - Size, HDMI, Connections Guide, 4K Upscaling
What's up, Dock?
At a glance, Switch 2 has a near-identical form factor to its predecessor: a hybrid screen, detachable Joy-Con, and a dock to group it all together. But just because the device appears the same, that doesn't mean there aren't some substantial changes going on under the hood. In this guide, we look at the new Nintendo Switch 2 dock,...
News Analyst States That Switch 2's Price Won't "Really Matter" For Early Adopters
"so long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount"
The launch price for the Nintendo Switch 2 is, at the time of writing, unknown and will likely remain that way until Nintendo's big Direct presentation in April. However, according to Circana (NPD) analyst Mat Piscatella, the eventual price of the console likely won't matter for the early...
News Nacon Reveals New Switch 2 Accessory Range, Including Mario Kart Wheels
The floodgates open
Following the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, accessory maker Nacon has revealed a range of new products for the upcoming console. If you're familiar with the kind of stuff manufacturers would make for the original Switch, then very little here will come as a surprise. That said, the premium-looking steering wheel that...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con Differences - How Do The New Controllers Compare?
More joy, less con
The upcoming Switch 2 is an an iterative upgrade over the original console, maintaining many of the same features while adding a few new ones. As such, the design of the device, including its new Joy-Con 2 controllers, may look pretty familiar if you already own a Switch, but there's still plenty of new information to dig into...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: Backwards Compatible Guide - What Switch Games Can't Be Played?
How to play Switch games on Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, but many will be wondering whether they can straight up replace their trusty old Switch console with the successor, or whether they'll need to hold onto the first hybrid console to play their old games. In this guide, we'll be covering the Nintendo Switch 2's backwards...
Guide Switch 2: Hardware Gallery - Take A Closer Look At Nintendo's Lovely New Switch
Switch Inspection
After months (more like years) of speculation, Nintendo has finally revealed its new hardware: Switch 2. Today's brief teaser trailer was nothing more than a 'first look' of what's on offer, but there was enough there to get us suitably excited. We caught our first official glimpse of the console itself, with close-up peeks at the...
