After nearly a decade, Nintendo finally returned with a true successor to the original Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled at Nintendos Direct event, brings long-awaited upgrades across the board from display and performance to multiplayer features and accessories. I spent some hands-on time with the device at press-only Nintendo event yesterday, and as someone who has owned every Switch variant from the OG Switch to the Switch OLED, here are my thoughts.Nearly 6 hours of hands-on time with the new Switch 2The best part of the new Switch 2 is that it looks and feels like an upgrade in every way but is still familiar enough that you can learn the new nuances very easily. Nintendo struck a great happy medium between making it feel new but not foreign.Be sure to check the video below to see an in-depth, hands-on look at all things Switch 2 and a an inside peak at yesterdays private Switch 2 event in NYC!Nintendo Switch 2 SpecsLarger 7.9 display: Compared to the originals 6.2, the new screen is brighter and sharper.1080p LCD display with HDR: While it doesnt use OLED, it still supports HDR and looks great.120FPS: Gameplay feels more fluid when supported (not all games support 120FPS)Joy-Cons 2: These snap on with strong magnets and feel secure, eliminating the old rail system.Bigger SL/SR Buttons: A small change that makes a big difference in comfort, especially in single Joy-Con modeDual USB-C Ports: One on the top and one on the bottom for flexible charging and accessories.256GB Internal Storage: A huge leap from the 32GB on the original Switch.Improved Audio: Louder and clearer speakers, plus a built-in mic with active noise cancellation.New stand: Wider and more stable with adjustable angles.4K when docked: The new dock also includes a built-in fan for thermal management.Backward compatibility: Not every Switch 1 game will work, but most should work with a list coming soon. Hands-on experienceAs you might have assumed, the new Switch 2 is better in every single way compared to the original. The spec list alone shows you that every piece of hardware was updated to 2025 standards. But does that translate to real world improvements? Yes, yes it does.But I want to highlight a few things that really stood out. First off, the display looks fantastic in person crisp, vibrant, and fluid. Playing the new Mario Kart World felt like a generational leap, with rich environments and fast, smooth performance. It also helps that the game itself is just an overall better experience.The new Joy-Con controllers are surprisingly impressive. The magnetic attachment is strong and satisfying, with no risk of slipping off. I tested the strength with a few shake tests, and they held firmly in place. Each Joy-Con now also functions as amouse, which opens up new gameplay possibilities. I tested this in Drag & Drive, which mimics wheelchair movement with mouse-like precision super intuitive and surprisingly immersive. I also tested the mouse function in some Mario Party mini-games. While this feature is a cool demo, I cant see myself using this feature past just the Mario Party mini-games. But again, surprisingly great!Other tidbitsOne other small thing that I noticed that was worth sharing is the new material of the Switch 2. It has this nice, soft touch, rubbery feel that really helps mitigate fingerprints and greasy smudging. I think the new material will hold up great over time. You also might notice that there is a new button that does have the right Joy-Con with the letter C. This is the new Chat button that instantly puts you into a chat mode with other friends who are online. You will be able to have audio calls, video calls, screen share games, talk with multiple people, and play with people while video chatting, all enabled by the new Nintendo Camera. This was a big emphasis with the Switch 2. Nintendo has always preached community, and this new feature will continue to do so.Accessories and New FeaturesNintendo also introduced a few first party accessories that I wanted to touch on. There were two that really stood out to me:Nintendo Camera:$50 webcam with ultra-wide lens and a physical privacy shutterIntegrates directly into Nintendos new chat feature with a dedicated controller buttonReal-time face feeds during games like Mario Party, with screen sharing supportWorks across all play modes: handheld, tabletop, or dockedOne camera gives you four live video feeds with head trackingThe most impressive part for me was the fact that it can simultaneously track up to four people in the room with just the one camera. Felt like magic. New Pro ControllerImproved ergonomics and heftUSB-C chargingNew programmable back paddle buttonsGreat haptics and fingerprint-resistant finishSells for $80, a bit pricey for my liking but still a very well made controller that deserves the Pro namePricing & availabilityThe Switch 2 officially launches on June 5, with pre-orders starting on April 9th. Alongside that release, the Switch 2 will be sold in two variants. One has just the console, and the other is bundled with the new Mario Kart World game. Nintendo will also be releasing a slew of first-party accessories, which are listed below.Nintendo Switch 2: $449Switch 2 Bundle with Mario Kart World: $499Webcam Accessory: $49.99New Joy-Cons: $89.99Pro Controller: $79.99Final thoughtsAfter nearly six hours of hands-on time with the new Switch 2, Ive concluded that this is a meaningful and well-rounded upgrade that addresses many of the original Switchs shortcomings. From the better display and faster performance to the improved build and multiplayer features, it feels like Nintendo has thoughtfully refined the console without reinventing the wheel. They have added some fun new features, included some new updated games that I am excited to try, and kept the form factor extremely portable.If youre a longtime Switch owner or someone whos been holding out, this feels like a worthy step forward and one thats clearly built with both solo and social gamers in mind.FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!