At a look
Professional’s Score
Professionals
- Spectacular graphics
- Snappy efficiency
- Quirky options
- Sturdy roster of video games
- Significant design upgrades
Cons
- So-so battery life
- Extra highly effective rivals available on the market
- Pleasure-Cons are uncomfortable when used independently for a very long time
Our Verdict
You’ll not remorse both shopping for a Nintendo Change 2 outright or upgrading from an unique Change. It is a true next-gen Console with solely minor faults, and can seemingly be a bestseller for years to return.
Value When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing As we speak
Value When Reviewed
$449.99
Finest Costs As we speak: Nintendo Change 2
$449
$449.99
$449.99
$449.99
The Nintendo Change 2 is a real evolution of 2017’s unique Nintendo Change console, with a giant step ahead in graphics, controls and construct high quality.
It’s additionally a lot pricier than the unique console was at launch, particularly when you think about how a lot flagship video games corresponding to Mario Kart World price. I can’t blame you should you’re on the fence.
However I’m pleased to report that after almost a fortnight with the console, I consider it’s one thing price investing in.
For those who’d wish to learn my unfiltered ideas from unboxing the console and enjoying it with a recent pair of eyes, then there’s a diary of my first three days with Change 2, which I up to date in actual time.
Design & Construct
- Greater than the unique Change
- One colourway on launch
- Magnetic Pleasure-Cons
- New C button
The Change 2 nonetheless retains the identical core themes of this console line – particularly, the hybrid handheld and docked nature, together with removable Pleasure-Cons that can be utilized wirelessly when absolutely charged.
The Change 2 is considerably bigger than the unique Change. It’s 12.7mm taller and 30.48mm wider and weighs 534g with the Pleasure-Cons hooked up. Whereas that’s round 136g greater than the unique Change, holding the 2 facet by facet doesn’t really feel like an enormous distinction.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
The advantage of a bigger design is a giant, vibrant and exquisite glass show in handheld mode, although it’s not fairly as travel-friendly. I take advantage of a third-party case from Nacon, which takes up quite a lot of area in my bag, but it surely seems like a worthy trade-off for the upgrades.
At launch, there’s simply the one color – gray with orange and blue accents. There aren’t any further Pleasure-Con shades to combine and match but, however the nice information is which you can nonetheless join Pleasure-Cons from the Change 1 with minimal problem, albeit with some limitations.
Whereas the dearth of color selection could also be a disappointment to some, I’ll say that this console appears sleeker and extra premium than its predecessor. And apart from, Nintendo might be saving some particular editions for later down the road… in all probability. Don’t maintain me to that.
The advantage of a bigger design is a giant, vibrant and exquisite glass show in handheld mode
One large change is {that a} second USB-C port now sits on the highest of the console, becoming a member of the one on the underside. This implies which you can cost the console in handheld mode whereas utilizing the kickstand – a key oversight from the primary version. It’s additionally for connecting the digital camera accent, however I’ll get to that later.
Talking of which, the kickstand has had a severe revamp, now in a a lot sturdier U-shape that may be adjusted anyplace as much as 150 levels.
On high, you’ll discover the ability button, quantity rocker and the improved recreation cartridge slot. On the underside, there’s a microSD card specific slot – observe that this received’t assist common microSD playing cards. There’s additionally a brand new C button on each the console and controllers, which allows the funky GameChat operate.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
The dock itself is a cleaner, rounder form, and now options two further USB 2.0 ports, that are helpful when first connecting equipment such because the Professional Controllers. The console physique feels barely wobbly when docked, the same situation to the primary Change. However you realize what’s an enormous enchancment? These Pleasure-Cons, because of a useful little contraption known as magnets, that are inside the primary console itself.
By urgent a set off on the again of the Pleasure-Cons, you merely pull them away. Then, everytime you put them shut sufficient to the console, they’ll simply snap proper again into place. Gone are the times of finicky rails. They’re ever so barely wobbly when hooked up, however I by no means discovered this to intrude with gameplay.
For those who’re fearful in regards to the Pleasure-Cons being placed on the mistaken method (both by a baby or after a couple of bevvies), then don’t fear. Nintendo states in its Welcome Tour recreation that they are often placed on the mistaken sides and backwards – they simply received’t cost correctly should you do that.
Whereas Nintendo has made the buttons extra pleasant for smaller palms, I’ve nonetheless discovered utilizing a singular controller for video games that require quite a lot of steering and urgent, corresponding to Mario Kart World, barely uncomfortable for lengthy intervals.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Show, Graphics & Audio system
- 7.9-inch LCD show
- 4K assist when docked
- As much as 120fps
- Punchy audio system
The Nintendo Change 2 boasts a 7.9-inch display screen, 1.7 inches bigger than that of the OG Change. Whereas it’s LCD somewhat than OLED as hoped for, don’t let that put you off.
This show is a pleasure to make use of each in handheld and tabletop modes. Particulars are sharper because of the 1080p assist (4K is reserved for when the console is docked and efficiency is easy) and double the pixels of the primary gen. In the meantime, colors are vivid and pop fantastically on the display screen.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes/Foundry
My suspicion can be that Nintendo will ultimately launch an OLED model, similar to with the unique Change, together with a Lite model for individuals who desire a cheaper entry-level console.
The console helps as much as 120Hz refresh price, and also you’ll notably discover these speedier responses in older video games such because the Change 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Be aware that this 120Hz refresh price isn’t supported should you go for 4K mode on the TV – it’ll then be capped at 60Hz.
So, you’ll have to select your poison to some extent. The very best decision you may go at 120Hz (in case your TV helps that refresh price) is 1440p.
HDR can be an elective mode throughout the show settings, and you’ll allow this each in handheld mode and docked, however you’ll primarily see the distinction in your TV.
Whereas the graphics can’t match the prowess seen on the PS5, Xbox Sequence X or a PC, they lastly convey Nintendo into the trendy age
Whereas testing on my Sky Glass 2, it’s night time and day. Tones are a lot extra vigorous, with extremely detailed textures. Having it turned off leaves your gameplay trying washed out by comparability. In handheld mode, it’s more durable to identify the variations, so if you wish to flip this off to avoid wasting on battery, you received’t miss out on an excessive amount of.
All these graphics enhancements are most evident in older Change titles. Take Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for example. Lastly seeing this in 60Hz, with considerably much less popping on the map, is a real pleasure, and actually, how the sport ought to have run from the beginning.
In the meantime, Change 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda titles characteristic extra dynamic shadows, true-to-life colors and finer particulars than the originals. The extra highly effective processor additionally sees sure areas that struggled on the unique Change given a lease of recent life. See this video of Korok Forest beneath for proof:
Whereas the graphics can’t match the prowess seen on the PS5, Xbox Sequence X or a PC, they lastly convey Nintendo into the trendy age.
The built-in audio system additionally impressed, with extra balanced audio, 3D spatial sound assist and built-in microphones with noise cancellation. Sound is obvious, crisp and punchy, and extra immersive than ever. That noise cancellation works properly in GameChat – no headphones wanted.
For those who go for personal listening, then there may be your regular 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth headphone assist (which additionally replicates the 3D audio, in case your accompanying buds do too). For those who determine to purchase the Professional Controller, price £74.99/$84.99, this now features a headphone jack.
Specs, Options & Gameplay
- Customized Nvidia chip
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Sturdy portfolio of recent and upcoming video games
Nintendo has by no means formally launched the identify of the processor that the Change 2 runs on, past it being a customized Nvidia chip. Many websites, corresponding to Eurogamer and Polygon, have reported this as a Tegra T239 processor, with the latter saying that efficiency energy can be about on par with the PS4 and Xbox One.
What does that imply in actual phrases? Merely put, it’s zippy to navigate, with load instances being moderately quick. Every little thing feels far more nippy than the unique Change, even the eShop.
As talked about above, there are huge enhancements in sure video games with lag and popping. Plus, mixed with 12GB RAM (4 instances that got here with the Change) and 256GB of onboard storage, you shouldn’t run into a lot bother working out of area instantly.
The dock has a built-in fan for cooling, however I’ve seen the console will get scorching each in handheld mode and docked.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
It could even deal with extra demanding titles corresponding to Cyberpunk 2077, although admittedly, this received’t be to the identical normal as its current-gen Xbox and PlayStation rivals.
However whereas the Change 2 might not have the identical uncooked energy because the Xbox Sequence X, PS5 or different handheld consoles such because the Steam Deck, it makes up for it with typical Nintendo quirkiness that you simply received’t discover anyplace else available on the market.
GameChat
Let’s begin with GameChat. Is that this new characteristic definitely worth the hype? I have to admit, when Nintendo first introduced it, I used to be sceptical, however I’ve discovered myself reaching for it greater than I anticipated.
The Japanese gaming big has actually thought-about the collaborative nature of its titles, corresponding to Mario Kart World, which is completely fitted to bantering once you’re sending a pink shell to your buddy (or enemy, no judging). I examined it out with some fellow journalists, and it added an entire new dimension to the sport.
Technically talking, the microphones on the console are spectacular. It picks up my voice even from throughout the room, and I can’t hear gameplay from different contributors. That mentioned, when enjoying upstairs in handheld mode whereas my husband was downstairs, he did discover some occasional suggestions on my finish.
What I’ll say is that the digital camera provides extra enjoyable to GameChat. For instance, your video feed seems above your character throughout gameplay and shall be blown up on the scoreboard should you handle to land a podium spot. Is the standard good? Under no circumstances, but it surely doesn’t detract from being an actual giggle.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Sadly, this prices an additional £50.99/$54.99 (although you may as an alternative go for this ridiculous Piranha Plant model for £33.99 with a decrease decision and no privateness shutter).
New Pleasure-Cons
Then, there’s the brand new Pleasure-Con options. In addition to the traditional keypad and movement controls, there’s now a mouse sensor inside each. Merely flip the controller on its facet and use it like a PC mouse.
Whereas this sort of gameplay is barely out there on sure titles, everybody can apply it to the primary menu and Nintendo eShop (which, as talked about, is far sooner and simpler to make use of). Now, you may navigate keyboard typing a lot sooner, saving you tons of time when inputting obtain codes and Wi-Fi passwords.
As for the video games themselves, I discovered precision to be sharp. Throughout a minigame within the Nintendo Change Welcome Tour, I used to be capable of weave out and in of bombs somewhat swiftly. I used to be pleasantly stunned by the responsiveness and stored overshooting throughout my first go.
Regardless of Nintendo saying that you need to use these mouse controls in your legs should you don’t have a flat floor at hand, you’ll undoubtedly get a greater expertise should you use a espresso desk, desk or tray desk than you’ll in your lap. Why? Garments, notably cotton, linen or any materials that isn’t slick, will hinder these glides.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
I briefly skilled different titles corresponding to Drag X Drive and Metroid Prime 4: Past throughout my first hands-on in Paris. Whereas the latter was extra akin to a conventional shooter the place you level and click on, the previous gave a brand new spin on these controls, the place you’d drag the controllers downwards repeatedly to steer, with every Pleasure-Con controlling a wheel.
Nintendo has loads extra titles within the pipeline that actually benefit from these mouse controls, and it’s a nifty improve that I can see having quite a lot of timesaving potential, particularly with titles which have construct modes, corresponding to Animal Crossing.
Launch titles
Let’s be frank: whether or not you purchase this console or not will seemingly come right down to the video games on provide. On the time of writing, Mario Kart World is by far the most well-liked title, as anticipated. Whereas this recreation will nearly actually want some new options in future updates, it’s the most effective for GameChat.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
If you’d like one thing a bit grittier and highly effective, there’s Cyberpunk 2077: Final Version, Yakuza 0 Director’s Lower and Hitman World of Assassination: Director’s Lower. There are the Change 2 Editions for each Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which, whereas they don’t add a lot when it comes to gameplay content material, there’s a step up within the graphics.
There’s additionally all the Change 1 again catalogue, with enormous titles corresponding to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Tremendous Smash Bros. Final, so that actually bolsters out your choices – particularly should you’re utterly new to the Change console line.
As for future titles, we’ve got Donkey Kong Bananza hitting cabinets on 17 July, the Change 2 Version of Tremendous Mario Get together Jamboree on 24 July (with new digital camera and mouse controls) plus Elden Ring: Tarnished Version, Metroid Prime 4: Past and Splatoon Raiders.
Two of the most important video games lacking from that listing are a brand new standalone 3D Mario recreation, which is overdue (the final one was Tremendous Mario Odyssey, launched in 2017) and a brand new version of Animal Crossing (New Horizons hit cabinets in 2020). Each of those potential releases will little doubt be the set off for some customers to purchase the Change 2 if it’s not tempting sufficient proper now.
Battery Life
- Common 3-4 hours of battery throughout testing
- Slower charging
In my stay diary, I seen that the battery life was a weak level of the Change 2, and that opinion hasn’t modified.
Throughout my assessments, the console lasted 3 hours, 12 minutes and 17 seconds to be exact. To interrupt that down, that was enjoying Fall Guys (on-line) for 1 hour and 6 minutes, Mario Kart World for 1 hour and 17 minutes with GameChat, after which The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the remaining 44 minutes.
All this was with computerized brightness, so the setting you’re enjoying in or the extent you select will have an impact.
As I anticipated, Mario Kart World actually killed that battery life essentially the most. That’s resulting from me utilizing the microphones, the video name characteristic, the audio system and pushing these graphics to their limits.
Fall Guys was the kindest on the battery life, and I think quite a lot of this was resulting from having the amount on silent, as my husband was enjoying on the TV. This additionally doesn’t have devoted HDR enhancements just like the Nintendo-exclusive titles.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Nintendo quotes anyplace between two and 6 and a half hours for the battery life. In my private expertise thus far, three to 4 hours appears to be the typical when utilizing the console whereas travelling.
That’s about as a lot because the previous-generation console would give me, which was round 5 years previous. So, not essentially the most spectacular.
In my private expertise thus far, three to 4 hours appears to be the typical when utilizing the console whereas travelling.
It’s extra disappointing when accounting for charging time. Plugged into the official Change 2 charger USB-C port, it juiced solely 26% in half-hour from flat.
I turned the console off (I think it went into sleep mode when it began charging the primary time) and tried charging within the dock for one more half-hour, and that gave marginally extra – 31% in half-hour.
Nintendo states that it will probably take as much as three hours to cost, and whereas my house assessments appear to suggest it will likely be faster than that, it’s not lightning quick. So, should you’re planning on taking this console out and about travelling for longer than 3-4 hours, I counsel bringing a cable with you (many trains/planes have ports you need to use), or investing in an influence financial institution.
There are issues that you are able to do to increase the Change 2’s battery life.
Some reviewers have steered disabling HDR mode, and I’ve discovered retaining the audio off or low appears to assist, too. There’s additionally the choice to cap charging at 90% within the Settings, which ought to assist the battery last more throughout the lifetime of the console.
Value & Availability
The Nintendo Change 2 prices £395.99/$449.99 for simply the console and £429.99/$499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Inventory has fluctuated at many main retailers, however proper now you should purchase it from Nintendo, Smyths Toys and Currys within the UK and Nintendo, GameStop and Walmart within the US.
For reference, that’s £116/$200 greater than the unique Change when it first launched, so a giant step up in worth.
Nonetheless, it has been eight years and it nonetheless undercuts many different handheld rivals such because the Steam Deck (£459/$529) and Asus ROG Ally (£599/$699), although these have been discounted since launch. It’s additionally cheaper than the Xbox Sequence X (£499/$599) and PS5 digital version within the UK (£429/$449).
And naturally, none of those provide the breadth of options that the Change 2 has. Plus, the video games on provide are usually extra family-friendly, so this console appeals to a wider demographic somewhat than simply hardcore players.
For those who use the Change 2 for eight years and get the Mario Kart World bundle, that’s simply over £50/$50 a 12 months – rather a lot lower than most streaming companies.
After all, that’s with out shopping for any extra video games – however you may at all times put these in your birthday and Christmas lists.
Change 2 flagship video games are extra expensive, which is a disgrace however considerably inevitable. Mario Kart World is £74.99/$79.99, for instance, and equipment aren’t pocket-money stage both. The digital camera and Professional Controller will set you again much more, whereas further Pleasure-Cons price £74.99/$94.99.
Nonetheless, I’ll give credit score to Nintendo for providing backwards compatibility with each Change 1 video games and controllers. So, should you’re upgrading and have spare Pleasure-Cons hanging round the home, it’s possible you’ll as properly preserve maintain of them for any group gaming classes you need to host.
For those who use the Change 2 for eight years and get the Mario Kart World bundle, that’s simply over £50/$50 a 12 months – rather a lot lower than most streaming companies.
Do you have to purchase the Nintendo Change 2?
The Nintendo Change 2 builds on the shortfalls of the unique 2017 version, with intuitive Pleasure-Con tweaks, graphics match for 2025, super-powered efficiency and interactive options excellent for multiplayer titles corresponding to Mario Kart World.
Is it excellent? Not fairly. The battery life isn’t nice, and if you need all of the accompanying equipment and a number of video games, it’ll put a dent in your pockets. There’s additionally no denying that another consoles do provide extra if you need uncooked energy and the very best visuals.
Whereas this isn’t the groundbreaking launch that the Change 1 was (understandably), it’s essentially the most distinctive and versatile console available on the market proper now, with no actual comparable rival, and a few compelling titles each out now and on the way in which.
Think about this your official stamp of approval to put money into a Nintendo Change 2.
Specs
- Nvidia customized Tegra processor
- 256GB storage
- Micro-SD specific card slot
- 7.9-inch 1080p LCD touchscreen
- 2 x USB-C port
- HDMI 4K output
- Wi-Fi
- 2-6.5 hour battery life
- 534g (with Pleasure-Cons)