Switch 2 Unboxing: Getting a Look at Nintendo’s Newest Console

To celebrate the launch of the Switch 2, we decided to take everyone through an unboxing of Nintendo's latest console. From the moment you get the box open and actually get your hands on the unit itself, it's immediately obvious how much care and attention have gone into Nintendo's next-generation hardware and successor to the successful Nintendo Switch. The Switch 2 is larger, heavier, and has a graphite-like finish that makes it feel more like a high-end piece of tech and less like a toy. That sentiment is only further enhanced by the secure magnetic connections for the Switch 2's Joy Cons that have replaced the track connectors, along with the much nicer dock that allows the Switch 2 to reach up to 120 FPS when connected.

In addition to breaking out the unit and setting it up, we were also able to try both Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch software on the console. I'm happy to report that, as of right now, there hasn't been a single original Switch title I've tried that hasn't worked on the new console. Per Nintendo's promises of backward compatibility, it seems like most AAA and AA physical Switch games work flawlessly on the Switch 2. We still have some more testing to accomplish (including trying out some more obscure imported games), but so far, the Switch 2 is living up to its potential.

Opening the box for the Switch 2 is simple enough, with a single cardboard flap to unfold that then allows you to open the box using a hinged lid similar to the standard Switch and Switch OLED packaging. The first thing you're greeted with inside is the unit itself, along with the new Switch 2 Joy Cons. Underneath this first layer is the dock, a grip for the Joy Cons when playing in docked mode, and all the requisite cables and power adapter you'll need to get the unit up and running. On the front panel of the box are some quick start instructions informing you to power up the dock with the included AC adapter ahead of using the Switch 2 for the first time.

Before getting to set up the Switch 2, it's a good idea to take every component out of the box to ensure everything that's supposed to be inside is indeed there. You should have the following items in your Switch 2 box if purchasing the standard edition and not the Mario Kart World bundle.

• Switch 2 console
• Left and Right Joy Con controllers (Blue and Orange, respectively)
• HDMI cable
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• AC Power Adapter
• Joy Con Mouse attachments
• Grip for Joy Cons
• Switch 2 dock

Per the instructions on the Switch 2's packaging, the first thing you'll want to do after unboxing all the components is set up the Switch 2 dock. This new dock is larger and more sturdy than even the Switch OLED dock, which was already a marked improvement over the dock for the standard Switch. Taking off the back cover to expose the connectors is as simple as inserting a finger into the allotted space and gently pulling back, and getting it back on is just as easy, thanks to some slotted divots that allow it to be lined up and snapped back into place. After plugging in the power adapter and the HDMI cable to a compatible display, you're good to seat the system and power it on.

Once the Switch 2 boots up, you'll select a language and connect it to the Internet via WiFi. The console will then issue a prompt to transfer data from a Nintendo Switch. This process is crucial for making the rest of the setup easier, as it will automatically connect to your Nintendo account and pull over all save data on your original Switch. Simply pull the original Switch you'll be transferring data from near to the Switch 2, and follow the on-screen prompts. Do note that both the Switch 2 and the Switch will need to receive power from an AC adapter to complete the process.

After transferring data to the Switch 2, you can easily make it your primary Switch console by accessing the eShop. Part of this process will already be complete simply from initiating the data transfer from an original Switch, which requires you to log in using your Nintendo account. After visiting the eShop on the Switch 2 for the first time, your account will automatically deregister from the Switch and register the Switch 2 as your new primary console.

Interestingly, all the Nintendo eShop settings seamlessly carry over. There's a slightly different layout to the eShop landing page on the Switch 2 (pictured above), but everything is generally in the same place. Accessing your profile shows that your wishlist, account information, and subscription information is all still intact.

While we were on the eShop, it seemed like an ideal time to go ahead and visit the Nintendo Switch Online page to try and download the new Switch 2-exclusive GameCube classics collection. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on the Expansion Pack subscription tier can download the GameCube classics collection for free and access it while connected to WiFi, and there are three titles available today as part of the Switch 2's launch:

• F-Zero GX
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• SoulCalibur II

The only one we were able to try so far was F-Zero GX, and we can confirm that it runs flawlessly on the Switch 2 at a smooth 60 FPS even in handheld mode.

The choice between the standard Switch 2 and the bundle that includes Mario Kart World may seem straightforward, especially since you save money by getting the bundle instead of purchasing them separately. However, for those of us who are physical collectors and prefer to have games on the shelf, it's worth noting that the Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle comes with a digital version of the game pre-installed. That was the driving factor behind opting for the standard Switch 2 SKU and a copy of Mario Kart World.

Opening up the case for Mario Kart World, there's not much to speak of other than the card itself. Notably, the new Switch 2 game cards are the same size and form factor as original Switch game cards, but they're red instead of black.

Playing Mario Kart World in handheld mode was what really sold us on the Switch 2 after already being impressed with the form factor and feel of the handheld. Not only is the game an absolute blast, it looks and runs incredibly well even in handheld mode. The difference between Mario Kart 8 on the Switch and Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 is enough to really hammer home the idea that this is "next-generation" hardware from Nintendo, and the new, larger screen on the Switch 2 looks phenomenal. Even after just completing the first cup of the Grand Prix, I can already tell that Mario Kart World is going to be a game I invest dozens of hours into.

After testing out some native Switch 2 software, it was time to see how original Nintendo Switch games run on the new console. True to its promise of having over "many" of the Switch's more than 15,000 games playable on the Switch 2, every piece of software we've tested so far (both digital and physical Switch games) has worked flawlessly. The first title tested was the physical version of Unicorn Overlord, which booted up just fine and, thanks to the save data transfer from the Switch, picked up right where I left off. Anyone with a large library of physical and digital Switch games can rest easy knowing that, barring maybe a few exceptions, they'll all work on the Switch 2.

Even after just trying out one Switch 2 game (a first-party title, no less), we can't help but feel like the new console is an impressive piece of tech. We still have some more testing to do, especially with regard to the unit's backwards compatibility and how it performs in docked mode, but it's already beating the original Switch and Switch OLED by just about every metric. This is more than just a "new" version of the Switch, it's a substantial upgrade that already feels like a quantum leap for Nintendo, just on day 1.