The games played for the purpose of this Switch 2 review include the following (all Switch 2 versions):
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing Crossworlds
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Persona 3: Reload
As a kid, every Christmas was graced with either a new Nintendo system or a raft of Nintendo games. This process moved through NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, multiple forms of GameBoy and finally the GameCube. By the time the Wii rolled around, I had a job and purchased the system with my own money. But during this console’s life, I made the full switch to PlayStation. A PlayStation 2 had been a spare system shared between brothers, and when then purchased a PlayStation 3 it became my console of choice. Writing PS game reviews for more than ten years, I often felt the pull of the Switch to join the family. PlayStation games were frequent and dealt with more adult themes, yet masterpieces such as Breath of the Wild stood the test of time and served as console sellers. Now, to extend my review coverage, I am a proud owner of Switch 2. I’ve spent a month with the system so far. Here are my initial thoughts.
The size of everything Nintendo, when sized up alongside my PlayStation 5, is compact. From the dock to the Joy-Cons and even the game boxes, all is smaller and focused on flexibility. After applying a screen protector – I heard horror stories about screens scratching way too easily – I booted up the system in handheld mode and signed in. Within ten minutes, I was entering the code for Mario Kart World (included in the bundle) and in five minutes more my first race began. One of the great pros of the Nintendo Switch 2 is the ability to connect my AirPods through Bluetooth. I’ve been unable to do this with the PS5. I always prefer gaming with headsets to keep the audio locked and tight. The delightful Mario Kart World soundtrack played as I completed (and won) my first race. The handheld experience was strong, showing no issues. Being able to play these games without an internet connection (if playing solo) is a plus, and the experience has been seamless in all formats. I then added the device to the dock, the Joy-Cons smoothly popping out. I attached them to the controller – magnets! – and off we went. The system doesn’t need to turn off when swapping modes, instantly clicking. Everything is quick and user friendly. My preference is docked, and the high FPS experience showed no signs of slowing down. Onto the next game.
Ocarina of Time sits comfortably in my five favourite games of all time. My last mainline Zelda title was Twilight Princess. The biggest reason for wanting a Switch, and then Switch 2, has always been because of either Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. I entered the game cartridge (they’re so small) and started my journey across Hyrule. The game runs buttery smooth and I can’t imagine playing this at 30 FPS. 60 FPS just feels perfect for this type of game set within an expansive open world. The draw distance is excellent, the soundtrack soars and this is the definitive way to play one of the greatest games of all time. At present, I’ve logged 30 hours into the game and only once have I seen a glitch where I was stuck between walls that turned the screen green. Otherwise, pure performance. The addition of the depths is clear inspiration from Elden Ring, but then Elden Ring was inspired by Breath of the Wild. These cycles are the pinnacle of gaming and the experience with Tears on the Switch 2 is up there with the most enjoyable gaming hours in recent memory.
My next four titles were provided thanks to Five Star Games – Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Sonic Racing Crossworlds, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and Persona 3 Reload. All four titles are Switch 2 versions, offering great opportunity to test ports and upgrades. Having not played these on other systems, I was impressed by the docked experience. Yakuza’s draw distance may use a blur effect, but the combat sequences have minimal slow-down and it really is a great controller layout for this game (and, no doubt, all brawler entries in the series). This is a 30+ hour journey full of mini-games, sub-stories and the starting point for the two most iconic characters in the Yakuza series. The Switch 2 does the game justice, being a director’s cut version of a 2015 game. Being so cut-scene heavy, I enjoyed delving into the world and watching the crime drama in bed when using handheld.
Assessing Sonic Racing Crossworlds cannot be achieved without comparison to Mario Kart World. While graphically, World is stronger in keeping up with everything…Crossworlds is just a faster paced game. I had some blur and pixelation when in handheld mode for Sonic, and found it a challenge in that format, but the docked performance really shines. If you own both games, I would suggest World on the go and Crossworlds for your monitor/TV racing. Moving between different tracks and building your own car expanded depth and replayability. The extra racers outside of the Sonic universe, such as Ichiban (Yakuza) and Joker (Persona) connect a range of beloved franchises. The items in World are better mostly because it is obvious what they do. Many of the items in Crossworlds had me questioning how to get the most out of them, especially as you can create builds pre-race, but there is a level of planning not seen in World for those interested in tweaking cars before racing. Switch 2 has space for both games, doubling the amount of tracks and characters you can play on or with.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a game I’ve had my eye on for a while. While part 5 was disappointing after the brilliant part 4 special, the reviews of this instalment filled me with hope. On the Switch 2, it serves as a great town builder. While perhaps not technically a cosy game, the cosy components are a highlight and lean in well to what the Switch 2 markets itself as through advertising. Performance in cut-scenes is very strong, up there with general anime in its presentation. The colours dull slightly on the gameplay sections, though playing around with the brightness may find a happy medium. Every Switch 2 owner needs a game that can be played in a chilled state. Azuma offers this, becoming the leader of the town/s and setting up crops, cleaning up, building and crafting. The RPG/battle focus is also there, and while it won’t feature the depth of a Zelda game (or much difficulty) it still serves purpose competently with extensive ability skill trees. The combat is quite flashy and approachable for casual gamers, but I did find myself tweaking many of the games systems to really play with the available toys.
Finally, Persona 3 Reload. An absolute marathon of a game at 70+ hours for completion (on a fast run) I logged 10 hours to test how this turn-based RPG looked and felt on the Switch 2. The visual style of this game is unique and just works for the Switch 2. While the never-ending Tartarus dungeon means you become acclimatised to the same area, the performance is excellent (and I do have a feeling that the Switch 2 will now be my go-to for turn-based RPGs). This is at night. During the day, you’ll spend time navigating streets and the school with your pals. Lots of reading, which again is well connected to the handheld mode of the Switch 2. I will play more before providing an extensive review, but as it stands, I can see myself dipping in and out regularly depending on the review cycles of new games.
Outside of the specific games, all is so fast and snappy. You’re in a game within seconds, load times are excellent and the little sounds trigger the endorphins. Having handheld, docked and multiple controller options out of the box shows that this is built for families and/or friends. You can even prop up the handheld, hands-free. I also tested the Switch version (there is no Switch 2 version yet) of Smash Bros. Ultimate, which ran at 60 FPS. This system being backwards compatible is also a plus for anyone that skipped the Switch, as the catalogue of games is extensive and high quality.
I simply can’t wait to continue playing the above games, while also engaging with year 2 of Nintendo’s Switch 2 offerings.
Pros
- Ready to go for single, co-op or competitive play straight out of the box
- Fast, snappy and easy to use
- Travels well, compact
Cons
- Not a huge Switch 2 library as yet to truly test capabilities
- Screen protector is a must, likewise a carry case. Adds an essential $40 to your purchase price.
