FAQ: Nintendo Switch 2 – Game formats and backwards compatibility

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After years of rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 was released on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at a price of 470 euros (510 euros in a bundle with the new open-world racing game "Mario Kart World"). The basic principle of the console has not changed. The Switch 2 is also a console handheld with detachable controllers that can also be connected to the TV via a dock.

Unlike its predecessor, however, this time the games come to customers in a confusingly diverse range of forms: There are "Switch 2 editions", "upgrade packs", "virtual software cards" and "software key cards". There are also new rules for renting and sharing games (GameShare). We have already tried out the device and answered some important questions, for example about the technology and backwards compatibility of hardware and software.

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When will the detailed Switch 2 test appear on heise online?

We will be publishing the Switch 2 test in the coming days. Nintendo has decided not to send any test samples of the Switch 2 to the media in advance. This means that no detailed test reports can be published for the launch – either of the console itself or of the games that will be launched on the market. We only received our test sample on Friday, June 6, and therefore purchased a device from retailers on launch Thursday. The sampling strategy doesn't exactly make it easy for us and other media to offer independent and well-founded reporting that helps with the purchase decision in good time.

Where can I buy the Switch 2?

The Switch 2 is sold out in many places at market launch. You have to be lucky at local electronics chains and be prepared to wait online: You can order the console from retailers such as Saturn and MediaMarkt, but delivery is not promised until August.

When buying online, the Heise offer Bestell.bar can help, which checks the availability of the Switch 2 at numerous online retailers almost in real time.

How can the Switch 2 be used on the move or on a TV?

Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 can be used both on the move and in a dock connected to the TV. The Joy-Con controllers on the side of the successor are not attached to a rail, but "slip" magnetically into their holders when approached. They can be easily removed for local multiplayer rounds. Unlike in the past, you can no longer squeeze them into the holders upside down, where they often get stuck afterwards.

The console has a stand that is infinitely adjustable. This allows the console to be placed on a train or airplane table, for example, while you hold a Joy-Con or the Pro controller (price: 90 euros) in your hand to control it. Alternatively, you can hang the console on the wall using a notch in the stand.

Data transfer from the old Switch was relatively straightforward during setup. The adjacent Switch 1 and Switch 2 connected to each other and to the internet. It was also important that the original USB-C network adapters were connected to the consoles. The process failed with two adapters from other PC handhelds. Nintendo explains on the official website how the data can be transferred from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2 during setup.

Does the mouse mode also work with USB mice?

The Joy-Cons can also be used as a mouse, for example in the strategy game "Civilization VII" or in the planned shooter "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond". It is also possible to connect conventional USB mice. We have already been able to play "Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition" with a USB mouse and a USB keyboard. Unfortunately, the sensitivity setting is not adopted in this game: So the controls here remain somewhat sluggish. In "Hogwarts Legacy", however, the sensitivity setting in mouse mode worked without any problems.

What are the technical specifications of the Switch 2?

At 7.9 inches, the LC touch display of the Switch 2, which weighs around 401 grams, is slightly larger than that of the old Switch and the Switch OLED (both 7 inches). The resolution has also increased from 1280 × 720 pixels (60 Hz) to 1920 × 1080 pixels (up to 120 Hz). The built-in display supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to the frame rate and creates the smoothest possible impression without image tearing. In dock mode on the TV (including HDR10), up to 4K at 60 Hz is possible via HDMI 2.0 – at 2560 × 1440 pixels (WQHD) also 120 Hz. VRR is not yet available in TV mode, as our initial tests confirmed.

As usual, Nintendo is keeping a lid on the "custom processor from Nvidia" used. However, previous rumors and chip analyses provide a precise picture of the processor: The Switch 2 probably uses eight Cortex-A78C ARM cores, combined with 1536 shader cores for 3D rendering and 12 GB of RAM. This means that the hardware core is already old at launch: the design of the ARM cores and Nvidia's Ampere graphics architecture used date back to 2020. The Samsung manufacturing process with 8-nanometer technology probably used is even older – as of 2017/2018.

As with the PlayStation 5, you can often choose between better graphics quality or a higher refresh rate in games. The Switch 2 supports ray tracing and DLSS, but the latter without modern generated intermediate images (frame generation). The connections include two USB-C sockets and a 4-pin stereo mini plug input (3.5 mm). In our detailed test, we will take a closer look at the technology, its performance in games and the runtime of the 5220 mAh battery.

Can you recognize the factory-fitted display film?

According to the instructions, the Switch 2's standard display film must not be removed from the console. In the event of damage, it prevents splinters from spreading. However, if you take a closer look at the edge of the console, you will notice that it is not 100 percent properly attached. Initial impressions show that the surroundings are reflected in it, but the effect is no stronger than on the Steam Deck display, for example. Incidentally, you can attach another protective film over it if you wish.

Which memory cards does the Switch 2 support?

If the Switch 2's 256 GB system memory is not sufficient, it can be upgraded. However, this requires a new "microSD Express" card. Look for the "EX" logo on the card. Up to 2 TByte are supported, but currently only cards with a maximum of 1 TByte are available. Older formats are not supported.