Introduction to the Nintendo Switch 2

While the Nintendo Switch 2 made its debut last week with details about its hardware and launch games, there is still much that Nintendo has not revealed about the console. For example, the company has not provided specifics about the CPU and GPU powering the Switch 2, aside from mentioning the performance enhancements they offer over the original Switch. Notably, NVIDIA separately confirmed that the Switch 2 utilizes its Deep Learning Super Sampling technology.

New Details Emerge

Following the recent Nintendo Direct, the company has shared additional Switch 2 details through interviews with the press. Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Publishing at Nintendo of America, informed Nintendo Life that the Joy-Con 2 controllers do not feature Hall effect technology. According to Bihldorff, "The Joy-Con 2’s controllers have been designed from the ground up. They’re not Hall effect sticks, but they feel really good."

Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto separately said that the Joy-Con 2 joysticks are quieter, don’t make noise even when moved quickly to the edge, and are referred to as "smooth-gliding sticks." Engadget has inquired about Nintendo’s decision to exclude Hall effect technology from the Joy-Con 2 and whether the Switch 2 Pro Controller also foregoes this technology.

Hall Effect Technology

Hall effect technology is becoming increasingly common in the thumbsticks of third-party gamepads, as it reduces the likelihood of stick drift. This issue was pervasive on the original Switch’s Joy-Cons, prompting Nintendo to offer free, unlimited repairs for stick drift in Europe. It is unclear why Nintendo opted out of including Hall effect sensors in the Joy-Con 2 to mitigate such problems.

Pricing for Switch 2 Experiences

Nintendo has confirmed US pricing for several Switch 2 experiences. The company told IGN that upgrades for two The Legend of Zelda games — Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom — cost $10 each for those who already own either game. However, subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack receive access to these upgrades at no additional cost.

Upgrades and Features

The Switch 2 upgrades include enhanced visual fidelity, framerate improvements, HDR support, and faster loading times. Players can also use the Switch mobile app as a Sheikah Slate to find hidden items with voiced directions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Additionally, Nintendo revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a tech demo showcasing the console’s features, will cost $10. When asked about the reasoning behind charging for this demo, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Product and Player Experience Bill Trinen explained to IGN:

For some people, I think there are people who are particularly interested in the tech and the specs of the system and things like that, for them I think it’s going to be a great product. It’s really for people that want more information about the system rather than necessarily a quick intro to everything it does. And for that reason and just the amount of care and work that the team put into it, I think it was decided that, ‘Yeah, this feels like $9.99 is not an exorbitant price. It feels like a good value for what you’re getting out of the product.’