Simply how completely different is Nintendo Change 2 in comparison with Change 1?

The Change 2 is right here — effectively, virtually. Nintendo took the wraps off its new console throughout its newest Direct occasion, offering us with a better take a look at the $449.99 console forward of its launch on June fifth.

In some ways, the sequel is a generational leap from the unique console / handheld hybrid that rocked the gaming world over eight years in the past. Nintendo is constructing upon the profitable basis it laid with the unique Change by providing a bigger display, extra inside storage, and magnetic Pleasure-Con controllers that may function like mice. It’s additionally introducing some new options, like GameChat, which lets gamers make voice calls, display share, and video chat.

Under, we’re taking a better take a look at the on-paper variations between the Change 2 and its numerous predecessors — particularly, the unique Nintendo Change and the Nintendo Change OLED. We’ve even thrown within the handheld-only Nintendo Change Lite, only for good measure.

The Change 2 will retail for $449.99 at launch, or you should buy it bundled with Mario Kart World — a Change 2 unique — for $499.99 by the autumn 2025 or whereas provides final. The usual Change, in the meantime, nonetheless retails for $299.99 whereas the newer OLED version prices $349.99. Each fashions can usually be discovered on sale, as can the cheaper Nintendo Change Lite, however the OLED variant hardly ever dips beneath $299.99.

Thankfully, just like the Change 2, Nintendo additionally continues to often promote discounted bundles containing the Change OLED, a three-month subscription to Nintendo Change On-line, and choose video games. The most recent, which launched lower than a month in the past for MAR10 Day, incorporates a digital copy of Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel for $349.99.

With a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, the Change 2’s show is noticeably bigger than that of prior Change fashions. The unique Change panel is available in at 6.2 inches whereas the show on the Change OLED stretches the display to a good seven inches (each help 1,280 x 720 decision in handheld mode or 1080p when docked). The Change Lite is the smallest of the bunch with a 5.5-inch 720p show and no docking possibility.

Efficiency and battery life

The Change 2’s predecessors use a customized model of Nvidia’s Tegra X1 chipset, which makes use of an octacore Arm CPU and a Maxwell-based Nvidia GPU that’s in league with the 900-series graphics playing cards that dominated the period. The facility handily eclipsed smartphones of the time, however lagged effectively behind the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One which launched years prior. Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped builders from producing critically acclaimed video games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and glorious ports of a number of widespread titles inside the final a number of years.

Nintendo has but to disclose many technical particulars in regards to the Change 2’s new Nvidia chipset, solely stating that it provides “considerably improved CPU and GPU efficiency” in comparison with the unique Change. We additionally know that the processor will permit for 4K gameplay at as much as 60 frames per second in docked mode or 1080p at as much as 120fps (with a variable refresh price) in handheld mode.

As for battery life, you possibly can eke out between 4.5 and 9 hours on the Change and Change OLED. Nintendo says the Change 2 can final between 2.5 and 6.5 hours, relying on utilization, and takes roughly three hours to cost, identical to earlier fashions.

Pleasure-Cons and different controllers

The Change 2 will characteristic longer, magnetic Pleasure-Con slots for a safer connection. As an alternative of sliding the controllers right into a side-mounted rail, you as an alternative push them right into a recessed slot. As well as, every Pleasure-Con 2 will characteristic “extra sturdy” analog sticks and performance like a mouse in sure situations, permitting you to regulate performance in choose video games by merely sliding them throughout a flat floor.

The Pleasure-Cons that got here with the unique Change have been out there in a number of colours. The Change 2 controllers, in the meantime, are available a black colorway with crimson and blue accents surrounding the analog sticks. Matching colours drape the whole thing of the attachment level the place the shoulder buttons are positioned, which is seen when utilizing a Pleasure-Con as a single controller. The within of the attachment space additionally matches the Pleasure-Cons’ respective colours, and the appropriate Pleasure-Con now encompasses a “C” button for accessing numerous GameChat options.

Should you discover Pleasure-Cons too cramped, relaxation assured that Nintendo additionally launched a brand new Professional Controller throughout its current Direct occasion. Together with customizable rear buttons and a 3.5mm audio jack, it sports activities the aforementioned “C” button discovered on the Pleasure-Con 2, which launches a chat menu when pressed. Like Nintendo’s unique pro-grade mannequin, it additionally options larger buttons and triggers than the Pleasure-Cons, however will price $79.99 (up from $69.99).

When it comes to storage, the Change 2 provides 256GB of inside area, which is eight instances the storage capability of the unique Change and 4 instances that of the Change OLED. You’ll be able to add as much as 2TB of extra storage utilizing microSD Specific playing cards, too, which supply quicker learn and write speeds than your customary microSD card.

Different notable {hardware} tweaks embrace a further USB-C port on the highest of the console and a built-in microphone with noise filtering, so you possibly can chat with pals utilizing Nintendo’s new Discord-like GameChat characteristic. GameChat additionally enables you to display share and make video calls by way of the brand new Nintendo Change 2 Digital camera. Nintendo has added a redesigned, U-shaped adjustable kickstand to the Change 2 as effectively, which spans the width of the show.

As for the Nintendo Change 2 dock, it comes with a built-in ethernet port identical to the Change OLED dock, whereas the unique dock requires an non-obligatory adapter. The brand new dock additionally encompasses a pair of USB-C ports, versus only one, whereas retaining an HDMI port.

The original Switch had about a dozen titles out there at launch, with dozens extra launched by the top of 2017. As of writing, Nintendo has introduced a variety of Change 2 launch titles, together with first-party video games like Mario Kart World and third-party titles reminiscent of Cut up Fiction and Cyberpunk 2077. Nintendo additionally introduced that choose GameCube video games are coming to Nintendo Change On-line and that a number of enhanced “Change 2 Version” video games will likely be out there at launch, most notably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

You should have lots extra to play on the Change 2, nevertheless, because it’s backward appropriate with most Change 1 video games. That mentioned, Nintendo says some older titles might have some in-game compatibility points, together with Doom: Everlasting, Rocket League, NBA 2K25, and Warframe. You additionally gained’t have the ability to make use of Nintendo’s inventive VR equipment (sorry, Labo followers).

The usual Change and Change OLED are almost an identical on paper, however the Change 2 has many notable upgrades. You’ll be able to see how all three examine, together with the Change Lite, within the chart beneath.