Nintendo Change 2 vs Change 1: What’s new, what’s not?

Curious how the Change 2 compares to the Change 1? Tens of hundreds of thousands of avid gamers are asking the identical query.

Nintendo opened the floodgates for Change 2 preorders on Thursday. Whether or not or not you managed to get one earlier than each retailer web site crashed, you are in all probability questioning what makes it so totally different from the unique Nintendo Change console.

After the Nintendo Direct Change 2 livestream ended a few weeks in the past, I bought to spend a number of hours taking part in with the Change 2 and upcoming video games like Mario Kart World and Metroid Prime 4. After almost 5 hours of hands-on time, I got here away very impressed with the Change 2, but in addition involved about a few key elements. Let’s dig in.

On the floor, Change 2 looks like a reasonably iterative improve. Luckily, that is not likely the case.

Nonetheless attempting to get your fingers on the Change 2? Take a look at our up to date preorder information, get able to preorder through Nintendo, and research up on learn how to observe Change 2 restocks.

It is a way more premium-feeling gadget

First, I need to concentrate on the {hardware} and its new options fairly than the software program.

The primary Change was a godsend when it comes to industrial design in comparison with the Wii U. Nevertheless, over time, issues just like the Steam Deck began to make it really feel a bit bit like a toy. Personally, the Pleasure-Cons had been all the time too small for me to make use of comfortably, rendering it a TV-and-Professional-Controller-only machine in my family. Admittedly, it proved to be a unbelievable gadget for kids, however I’m not a baby, at the very least not bodily.

From the primary second I bought to carry a Change 2 unit, I immediately preferred the best way it felt in my fingers. The 7.9-inch 1080p show (which helps HDR and 120Hz refresh fee) is considerably nicer than the 6.2-inch 720p show on the predecessor console. Along with a much bigger display, the Pleasure-Cons even have some added muscle. I nonetheless would fairly use the brand new Professional Controller (which feels nice, however is functionally similar to the final one), however I performed a number of video games utilizing Pleasure-Cons and did not have any comfort-related issues for as soon as.

Nintendo crucially maintained the identical degree of thinness from Change 1 to Change 2, so it is in that candy spot of “simply heavy sufficient to really feel premium and simply mild sufficient to really feel snug.” I would additionally prefer to shout out the magnetic Pleasure-Con attachment mechanism, which immediately shut down any skepticism I’ll have had about its reliability the second I attempted it. It neatly requires you to tug a bit launch set off on the again to detach Pleasure-Cons from the unit, so it appears almost inconceivable to do unintentionally. Miraculously, although, inserting the Pleasure-Cons magnetically works like magic. Nintendo completely nailed this facet of the gadget.

Change 2 has extra horsepower, and it exhibits

The brand new Professional Controller feels nice.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable

It is no shock that Change 2 is extra highly effective than its predecessor, as that console was underpowered when it launched eight years in the past. Nintendo did not present us with detailed tech specs on the occasion, so exact comparisons to different {hardware} should wait. Nevertheless, I can verify that Change 2 is noticeably extra highly effective than the unique Change.

Doing a cross-country race throughout Mario Kart World‘s attractive open world with out even a touch of loading between tracks is superior. Seeing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom run at a buttery easy 60 frames per second could be very convincing in individual. The Change 2 can run Road Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 at ranges that appeared at the very least acceptable from the temporary glimpses I noticed of them on the present. It is undoubtedly not a handheld PS5, however Nintendo forcing what’s functionally a pill to run (some) video games at 4K decision or 120 frames per second (Metroid Prime 4 appears unbelievable that approach) is an actual sight to behold.

You should use a Pleasure-Con as a mouse

The brand new Pleasure-Cons are very good.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable

Nintendo confirmed throughout the Direct one thing that all of us mainly knew already: The Pleasure-Cons have a mode the place they double as laptop mice. I do not know for those who can actually use one on a PC (not till somebody hacks that collectively about 5 minutes after launch, anyway) however the major expertise I had with them was very PC-like. My foremost publicity to the Pleasure-Con mouse assist was in a short demo of Metroid Prime 4, the place it…mainly performed like a PC first-person shooter.

The mouse controls are very responsive and really feel proper. I do assume the Pleasure-Cons are a bit bizarre to carry with one aspect dealing with down on a flat floor, as that undoubtedly induced some unintentional button presses at inopportune moments. I am additionally not offered on this turning into an everyday characteristic in video games after the launch window, and even one thing I personally need to do, primarily as a result of I do not normally maintain a flat floor inside arm’s attain whereas I play video games. However I can verify that it really works exactly as meant, and as an added bonus, you may simply raise up the Pleasure-Con and resume taking part in Prime 4 with dual-analog stick controls seamlessly with out even pausing the sport.

Nintendo goes all in on social options

The fabled “C” button.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable

The one main factor I did not get to strive in any respect as a result of nature of the occasion itself was GameChat, a brand new voice chat characteristic activated by the brand new “C” button on the appropriate Pleasure-Con. Allegedly, you may host Discord-like chats for small teams of mates, full with very choppy-looking recreation streaming and even webcam assist through a individually offered accent. Nintendo is de facto going all-in on this with Mario Kart World, as seen in a newer Direct devoted to that recreation.

You may even pre-order a Piranha Plant webcam on your Change 2.

To be trustworthy, it was fairly foolish seeing Nintendo spend like 10 minutes on the idea of voice chat within the Direct, one thing different consoles have had for actually 20 years. However late is best than by no means. The one half I am not likely offered on is that Nintendo actually appears to need you to make use of an open mic on the console itself as a substitute of a headset. The corporate alleges that it could possibly cancel out undesirable background noise, however I did not get to check that. We’ll see. On the very least, Nintendo is acknowledging that individuals like taking part in video video games with their mates on-line, one thing the corporate has not all the time finished effectively, or in any respect.

The battery life is outwardly worse vs Change OLED

Right here is the beginning of the unhealthy information when evaluating the Change 2 and Change 1.

Extra horsepower and a greater show additionally imply extra drain on battery, which was confirmed by Nintendo, through Kotaku. (Womp, womp.) It has an approximate battery life of two to six.5 hours, relying on what you are taking part in on it. Examine that to the Change OLED, which may vary from 4.5 to 9 hours, and it isn’t wanting so sizzling for the brand new console. Once more, that is one thing that was inconceivable to check on the occasion, so we’ll want to search out out for certain when the console is definitely out. However do not count on superb battery life from Change 2.

It is a a lot bigger drain in your pockets

It nonetheless comes with a dock, in fact.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable

That is the worst information about Change 2: It prices $450 to start out. There’s additionally a $500 mannequin bundled with Mario Kart World, which really appears just like the extra attractive deal as a result of Nintendo has gone wild with recreation costs this time round. Mario Kart World is a stunning $80 by itself and Donkey Kong: Bananza is $70. There’s additionally a bit minigame assortment meant to be a tech demo for the console that’s, for causes I can’t fathom, a paid obtain. Mix all of that with the truth that upgraded “Nintendo Change 2 Version” variations of previous video games will include a price ticket for the improve, and it looks like Nintendo is nickel-and-diming us a bit bit.

I am going to grant the corporate a bit little bit of grace due to the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff coverage, however clients who really feel the load of a $500 console buy justifiably will not give Nintendo the identical good thing about the doubt. No matter all of the upgrades Change 2 brings, it is $150 costlier than Change 1 was at launch. It is not excellent.

UPDATE: Apr. 24, 2025, 3:29 p.m. EDT This story has been up to date with further photographs of the Change 2 and its equipment, in addition to new particulars in regards to the console’s social options and preorder launch in the USA.