The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, but its launch has been met with a wave of online criticism. Despite the excitement surrounding the successor to the wildly popular original Switch – which boasts over 146 million units sold worldwide – many gamers feel underwhelmed by the reveal. The console, announced on January 16th, 2025, after years of speculation and leaks, appears to be a relatively incremental upgrade.
Social media is abuzz with disappointment. Numerous users express concerns that the Switch 2 is merely a slightly larger, less vibrant version of its predecessor. Comments like “Nintendo played it safe,” and descriptions of the reveal as “underwhelming” and an “unexcited rehash” are prevalent. Specific criticisms target the design, with the curved dock and Joy-Cons drawing particular ire. The overall presentation is also judged as flat and uninspired, lacking the wow factor many anticipated.
The official teaser, while showcasing a larger screen and controllers that snap on rather than slide, largely maintained the original console’s form factor. This similarity, coupled with the seeming absence of an OLED screen – a highly appreciated feature of the Switch’s handheld mode – has further fueled the negative response. The lack of information regarding the persistent stick drift issue, a major complaint with the original Switch, also adds to fans’ concerns.
Adding to the disappointment, the name itself is facing criticism. Many hoped for a more imaginative moniker than “Nintendo Switch 2,” suggesting alternatives like “Super Switch” as a nod to the classic Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Nintendo plans to unveil further details at a Nintendo Direct event scheduled for April 2nd, offering a potential opportunity to address these concerns and quell the current wave of negative feedback. Only time will tell if these additional details can shift the perception of the Switch 2 from a cautious iteration to a truly exciting evolution.