After years of speculation, leaks, and teases, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally on the horizon. Itโs been quite a while since the original Switch launched back in 2017, and gamers everywhere are eager to find out if the new console is worth the wait. As most retailers are pricing the standalone console anywhere between HKD$3,000 and HKD$4,000, weโre giving you all the information you need before deciding whether itโs worth the splurge. With pre-orders already available (and many retailers quickly selling out), 5 June canโt come soon enough!
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Adding More Joy To The Joy-Con 2
One of the flashiest new features of the Nintendo Switch 2 is the updated Joy-Con. No longer sporting the playful blue and red palette, the Joy-Con 2 controllers come in aย sleek black finish with subtle coloured accents. Ditching the original slide-and-lock feature, the Joy-Con 2 now connects to the main console via magnets โ a feature that also allows users to use a new mouse-mode function when used detached.
Although the button layout remains largely familiar, the Switch 2 adds a square โCโ button โ used to control the ambitious new GameChat feature, that allows users to talk to each other through aย built-in microphone and chat function. A Discord-like service, GameChat allows players to chat and game face-to-face in a โZoom-likeโ setting.
Meanwhile, the main console for the Switch 2 retains the same look as the original in a larger format. Clocking in at 7.9 inches with a resolution of 1080p, the new screen also has HDR10 support and a refresh rate of 120Hz at full power. The Switch 2 console also adds USB-C ports and a headphone jack โ new additions that are compatible with the separate official Switch 2 Camera (although third-party cameras can also be plugged in via the USB-C port).
It’s Got The Power
Powering the Nintendo Switch 2 is a zippy new custom chip made by Nvidia, delivering a battery life of 2 to 6.5 hours and 256GB of flash storage, expandable via SD card. Alongside Wi-Fi 6 support, the Switch 2 dock also includes a built-in wired Ethernet port โ designed to enhance stability for the new GameChat feature.
Accessibility options are also better than ever on the Switch 2, with text-sizing and text-to-speech functions for GameChat. Futhermore, the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app allows parents or guardians to monitor play time, set time limits, and customise a range of user preferences.
For those worried that their old Switch games will become obsolete can rest easy, as the Switch 2 is backward-compatible. While some titles may not offer full compatibility, the system retains access to the retro game catalogue via Nintendo Switch Online. When docked, the console outputs gameplay at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second โ making it ideal for reliving favourites or diving into new blockbusters. Launch titles include the highly anticipated โMario Kart World,โ โCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition,โ โThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildโ (Switch 2 Edition), and more.
While official Nintendo retailers are largely sold-out of pre-orders, those in Hong Kong can turn to these secondary outlets to snag a coveted Nintendo Switch 2:
- CityLink, www.citylink.com.hk
- Hornington Computers, shop.hornington.com
- Toys R Us, www.toysrus.com.hk
- Yoho Hong Kong, www.yohohongkong.com
- Mongkok Computer Centre, www.mongkokcc.com
- Golden Computer Centre, 94A Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Wan Chai Computer Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Golden Computer Arcade, 146-152 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Sino Centre, 582-592 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
