Nintendo Switch 2, the review. What's it like for Generation Alpha? And for Gen X?

Reviewing a console in 2025 is not so trivial. It makes you suddenly feel "gringe" (embarrassing ed) especially for those who lived through the golden age of gaming machines, and are therefore over 40 years old. It means putting yourself on a psychoanalysis couch to leave behind that mixture of excitement and enthusiasm that accompanied your childhood, adolescence and late teens. For decades, home consoles have been identity objects - nintendarians versus xboxarians versus sonarians -, gateways to the most innovative digital technologies of their time, meeting points for new forms of entertainment.

Over the past ten years, with the success of smartphone gaming and the ability to play on virtually any device, gaming machines have become something else. That is why, to review Nintendo Switch 2, I have relied on the judges of two decades - in the sense - two ten-year-old kids. The reason is also related to the fact that they, the younger gamers, don't care that much that Nintendo's new console is the most anticipated gaming event of this 2025, especially after the postponement of GTA VI to next year.

After the extraordinary success of the first Switch - more than 150 million units sold since 2017 and almost 1.4 billion games distributed - the new model comes with a bigger screen, improved graphics, updated controllers and a line-up of exclusive titles aimed at renewing the interest of millions of gamers. It hasn't changed, there's nothing really new, and for Nintendo's habits - it has always tried to innovate - it's a novelty.

Another aspect to consider is the price: the Switch 2 is much more expensive than the previous generation, $449.99 (€479.99 for us), 50 per cent more. But even this is a 'feature' that a pre-teen only cares about up to a certain point; it is more of an issue for families.

So all these evaluations aside, what I realised from observing and interviewing young people is that, all things considered, the fact that it is 'more of the same' is something very positive. Installation, configuration and the ability to load games from the 'old' Switch are winning features. As are the magnetically docked Joy-Cons, which are slightly larger and much easier to use. They found the mouse mode, which allows you to use the Joy-Cons on a flat surface, even on your trousers, incredibly fun.