Tag: Hardware
PSA Can't Find Your Old Switch To Transfer Games Via Virtual Card? There's An Easier Way
No reason to be losing it in the attic right now, dad!
Now, as we all know, sometimes Nintendo is gonna Nintendo. You know what we mean. It likes to do things its own way, does the Big N, and so it goes with the Switch 1 & 2, their game-sharing capabilities, Virtual Cards and all that good stuff. Given how confusing all this can get, it's easy to...
News Ongoing MicroSD Shortages Could Have A Knock-On Effect For Switch 2 Storage Availability
Maybe it's time to ask Santa for MicroSD Express cards
Storage-hungry consumers in Japan have been jumping on available stocks of super-fast MicroSD cards as an ongoing memory shortage continues across the computer industry, with no signs of getting better in the immediate future. As reported by Tom's Hardware, a spiralling issue of rising costs...
Chromesome
Earlier this year, PB Tails' Metal Crush Defender TMR controller caught my eye, with its Fallout-inspired, distressed yellow stylings and glistening chrome sticks. I don't usually go in for 'relic' effects on anything, but this looked a bit special. It felt artful and novel in a market where neon gamer gear dominates, screaming for...
Poll Have You Had Issues With The Ethernet Port On Switch 2's Dock?
Bumpy LANding
Since the introduction of the OLED model, there's been an Ethernet port built into the dock of Nintendo's flagship Switch, and that continued this year with Switch 2. If you're after the fastest download speeds or you play competitive online games while docked to your TV, you may benefit from wiring up your dock to your router...
We jammin'?
The PDP Riffmaster was first released back in April 2024, and it's a wireless guitar controller that's reviewed well, even if it is a little on the pricey side at the £130/$150 mark. We've already looked at the CRKD x Gibson Guitar Controller, which costs slightly less and does a very nice job of handling... well, there aren't actually...
News Nintendo Had No "Intention To Hinder Or Invalidate" Third-Party Docks For Switch 2
Manufacturers are working on updates to their docks
Following reports that some Switch 2 owners are having issues with third-party docks, Nintendo has addressed the issue. In a response to Tom's Hardware and Kotaku, a representative told the outlets that "Nint
Poll Is Your Third-Party Switch 2 Dock Still Working After This Week's System Update?
Reports suggest Version 21.0.0 borked compatibility
You might have already seen some reports claiming third-party docks are no longer compatible with the Switch 2. These stories started popping up after Nintendo rolled out a major system update earlier this week, which bumped its new hybrid device up to Version 21.0.0. We've investigated this with...
Random Steam's Brand New Game Console Sure Looks Awfully Familiar
SteamCube
Rumours have been rumbling about Valve — the Washington-based developer responsible for creating Steam, but for also bringing us some of the best games ever made such as Half-Life, Portal, and Counter Strike — announcing some brand new hardware for a few days now. And earlier today, multiple press outlets have revealed they've gone...
News 8BitDo Announces 'NES40 Collection' Of Peripherals, And They're Up For Pre-Order Today
Celebrate four decades of play, design and memory
8BitDo has announced a brand new 'NES40 Collection' of products which incorporates an Ultimate 2 Bluetooth controller, 68-key Retro Keyboard, and a rather fetching Retro Cube 2 speaker. The new range, which is now available to pre-order over at 8BitDo's official website certainly looks stunning, and...
Review HautePad X Arcade Controller For Switch & Switch 2 - A Modular Masterclass At A Premium Price
Swapsies
Cosmox Gaming is best known for its Haute Pad range of arcade controllers, many of which can be considered budget options for fight fans, while pretty much all of them are immediately compatible with the Switch and Switch 2. The HautePad X wired controller is a slightly different proposition, and it’s a wild one. It’s comfortably the...
News Developers Reportedly Still Struggling To Get Switch 2 Dev Kits
"They would love to do Switch 2 versions. They can’t get the hardware."
We're almost three months on from the Nintendo Switch 2's release, and while we have plenty of third-party games to come on the newer hybrid console, many developers say that they're still having issues getting hold of dev kits. This comes from the folks at Digital Foundry in...
Abxylute 3D One is coming in September
Abxylute – which has previously made a name for itself releasing streaming handhelds – is producing the world's first glasses-free 3D handheld PC, reports The Verge. The massive portable PC – dubbed the Abxylute 3D One – is actually based on a prototype co-developed by Intel and Tencent that was d
Guide Best MicroSD Express Cards For Nintendo Switch 2
Your old Switch cards won't work, it's time for an upgrade
Switch 2 has a lot more internal storage than its predecessor, boasting 256GB compared to the meagre 32GB seen in Switch 1 (or 64GB if you have an OLED Model). Still, more storage is always better, and with Switch 2 you'll need to opt for a microSD Express card, not a standard microSD card...
Review ANTANK S3 MAX TV Dock Station For Nintendo Switch 2 - A Decent Little Travel Dock
A SIWIQU by any other name
Nintendo's own dock is a non-nonsense device that just works. You slide your console in, crack the Joy-Con off, and boom, you're off to the races. Given the larger size of Switch 2, though, its dock is a substantial slab of black plastic and various third-party firms have stepped in with offerings that are a little more...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: All 120fps Compatible Games
Super-smooth
When it was confirmed that the Switch 2 would support 120fps gameplay, it proved to be one of the most surprising features for the new console. Even at this early stage, games supporting 120fps are starting to trickle out, so it might be good to have a complete list of every title capable of reaching those lofty frame rates. You've...
This'll 8BitDo nicely
We've been talking about 8BitDo a fair bit recently, as the Chinese peripheral maker has just made its large catalogue of controllers backwards compatible with Switch 2 via a firmware update, and they've also got a snazzy arcade controller for Switch, too. This review, though, I'm taking a look at the brand new 8BitDo Pro 3...
News Elgato's Latest '4K S' Capture Card Is Switch 2 Compatible
For those pro moments
Elgato has announced that its latest 4K-capable capture card, the cunningly-named Elgato 4K S, is 100% compatible with the Switch 2 - and it's available for purchase right now! (Thanks, Engadget). The 4K S, which is also the most budget-friendly card in Elgato's range, coming in at a price of $159.99/£149.99, sits externally...
PSA You Might Want To Be Careful Buying Pre-Owned Switch 1 Games For Your Switch 2
If you get the error message, head to the contact page
It's come to light since Switch 2 launched that Nintendo is cracking down on people who make copies of its software — legitimate or otherwise — by 'banning' consoles it detects playing copies of Switch 1 games - a worry for anyone considering a secondhand Switch 2. It seems that owning an...
Poll How Are Your Download Speeds On Switch 2?
On the download
It's now well over a month since Switch 2's June launch, and it seems the majority of owners are happy with their new console. Gripes about the screen, battery life, and how quickly the internal memory fills up are
News Switch 2 USB-C Chip Might Be Breaking Compatibility With Third-Party Docks
No one could USB-C this...
With the launch of the Switch 2, accessory manufacturers have been rushing to bring their products to the market in a bid to offer alternatives to Nintendo's own set, including docks. The latter has been causing headaches for many, and it seems Nintendo has put in place restrictions on the console's USB-C ports. The...
News Switch 2 Dock Supports VRR After All, But It Doesn't Actually Work With Console
What the 4K?
Remember all of the confusion around whether the Switch 2 supports VRR? One moment, it did both docked and handheld, before Nintendo started removing wording surrounding docked VRR from websites and then apologised "for the error". Well, The Verge (paywalled) has made an interesting discovery — the Switch 2's dock does support VRR,...
News Switch 2 Users Are Reporting Instances Of Their Consoles Overheating
"Without a fan, you can’t play for long"
With the addition of a fan in the Switch 2's dock, we all knew that Nintendo's new console would probably kick out a bit more heat than its predecessor in order to manage the more technically demanding games. According to some folks in Japan, however (thanks, Nintendo Soup), their consoles are actually...
Review PowerA Advantage Wired Controller For Switch 2 - An Acceptable Choice For Player 2
Lighter than air
Like the Switch 1 before it, the Switch 2 will no doubt play host to dozens of third-party controllers over the course of its (hopefully) long lifespan. First out of the gate is PowerA with its Advantage Wired Controller, which I received in a rather jovial Mario Time theme. You can also get a Mushroom Kingdom
We'll take 10TBs please!
TeamGroup, a Taiwan-based memory brand, has just announced a new line of those ever-elusive MicroSD Express cards that we've all been trying to find the largest sizes of...with very little success. As reported by WCCFTech, the company has detailed its Apex SD7.1 range, which includes storage sizes from 128gb right up to...
News Three Nintendo Ray Tracing & Rendering-Related Patents Published In Japan
Here comes the science bit...
Now, we already know that the ability to use ray tracing is built into the Switch 2 console, baked into its very fibre, as an entirely untechnical person might say. However, we've yet to be presented with any examples of it in action on the new machine just yet. Well, as disappointing as it may be to not have had...
Review Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Controller - The Return Of The King
A little birdy wants to wave hello
The N64 controller has its fair share of fans, but I am not one of them. I should clarify that I don’t dislike it, as such, but as someone who owned a PS1 back in the ‘90s and only had limited access to the N64 through my friends, the three-pronged design definitely felt, well… weird by comparison. I’ve...
"About 3 times slower than the original Steam Deck LCD"
We already reported a few days back that the boffins over at Digital Foundry were less than impressed with the Switch 2's LCD screen after running various tests on it. Now, however, DF's John Linneman has weighed in on social media to confirm that the new screen is more "problematic" than had...
News Nintendo Prioritising Switch 2 Dev Kits For Indies Needing "Extra Oomph", Say Devs
"a similar situation to the OG Switch"
As we all know by now, the Switch 2 has been off to a rocket of a start in terms of its hardware sales, however, with regards to its current games lineup — and with a particular eye on its indie offerings — there's cert
News Nintendo's Strict Policy On MiG Carts Is Creating A Problem For Secondhand Switch 2 Buyers
Bricking it
As we reported last week, Nintendo has been banning Switch 2 consoles from using online services if it finds them to be using MiG carts, effectively 'bricking' the new consoles by denying them any online access whatsoever. Nintendo has seemingly decided to come down tough on this issue for its new generation of system, with social media...
Reminder You Can Use Non-Nintendo USB Cameras With Switch 2
And it appears some USB-A cameras work, too
Check out the official details for Switch 2 USB camera compatibility on Nintendo's website and you'll be greeted with a surprisingly straightforward message from the Big N stating that, "You can use the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory (sold separately) or any compatible USB-C camera you'd like." Nice!...
News Switch 2's HDR Looking Washed Out On Your TV? Here's The Fix
HGiG or not HGiG, that is the question
If you've been feeling (as this writer has) that your Switch 2 graphics look a little washed out on your TV set in docked mode, guess what? It seems a bunch of other folk have too. What's more, there's an actual reason for it, and it can be fixed. Sort of. Hooray! The video above from YouTuber HDTVTest...
Poll Has Your Switch 2's Screen Got Any Nasty Scratches Yet?
Be careful
If you're anything like us, then chances are you've been handling your Switch 2 like it's a ticking timebomb. There's nothing quite as soul-crushing as when a new piece of tech gets a nasty dent on the casing or a horrible scratch on the screen. It feels like the end of the world. With the Switch 2, reports are starting to emerge that...
It's a feature
It seems some eager players have been a little mystified as to the reasons behind a message that's been popping up on their Switch 2 screens during play as of late. Yep, over on Reddit (thanks GoNintendo) a handful of gamers have been rocking up to report that an alert related to the console's HD Rumble has been poppi
Petey good
While Nintendo itself put out an official Switch 2 Camera alongside the new console, it's Hori's officially licensed — and we have to say adorable — Piranha Plant camera which attracted the most attention. A little USB-C webcam fashioned after the enemies from the Super Mario series, it's certainly a lot more fun-looking that...
Review Nintendo Switch 2 Camera - An Elegant But Nonessential GameChat Companion
Say cheese
In the lead-up to the Switch 2 launch, one of the biggest talking points from Nintendo was the new GameChat feature and accompanying camera. Heck, the company even reunited with actor and SNES legend Paul Rudd for a new commercial showcasing the technology: “Now you’re playing together,” as if the previous four decades of...
Video We Put The Switch 2's Battery Through Its Paces With A Full Timelapse
How does it hold up?
Given the improved specs in the recently released Switch 2, it's not entirely surprising that the system's battery can't quite keep up with its predecessor's (though with the increased size, one has to imagine that Nintendo could stuff a bigger one in there). But just how good / bad is it? Well, our lovely video producer Alex...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2 Guide: Ultimate Resource
Your complete guide to Switch 2
Switch 2 is the new system from Nintendo and the direct successor to the original Nintendo Switch that launched all the way back in March 2017. Switch 2 launched worldwide on 5th June 2025 and retails for $449.99 / £395.99 / €469,99, and it's available to buy from retailers in North America and the UK - although...
Hardware Review Nintendo Switch 2 - A Faster, Slicker, Sexier Switch
A worthy successor
Rumours of a successor to the Nintendo Switch started doing the rounds early in that console's life. While the Switch Lite and the OLED Model tweaked the base offering, it's taken over eight years for the 'prop
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: How To Transfer Screenshots From Switch 2 To Smartphone, PC Or Mac
Snappy snaps
The screenshot button is back on Switch 2, and Nintendo has made it easier than ever to share your snaps with the world. In this guide, we'll run through everything you need to know about Switch 2 screenshots, including how to take them, manage them, and transfer them to your phone, PC or Mac. How To Take Screenshots And Videos On...
Random Ouch! Switch 2 Owners Are Feeling The Pinch With The New Joy-Con
Watch those magnets
After tinkering with the Switch 2 for about a week now, the general consensus amongst NL staff is that the new magnetic Joy-Con are simply marvellous. On the original Switch, there was always a sense that the Joy-Con weren't quite as secure as we would have liked, and this was simply exacerbated by general wear and tear. Switch...
News Magnetic Joy-Con Sticks Already In The Works For Switch 2 Amid Fears Of Drift
"Stay tuned!"
A few days back, the online repair community iFixit posted a brief teardown of the new Switch 2 Joy-Con and confirmed that the sticks are nearly identical to the Switch 1 in terms of how they've been built. Naturally, then, this has caused a bit of kerfuffle with fans; many of which are understandably concerned that Joy-Con drift will...
Round Up The Reviews Are In For The Nintendo Switch 2
Here's what the critics think so far
It's almost been a week since the arrival of the Switch 2. Now that more outlets have spent some time with Nintendo's new hybrid system, first impressions and reviews are beginning to roll in. If you haven't already seen our own "review-in-progress" here on Nintendo Life, based on what we've experienced so far,...
News Xbox Officially Enters The Handheld Space, But Nintendo Won't Be Worried
This feels as niche as it gets
Xbox has officially entered the handheld space with the announcement of two new devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Launching toward the end of 2025, the new portable systems are the result of a collaboration between Xbox and Asus. They aim to take advantage of Xbox Play Anywhere, a service that lets...
Poll Switch 2 Battery Reportedly Lasting Under Two Hours With Mario Kart - How Is Yours Holding Up?
How's that charge holding?
With gamers across the globe now settling in to put their Switch 2 consoles through their paces, we've been seeing a bunch of media outlets, alongside eager social media and Reddit users, report in on how they're finding the battery life thus far. For full transparency, we've yet to run a rigorous battery test here at...
Review Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller - A New Benchmark In Comfort And Design
Super-smooth
Moving from the Switch 1 Pro Controller to the Switch 2 Pro Controller, Nintendo has largely taken the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ route. Keeping the same basic layout intact, it instead applied several small, but significant improvements to make this latest iteration the very best Nintendo controller I’ve ever had the...
Talking Point Does Your Switch 2 Vent Smell?
Not unpleasant, necessarily
Most of us here at Team NL, like many of you, have been unwrapping shiny new consoles today as Switch 2 arrives, finally. Nothing like the smell of new hardware in the morning, right? Having said that, while we've been getting to grips with the new console, some of us have noticed an aroma. Not an unpleasant one, you...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2: How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones, AirPods
Wired or wireless, life finds a way
Can you connect your favourite Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to your Switch 2 console? Why, yes you can! Where the original Switch needed a little post-release update to enable the use of such devices, we hit the ground running this time. The Switch 2 requires no such update with its Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi...
Video The First Full Switch 2 Hardware Teardown Is Here
What do your insides look like?
Chances are many of you are receiving your Switch 2 consoles by now, and we'd wager that, like us, you're being extra careful not to cause any damage to your precious new hardware. Not so with YouTube repair channel TronixFix, which has posted the first full hardware teardown of the Switch 2. Now, naturally we knew...
News The Switch's 'Repairability Score' Has Tanked Following Reassessment
"the Switch didn’t age as gracefully as we’d hoped"
iFixit, one of the world's leading online repair communities, has nerfed the original Switch's 'repairability score' following a recent reassessment. Upon launch, the team had originally scored the console a pretty health 8/10, noting that the modular design of the system makes a lot of...
Guide Nintendo Switch 2 System Transfer: How To Move All Games, Saves, Profiles From Switch 1
When old becomes new
With Switch 2 being an evolution of Switch 1, Nintendo is making the transition between consoles as easy as possible. This means that backwards compatibility is a thing, with most of your existing games fully playable on the new console (with some notable exceptions, mind you). So, how do you transfer everything from your...
