We’re just two days away from the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Early adopters have survived the pre-order wars, but for those who were maybe hoping to get a sense of what the console brings to the table, I have some bad news to share. There will be no Nintendo Switch 2 reviews on launch day, as the company has not sent out any early console units or copies of the Switch 2 launch games.
This news comes by way of VGC, who got a statement from a Nintendo spokesperson saying as much. From what I’ve gathered, even those who have somehow managed to get their hands on an early unit aren’t able to actually use the console until Nintendo rolls out a system update on day one. It seems as though Nintendo has decided not to send out early review units because key features for the Switch 2 won’t be available till launch, and the company doesn’t want reviews going out based on an early/unfinished product.
Even so, as VGC also points out, it’s hard to imagine that the company couldn’t have worked out some sort of method to allow reviewers to experiment with those features beforehand.
Whatever the case may be, the lack of Switch 2 reviews before its official launch isn’t a good look for Nintendo, nor does it benefit the consumers. It’s no secret that the Switch 2 reveal came with a slew of controversies. From the implementation of game key carts and increased game prices, to the obsoletion of the microSD card and Switch 2 Upgrade Packs, players are being forced to fork out quite a bit of money even to enjoy the console with the games they already have. Not to mention, you’ll likely need to rebuy a few accessories, including the updated Joy-Cons.
I mean, sure, you could just enjoy Breath of the Wild on its own on the Switch 2. But with Nintendo dangling that juicy Switch 2 Upgrade Pack in front of you for a few extra dollars, it kinda feels bad to feel like you’d be playing an inferior version if you don’t upgrade.
All that aside, the absence of reviews also means that potential buyers will have no way of knowing how the console actually performs in real world conditions. What’s the battery life like? Is Game Chat really as bad as it looks? Is using the Joy-Con as a mouse actually feasible? How do games like Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077 run on it? Most importantly, is the Switch 2 a worthy upgrade over its predecessor?
These are all questions that will not, or cannot be answered in a satisfactory, meaningful way on June 5. As a result, what you’ll likely get is a glut of media outlets rushing to get their reviews out as quickly as possible in order to beat out the competition in Google SERP rankings.
Of course, this is unlikely to affect Nintendo. After all, the company has a pretty stellar track record when it comes to game and console sales. Mario Kart World looking as amazing as it is certainly helps. The early adopters who survived the pre-order wars have already paid their money, while the diehard Nintendo fans will almost certainly be the first in line to grab a console as soon as they become available again.
For once, I’m actually coming out of this pretty lucky. Being based in Singapore, the Switch 2 isn’t due out till later in the month, on June 26. By then, I’ll hopefully have been able to get a good sense of how the Switch 2 actually performs and feel good about my purchase. I will, of course, be reviewing and covering the console as best as I can when I get my hands on it. And you can rest assured that it won’t be a rush job. Perks of being part of a small indie outlet that can’t compete with the big boys. Not yet, anyways.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on June 5.
