Accessibility Review: two weeks with the Nintendo Switch 2
Back in March 2017, Nintendo launched the original Switch, a console that redefined what hybrid gaming could be. It wasn’t the most powerful machine on the market, but it didn’t need to be. With its charming lineup of exclusives, a clever dock-and-play concept, and a handheld mode that felt like magic, the Switch quickly became one of the best-selling devices in Nintendo’s history. Over the years, we saw incremental updates: the portable-only Switch Lite, and the OLED model that improved screen quality and battery life but didn’t boost performance. Fans kept asking for more power, more features, and better accessibility. Now, in 2025, the wait is over.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here!
Unlike previous consoles I’ve reviewed – such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, where collaboration with Nordic distributors has always been smooth, this time was different. I reached out to Bergsala, the local Nintendo distributor several times but received no reply for months. When they finally responded, I was told they couldn’t work with me because I don’t write in Norwegian. I followed up in Norwegian, clearly stating I could deliver content in their language. The response? Silence. So, Alina and I decided to take matters into our own hands and purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 ourselves.
I have been doing this journalism thing of mine for about 15 years now and the accessibility stuff for 5 of them, and I have never been met with such a disregard and lack of communication by a so-called distributor doubling as a PR agency. It is just common sense to answer when you receive an email and that should be more important when a totally blind individual has taken the time to actually open a browser, search for your contact, create an email, write it and push the send button.
After talking with other creators here in the Nordics, I learned that Bergsala uses this ghosting practice with a lot of us, so maybe Nintendo should be more careful in choosing their partners. I don’t want to create problems for anyone, but I believe this issue needs to be addressed and hopefully someone will notice and take action in the future.
Thankfully, our friends at CD Media in Romania stepped in with warmth and professionalism. Through their help, we received the brand-new Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2-optimized versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. And honestly? These three titles alone make a very strong case for picking up the new console.
Let’s start with Mario Kart World, the flagship launch title. This game is pure chaos in the best way possible. Whether you’re racing alone or against a group of friends, it’s fast, creative, and hard to put down. The level design is varied and bold, the physics feel refined, and visually, it’s a stunning showcase of what the Switch 2 can do.
And this isn’t just another batch of kart tracks. Mario Kart World adds several bold new features:
- An open hub-like structure that lets you explore freely between events, missions, and classic races.
- A brand-new elimination-based mode where players are knocked out if they fall behind, adding intensity to online matches.
- Unlockable characters, kart customization, and weather effects that make each race dynamic and unpredictable.
Just like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this new entry includes Smart Steering to help players stay on the track, but now it also adds Smart Acceleration and Smart Item Use. These new accessibility options allow players of all skill levels, including kids and people with disabilities, to enjoy races without stress or frustration. It’s not only fun, it’s inclusive.
This is the biggest leap the series has ever made. It respects the formula but isn’t afraid to modernize it. It’s a perfect showcase for what Nintendo does best: building fun, accessible experiences that appeal to every kind of player. It’s a must-have and arguably one of the best reasons to invest in the Switch 2 from day one.
The hardware itself deserves special mention. The build quality of the Nintendo Switch 2 is a noticeable step up from its predecessor. The device feels solid, premium, and surprisingly lightweight, with improved ergonomics that make longer gaming sessions more comfortable – especially in handheld mode. The Joy-Cons have a sturdier, more satisfying feel, and the button layout feels more refined overall. It’s clear that Nintendo has paid attention to feedback from years of daily use across millions of players.
As for the upgraded Zelda games, let’s be clear: these are now the definitive versions. Playing Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom on the original Switch was impressive, but on the Switch 2, it’s a different experience entirely. Improved resolution, better frame rates, and enhanced lighting make these vast, living worlds feel even more alive. Exploring Hyrule with HDR support and buttery smooth performance is something fans have dreamed about, and it’s finally real.
Even more exciting, the new Zelda titles now connect with the updated Nintendo Switch app on your phone. Through this companion app, you gain access to Zelda Notes, a new feature that offers voice-guided navigation for shrines, towers, and other key locations. For now, it’s a promising addition to the Zelda experience.
What’s more, the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t just improve new titles. It elevates nearly every game in the Switch library. Thanks to improved internal hardware and a smarter operating system, older titles now run in upscaled 4K with HDR when docked in dark mode. In handheld mode, the device delivers crisp 1080p resolution at up to 120 frames per second, depending on the game. Load times are snappier, transitions are smoother, and everything just feels… better. It’s still a Nintendo Switch, but it’s never looked or played like this before.
And that includes beloved favorites. Alina has played dozens of hours of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on our original Switch. With the Switch 2, the game loads noticeably faster, island transitions are smoother, and the overall experience feels more relaxed and inviting. It’s actually encouraged her to pick up the game again, step back into her peaceful little island village, and spend some more time in the sun.
New hardware features include dedicated buttons for chat functionality, a first for a Nintendo handheld. These buttons open up a new quick-access overlay that makes it easier to join voice sessions, send reactions, or hop into parties with friends. It’s a surprisingly social addition from a company that has historically been conservative with online services. We haven’t yet been able to test the new Nintendo Switch camera, which may unlock additional functionality in the future. Unfortunately, the camera is not accessible at this time, so we couldn’t evaluate how it might enhance chat, AR games, or parental features. Still, the new voice chat tools seem like a lot of fun for friends and families trying to stay connected and play together over the internet.
Now let’s talk about something deeply important to us: accessibility.
For years, the blind community has asked Nintendo to add a screen reader to the Switch. We’ve sent emails, posted on forums, and spoken directly to developers at events. The message has always been the same: blind and low-vision players deserve access to the same gaming experiences as everyone else. And finally, finally! Nintendo has listened.
The Nintendo Switch 2 ships with a built-in screen reader. It’s not perfect, but it’s a massive leap forward. Menus are now fully navigable with text-to-speech, and features like high contrast mode, bold text, and large menu options make the console much more usable for a wide range of players. This is a historic moment for Nintendo and a huge win for the community.
However, there’s an important limitation to mention: the screen reader is not enabled by default. This means that totally blind players still need sighted assistance to set up the console for the first time. While this may seem minor, it’s a big barrier that stands in the way of true independence, especially when you consider how easy it would have been to offer an activation shortcut or audible setup prompt.
And although the text-to-speech feature works quite well in the system menus, it unfortunately doesn’t extend into games or the Nintendo eShop. That means players who are blind can launch games and customize their system, but we’re still locked out of in-game navigation and purchasing new titles independently. For a company as user-friendly as Nintendo, this is a disappointing gap. But we remain hopeful that with time and community feedback, more developers will integrate native support, or Nintendo will extend the screen reader’s reach system-wide.
One trade-off with all this power is battery life. Compared to the original Switch, the Switch 2 doesn’t last as long in handheld mode. The combination of more demanding games and high-performance hardware takes a toll: battery life is lower, especially when running titles at 1080p/120FPS. For some, that may be a drawback. But for Alina and me, it hasn’t been an issue at all. We usually play Nintendo games on the big LG OLED in our living room. And when we do have portable sessions, they rarely last more than two hours – well within the battery’s comfort zone.
To wrap things up, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a worthy successor to a legendary console. It retains everything that made the original Switch special while finally delivering the performance fans have been asking for. If you’re a Nintendo fan looking for the best way to play the games you already love, or dive into new ones like Mario Kart World, this console is for you.
Although at this moment I cannot recommend the Switch 2 to my blind readers, unless they have a family member to play with, for everyone else it’s not just a more powerful Switch. It’s a statement: Nintendo is ready for the next chapter. And this time, they’re starting to bring everyone along for the ride!
Nintendo Switch 2 purchased personally. Review copies for the games provided by CD Media
Victor Dima
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