So, it finally happened. After years of blurry blurry "leaked" factory photos and every Nintendo YouTuber on the planet losing their collective minds over shipping manifests, the Nintendo Switch 2 is actually in our hands. Honestly, if you’ve been anywhere near the gaming side of the internet lately, you've probably seen a certain red-bearded expert breaking down exactly how to maximize your new hardware.
Austin John Plays has basically become the unofficial home base for the Switch 2 launch. Whether it's his deep-dive into the new 256GB UFS 3.1 storage or explaining why your old Joy-Cons feel a little weird on the new magnetic rails, he’s been the one translating Nintendo’s corporate-speak into something we actually care about.
It’s a weird time to be a Nintendo fan. We’re moving from the most successful hybrid console ever into a machine that can somehow run Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade without exploding.
The Austin John Plays Switch 2 Strategy
When the console dropped on June 5, 2025, the first thing everyone did was look for the "Tips & Tricks" video. That’s the Austin John staple. While other channels were just screaming about 4K resolution in the dock, his content at austinjohnplays.com/switch 2 focused on the stuff that actually affects your Saturday morning. I’m talking about things like the new GameShare feature.
Nintendo finally realized that families don't want to buy three copies of Mario Kart World just to play in the same house. Austin was one of the first to show how the digital "Family Library" actually works without requiring a constant, annoying internet check-in every thirty minutes.
It’s not just about the big games, though. He’s been obsessed with the small stuff. The "Killswitch" case from dbrand that he’s always talking about? It’s basically essential now because the Switch 2 is significantly heavier at 534 grams. If you drop this thing on your face while playing in bed, it’s going to leave a mark.
Why the Hardware Matters More Than You Think
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring kind. The Switch 2 is rocking 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. For context, the original Switch had 4GB. That’s a massive jump.
It means we finally stopped seeing that "The software closed because an error occurred" screen every time a game got too intense. When Austin John Plays tested the Tears of the Kingdom "Switch 2 Edition," the most striking thing wasn't just the 1080p handheld resolution. It was the loading times. You can warp across Hyrule in about four seconds now.
- The 7.9-inch LCD: Some people complained it wasn't OLED at launch, but the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything look buttery smooth.
- Backward Compatibility: This was the big worry. Austin confirmed early on that almost every physical Switch 1 cart works, and some even get "Boost Mode" updates.
- The Dual USB-C Ports: One on top, one on bottom. It sounds simple, but for streamers and people who play while charging, it changed everything.
He also spent a crazy amount of time—and apparently $1,000 of his own money—reviewing accessories. Most of them are junk. He literally labeled a bunch of them "Hot Garbage" in his recent roundup. That’s why people trust him. He isn't just reading a spec sheet; he’s trying to see if the $15 clear glitter case from a random brand will actually melt your vents.
What Austin John Plays Gets Right About Pokemon Gen 10
We’re all waiting for the big one. Pokemon Wind and Waves is the rumor that won't die, and Austin’s predictions for 2026 have the community in a chokehold. He’s betting on a November release, and honestly, he’s usually right about the timing.
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The most interesting thing he pointed out recently is how Game Freak is utilizing those 1536 Ampere-based CUDA cores. We aren't just getting "better graphics." We’re getting actual draw distance. No more Pokemon popping into existence five feet in front of your Miraidon.
His latest breakdown of the Pokemon Legends: Z-A patch notes showed how the Switch 2 handles the massive urban environment of Lumiose City. On the old hardware, it would have been a frame-rate nightmare. On the new system? It’s holding a steady 60fps even when the screen is full of effects.
The Real Cost of Entry
Let’s be real: $449.99 is a lot for a Nintendo console.
When you add in a Pro Controller 2 and a decent microSD Express card (because 256GB fills up fast when FF7 Remake is 90GB), you’re looking at over $600. Austin has been pretty vocal about the "hidden costs." He’s been pushing people toward the 1TB cards instead of the 2TB ones because the price-to-performance ratio on the 2TB microSD Express cards is still kind of insane in early 2026.
Actionable Steps for New Switch 2 Owners
If you just picked up a console or you're stalking the restock trackers, here is the move-by-move playbook to make sure you aren't wasting money:
- Check your Upgrade Packs: If you own Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, don't buy the "Switch 2 Edition" at full price. Go to the eShop and download the Upgrade Pack for a fraction of the cost. It unlocks the 4K textures and better frame rates for the games you already own.
- Format your old MicroSD: You can use your old cards, but they’ll be the bottleneck. Use them for indie games and save the internal UFS storage for the big AAA titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
- Magnet Safety: The new Joy-Con 2 rails are magnetic. Keep them away from credit cards or old-school hard drives. It sounds like a myth, but Austin actually showed how the magnetic pull is strong enough to be annoying if you’ve got a messy desk.
- Calibrate the HDR: Out of the box, the colors can look a little "blown out" on certain TV models. Take five minutes in the system settings to calibrate the HDR10 peak brightness.
The Switch 2 isn't just a "Pro" version of the old console. It’s a completely different beast that happens to play your old favorites. By following the guides at austinjohnplays.com/switch 2, you’re basically skipping the trial-and-error phase that everyone else is struggling with right now. Stay updated on the firmware—version 21.2.0 just dropped, and it fixes the weird Bluetooth lag everyone was reporting with third-party headsets.
Log into your Nintendo Account, link your existing NSO sub, and start those "Switch 2 Edition" downloads tonight. The library is already massive, and 2026 is looking like the year Nintendo finally stops holding back on raw power.