A new console launch is always an exciting time. Or at least, it used to be. Having been a console owner from the Atari 2600 days, there was always a giddy anticipation as to what the next big console could do.

But we appear to have reached somewhat of a plateau in recent years, where with every new iteration of a console, the jump in technology is a struggle to get excited about. We had 4K resolution, which made things sharper and more detailed for sure, and then ray-tracing was touted as the next big thing, but again, having puddles of water that look like real puddles with impressive reflections, but it just feels somewhat of a letdown overall.

One company that was doing their own thing however, was Nintendo.

Only they could produce a gaming console that was unlike anything previously seen with the Wii. It was underpowered when compared to what Sony and Microsoft were producing with their consoles, but as soon as you got your hands on a Wiimote you knew it was something special.

The Wii U was another system that saw Nintendo thinking outside of the box, and in some ways was ahead of its time with a large tablet controller with a large screen, that you played with alongside the console connected to your TV, for two screen gaming. Unfortunately the system was an unmitigated disaster, but it didn’t stop them from innovating further with what would be the Switch.

Eight years later and we finally have a successor to it – ladies and gentleman, the Switch 2.

And it’s at this point that a slight sense of disappointment creeps in.

In a very un-Nintendo move, they have produced a console that is, effectively, a more powerful version of the same model, with a few design tweaks added. In that sense it is what many fans of the original Switch have been crying out for, a Switch Pro by another name.

So gamers can be forgiven for not having that same level of excitement that other Nintendo console launches have had, as, for the most part, we are all more than aware of what we’re getting.

So is there any room at all for surprise with this latest console?

Well not in terms of unboxing there isn’t; there’s the screen, the dock, the joy-Con 2 controllers, the Joy-Con 2 Grip (non-charging), 2 Joy-Con straps, as well as a HDMI cable and the power supply. They are all put together in the same fashion as the Switch, so very easy to set up if you already have the first console.

That said, there are improvements on all these elements. Take the screen for instance, which has a larger screen, now 7.9 inches in size. There was some disappointment when it was discovered that it didn’t use OLED technology, but when you fire it up with a game in play, it really isn’t an issue. The colours are vibrant, and the LCD screen is high definition, supporting compatible games with HDR and 120 fps.

The first game we popped inside was Super Mario Odyssey . It may be a 2017 release, but with the update it received for the Switch 2 – as a number of first party titles got, as well as numerous third party games - it looks and plays like a next gen title.

We first played it undocked; we made use of the its new sturdy back stand, and using the new Joy-Cons in our hands. It’s a really impressive experience, not only is the screen impressive, it’s also matched by the sound which has a beefy quality to it.

The screen is noticeably bigger, maybe bordering on being a little too hefty for either longer gaming sessions, or being that portable; it will be fine for just jumping into around the home, but it doesn’t feel like the kind of kit you’d whip out on a commute to work.

The fact the Joy-Cons are now bigger though, certainly makes for more comfortable use for a longer duration. And the way they connect to the system is virtually faff free, replacing the at times awkward sliding in mechanism to the screen, as they now just magically magnetically connect to the system.

But the other aspect of the system is that it can connect to your TV via the dock; and it works exactly as it did before, only this time it can display in 4K.

Something that needs mentioning is the system’s User Interface (UI). Sadly, it’s virtually an exact replica of the original’s, devoid of any personality – or ability to customise – whatsoever. It’s disappointing, considering that Nvidia (who produced the chips for it) claim that it’s 10 x more powerful than the original system. There’s a chance that it could develop further over time, but considering how resistant Nintendo were about the first iteration, it’s unlikely.

So our first impressions are this: the Switch 2 is the Switch Pro in every way but name. And that’s no bad thing.

Considering the political and economic state of the world, you can appreciate that it’s not the best time for being bold and innovative. The Switch 2 is about the most safe entry in the history of Nintendo consoles as you can get. You know exactly what you’re getting, and we’re happy with that.

Everything is an improvement, except the UI, which can only improve the overall gaming experience that you get.

And it does have some original features, such as game chat. Sure it’s something other consoles have been able to do for the last couple of generations, allowing you to chat in game with others on your friends list, but it’s there if you want it.

There’s also the fact these Joy-Cons can be used like a PC mouse, where they can be put on their sides and used to move pointers and such around the screen. It will probably work well for certain titles, but again, it’s not exactly innovative, and not something we’re particularly interested in. You will need a flat surface in front of you, which already restricts the unique gaming experience you get with Joy-Cons. But hey, it’s there if you want it.

And thankfully there’s a lot more memory on board, with 256GB. But then with games getting bigger and bigger in memory size, that might soon fill up. You can add more with memory cards, but they’re no longer just microSD cards, they’re now microSD Express cards which are pretty expensive right now, and will take some time before they come down in price.

The system also works with a camera, which allows Game Chat to view you and your friends as you play games, which again, doesn’t appeal to us. It will also allow for some interaction with certain games, such as an updated version of Mario Party Games, where you can interact with some party games, like we did with the PlayStation EyeToy...in 2003. So hardly cutting edge tech, but it’s an added element of fun for those games that actually utilise it, which let’s face it, won’t be that many.

But there’s one element that we haven’t addressed fully here, and that’s the games. The primary reason you buy a Nintendo system is for Nintendo games, because no-one makes them quite like they do. So Mario Kart World is an exclusive title for the Switch 2, and will be reason enough to buy a system on its own. It was for us.

And then you think of all the original Nintendo games that will be coming down that green pipeline, such as the forthcoming Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4, which will offer gaming experiences only available on the Nintendo, and you know you’re in safe hands.

So to that end, the out of the box experience that the Switch 2 leaves you with – which will be all too familiar for all Switch owners – is immaterial, because we know what really counts are the games coming.

That said, it’s not a terribly exciting launch as far as games are concerned; there are a number of third party games that have been available for a while on other systems, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6, that you can now play on the system, which will matter to those who have no other system, but they’re titles that are difficult to get excited about. The same can be said for Nintendo’s own release Welcome Tour, which is just a glorified tech demo with interactive elements, that should have been bundled free with the system but isn’t. Certainly Mario Kart World - and the upgraded titles from the Switch’s catalogue – will keep gamers busy until the next big title which will be Donkey Kong Bananza in July (17th).

There’s no denying that it’s an expensive system, but it doesn’t appear to have put gamers off, as in its first four days of launch, it sold 3.5 million units worldwide, making it the biggest launch of any games hardware in history.

We can’t hide the fact that there was a tinge of disappointment setting the system up, offering nothing by way of surprises, but you just know that the Switch 2 will come into its own when those first party games are released, and then the fun and games will really begin.

So what we have is a grown-up version of the Switch, like the original was in its teens, that was quirky, colourful and playful, whereas this feels more adult, with just hints of colour around the thumbsticks and sides of the screen, and coming across as a more sombre, serious bit of tech, which the increased price certainly reflects.

The question is, is it worth upgrading to. As far as the overall experience is concerned – such as a hybrid system that can be played on the go and in docked mode on your TV – probably not, and there is still going to be a period where games will be released for both versions.

But there’s no denying it’s a more satisfying experience. And maybe the fact that it’s a bit more grown-up, as we all probably are since the release of the Switch eight years ago, that’s also appealing. And the fact that it’s not only pretty much backwards compatible with all Switch games, but they also look and play so much better on it too.

And with the original Switch struggling somewhat in the last few years, definitely showing its age with some titles – yes we’re talking about you Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – some new hardware was definitely necessary.

So it’s not the inventive next big leap in consoles from Nintendo that many of us were secretly hoping for, but that’s OK.

What it is however, is a system full of promise and potential, and that alone is worth getting excited about.