Nintendo Switch 2 Devkit First Look: NDK Core Ounce Highlights Differences With Retail Unit

The much-anticipated first look at the Nintendo Switch 2 devkit has finally arrived, and with it, some intriguing revelations about its design and how it compares to the recently launched retail unit.

Thanks to images shared by Nintendeal on X earlier today, we get an inside view of the NDK Core Ounce devkit, which, while not radically different from the retail version, does offer a few notable distinctions.

One of the key differences is the double USB-C ports located at the bottom of the devkit, a feature that stands out in contrast to the retail unit. Additionally, the devkit sports an all-black color scheme, which some users might prefer over the more vibrant colors seen on the retail version. While these changes may seem subtle, they highlight the distinct purpose of the devkit, aimed more at developers than consumers.

Despite these changes, the Nintendo Switch 2’s worldwide launch last week marked a significant step forward for the system. Along with the launch came several highly anticipated titles, including the new Mario Kart World and various third-party ports like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. Although the Switch 2 boasts cutting-edge features expected from modern consoles, some aspects of its design and implementation are a bit underwhelming.

One notable issue is the HDR support, which falls short, particularly in handheld mode. The display quality doesn’t quite meet expectations for a next-gen system, leaving many players hoping for improvements down the line. However, not all is lost, as the Switch 2 introduces the exciting feature of native mouse and keyboard support. This could be a game-changer, especially for fans of first-person shooters or strategy games like Civilization VII, both of which are also launching on the platform.