Summary
- Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay clips are limited to 30 seconds like the original and are stored in the Album.
- The Switch 2 capture system could have other improvements, like higher resolution recording.
It seems that gameplay clips captured on the Nintendo Switch 2 will only last 30 seconds at maximum, just as they did on the original Switch. This update is the latest news from the company as it prepares for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.
Nintendo’s recent announcements regarding its upcoming console have been a mixed bag. Some aspects of the release, such as the lineup of launch titles, have been widely well-received, while other reveals, like the high price point of some first-party Nintendo games, have garnered significantly more criticism. For better or for worse, the Switch 2’s home menu is very similar to the original’s, and this similarity carries over to the Album app.
Nintendo Shows Off Switch 2 Carrying Case
Nintendo shows off a simple carrying case for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, which will let players take their gaming on the go like the original.
In a recent update on the new Nintendo Today smartphone app, it was revealed that players will only be able to capture and store 30 seconds of gameplay footage at a time if they don’t have a capture card. The method for taking pictures and videos is exactly the same as it was with the Switch 1: pressing the Capture Button will instantly take a screenshot, and holding down the Capture Button for a second or so will save a recording of the preceding 30 seconds. All captures are saved to the Album app on the console.
Nintendo Switch 2 Only Allows for 30-Second Recordings
Although the length of video recordings has stayed the same, it has yet to be confirmed whether other improvements have been made to the capture system. The Switch 2 boasts a higher resolution than the Switch 1, so perhaps video clips will be saved at a higher resolution as well. Many games on the original Switch, even first-party ones such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, do not facilitate video recording at all. Making the capture feature ubiquitous across all titles would help the Switch 2 feel like more of a step up from its predecessor.
Another simple enhancement to the system could involve the Album app itself. On the Switch 1, the screenshots and screen recordings of all users are saved to one shared folder. Nintendo does offer some rudimentary methods of sorting them, but they could be greatly expanded upon. The ability to sort games was one of the most popular fan-requested features in the early years of the Switch until Nintendo added folders in a 2022 update. Implementing a similar system for captures would allow users to sort photos and videos however they like, which could alleviate some of the frustration that comes from the 30-second restriction.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes
The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 5, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 2x USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio
- HDR Support
- Yes
- Original Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $449.99