Nintendo Switch 2 Overheats Playing Demanding AAA Games

Since its launch in June 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a praised and highly sought after handheld for its faster SoC, but a growing number of owners are reporting overheating issues. Early adopters in Japan have taken to social media to describe how even moderately demanding titles such as Splatoon and Pokémon cause their consoles to heat up rapidly. Players say the internal fan spins at maximum speed as the temperature climbs, only for the system to freeze or power down without warning. Most reports come from docked play, where the Switch 2’s processor operates at its highest clock speeds. One user recounted experiencing five crashes in a single session of an AAA game, such as Cyberpunk 2077, while the fan maintained a constant roar. However, handheld mode is not immune to this issue.

Several owners emphasize that the device becomes too hot to hold comfortably, and at least one player received an on‑screen message warning of overheating before the console entered sleep mode during a game of Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition. Similar accounts on Facebook and Reddit suggest this problem is not limited to a specific region. Nintendo’s advice to affected users is very scope-limited. The company recommends disconnecting the dock, allowing the console to cool, relocating the dock to a well-ventilated area, ensuring air vents remain clear of dust and debris, and closely monitoring performance. If these basic steps do not resolve the problem, Nintendo advises sending the unit in for professional repair. Despite this issue, demand for the Switch 2 remains high. Nintendo continues to struggle with supply shortages, leading to public apologies from executives.