Nintendo Switch 2 is a solid upgrade, but not a must-buy yet

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the epitome of the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage.

It retains the original Switch’s winning console-handheld hybrid functionality, it lets you play virtually all of the same games, and it makes small but meaningful tweaks to improve upon some of its predecessor’s shortcomings. But at the same time, there’s a feeling that Nintendo got a bit complacent after the meteoric success of the original Switch, the third-best-selling video game system of all time. The end result is that the Nintendo Switch 2 feels comfortably familiar but rarely fresh — a worthwhile but ultimately unnecessary upgrade at launch.

Specs

• Display: 7.9-inch 1902×1080 HDR10 VRR up to 120Hz LCD screen
• Processor: Custom Nvidia
• Storage: 256GB
• Dimensions: 11.43cm tall x 27.1cm wide x 1.4cm thick (with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached)
• Weight: Approximately 0.4kg (or roughly 0.53kg with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached)
• Battery: 5220mAh
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
• Ports: 2x USB-C (plus 2x USB-C ports, HDMI, LAN on the dock)

The full list of Switch 2 specs is available on Nintendo’s website.

Welcome hardware improvements

Right off the bat, the Switch 2 just feels much better to use than the original Switch. The Switch 2’s 7.9-inch screen is a significant leap over its predecessor’s 6.2-inch display. Naturally, this also means the new Joy-Con 2 controllers are bigger, which I appreciate as someone with thicker thumbs. Overall, it maintains the comfortable ergonomics of the original Switch while being all-around larger, and I love that.

At the same time, the Switch 2 is only slightly heavier than the original Switch (0.54kg vs. 0.4kg). While I really like my Steam Deck, the 0.67kg handheld has always felt rather unwieldy and bulky compared to the Switch (the Steam Deck OLED is slightly lighter at 0.64kg). Even Asus’ ROG Ally and Ally X weigh in at 0.6 and 0.68kg, respectively. I recently got the most prolonged use yet out of my Steam Deck (playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on flights to and from Rome), and I found myself taking frequent breaks because I just didn’t find it all that comfortable.

By comparison, my first experience with the Switch 2 was on a five-hour flight to LA for Summer Game Fest, and I had no issues at all in holding it for prolonged periods. This was also the perfect opportunity to try out the Switch 2’s sturdy new U-shaped kickstand, which spans most of the system’s rear instead of the rather flimsy little stick on the original Switch. Even during moments of turbulence, the Switch 2 never once looked like it was going to topple over.

The new Joy-Cons also have what’s easily my favourite hardware-related change: magnetic connectivity. The original Switch used a sliding rail mechanism which, at least for me, degraded over time. Towards the end of its lifecycle, my Switch couldn’t read any Joy-Cons that I attached, forcing me to connect wirelessly if I wanted to play in handheld mode. The new magnetic Joy-Cons, however, simultaneously retain that satisfying click upon attachment while just feeling far more secure. There’s also an unlock button underneath the curvature of the ZR/ZL buttons that requires a firm push — a smart design choice to prevent children or even adults from accidentally detaching it.

The Switch 2 Joy-Cons also feature a new functionality that allows them to be placed flat on a surface and slid around like a mouse. It works surprisingly well, and because Nintendo wisely acknowledged that console gamers generally won’t be playing at a desk, you can even scroll the “mouse” on your pants leg. This opens up the Switch 2 to more intuitive gameplay shooter titles, or even strategy games like Civilization VII that are traditionally more mouse-heavy. It’s easy to see how something like the just-revealed Splatoon Raiders or an inevitable new Fire Emblem will also benefit from this functionality.

Meanwhile, the Switch 2’s beefier specs finally allow for HDR and up to 4K visuals and 120fps gameplay. But even at the 1080p cap in handheld mode, games naturally just look a lot better than the 720p on the original Switch. And of course, docking the Switch 2 to attain up to 4K visuals (via Nvidia AI upscaling) really is something for a Nintendo system.

Playing games that I’ve spent many hours in on PS5 and Xbox Series X, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman: The World of Assassination, and seeing how well they performed natively here, even with some obvious concessions like less detailed textures, was truly impressive. After all, the former game wasn’t playable on the original Switch at all, while the latter had a cloud-only version that was decidedly spotty.

That said, while the Switch 2 is technically capable of playing 120fps games, there aren’t any at the moment that take advantage of that. Higher frame rate options are available in Cyberpunk and the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (in specific minigames — more on this later), but they’re still not close to 120fps. The only confirmed 120fps game at the moment is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which I did get to play at the Switch 2 premiere in April at 120fps, and it was absolutely stunning. However, this first-person shooter — which will also release on the first Switch — isn’t set to launch until this fall.

Of course, there’s also a pretty sizeable trade-off to all of these enhanced specs: a weaker battery life. While Nintendo estimates between two and six-and-a-half hours of playtime on a single charge, I found that I was getting close to the lower end of that range, especially during more intensive games like Cyberpunk or Tears of the Kingdom. This is to be expected to some degree, but it’s still disappointing, and it raises concerns about how well future — and surely more demanding — Switch 2 titles will fare. If nothing else, though, the extra USB-C port on the top of the Switch 2 does thankfully make it easier to charge, especially when the kickstand is out — a handy feature when you’re on a little table like I was during my aforementioned LA flight.

Mario Kart World is great, but it’s pretty much the only first-party support

In the end, a well-designed piece of hardware means little if you can’t do much with it, and that’s where Switch 2 games come in. Unfortunately, the launch lineup for the Switch 2 ultimately proves to be a mixed bag — some real standouts, but otherwise nothing overly special.

The flagship game, of course, is Mario Kart World. Given the unprecedented success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (over 76 million copies sold), any follow-up would be a particularly big deal. Therefore, it’s undeniably significant that Mario Kart World is a launch title, bringing clear value to the Switch 2. And for the most part, it’s a great game. New mechanics like grinding and unlockable costumes for racers, off-roading and boating options and a fully explorable open-world make this the biggest Mario Kart to date.

And yet, not all of these systems coalesce as you’d hope. On the one hand, the individual biomes have a great sense of diversity and charm, be it the cozy farmlands of Moo Moo Meadows (featuring fan-favourite Cow), sprawling metropolitan Crown City or snowy slopes of DK Pass. This visual splendour and the fantastic soundtrack pay loving tribute to Mario’s history, initially encouraging some degree of exploration.

But on the other hand, there’s just very little to actually do in these environments. There are hundreds of short “P-Switch” missions you can complete, like avoiding enemies to reach an end goal or grinding along train tracks, but the rewards for these, stickers for your cart, are pretty negligible. You can also find little bagged food items to unlock new cosmetics for racers, but these also appear within races themselves. Therefore, there’s not much incentive to actually drive around the beautiful but otherwise barren map.

Instead, the highlight of Mario Kart World is Knockout Tour, which is a 24-player “battle royale” of sorts that sees you racing across six different areas of the map. This mode simultaneously makes better use of the environmental variety by trimming the fat of the empty areas while adding a welcome level of challenge, as racers have to achieve progressively higher rankings to stay in the running. It’s an absolute blast.

With all of that said, Mario Kart World — at least for me — is a bit of an odd launch title in that I don’t get a lot of mileage out of it. (Pun intended.) While it’s certainly fun to play Knockout Tour with friends, it’s appealing in that party game way — that is to say, in little spurts here and there. It’s not a game that I’ve found myself wanting to put a significant amount of time into. You can read more of my thoughts on Mario Kart World in my full review.

I compare it to the original Switch’s one major exclusive title: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That game felt revolutionary both for the Zelda series open-world games as a whole, an experience that you could easily sink at least one hundred hours in as you’re encouraged to explore every nook and cranny. Mario Kart World, by contrast, mostly just feels like more Mario Kart. If you’re like me and mostly play single-player games, you’ll miss the sense of excitement and freshness afforded by Breath of the Wild, as Mario Kart World is a predominantly multiplayer offering. In any event, it’s arguably not a must-buy right away in the way that BOTW was because there’s nothing fundamentally new to discover in it.

The other Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive at launch is even worse: Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It’s effectively a glorified tech demo and instruction manual for the Switch 2. That in itself wouldn’t be a problem, but the fact that Nintendo is charging $15 for it makes it feel rather egregious. While there are some fun minigames in it, the title, as a whole, is literally just a deep dive into all of the features and hardware of the Switch 2. The fact that the company wants you to pay to learn more about the already expensive device you’re using is truly baffling.

Compare that to similar “tech demo” style launch titles like the PS5’s Astro’s Playroom and Nintendo’s own Wii Sports that were free with their respective consoles — and already more “proper” gaming experiences to begin with — and it makes Welcome Tour look like even more of a cash-grab. Even former Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime — who wisely advocated for Wii Sports to be a free Wii pack-in — seemed to shade the House of Mario over Welcome Tour.

It’s a shame because Welcome Tour isn’t a bad idea at all on paper. Had this been a free pack-in, it could have been a neat way to teach everyone, especially kids, about the inner workings of a new piece of hardware. But charging for this “edutainment” diminishes whatever value that might have, especially when several of the minigames are locked behind accessories like the (very solid) Switch 2 Pro controller and Camera. The fact that you can’t even access all of the content without also buying those peripherals is ridiculous.

Other than those two new first-party offerings, Nintendo is promising a lot of Switch 2 upgrades for OG Switch games. Many of these boost resolution and/or frame rate and are free, including those for Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker. These improvements are especially welcome for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom; the former was originally an embarrassing glitch-filled mess, while the latter sometimes chugged in the overworld.

An expensive new piece of hardware shouldn’t be required to get Pokémon games — which are part of one of the best-selling media franchises of all time — to be in an acceptable state, but it’s at least a good jumping on point now for those who either fell off or skipped their original Switch release due to their litany of issues.

A few other games, meanwhile, have more bespoke premium upgrades that both add significant technical improvements and new content entirely. At launch, the only examples of this are Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which look and run much better (after already performing miraculously well on Switch) while also sporting all kinds of new “Zelda Notes” functionality with the Nintendo Switch app.

With the app, you can do things like get GPS navigation to find collectibles, photo-editing tools for screenshots you’ve taken and roulette-style daily bonuses for restored bow durability, higher-quality meals and more. My favourite feature, though, is the Tears of the Kingdom ability to share Autobuild schematics with other players; a quick perusal of Twitter (X) allowed me to instantly create a well-balanced hover bike and fly directly to Hyrule Castle. It’s a smart way to build on the fascinating experimental nature of the game.

Those upgrades are only $15 (or free to Switch Online Expansion Pass subscribers), but others, coming post-launch, cost $30. This includes a new expansion of yet-to-be-confirmed length for Kirby and the Forgotten Land and new minigames for Super Mario Party Jamboree! that take advantage of the Switch 2 features and peripherals, like the camera. Those are steeper prices and a bit tougher to swallow.

And finally, I’d be remiss not to mention that Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass includes GameCube games on Switch 2. (Original Switch owners are sadly left out.) All three games in this launch lineup are excellent classics: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II (which includes Zelda‘s Link as a guest character) and F-Zero GX. Nintendo has confirmed other exciting GameCube fan-favourites will be joining the catalogue, including Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon Colosseum and Vancouver-based Next Level Games’ Super Mario Strikers. However, we don’t know when they’re coming, so for now, the offering of just three GameCube titles at launch, while all fantastic in their own right, feels a little thin.

A well-rounded third-party list, but nothing genuinely new

What that leaves the Switch 2 with is a lot of third-party games. As mentioned, there are the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman: The World of Assassination, which are two of my personal favourites. Impressively, CD Projekt Red has managed to include both Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion into a 59.4GB Switch 2 file. Getting all of that content is wonderful, especially since it all works wonderfully at up to 1080p and 40fps, depending on your handheld and docked settings. I made a point of getting into big firefights and car chases to try to push the hardware, and was impressed by how well it held up without any noticeable visual or framerate hiccups.

Meanwhile, I also really love the ability to play Hitman portably, especially given how incredibly well-designed those games are. The sandbox-style mission approach actually lends itself beautifully to a handheld like the Switch 2, although the unfortunate trade-off here is the lack of an internet connection means on-the-go play won’t net you XP, special limited-time missions (like the fantastic Casino Royale crossover) or unlocks. That’s a frustratingly limiting design choice by developer IO Interactive, though, rather than a fault of the Switch 2. If nothing else, I can pick up and play for quick 30-minute sessions at home before bed or in between social outings.

Other third-party launch titles include Civilization VII, Split Fiction, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Street Fighter 6, Sonic x Shadow Generations, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Hogwarts Legacy, Fortnite, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster and Deltarune Chapters 3+4. For me, the most exciting of those games are the ones that have something new to offer on Switch 2. That includes Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, which brings fan-favourite Square Enix RPG Bravely Default from the 3DS exclusively to the Switch 2 with visual enhancements and gameplay improvements. Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, likewise, adds new cutscenes, a multiplayer and more. Given that I’ve started, but never finished, both of these games on other platforms, I like the idea that I can now play them on a premium new portable device.

In general, it’s a pretty diverse lineup that has a bit for everyone: fighting (Street Fighter 6), RPG (Bravely Default), platformer (Sonic x Shadow Generations), action-adventure (Yakuza, Hogwarts) and even puzzle (Puyo Puyo Tetris). None of these games are wholly new, to be sure, but they undeniably give you a lot of choice in case you’ve never played them before or just want to double-dip for portability’s sake. I actually missed Split Fiction when it came to other consoles and PC earlier this year, and so I’ve had a blast diving into that now with my mum, funny enough. (Stay tuned for a feature on that wild experience soon.)

It should also be noted that Nintendo has stirred up some controversy for “Game-Key Cards,” which are included with some physical purchases. Ostensibly, this means that you’re paying for a little box that includes a key to download a game. While Nintendo says this enables developers to craft bigger experiences on Switch, and it thankfully only applies to some games so far, it still raises concerns about ownership and preservation.

Oh, and one final note on games: the eShop is infinitely better on Switch 2 compared to its inexcusably slow and unresponsive state on the first Switch.

GameChat feels genuinely innovative

In the Switch era, Nintendo was rightfully mocked for taking a convoluted and inelegant approach to voice chat that involved routing your console and game session through a mobile app. At that point, why not just use something like Discord? Thankfully, Nintendo has not only avoided that entirely, but found a solution that ended up being one of the Switch 2’s best features: GameChat.

Using the dedicated new ‘C’ button on the right Joy-Con, you can create group chats of up to 12 people while you play. The Switch 2 has a built-in mic so you can communicate directly through your console. On top of that, you can connect a compatible USB-C camera, including, but graciously not limited to, Nintendo’s own proprietary $70 model, to enable video chat between up to four people. (The remaining participants are limited to audio only.) All of that alone would be a much-needed improvement from the original Switch, but it’s all of the added social features that really make it worthwhile.

For one, you can share your screen during video chat to create your own little watch parties. Admittedly, the visuals and frame rate of each stream take a noticeable hit, so this wouldn’t be ideal for a public stream, but if you’re just playing with friends or family, then it’s more than serviceable. It’s easy to imagine this being fun if you just wanted to spend time with someone while playing games that don’t otherwise support multiplayer or, even, for mutual aid in puzzles (like, say, tackling the same Shrine together in Tears of the Kingdom).

On top of that, GameChat can leverage the camera to show your face in real time over your in-game character. I played some matches of Mario Kart World with fellow media and Nintendo representatives and it was truly hilarious to see the reaction of the Treehouse employee as I snuck up out of nowhere and starting lobbing Green Shells at him. At the same time, I could look behind me and see none other than fellow Canadian and Electric Playground Network host Victor Lucas’ concentrated face as he tried to take me down. It’s such a good time.

But perhaps the most innovative feature is GameShare, allowing one person who owns select games to invite up to three other people to play them, even if they themselves haven’t purchased them. Many of these games can be shared online, although a few, like Super Mario Party Jamboree, only support local shares. Either way, though, it’s a wonderful feature. During my session with Nintendo and other media, the Treehouse rep shared his copy of Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics with us so we could play the Uno rip-off “Last Card.” Other titles that support GameShare include Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Super Mario Odyssey and Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain.

Best of all, all of these GameChat features worked remarkably well. For our hour-long session, I was in LA on hotel Wi-Fi, with the rest of the party scattered throughout different parts of the U.S. and Canada. And yet, we faced no disconnects, instances of lag or any other kinds of interruptions. I was genuinely impressed, especially considering how rough (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) or straight up unplayable (Monopoly) some online games can be on the original Switch.

GameChat is free for everyone until March 31, 2026, at which time a Switch Online membership will be required.

Should you buy one right now?

The original Switch was much easier to recommend as a day-one purchase, both because of the novelty of Breath of the Wild and because few people bought a Wii U, so you could just jump right in. But with so many people already owning a Switch, it’s tougher to recommend making the leap to Switch 2.

That’s especially true when you factor in the big elephant in the room: price. $630 for the Switch 2 is an incredibly steep entry cost, and it doesn’t stop there. Nintendo has decided that this generation is the one where it will charge more than any other company for games, which only makes the Switch 2’s already high price tag sting all the more. Frankly, it’s hard to justify $110 before taxes for Mario Kart World; the existence of a $700 bundle (that you may or may not be able to get) that effectively makes the game $70 doesn’t exactly excuse that.

We also know that the company is planning to charge $100 for Donkey Kong Bananza next month. That’s to say nothing of the frankly ridiculous $115 price tag for the Switch 2 versions of older games like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Party Jamboree. If you already own these games, you can pay between $15 and $30 to upgrade them, depending on the title, but that’s still fairly costly. (This is to say nothing of the fact that Nintendo games seldom drop in price.)

There’s also the debate about paying more for games on a less powerful system. In 2020, PlayStation started charging $90 — $10 more than the standard at the time — for some PS5 games, like Demon’s Souls. But at least you could argue that was the cost of getting the highest-fidelity console gaming experience. The Switch 2, in terms of specs, is more akin to Xbox’s entry-level Series S. Yes, the handheld functionality adds unique value over other systems, but is it worth that much more?

For comparison, the Series S is priced at $449 (following a recent price increase), while the Series X costs $729.99. The Digital PS5 and standard PS5 models cost $579 and $649, respectively. In other words, you’re paying more for the Switch 2 than the lower-cost Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 models, about the same for the standard PS5 model, and $100 less than the Xbox Series X.

Something else to consider is the fact that the Switch 2 only supports special microSD Express cards (which you can tell by the “microSD EX” symbol). These tend to start at $85 for a 256GB model, with higher options (some of which aren’t readily available in Canada) going up to US$200 (about C$275). Also consider that your 256GB internal storage — some of which is already used for system functions — won’t get you too far. While some first-party games, like Mario Kart World and Tears of the Kingdom, are mercifully only around 20GB each, third-party titles eat up a lot more, like Split Fiction (a whopping 69.2GB), Hitman (58.5GB) and, as mentioned, Cyberpunk 2077 (59.4GB). You’ll have to either make do with only having a few games at a time or forking over a pretty penny for a microSD Express card.

Of course, none of this factors in accessories.

If we’re talking Nintendo’s official models:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller — $109.99
• GameCube controller — $84.99
• Joy-Con 2 Pair — $124.99
• Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip — $49.99
• Joy-Con 2 Strap — $19.99
• Joy-Con 2 Wheel Set — $29.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Camera — $69.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set — $154.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector — $49.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case — $109.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter — $39.99

You might be able to save a bit of money with third-party options, of course. For instance, I’ve been using Toronto-based Dbrand’s “Killswitch” case and optional travel cover (which would cost about C$123 together) and they feel really comfortable and of a premium quality. But in any event, this is roughly the ballpark of pricing you’ll be dealing with.

All of that is to say, the Switch 2’s costs, when weighed against what it’s offering now, means you absolutely don’t need to become an early adopter. Sure, if you’re a regular Switch user who can afford the upgrade, it’s definitely worth it. The much bigger screen, technical enhancements for older games and innovative GameChat features make it a solid leap over its predecessor.

But it’s also lacking much in the way of genuinely new gaming experiences to justify a purchase right now. Mario Kart World is fun, but it’s no Breath of the Wild, and you’ll be waiting until at least July 17 for Donkey Kong Bananza (assuming it’s as good as it looks) for a true single-player experience. (And the first new 3D Donkey Kong in decades, no less.) Other games on the horizon for 2025 include Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, although none of them have firm release dates.

And so, most people are better off waiting for some of those future releases. Continue playing the many great games on your current Switch or even other platforms, and hold off on the Switch 2 until it has more exclusive offerings to better differentiate it from its predecessor. After all, Nintendo has some of the best developers in the world, so those top-notch games are eventually coming. But if you have disposable income and want the newest shiny toy, the Switch 2 is definitely a worthy purchase. Just be ready to play a lot of Mario Kart World Knockout Tour and some third-party games, and little else.