Nintendo Switch 2 — 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
We went from anxiously waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch this month to the console now being out for over a week. While Nintendo Switch 2 restocks haven't exactly been hard to come by, 3.5 million units have already been sold. The console is a hit, and like those millions of people, I've been spending time with Nintendo's latest system.
Thanks to the Switch 2's stronger specs, games look fantastic and run smoother. The Switch 2 isn't comparable to a PS5 Slim or Xbox Series X performance-wise, but Nintendo's system can run graphically demanding games that its predecessor couldn't. And though Switch 2 isn't a complete redesign of the previous console, quality-of-life changes such as bigger Joy-Cons and a stronger kickstand make a big difference.
I wouldn't consider myself the biggest Nintendo fan, but it's hard to deny that the Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the best handheld gaming consoles out there. And while I think the system is great at what it does, it's not perfect. It's certainly not ideal for everyone, even if it's a must-have for certain folks.
So which camp will you fall in? Here are 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 takes what worked about its best-selling predecessor and makes impactful upgrades across the board. From the excellent, and noticeably larger, 7.9-inch display to the more powerful internal specs, the Switch 2 is a full leap forward and the best hybrid console you can buy. Note that the system is currently sold out, so keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch 2 restock page for updates!
The Switch 2 hasn't received a huge design overhaul. At a glance, you might even mistake it for the original Nintendo Switch. However, the differences become hard to ignore the instant you pick up the device.
The 7.9-inch display appears huge next to the original Switch's 6.2-inch panel. The smaller bezels also help in this regard. Despite being an LCD, games look bright and colorful on the 1080p panel and run smoothly thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate.
I primarily play in docked mode, but I don't mind occasionally playing in handheld mode. That's because the Switch 2 is larger and heavier than its predecessor. That might be a con for some, but for me, it makes the system feel as premium as a Steam Deck OLED or an Asus ROG Ally X. It's a joy simply holding this system.
I'm still not the biggest fan of Joy-Cons, but the controllers are much easier to use since they're larger than the original versions. I like how they magnetically snap on and off with a simple press of a button, instead of the annoying rail system the previous Joy-Cons utilized.
The Switch 2's design makes it feel less like a toy and more like a serious piece of tech. That said, the console still retains that classic Nintendo charm that even non-Nintendo fans like me appreciate.
One of the main reasons I eventually stopped playing the original Switch was because of its disappointing gaming performance. I regularly play games at 60 frames per second or much higher, so being forced to play at 30 fps wasn't fun.
Thankfully, the Switch 2 games I've played so far run like a dream. The system features a custom Nvidia chip that has the company's DLSS upscaling technology.
Though Nintendo hasn't disclosed this chip's core count or what generation it belongs to, it's powerful enough to run graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 without the system exploding. Generally speaking, the Switch 2 has power comparable to a PS4 or Xbox One.
In docked mode, the Switch 2 can hit up to 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution at 60 frames per second. It also supports 120 fps when 1920x1080 or 2560x1440 resolutions are selected. The system supports HDR10 and a 1920x1080 resolution in tabletop mode and handheld mode.
Original Switch games look atrocious on my 55-inch 4K OLED TV, but it's a different story with Switch 2. Sure, games like Yakuza 0 and Cyberpunk 2077 look a tad fuzzier compared to their PS5 counterparts since they're being upscaled from 1080p instead of 1800p, but they're not a complete eyesore.
Switch 2-enhanced games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also look phenomenal, which is something I can't say about the original Switch 1 version of that title.
For the best performance and resolution, docked mode is the best way to go. But whether it's docked or in your hands, games look and run fantastically on Nintendo's new system.
Nintendo is late to the party when it comes to basic game chat features that the PS5 and Xbox Series X have had since 2020. But I won't give Nintendo too much grief about this since it's better to get a feature late than not at all. And for what it offers, the company's GameChat is pretty darn good.
As its name suggests, GameChat lets you talk with friends while playing games. This feature enables voice chat, screen sharing, and even video chat via a compatible USB camera. You can have up to 12 players in a voice chat session, and up to four can share their screens or participate in video calls.
I used the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for GameChat, and this peripheral works nicely for the feature. Within GameChat's options, you can choose between showing everything the camera captures or just your head. It does the latter with reasonably accurate face tracking. If there are multiple people in the room with you, it'll track everyone's face, which can be beneficial for local multiplayer sessions.
For your background, you can show what's on your game screen, which is good if you're playing a different game than others in the chat. I don't like that the game's fps is sub-30, but your in-camera frames per second does at least stay at a steady 30.
The only drawback for GameChat is that it's locked behind a Nintendo Switch Online account. However, being subscribed gives you access to game libraries from the NES and SNES for the standard tier ($19 per year) and GameCube and Sega Genesis for the Expansion Pack ($49 per year).
I probably won't use GameChat all that often, but having access to classics like Super Mario World and Killer Instinct will keep me subscribing. GameChat can basically be a nice bonus.
I'm not too concerned about the Switch 2's battery life since I almost exclusively play in docked mode. However, if you mostly play in handheld or tabletop mode, you're going to be disappointed with the Switch 2's battery life.
We couldn't perform our standard battery life test on the Switch 2. Because of that, the testing we performed is purely anecdotal and our results might differ from what you experience. That said, many of us at Tom's Guide have the system and we're all seeing relatively similar results.
On average, the Switch 2 lasts about 2.5 hours when playing demanding games. That's far less than the 5 hours of play time we got on the Switch OLED, but a little better than the 2 hours I got from the Steam Deck OLED.
Given the Switch 2's short battery life, I suggest bringing your Switch 2's AC adapter if you're on the road.
Mario Kart World is a bona fide system seller since it packs so much content. It's a good thing that this game can potentially keep you occupied for months because right now, it's one of two true Switch 2 exclusives.
For the most part, Switch 2 launch games consist of third-party games like some of the ones I mentioned above. That's not necessarily bad, but when you consider many of these titles have been available for years on other platforms and might be cheaper, these games might not be must-haves.
There are some enhanced first-party games, such as Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These games look and run better than ever, but you might not want to replay them if you're looking for brand-new experiences.
The Switch 2 exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza arrives on July 17, and Metroid Prime 4 will surely be the best on the new system when it launches later this year. But for the moment, you might want to wait on buying the new system until Switch 2 has a more robust library of exclusives.
The last reason you might want to skip the Nintendo Switch 2 is because of its asking price.
Right now, the Switch 2 costs $449 for the base system or $499 for the Mario Kart World bundle. That's not exactly cheap, especially when you consider that the entry-level Steam Deck costs $399 and has access to a wider library of games. And as I said, there aren't many Switch 2 exclusives available at the moment.
While the Switch 2's cost is arguably justifiable since it's the only system that can (legally) play first-party Nintendo games, its asking price is hard to swallow.
The Nintendo Switch 2 isn't revolutionary, but it's a welcome upgrade over its predecessor. Whether in docked or handheld mode, it delivers rock-solid gaming performance for both first- and third-party games. It's an impressive piece of tech that's worth considering.
As great as Switch 2 is, though, its upgrades might not be compelling for all current Switch users. The system is also rather expensive, especially when compared to an entry-level Steam Deck. Because of that, you might want to hold off on buying one for now.
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Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
I've played 8 Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — here's the best one you (probably) skipped but really should buy now
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been in the wild for more than two weeks, and after sampling more than half a dozen of the system's launch games, I'm having a blast with the new hybrid console (and said as much in my very positive Nintendo Switch 2 review). A VGC report this week suggests that third-party Switch 2 game sales are pretty slow off the bat, and while I'm a little disappointed at this news, I'm not entirely surprised. It's little wonder that Nintendo published software like Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are dominating the play time of early adopters. Cyberpunk 2077 is reportedly the exception that is bucking the trend and seeing strong sales. 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In this action-stealth game, you play the world's most lethal killer, Agent 47, as they travel the globe eliminating high-value targets in a multitude of creative ways. Each mission is highly replayable, and this Signature Edition also comes with a wealth of extra content. The Hitman World of Assassination trilogy (which packages the three Hitman games developed by IO Interactive between 2016 and 2021) is a known quantity at this point, so I won't harp on about the basics of what the game actually is. There are plenty of reviews covering all three games in the series already, many of which successfully highlight why they represent not only a new high watermark for the long-running franchise, but also why Hitman in this current guise might just be the most polished stealth game ever. Instead, let's specifically talk about the Nintendo Switch 2 port, officially known as the Signature Edition. The first thing to note is you're getting a ridiculous amount of content here. For starters, you get the full campaign of 2016's Hitman, 2018's Hitman 2 and 2021's Hitman 3, alongside the two extra chapters released as DLC for Hitman 2. That's enough to last you dozens of hours, as it's 21 total locations (Hitman's name for individual open levels), and each is purposefully designed to be replayed several times over. Plus, they're all stitched together into a single seamless campaign that can be enjoyed from start to finish with no hitches. Alongside that, you get plenty of additional game modes like user-created Contracts, a rougelike offering called Freelancer and a fiendishly challenging Arcade mode. That's not all; you can also dive into side campaigns like Seven Deadly Sins and Patient Zero. There's also The Sarajevo Six, though this latter one does unfortunately require an additional purchase. These separate modes remix content from the base games in surprisingly inventive ways, changing levels you might have played dozens of times already in often substantial ways. There's also limited-time Elusive Targets, which right now include a tie-in event with James Bond, which features Mads Mikkelsen reprising his role as Le Chiffre from 2006's 'Casino Royale.' Plus, I haven't even touched on the Sniper Assassin mode, which is a totally different spin on Hitman. Here you find Agent 47 perched in a watch tower, and eliminating targets from afar using, you've guessed it, a powerful sniper rifle. None of this content is exclusive to the Signature Edition; it can also be found in Hitman World of Assassination on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, but I've found the Switch 2 platform ideally suited for the Hitman experience because of its portability. Hitman is a great game for shorter sessions. 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I wouldn't have preordered a Nintendo Switch 2 just for myself. The price is high, there's no new Smash Bros. or Metroid Prime (yet), and I've got a perfectly good original Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck that keep me plenty busy. At first, I could only justify the $450 because I write about gaming tech for The Verge. But two weeks in, I can almost justify the cost one additional way: the Switch 2 is turning out to be an upgrade for my whole family. I'm not primarily talking about hand-me-downs, though yes, you could absolutely hand your original Switch down to a kid while basking in the glory of the Switch 2's larger, faster screen. Mom and dad always get the best seats in the house, right? But no: I'm talking about how Nintendo's new features are helping me share the delight of gaming with my 8-year-old kid like never before. We bought my daughter a Switch Lite last Christmas, with Animal Crossing and Let's Go Pikachu, and that's pretty much all she played. All other gaming monopolized the living room TV, where she and her younger sister often clash over what to watch next. But two weeks ago, my eldest suddenly realized that we could now magically beam any of my old purchased digital games from my Switch 2 to her Switch Lite, lending them out like a library for two weeks at a time. While I played Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, she practiced her skills in my old copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; soon, I'll play the gruesome Cyberpunk 2077 while she tries Stardew Valley. And in both cases, I don't need to worry whether she'll lose a cartridge. Then we found GameShare, a feature that lets a Switch 2 beam its entire screen and controls to a second Switch, giving a second person their own screen and control for a selection of multiplayer games. We began playing Super Mario Odyssey as daughter and dad, alternating between who controlled Mario and who controlled his sentient flying hat, Cappy. Since each of us effectively had our own portable TV, she didn't shove her head between me and the screen like she sometimes does when we're reading bedtime books. And since neither of us was monopolizing the TV, the younger kid got to keep on watching her YouTube videos of intricately animated stop-motion Lego food factories. When it was time for me to fly across the country last week, my eldest begged me to let her keep playing Mario Odyssey while I was gone. Virtual game cards came through once again: five quick taps, and a game download magically appeared on her Switch. She did have to start the game from scratch, since I couldn't find a way to sync a save game between two different consoles with two different Nintendo accounts… but it turns out that was her plan all along. Apparently 8-year-olds enjoy repetition much more than us adults! Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of physical media, and I especially worry that Nintendo will pull the rug out from under our digital purchases given its track record of closing eShops. I think Nintendo could do a lot more to make the Switch and Switch 2 better for parents, too. For one, I wish the company hadn't arbitrarily locked its webcam-enabled GameChat to the new Nintendo Switch 2, as I would have loved to play Mario Kart with my daughter during my business trip. The original Switch and Switch Lite might not have the horsepower for simultaneous four-player screen sharing and video chat like the Switch 2, but surely they have enough for the webcams alone? It's also awkward that there's still no obvious way to merge the save games from the offline 'kid' profile on my original Switch to my daughter's Nintendo account. But most of all, I fear the two-screens-for-one-game GameShare may not get the attention or adoption it deserves. It's such a clever way of repurposing cloud gaming technology, but the initial list of GameShare-compatible games is vanishingly short and doesn't yet include obvious wins like Mario Kart World or Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the newest mainline entry in the series and one that's great to play with kids. It's been nearly 25 years since Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the Game Boy Advance let you hook up four portable consoles to play limited multiplayer, even if only a single person had a copy of the game. Mario Kart DS did the same thing 20 years ago over Wi-Fi, again offering single cartridge multiplayer, with 'DS Download Play.' But it required conscious effort from game developers to create new single cart mulitplayer modes for their GBA and DS titles, and not every deserving game had one. GameShare shouldn't have that problem: since it's just streaming a screen and controller inputs, it should theoretically work on any game you'd play on a single screen today. And yet for some reason, Nintendo hasn't turned it on for many games at once. If Nintendo can make GameShare standard for the Switch's many fabulous third-party couch games, like Overcooked 2, TMNT: Shredder's Revenge, and Lego Star Wars, while enabling its own titles, like Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Donkey Kong Country, and Luigi's Mansion 3, it could make the Switch 2 an easier choice for parents who want to play together with their kids. And that would play right into Nintendo's end goal for the past seven years. As Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto laid out in 2018: 'Our ultimate ambition is for a Nintendo Switch to be owned not just by every family, but by every single person.' Personally, I now have a Switch 2, a Switch, and a Switch Lite in our house. We are almost Nintendo's dream family.
