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The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017 and revolutionized how we play games with its ability to be played on either the TV or in handheld mode. Now, eight years later, theNintendo Switch 2has finally arrived and seems like a true evolution of its predecessor with its new features and advanced capabilities.
The Nintendo Switch 2 might just look like abigger version of the original console at first, but it has a lot more going on beneath the surface that makes it significantly different. If you’re on the fence about picking up a Nintendo Switch 2, we’ll help you figure out whether this exciting new console is actually worth it or not.
Review
While TheGamer doesn’t have an official review of the Nintendo Switch 2, Editor-in-Chief Stacey Henley was able to go to a pre-launch event and wrote about it in her article “Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On Preview - A Premium Console That Justifies Its Unpopular Premium Price.”
Henley wasimmediately impressed with just how powerful the Nintendo Switch 2isand thinks its strong enough to compete with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. “With itsmassive storage space, 120fps, and 4K resolution, the Nintendo Switch 2 is an extremely powerful console in an entirely different stratosphere to the Switch.”
It was in seeing a game like Street Fighter 6 match up to the current generation that I realised this was a very different console for Nintendo to be making. I also tried out Cyberpunk 2077 and Yakuza 0 (the latter in handheld mode, no less) and they felt indistinguishable from current cutting-edge consoles.
Despite being a much bigger and more complex machine, Nintendo has found a way to make the consolejust as comfortableto hold as the original Switch. “…the Switch 2 is a surprisingly light console. I tried lifting it with one hand, and while it did strain more than a Switch would, it was still comfortable.”
It also feels moredurable than its predecessor, and higher-quality parts improve the entire experience. Everything from the kickstand to the Joy-Cons has been adjusted to make things much easier for the player.
One of the new features for the Joy-Con 2 controllers is theability to use them as a mousein games like Metroid Prime 4. Henley was really impressed with this new concept and thinks it has plenty of potential. “…they feel surprisingly sleek and ergonomic…if you’re looking for that kind of functionality, it works and feels great.”
One of the mostcontroversial aspects of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its price, but from what Henley played at the preview event, she feels like it is justified. “It feels high end, has great games, and runs fantastically - admittedly in a controlled environment. So I’d say yes, in a vacuum of value, it’s worth the price.”
Ultimately, Henley feels like the Nintendo Switch 2 is asuperior console to the Switch in many ways, but certain things, like its price, couldhold it back from surpassing the original’s legacy. “It is a better console than the Switch, and gives Nintendo a platform to continue to offer outstanding video game experiences.”
Cost
There are currently two different options available if you want to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2. If you only want the console by itself, it will cost you$449.99.
There is another option that might appeal to anyone who plans on buying Mario Kart World with their Nintendo Switch 2. You can purchase the console with a digital version of the game for$499.99, which will save you about $30.
Time Expenditure
The amount of time you spend with the Nintendo Switch 2 isvirtually limitless. Not only does it launch with massive games like Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and Yakuza 0, but its backwards compatibility means you’re able to also play everything from the original Switch on your new console.
From the Switch’s vast catalog of games to classic titles available through Nintendo Switch Online, you could hypotheticallyspend thousands of hours with your Switch 2while you eagerly await Nintendo’s next big console.
What Players Are Saying
A Solid Upgrade - Branden Lizardi
The Switch 2 may seem like a mild bump up from the previous console, but once you have one, you can feel the difference. Games run better, the console is more comfortable, and the overall design is an improvement from the Original Switch. It’s not a “Must-Have”, but its an excellent upgrade for Nintendo fans.
Worth It If You Plan To Game A Lot - Jacqueline Zalace
I love my Switch 2; it’s larger than the previous version and feels a bit sleeker. Still, the price was quite hefty, and the only real appeal for exclusive games was Mario Kart. If you are a casual Switch gamer who doesn’t game too often, then you may spend nearly $500 USD on a device that won’t get the most amount of use.
Still, if you have the money and use your old Nintendo Switch a lot, then the upgrade is worth it. As an added bonus, I didn’t realize just how big the internal storage was, so gone are the days of me shuffling around games and archiving titles to make room for more.
