TheNintendo Switch 2is officially a month old, and while people were pretty mixed on whether or not it seemed worthwhile,the console has sold incredibly well throughout June. I wish I could complain, butdespite my disinterest in the consolefollowing the initial pricing and launch date reveals,I accidentally ended up with one on launch day. Oops.
But here we are, a whole month after that fateful day, and the question remains: is the Nintendo Switch 2 actually worth owning? Or will you end up regretting it after you’ve spent some time with the shiny new toy? While that’s not a question that can be definitively answered for everyone, I can at least offer my own experience with the console.
Is The Price Of The Switch 2 Too High?
One of the biggest talking points about the value of the Switch 2 is the price, and that will likely continue to be a point of contention. So, does the $450/£400 price tag feel worth it to me now?
I’ll say this: it doesn’t feel outrageous. Yes, it’s a little high when compared to the original Switch, but I think there has been enough improvement to warrant a price increase of this sort. Perhaps not quite so close as to be $50/£50 away from the mainline, current-gen platforms, but I think it’ll easily work out worthwhile in the long run.
As more Nintendo games come out, we can hope to see the console utilised in the best ways; similarly, as more ports likeCyberpunk 2077come along, it’ll only prove the capabilities of the console further, making it a solid choice amidst the modern gaming market. However, that raises the next question…
How Much Is There To Play On The Switch 2?
Another sticking point of the Switch 2 was the lack of a launch lineup, so how is this feeling after a month? Yes, there’s definitely a shortage of games at the moment, if you ignore the countless others you could play if you already owned a Switch. I’ve spent most of my time with the console so far playingMario Kart World, whether that begetting lost in the photo modeorstuck behind crowds in the chaotic online races.
I’ve also spent a good chunk of time in a new save onTears of the Kingdom, as the game finally feels like it runs as it should, and for me,this is the best example of what the upgrades to the console can offer so far. I’ve also been absorbed withAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsagain,but that’s (painfully) missing a Switch 2 update as of right now.
I’ve not yet picked up Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2, but my brother-in-law has been playing it, and I’m honestly impressed with how that game holds up on the console. As much as I’d like to play it on my Switch 2 just to have that experience for myself, I’m still hesitant to buy a game on the Switch 2 when I already own it on PS5andPC. It’s a great port for anyone who has yet to play it, but unless it’s your first time or you’re eager to play it in handheld and you don’t have a Steam Deck, then it might not be worth the full price tag.
Apart from other game upgrades like Breath of the Wild, or updates to games likePokemon Scarlet & Violetand No Man’s Sky, you’ll mostly find ports or non-exclusives. Ultimately, dedicated games for the console are sparse right now, and with Donkey Kong Bananza still a couple of weeks away, it feels like it’ll be a while before there’s a strong lineup - not unusual for new consoles, but less common with Nintendo.
How Much Have I Played The Switch 2 Since Buying It?
With these limited games in mind, I’ve played the Switch 2 for a grand total of…drumroll…
About 40 hours, probably. I was more eager to play it when I had just gotten it because it was shiny new tech, but I was curious how long it would last, considering I hadn’t used my OLED Switch properly since 2023’s Tears of the Kingdom. Well, I haven’t touched my Switch 2 now in about a week - primarily because I’ve taken up games such as Peak and Death Stranding 2, but also, there’s only so much Mario Karting a man can do in one month.
Should You Still Try To Buy A Nintendo Switch 2?
Here’s the thing: I don’t regret buying a Switch 2 in the slightest. Yes, it’s a slightly more expensive console than it’s worth right now, but I’m grateful to have one. I love the Nintendo Switch and it’s one of my favourite consoles of all time, so it doesn’t surprise me that I love the Switch 2. On top of that, it’s a relief to have one when I know stock remains such a pain to track down for a lot of people.
But here’s the other thing: I know it will get limited use for a long time. I will keep dipping back into Mario Kart World, and I will play Donkey Kong Bananza when it launches later this month, but aside from those two titles and whatever games continue to get Switch upgrades, that’s all we really have right now. Metroid Prime 4 is in the pipeline for this year too, alongside the upcoming Pokemon titles. But there’s no new Animal Crossing announced, there’s no big Zelda game coming any time soon, and the only really exciting exclusive outside of Nintendo’s in-house properties is FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods, which isn’t due until 2026.
If you’re able to get a Switch 2 and have the desire to play games that were previously inaccessible or you’d prefer in handheld, or even if you’re just aware of the fact that the larger exclusives are going to be sparse and a while away, then sure, it’s a great console to have. I mean, it’s a Nintendo Switch, but better.
But at the same time, you won’t be missing out on much by not having one just yet. Even with a couple of games here and there, they’ll be just as exciting in a few months time, and probably more so when there are even more titles to pick from compared to launch. I think it’s a fantastic console, but there’s no burning reason to have one right this second - easy to say when I do have one, I know, but this comes from someone who loves it but doesn’t use it much.
