After two weeks of living with the Nintendo Switch 2 – playing it, testing it, and repeatedly side-eyeing the price tag, I found myself staring at a blank page, unsure how to begin this review.
On one hand, there’s the looming question of value. With a launch price that sidles up uncomfortably close to a PlayStation 5, it’s fair to ask:
Is the Switch 2 truly the better buy?
And even if you’re loyal to Nintendo’s signature portability, the competition isn’t slouching. The Steam Deck and ROG Ally are both sitting on the bench, flexing their beefier specs and tempting flexibility.
But in the end, all those arguments loop back to one inescapable truth:
If you want to play Nintendo’s exclusives, this is your only ticket.
So, rather than turning this into a console showdown, I’m reviewing the Switch 2 as its own beast – a charming, strange, surprisingly powerful beast.
No war metaphors. Just one question:
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it on its own terms?
Because The Switch 2 isn’t just a sequel. It’s a full-blown evolution of the hybrid that redefined handheld gaming.
But is it a leap forward for the kingdom of Nintendo? Or just another shiny kart being dragged along by Yoshi’s increasingly overworked legs?
After weeks of gameplay, fiddling, and a few exasperated yells, here’s what I can tell you:
The Nintendo Switch 2 is peak Nintendo. It’s polished, playful, just a little weird, and absolutely bursting with charm.
Let’s break it down.
Performance – Finally, Some Power-Ups
Over the last year, my original Switch had started to feel like it was powered by a napping Snorlax.
But the Switch 2? Someone clearly fed it ten Rare Candies and a Redbull, or two… or three.
Thanks to its custom Nvidia chip, the Switch 2 can now output up to 4K in docked mode and hit 120fps in handheld.
Load times are nearly instant, and games like Cyberpunk 2077 finally feel playable instead of futuristic PowerPoint presentations.
Sure, it’s not punching in the same weight class as the PlayStation 5 or even the Xbox Series X, but that’s never been Nintendo’s style.
What matters is that it’s fast, fluid, and shockingly capable.
That said, VRR and HDR support are still inconsistent, and battery life takes a hit when you push the hardware.
Think: Pikachu using Agility, fast, but not exactly sustainable.
Nintendo Discovers the Internet
It only took a couple of decades, but Nintendo finally gave us online features that feel… modern.
GameShare lets you beam a game to nearby consoles without needing a second copy. It’s like DS Download Play, but it’s all grown up and protein-shaked.
GameChat is the real surprise here: voice, video, and screen sharing for up to 12 players. And, miraculously, it actually works.
It even filters background noise and game audio like it went to finishing school at Discord Academy.
Bonus? It’s all free until March 2026.
Joy-Con 2 – More Grip, Less Grief
The Joy-Cons have also evolved, and it’s not just cosmetic.
They still detach with that satisfying “click,” but now they’re taller, grippier, and magnetically mounted for a sturdier, more premium feel.
The analogue sticks are smoother, the buttons less cramped, and the new HD Rumble 2.0 makes it feel like your hands are emotionally experiencing a boss fight.
Also? They now double as mice.
Flip them over, and boom – you’re a wizard.
A nerdy, cursor-controlling wizard. It’s weird. It’s clever. It’s Nintendo.
The Screen – Bigger, Brighter, Better
The 7.9″ Full HD LCD screen is glorious. Coming from the original Switch, it feels like getting LASIK.
It’s bright and crisp and supports HDR, VRR, and 120Hz.
Even pixel-art games like Stardew Valley look like prestige TV now.
OLED loyalists might miss those inky blacks, but the screen’s clarity, size, and smoothness firmly place it in next-gen territory for handhelds. Also, the size, well, that’s hard to beat.
Battery Life – Still Not Roadtrip-Friendly
Let’s be honest – no one buys a handheld console expecting all-day battery life.
Depending on what you’re playing, Switch 2 gets you anywhere between 2 and 6 hours.
But fire up something hefty like Mario Kart World, and you’ll be tethered to a wall socket in no time.
It charges via USB-C, which is nice. But if you’re planning on gaming away from home, bring a power bank or embrace low battery anxiety as part of the experience.
Dock & Kickstand – Functional Upgrades at Last
In a small but appreciated quality-of-life upgrade, Nintendo has finally fixed the kickstand. It’s now a sturdy, U-shaped metal marvel with adjustable angles.
It survived a sneeze, my dog Zeke doing zoomies, and one frustrated tabletop rage quit. All tested. All passed.
The dock also keeps its sleek OLED-era design but now includes CEC, Auto Low Latency Mode, a fan, and, bless it, 4K output. Sweet, practical progress.
Games – A Launch Lineup That’s… There
Here’s where things get a little fuzzy, like Toad wearing foggy goggles.
The launch lineup isn’t awful, but it lacks that wow factor.
Mario Kart World is fun but it’s more party game than proper racer and The Switch 2 Welcome Tour is no 1, 2, Switch.
Yes, we now get enhanced versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and they do look prettier. But I’ve already played those games to death. A visual facelift isn’t enough to lure me back.
Third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, Deltarune, and Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition run beautifully. But again, I’ve been there and done that.
If you’re new to these games, the Switch 2 gives you a fantastic entry point. But for long-time fans? There’s little new and shiny to really spark excitement.
Storage – Fast, Fancy, Frustrating
The Switch 2 also uses microSD Express cards, which are blazingly fast. Games load quickly and run beautifully.
But there’s a catch: your old microSD cards won’t work, and the new ones are pricey.
Plus, you’ll need to re-download your entire library. It’s a hassle – but a worthwhile one once everything’s installed.
Price – Bring Your Gold Coins. Lots of Them.
And now for the final boss fight: the price.
The base console will set you back R12,499. Bundle it with Mario Kart World and you’re at R13,499.
First-party titles? Up to R2,000 a pop. Want a Pro Controller? That’s R2,299. And an extra set of Joy-Cons? Same price. A camera add-on? R1,499. Even a screen protector pack will cost you R799.
It’s the Mario Tax – and it’s a heavy one.
So, Should You Buy It?
Honestly? That depends on where you’re coming from.
If your OG Switch is on its last life and making Wii Shop noises in protest, the Switch 2 is a worthy, much-needed upgrade.
If you’re a Nintendo lifer, someone who dreams in Triforces and star coins, this is your next console. Full stop.
But if you’re rocking a Switch OLED and don’t feel any burning FOMO, you might want to wait for a price drop or a killer exclusive.
Because here’s the bottom line:
The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a revolutionary leap, but it is a smart, thoughtful, and unmistakably Nintendo evolution.
It’s faster, prettier, more charming, and full of those odd little design choices only Nintendo could get away with.
It’s not about raw power. It’s about personality. In that department, Nintendo is still playing in a league of its own.
