The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console arrived in June 2025 with more hype than Nintendo had seen since the original Switch. More than a year on, the launch queues are gone, the library has had time to grow and the sales figures are in. So did it deliver?
Mostly, yes. Nintendo built a faster, sharper and more comfortable machine, and sold more than 25 million of them by the end of September 2026. It also made a few choices that left owners scratching their heads. This post covers the good, the bad, what Nintendo could have done better and what the next upgrade needs to fix.
Has the Switch 2 Lived Up to the Hype?
On sales, absolutely. Nintendo’s own figures show it is the company’s fastest-selling system, passing 25 million units a little over a year after launch. Quarterly sales have cooled from the launch surge, which is normal for any console, but the Switch 2 is still selling steadily.
On games, the answer is more mixed. The first months felt quiet, and some owners regretted buying early while they waited for the big releases. That has changed. A year in, the library has real breadth, and the games that arrived later made the console a much easier recommendation than it was on day one.
On the experience itself, it lives up to the promise of a better gaming experience. Screens, speed and comfort all improved. What it did not deliver is a revolution. Nintendo made a confident upgrade, not a reinvention, and that is exactly what most buyers wanted.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Console Worth Buying?
For most people who like Nintendo games, yes. The screen is a big step up, the games look and run better, and your old Switch library comes with you. The library of games made only for the Switch 2 is now deep enough to justify the jump, which was not true in the first few months.
It is not a perfect buy. The LCD screen cannot match an OLED panel for black levels, the built-in storage fills quickly, and some physical games ship as a box with a download key inside. If those three points bother you, read on before you decide.
What the Switch 2 Gets Right
A Bigger, Smoother Screen
The handheld display grows to 7.9 inches, runs at 1080p and refreshes up to 120 times a second with HDR support. Motion in racing and action games looks far cleaner than on the old 720p panel. Playing in handheld mode no longer feels like a compromise.
Joy-Con 2 and Better Handling
The new Joy-Con attach with magnets, so there is no more fiddly sliding onto rails. They feel larger in the hand and the sticks are more comfortable for long sessions. The optional mouse mode is a niche trick, but it makes a handful of strategy and puzzle games feel natural.
Your Old Games Still Work
Most original Switch games run on the Switch 2, and many load faster or look sharper without any patch. Some titles have dedicated Switch 2 editions with extra detail and smoother frame rates. If you already own a big library, you lose nothing by upgrading.
Games Worth Owning
The launch window was thin, but the line-up has filled out well. Mario Kart World has sold more than 15 million copies, and Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokémon Pokopia, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave give you plenty of variety. Nintendo’s own games remain the main reason to buy the console.
Where the Switch 2 Falls Short
The Screen Is LCD, Not OLED
Players who moved to the OLED Switch got used to rich blacks and punchy colour. The Switch 2 panel is brighter and faster, but dark scenes look greyer. Anyone upgrading from an OLED model feels this straight away.
Storage Fills Fast
The 256GB of built-in storage sounds generous until a few large games land on it. Expansion needs a microSD Express card, and your old microSD cards will not work. Those cards are newer and cost more, so the cheap upgrade path from the first Switch is gone.
Game-Key Cards
A growing number of physical releases ship as a game-key card, which unlocks a download rather than holding the game itself. You still need the card to play, but you also need the storage space and an internet connection for the first install. For collectors, that undercuts the point of buying a box.
Battery Life Is Average
Nintendo quotes roughly two to six and a half hours depending on the game. Demanding titles sit at the short end. A portable power bank is a sensible extra if you travel a lot.
Nintendo Switch 2 Specifications at a Glance
| Nintendo Switch 2 Gaming Console Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 5 June 2025 |
| Handheld Screen | 7.9-inch LCD, 1080p, up to 120Hz, HDR |
| TV Output | Up to 4K, with high frame rates at lower resolutions |
| Built-In Storage | 256GB |
| Storage Expansion | microSD Express cards only |
| Controllers | Joy-Con 2 with magnetic attachment and mouse mode |
| Ports | Two USB-C ports |
| Battery Life | Roughly 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game |
| Backward Compatibility | Most original Switch games |
What the Next Upgrade Needs
Every Nintendo console gets a revision, and a refreshed Switch 2 is the obvious next step. Here is the wish list.
- An OLED screen. This is the single most requested change, and it would fix the console’s biggest visual weakness.
- Better battery life. A larger cell or a more efficient chip would bring handheld sessions closer to a full day out.
- More built-in storage. Doubling the drive would take most of the sting out of the game-key card era.
- Drift-resistant sticks. Magnetic sensors would remove one of the most common long-term complaints on any controller.
- A bigger launch of exclusives. Hardware matters, but a new model sells on the games that arrive with it.
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Who Should Buy the Switch 2 and Who Should Wait
Buy it now if you play on a TV and handheld, want the newest Nintendo games and have outgrown the original Switch. Families will like the extra power and the wide library of party games.
Wait if you own an OLED Switch and mostly replay older games. The upgrade is real, but it is not urgent. Anyone who wants an OLED screen in a Switch 2 should also hold off for a revision, although that could be a long wait. For a look at the older console, read our guide on Nintendo Switch Gaming Console: Is it Still Worth Buying?[/vc_column_text]
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console has earned its place. It improves the screen, the performance and the comfort of the original, and the games that followed its launch have given it the depth it lacked at first. It stumbles on storage, game-key cards and the LCD panel, and those are the three things the next version should fix.
If you want the best way to play Nintendo’s games today, the Switch 2 is a good buy. If you are happy with your current Switch, you can wait without missing out on much.
Questions People Ask
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Worth Buying?
Yes, if you want Nintendo’s newest games and a better screen. The library now has enough depth to back up the hardware. Owners of an OLED Switch who mostly replay old favourites can afford to wait.
Can the Switch 2 Play Original Switch Games?
Most original Switch games work on the Switch 2, both physical and digital. Some run faster or look sharper, and a few have dedicated Switch 2 editions with extra improvements.
Does the Switch 2 Have an OLED Screen?
No. It uses a 7.9-inch LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support. The panel is bigger and smoother than the original, but blacks are not as deep as on an OLED model.
Do I Need a microSD Express Card?
Only if 256GB runs out. The console only accepts microSD Express cards for extra storage, and older microSD cards will not work.
How Long Does the Battery Last?
Nintendo quotes roughly two to six and a half hours in handheld mode. Lighter games last longest, and demanding titles drain the battery faster.
Do My Old Joy-Con and Pro Controller Still Work?
Old controllers connect wirelessly, so you can still use them for multiplayer or on the TV. They cannot attach to the Switch 2 itself, because the new Joy-Con use a different magnetic connection.
What Is a Game-Key Card?
It is a physical card that unlocks a download of the game. The card does not hold the full game, so you need storage space and an internet connection for the first install.
Does the Switch 2 Support 4K?
Yes, when docked and connected to a compatible TV. Games decide their own resolution, so many aim for 4K, while others trade resolution for higher frame rates.
Is the Switch 2 Good for Kids?
It suits children well. The game library leans heavily on family favourites, and parental controls let you manage playtime and online features from a phone.
Should I Wait for a New Version?
Nintendo has not announced a revision. If you want to play now, buy now. Waiting for a hypothetical upgrade means missing years of games.
