Nintendo Switch 2 Review — Nothing Revolutionary (and Thank Goodness for That)

Any review of a new Nintendo console is, to some extent, pointless: whether the device is good or bad, the target audience is going to buy it anyway. Let’s be honest — if you enjoy Nintendo’s games, you won’t be able to go without the Switch 2 over the next six to eight years. But that doesn’t mean the console shouldn’t be discussed — at the very least, it helps those who haven’t yet been pulled into Nintendo’s franchises decide whether to buy one. And even longtime fans might benefit from weighing the pros and cons — to figure out whether it’s time to run out and buy one or wait a bit longer. So, let’s dive in.

The moment you pick up the console, two thoughts cross your mind. The first — this is clearly a Nintendo Switch. Yes, a more modern, even premium-looking version, but still surprisingly familiar. Why is that such a surprise? Because releasing what is essentially an iteration of a previous device is not how Nintendo usually does things.

For the past 25 years or so, the company has treated each new system as an experiment — for better or worse, trying to reinvent the wheel every time. That phase seems to have ended when the Japanese giant got its hands on one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with Nintendo avoiding unnecessary risks — especially since fans have spent years asking for a “Super Switch” or “Switch Pro,” not a radically new toy. That’s exactly the vision Nintendo pursued — even the packaging for the Nintendo Switch 2 mimics the design language of the Switch OLED so closely that people on social media are already confusing the two.

The second thing you’ll notice when seeing the console in person is its size. The Switch 2 hasn’t changed in thickness, but the screen is noticeably larger — and the Joy-Cons have “grown” to match. At first, the console feels slightly awkward to hold, but that passes quickly once you realize the advantages of the updated design. Not only are the bigger Joy-Cons more comfortable in hand, but they now attach magnetically. They lock in so tightly that the whole unit feels monolithic — like it doesn’t even have detachable parts.

If you have the original Switch, the new screen will feel like a serious upgrade. It’s not just about size — what matters more is the new 1080p resolution, which makes the image much sharper. However, color reproduction leaves a bit to be desired — especially compared to OLED panels. In theory, this could be compensated for with proper HDR, but on Switch 2 it’s more of a checkbox than a standout feature. The panel maxes out at 500 nits of brightness — far too low to deliver the wow effect HDR needs.

You might assume Nintendo cheaped out by skipping OLED, but the real reason is their focus on something else — refresh rate. The Switch 2 supports 120 Hz and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), smoothing out frame drops. Right now, getting a high-refresh OLED screen at a reasonable price is tricky — so it’s no surprise Nintendo stuck with LCD.

You may ask: what’s the point of a 120 Hz screen when so few games will run at 120 FPS in handheld mode? But that’s the thing — the high refresh rate is actually for smoother 40 FPS gameplay. The new display refreshes three times per frame at 40 FPS, which reduces judder and increases motion clarity. In Cyberpunk 2077, switching graphic modes feels like going from 30 to 60 FPS — but it’s really just a jump of 10. That illusion is thanks to the screen.

Of course, that fast 1080p screen comes at a cost — battery life. This is currently one of the Switch 2’s main weaknesses: most games will drain the battery in two to three hours. Not just demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, but even older titles like Super Mario Odyssey.

The weak battery is disappointing, but many gamers still prefer playing the Switch docked — so the issue won’t affect everyone. And there’s reason to believe TV mode will become even more popular on Switch 2 thanks to a slew of improvements.

Most importantly, new games and old ones with official patches now look far better on big screens thanks to high-resolution support. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom look stunning: the system renders at 1440p and upscales to 4K. And yes, HDR is available in TV mode — if your TV supports it. Calibration is a bit odd and not as precise as on other platforms, but there are plenty of online guides to help with setup.

As with the handheld display, TVs that support 120 Hz can make games appear smoother. However, there’s a catch — for some reason, VRR isn’t supported in TV mode, so you’ll notice FPS drops a bit more.

TV mode is also enhanced by a new Joy-Con feature that turns one controller into a makeshift mouse. In Cyberpunk 2077, you can enable the setting in the game’s options, flip the Joy-Con over, place it on a flat surface — and voilà, you’ve got a mouse. The sensor works flawlessly, and sensitivity is adjustable. This helped me beat a side quest involving a shooting range on my first try. More importantly, it could open the door to genres that rarely appear on consoles — like real-time strategy games.

It’s also logical to expect more ports of AAA multiplatform games. The new system is powerful enough to handle most modern titles.

Let’s clarify — the Switch 2 is not a tech powerhouse and doesn’t directly compete with the PlayStation 5. If you own a mid-range gaming PC, it’s almost certainly more powerful than the Switch 2. And if you own a Steam Deck and want something stronger, this isn’t it — Nintendo’s console is about on par with Valve’s device in handheld mode. The Switch 2 is more of an alternative to low-end gaming PCs and handhelds than a true upgrade.

On paper, the system falls somewhere between the PS4 and Xbox Series S in terms of power. But in practice, its graphics can match or even exceed the Xbox Series S — all thanks to DLSS. Nintendo’s console is the only one on the market using an NVIDIA chip, giving it access to the most advanced upscaler currently available.

Cyberpunk 2077 looks decent in quality mode on TV. It’s not quite on the level of a powerful PC or PS5, but it doesn’t suffer major visual downgrades either. That’s impressive for a system that only draws 10 W at peak load.

If Cyberpunk 2077 runs well, other AAA games likely will too. Still, expectations should be tempered. The CPU is relatively weak, and performance dips are noticeable in places like Dogtown. So don’t expect ports of GTA 6 or The Witcher 4 anytime soon.

What’s more important is how Nintendo will leverage that power. The company has mastered the art of squeezing maximum performance from minimal hardware, so its first-party games are practically guaranteed to impress. Mario Kart World proves that. On a 4K HDR TV, it’s arguably more visually stunning than Cyberpunk 2077 — not because it’s more advanced, but thanks to bold visual design, vivid colors, and razor-sharp resolution.

Beyond the weak battery and lack of VRR in TV mode, Switch 2 has a few more questionable decisions. One is how screenshots and videos are transferred to smartphones. Previously, you scanned a QR code on-screen. Now, everything goes through a cloud-based app. In theory, this is faster and easier — but the official app still isn’t available in many countries. Worse yet, if you own Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2, you won’t be able to access new features like the in-game GPS navigator without the app. It raises the concern — what other features might get locked behind it in the future?

Another issue is the rise of key-cartridges — physical shells with no actual data, just download codes. It’s a serious problem, as full physical cartridges used to save storage, eliminate installation, and work offline — perfect for travel or outdoor gaming. Hopefully, this doesn’t become standard practice. CD Projekt RED showed how it should be done by fitting Cyberpunk 2077, all updates, and its expansion onto a single cartridge.

And so we come to the key question: is now the right time to buy a Nintendo Switch 2? If you have disposable income and can’t wait — go for it. The device has no major flaws. In all other cases, things get more nuanced.

Worried you’re missing out on Nintendo’s next big hits? Don’t be — the launch lineup doesn’t include any must-have titles. Mario Kart World is fantastic, but how long it holds your attention is unclear. Waiting until the end of the year may be wiser — by then, more new releases will arrive, and existing ones will get proper next-gen patches.

If you’re not a fan of Nintendo’s IPs and just want a portable gaming device, the Switch 2 might not be the best fit. A handheld PC with Steam offers a bigger library and better prices. Switch 2 is primarily a Mario and Donkey Kong machine — support for third-party games is more of a bonus than the main draw.

Still, here’s one good reason not to delay: the unpredictable state of the global economy. It’s not impossible that the price of the Switch 2 could go up over time. That’s exactly what happened with the PS5 — early adopters got it at the lowest price in history.

Nintendo Switch 2 may not be the most exciting console ever made. It lacks any one groundbreaking feature that redefines gaming. But that’s a good thing — over-innovation can alienate fans. “Evolution, not revolution” is a smart play from Nintendo — one other console makers figured out long ago. The Switch 2 is a refined (mostly) version of one of the best consoles ever made. And honestly, that’s all we needed.

What do you think? Have you already tried the new system? Let us know in the comments.