Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to the original Nintendo Switch, and when you initially look at the console it works much the same way. It’s still a handheld gaming console with removable controllers that attach to the side of the screen. It still has a docking station that, when plugged in, connects the console to your TV screen. And it can still play Nintendo Switch games, in addition to brand new Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World. You can even use Nintendo Switch controllers wirelessly with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Dive a little deeper though, and you’ll notice that the Nintendo Switch 2 is very different from the original. It’s bigger in nearly every way: the screen is larger (7.9-inches, up from 6.2), the controllers are larger, the kickstand is larger and even the TV dock is larger.
The biggest changes are internal. In handheld mode, the screen can display a more detailed, vivid, and smoother image thanks to 1080p resolution (up from 720p), 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz), and support for high dynamic range (HDR) — all these improvements help games look more detailed and feel more smooth while playing. The console also comes with 256GB of internal storage, up from 32GB in the original.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a relatively tame sequel to the original. This is normal for every other game company, but for Nintendo, who has a history of releasing very different gaming consoles each generation (remember the Wii and the Wii U), it’s surprising how similar the Nintendo Switch 2 is to the original.
I think that’s a good thing. I (along with millions of others), loved the original Nintendo Switch, and am pleased the Switch 2 upgrades and refines a winning formula. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had playing games in years, and is a convenient package for anyone who values portability and flexibility.
Bigger, better screen
When I played handheld mode on the original Switch, I always felt like I was missing out on the “true experience” of playing the game. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and even Mario Kart 8 Deluxe felt cramped and underwhelming on the original’s Switch’s 6.2-inch, 720p screen. Maybe I’m just spoiled from playing PC games on big screens, but I couldn’t imagine playing games like Elden Ring handheld on Switch.
I do not feel this way with the Switch 2: I’ve played a handful of games on its larger, more detailed screen, and didn’t ever feel like I was getting a watered-down experience. Games across all genres look and feel better to play compared to the original.
Better hardware design
Bigger is in fact better this time around. The larger Switch 2 Joy-Con 2s are more comfortable to hold, both together in the Joy-Con 2 Grip and split in half for multiplayer games. The larger kickstand actually works, and is perfect for tabletop gaming. I cannot overstate how much better the kickstand is on the Switch 2 compared to the too small, too wobbly original Switch kickstand. I also love that there are charging ports on the bottom and top of the console now — the top port makes it much easier to charge the console while playing it. All this, put together, makes the Switch 2 feel more polished to use compared to the original.
Improved performance everywhere
The new internals of the Switch 2 are vastly more powerful than the original Switch, and you can feel it everywhere. Nearly everything on the Switch 2 feels smoother and more responsive than the original. Switch 1 games like Pokemon Violet feel completely different on the Switch 2. The game loads faster, plays smoother and never lags or hiccups during intense action. For games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you can buy a $10 Upgrade Pack that boosts the resolution and frame rate, but even without this, the improvements are noticeable. Even little things, like flipping through the home menu and Nintendo eShop feel more responsive.
It brings people together
When I say the Switch 2 brings people together, I’m not talking about the new GameChat feature, although GameChat is a vast improvement over Nintendo’s previous online communication tools.
Nintendo games have a tendency to bring people together in a way others just don’t (Think Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Pokemon Go). The Nintendo Switch 2 continues that tradition. Everyone I know wanted to try out the new console, play games together and just hang out, whether they played their original Switch yesterday or haven’t touched a video game in years. Playing Mario Kart World at the NBC Select office was some of the most fun I’ve had at work, and I know I am not alone in that opinion.
Sure, it may not be as practical as something like a smartwatch or pair of over-ear headphones, but video games are supposed to be fun, and Nintendo delivers.
There aren’t a lot of new games (yet)
There aren’t very many new games exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 at the time of writing: it’s mainly Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Nearly every other game available for the Switch 2 is also available on another gaming console like PC, PlayStation 5 or the original Switch. This isn’t surprising to me — a lack of new games is typical for any new gaming console launch. If you want a ton of brand new games to play, you might want to wait a year or two before buying the Switch 2.
Worse battery life
The original Switch had a battery life that lasted between 4.5 and 9 hours. The Switch 2’s battery life is rated between two and 6.5 hours. That’s a significant difference compared to the original, but it doesn’t surprise me, given the much larger screen and increased performance. Competitors like the Steam Deck OLED get between three and 12 hours of battery life, so, depending on the games you’re playing, it’s not much better.
You should get a case
I bought a case for my original Nintendo Switch immediately, but I know a few people who didn’t. The console wasn’t too big, and could slide into a bag or backpack without much hassle. Because the Switch 2 and its screen is so much larger, I would hesitate to throw it in a backpack without a case — there’s a good chance things in your bag could potentially scratch the screen. The Switch 2 comes out of the box with a screen protector built-in, but I promptly started using the thin and simple Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 with mine.
It’s out of stock everywhere
Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch 2 is out of stock online at most retailers. If you want the new console as soon as possible, your best bet is going to a store in-person. I would expect more online availability in a year or two, along with more new games to play.
The Switch 2 is a worthwhile upgrade to the original, and games like Mario Kart World are a ton of fun to play with friends. If you already have the original Nintendo Switch, I don’t see any reason to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 right now — I would wait a year or two for more exclusive games to launch. That said, I would not buy the original Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED at this time — your money will go a lot further in the long run putting it towards the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be relevant for years to come.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on point-and-shoot cameras, smartwatches, running shoes and more. I’ve covered the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 since launch, and have been using the new console for the past few weeks. For this piece, I compared it to the original and tested its features and games by myself and with friends.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
