Nintendo Switch 2 Review

Tom's Guide

In this Nintendo Switch 2 review, Tony walks you through why he thinks the Switch 2 isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a welcome upgrade over the OG. Whether in docked or handheld mode, it delivers rock-solid gaming performance for both first- and third-party games. However, the upgrades might not be compelling for all current Switch users. Here are reasons to buy or skip the Nintendo Switch 2.

Transcript

00:00The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, and it's got a $450 price tag.

00:04Add in the fact that some games are now hitting $80,

00:07and you're starting down a pretty expensive handheld experience.

00:10So, the big question is, is the Switch 2 actually worth it?

00:14Or, should you hold off and save your cash?

00:16In this video, I'm going to break it all down.

00:19Let's start with the design.

00:20This thing looks and feels brand new, even if it's not particularly flashy.

00:24I'm all about OLED displays, but I have to say,

00:26the Switch 2's 1080p LCD screen is absolutely gorgeous.

00:30It's bright, colorful, and a big improvement over the original Switch's 720p panel.

00:35Even as a Steam Deck OLED user, I didn't feel shortchanged by the Switch 2's LCD panel.

00:40That's a testament to just how vivid the console's 7.9-inch display looks.

00:44Not only do games look great, but they also perform like a dream,

00:47thanks to the buttery smooth refresh rate that can hit up to 120Hz in both handheld and dock modes.

00:53For gaming myself.

00:55One of the biggest upgrades is the magnetic Joy-Cons.

00:58They snap on and off with a satisfying click and feel way sturdier than the old ones.

01:03This is the kind of quality of life change you don't notice until you go back to the original and go, yikes.

01:07Overall, the Switch 2's design makes it feel less like a toy and more like a serious piece of tech.

01:12And that's without losing the Nintendo charm that's appealing even to non-Nintendo superfans like me.

01:18Now, let's talk gaming performance.

01:19The Switch 2 runs on a custom NVIDIA chip that helps it run graphically demanding games that the previous model couldn't handle.

01:26Games like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart World have smooth frame rates and shorter loading times.

01:31The Switch 2 can even handle some cross-platform titles you think it couldn't,

01:35such as Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077.

01:38Yeah, it's not comparable to a PS5, but the Switch 2 is easily the most powerful Nintendo console ever.

01:44I already hear the Steam Deck crowd typing in the comments, and I get it.

01:47I'm a Steam Deck fanboy myself.

01:48But let's be honest, that handheld is for people looking for a machine that's an extension of,

01:53or a replacement to, their existing gaming rig.

01:56The Switch 2 isn't trying to be a PC.

01:58That said, it can't play graphically demanding games without blowing up.

02:01That's pretty impressive if you ask me.

02:03The Switch 2's dock also helps the system achieve better performance and fidelity.

02:07In dock mode, games can play at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames a second,

02:12or at 1080p and 120 frames a second, if your TV supports the latter.

02:16If a game doesn't natively output at 4K, dock will upscale it,

02:20and I have to say, it does a pretty darn good job of it.

02:22And if that wasn't enough, dock mode also supports HDR.

02:25If you combine that with an OLED display, your eyes are in for a treat.

02:28The Nintendo Switch 2 has some exclusive features that you might or might not find useful.

02:33One of these is Mouse Mode, which allows you to use the right Joy-Con like a computer mouse.

02:37Using it is both weird and intuitive, since the Joy-Con is so thin, yet highly responsive.

02:42I personally don't have a use for Mouse Mode since it's kind of gimmicky,

02:45but it wouldn't be Nintendo without some fun weirdness.

02:48And I'm sure some games will come along besides Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

02:51that really take advantage of Mouse Mode.

02:54Then there's Game Chat, which allows you to talk with friends while playing games.

02:57This feature enables voice chat, screen sharing, and even video chat via a compatible USB-C camera.

03:03You can have up to 12 players in a voice session,

03:05and up to 4 can share the screens or participate in video calls.

03:09Alright, time to take this.

03:12Oh my goodness.

03:14You already know.

03:16While I like using Game Chat when playing Mario Kart World with my boys,

03:20I'll be the first to me that this is a feature PlayStation and Xbox have had for years.

03:24The fact that Game Chat is locked behind the Nintendo Switch Online paintball is also kind of a bummer.

03:29But keep in mind that subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online also gives you access to classic

03:33Nintendo and Super Nintendo games with the base account,

03:36and access to GameCube and Sega Genesis games with the expansion pack.

03:39So even though I don't use Game Chat often,

03:42having access to games of my youth, like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country,

03:46makes subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online worth it.

03:48Having Game Chat is just a nice bonus.

03:50Alright, I know that I've thrown a lot at you,

03:51but I wanted to say that if you're digging this breakdown, hit that like button and subscribe

03:55for more buy or skip videos.

03:56We keep it real, tell you what matters, and save you from buyer's remorse.

04:00Now, let's get into why you may want to skip the Nintendo Switch 2.

04:04You guys know me, and you know I don't sugarcoat stuff, even for products I like.

04:08The Nintendo Switch 2 battery life is rough.

04:10Based on our testing, we're getting about two and a half hours on demanding games.

04:14That's way less than the five hours of playtime we got on the Switch OLED,

04:17but a little better than the two hours I got from the Steam Deck OLED.

04:20When playing Switch 2, you'll either be tethered to an outlet

04:22or have to pack a power bank, which kind of defeats the whole on-the-go vibe.

04:27I will say Belkin is selling this travel case that comes with a 20-watt charger inside.

04:31I think something like this is a must-have for anyone who plans to take the Switch 2 on-the-go,

04:35so I'll link it in the description in case you want to check it out.

04:37Of course, if you're like me and play Switch 2 in dock mode at home,

04:41battery life won't be an issue, but I digress.

04:43Another potential handheld mode issue is that the system is heavier and thicker than the original Switch.

04:52I actually like the heavier system since the additional weight makes it feel like a premium product instead of a plastic toy.

04:57However, I'm sure the heavier weight will be a hindrance for some people.

05:01Long handheld sessions can get uncomfortable, especially without grips or support on the Joy-Cons.

05:05If you want to play your games on the go, you might want some grip accessories to save your wrist.

05:09I'll drop my top recommendations in the description.

05:11Again, I mostly play in dock mode, so the Switch 2's weight isn't a factor.

05:15But if the console gets too heavy for you and you're not a fan of the Joy-Cons,

05:18I suggest using the redesigned kickstand to prop it up on the table and play with the more ergonomic Pro Controller.

05:25The last reason you might want to skip the Nintendo Switch 2 is because of its asking price.

05:30Right now, the Switch 2 costs $449 for just the base system or $449 for the Mario Kart bundle.

05:36That's not exactly cheap, especially when you consider that the entry-level Steam Deck costs $399 and has access to a wider library of games.

05:44That last point is another reason why the Switch 2's price stings so much.

05:47Presently, the only Switch 2 exclusive title you can buy is Mario Kart World.

05:51Every other game is either a Switch 1 Enhance port or a third-party title you can purchase on other platforms, some for a lot cheaper.

05:59While the Switch 2's cost is arguably justifiable since it's the only system with first-party Nintendo games,

06:04it's asking price, it's hard to swallow.

06:05So, should you buy or skip the Nintendo Switch 2?

06:09Buy it for the performance boost, the updated design, and for Nintendo's first-party games.

06:14Speaking of games, let me know if you want a video on the best Switch 2 games to play first.

06:18Conversely, you should skip the Nintendo Switch 2 if the two-hour battery life is a deal-breaker,

06:23its upgrades don't sound compelling, or if its asking price is a little too high.

06:27False aside, the Switch 2 is a worthy update if you're coming from the original Switch or Switch Lite.

06:31It's not perfect, but it's the best version of what Nintendo does best.

06:35Yeah, there we go.

06:37That's it for this episode of Buy or Skip.

06:38Let me know in the comments, are you picking up the Switch 2, or are you waiting for something better?

06:42If this helped you out, hit that like button, subscribe for more reviews,

06:45and turn on notifications so you don't miss our next breakdown.

06:48Once again, I was Tony Polanco, and I'll see you on the next one.

06:50Later.

07:05I don't know how it is with you guys, but growing up, to my parents, every system,

07:09even if it was Sega, was a Nintendo.

07:11That's a .

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