Sometimes You Gotta Pay to Be Early (Even If It Looks Dumb)

So I dropped $350 on a Nintendo Switch OLED in May 2025. Let that sink in. A brand new OLED — one month before the Switch 2 officially launches on June 5th.

Even wilder? I’ve already pre-ordered the Switch 2. Day one. All set. No FOMO here.

So why buy a last-gen console I’ve technically already owned… several times?

Well, let’s just say my most recent Switch — a modded OLED Switch Lite — decided to give up the ghost. Permanently. A reminder that sometimes the phrase “don’t mod what you love” hits harder than expected.

I Made a Clean Break for the Switch 2 — But Got Pulled Back In

Earlier this year, I made the call: the Switch 2 will be my primary and almost-exclusive gaming device moving forward.

No more platform juggling. No more expensive side quests with PS5 or Xbox… with a few exceptions, of course. If GTA 6 ever shows up before the sun burns out, I’ll be there. And I’ll always make time for a good farming sim — preferably one with chickens and questionable turnip economics.

But the point stands: the Switch 2 is my future home base.

And yet, after my modded Lite bit the dust, I found myself unexpectedly Switchless. Which felt… wrong. Especially right before the biggest Nintendo launch in years.

Why I Re-Bought the OLED Model — Even Knowing What’s Coming

Okay, it’s not the most logical move on the spreadsheet. But here’s why I bought a console I’ve already owned, again:

🎮 I Wanted the Best OG Experience to Compare Later

If I’m going all in on Switch 2, I want to feel the difference. Not just read benchmark charts, but actually play the old games and notice what’s better.

That’s why I went for the OLED model — the best version of the original Switch. It’s got the bigger screen, the better battery, and it feels like a finished product.

So when I boot up Pokémon Legends: Arceus or Civ 7 now, I’m laying the groundwork for a real before-and-after moment. Civ 7 is already out — even on the OG Switch — but there’s a paid upgrade coming that’ll unlock additional features and optimizations on the Switch 2. That makes it a perfect candidate for a side-by-side comparison once June hits.

🔄 I’ve Been in the Switch Ecosystem — But Never All-In

This isn’t my first Switch. Or even my first OLED. I’ve had a few, traded a few, modded one (and paid the price).

But this is the first time I’m coming back intentionally — not chasing hype, but setting up a long-term setup that fits how I actually game.

🕹️ I Missed the Games — And the Vibe

There’s something about Nintendo games that’s just… cozy. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy quick rounds of Mario Kart, chaotic nights in Mario Party, and slowly getting pulled back into the world of Pokémon.

I’ve never played Zelda (I know, I know), and I’m not here for big open-world epics right now. I’m here for fun. For accessible, pick-up-and-play stuff that doesn’t demand a 40-hour investment just to understand the controls. The Switch still nails that.

What It’s Like Using the OLED Switch in 2025

Honestly? Still impressive.

• The OLED screen really elevates Arceus — even with its rough edges
• The system UI is fast, clean, and un-annoying (unlike certain modern consoles)
• It’s whisper-quiet, easy to carry, and everything just works

Yes, it’s showing its age in some areas. But it’s aging like a great portable that knew what it was from day one.

Trevor Score: 8.5/10 — Peak OG Switch, Perfect Pre-Game for What’s Next

This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.

I know I re-bought something old and overpaid doing it. But I also gave myself the best possible launchpad for June. The OLED has reminded me why the Switch era was so special — and why the Switch 2 has so much to live up to.

Final Verdict: I Rejoined the Switch Club Just in Time to Say Goodbye

Buying a Switch OLED a month before Switch 2 sounds backward — unless you’ve already lived the cycle, stepped away, and decided this time you’re doing it right.

It’s not just nostalgia. It’s preparation. This was me getting my head back into Nintendo space before the next chapter drops.

Closing Line

Turns out sometimes, the best way to prep for what’s next… is to revisit the past — just not with custom firmware this time. June 5th, I’m ready.