I never really clicked with Nintendo consoles. But the Switch 2? I’m actually playing it.

I’ll just come right out and say it: I’m not a die-hard Nintendo person. As a kid, I had Game Boys (like everyone else in the ‘90s), but the consoles? Not really my thing. I had a Wii, a Wii U, the original Switch, and even the OLED version — and if I added up all my playtime across those, we’d still be talking single-digit hours. That’s not a knock on Nintendo. It just never stuck for me.

Honestly, the original Switch always felt like a step down from the PlayStation. Why play a downgraded version of anything when I could fire it up on a PS5 instead?

But when Nintendo announced the Switch 2 — a console with horsepower finally comparable to the PS4/PS5 depending on the game — I was intrigued. Not cautiously optimistic. Just… curious. I figured this would be the one where they finally modernized the whole thing.

And, well, the short version? The Switch 2 is good. Really good.

So good that I’ve been struggling to write this post because the internet seems to hate it — and I honestly don’t get why.

Let’s talk about it.

What’s New With the Switch 2 — and Why I Think It Matters

📈 Yes, It’s More Expensive. But Not in a Greedy Way.

A lot of people are complaining about the price. And hey, I get it — everything in 2025 feels expensive. The Switch 2 isn’t cheap, especially once you toss in a game or two and a microSD Express card (yes, you’ll need one — more on that in a minute). But when you adjust for inflation, it’s only about $50 more than the original Switch was at launch.

That doesn’t feel outrageous. Especially considering everything about this console is improved:

• A larger 7.9” HDR10 LCD screen with VRR support up to 120Hz
• 1920x1080 resolution in handheld, and up to 4K/60fps in docked mode
• 256GB of onboard UFS storage
• A custom NVIDIA CPU/GPU that can actually handle modern games
• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and built-in mic with noise/echo canceling
• Upgraded stereo speakers and proper 5.1 PCM HDMI audio output
• microSD Express slot (up to 2TB)

Compared to the original Switch, this thing is a tank — but still portable. Nintendo says it’s about 1.18 lbs with Joy-Cons attached and only 0.55 inches thick (1.2” at its thickest). It feels more premium and solid than any Switch before it.

Also, pure speculation here, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nintendo is making less per unit than they did on the original Switch. Component costs have gone up across the board. It just doesn’t feel like price gouging to me — it feels like 2025.

💰 Game Prices Are Creeping Up Too — And That Might Be Fair

No one wants to pay $80 or $90 for a game. I don’t either. But when you consider that $60 has been the standard for AAA titles since like 2005, and development costs have exploded since then, I get it. The business side of me gets it, anyway.

It’s complicated — and I totally get that families might hold off on a $500 console. But that’s not Nintendo being evil. That’s the market.

Screen Wars: LCD vs OLED, Round 2

I keep seeing people say they’re waiting for a “Switch 2 OLED” and honestly… I think that’s missing the point.

I had the OLED Switch. Loved the screen. But the new screen on the Switch 2? It’s really good. No, it’s not OLED, and yeah, the blacks aren’t as inky. But this isn’t your typical LCD — it has a wide color gamut, HDR10, and variable refresh rate support up to 120Hz. It looks sharp, clean, and vibrant.

It doesn’t feel like a downgrade. If anything, it’s the first Nintendo screen that doesn’t feel like a compromise. If they do make an OLED version eventually, great. But waiting for that feels unnecessary.

What It’s Like to Actually Use the Thing

🎮 Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk, and No Man’s Sky

So far, I’ve only played a few games. Most of the launch library just isn’t my style. But I’ve spent time with Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and No Man’s Sky, and the experience has been surprisingly great across the board.

Mario Kart World is a weird one — in a good way. I didn’t know what to expect, but the open-world stuff is a blast. Driving around and exploring the map between races actually feels fresh. The races themselves still have that chaotic Mario Kart energy, and the arcade-style mechanics make it so you’re never really safe in first place. That unpredictability makes it more fun for me, not less.

Cyberpunk 2077 was the real shocker. I’ve tried to play it on Steam Deck and ROG Ally, and both times it felt like I was back in 2005 — low frame rates, washed-out graphics, just not worth it. But on the Switch 2? It runs at a smooth ~40fps, looks better than the PS4 version ever did, and just works. No dips. No stutters. Genuinely impressive.

No Man’s Sky is older, but man does it shine here. Looks great, runs smoothly, and the bigger screen actually adds to the immersion. I might end up putting more hours into it on the Switch 2 than I ever did on PC or console.

🧳 Portability, Comfort, and Sound

The form factor is a little bigger — about 10.7 inches wide, and almost 1.2 inches thick at its bulkiest points — but it still works well in handheld mode. Long sessions might wear on your hands, but the payoff in screen size and power is totally worth it.

The stereo speakers sound great, too. Nintendo redesigned the internal structure to give them a bit more clarity and depth, and it shows. And yes — there’s finally a built-in microphone. One that actually works, with noise cancellation and echo control.

The only bummer? Still waiting on my Pro Controller to arrive, so I haven’t tested that yet.

💾 Storage Warning (Again): Get a microSD Express

Games are bigger now. That 256GB of onboard storage will fill up fast — especially with titles like Cyberpunk on the platform. You’ll want one of the newer microSD Express cards (up to 2TB supported). Legacy microSDs don’t work for game installs — just screenshots and video transfers.

If there’s one real “you need this” tip for Switch 2 buyers, it’s that: get a fast SD card — day one.

Trevor Score: 8.5/10 — I Finally Want to Play a Nintendo Console

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

And right now? I’m using it a lot. The screen’s great. The build feels premium. Games run better than I expected. It still has Nintendo quirks, and the launch library is thin, but the hardware is finally strong enough that I want to play games on it — not just test them out and shelve it for six months.

Here’s What I Want to See Next — And What Devs Need to Avoid

Let’s bring the heavy hitters. We’ve finally got the power, so let’s stop holding back.

• GTA V — Yes, GTA 6 is coming, but let’s not pretend this machine can’t run GTA V. Rockstar, we’ve seen you launch this on everything. Bring it to Switch 2.
• GTA VI — Long shot? Sure. Impossible? Maybe not. If the Xbox Series S can handle it, I have hope. Imagine GTA VI on the go.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 — We got the first one on OG Switch. The sequel deserves a proper release here.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator — It’s one of the most demanding games out there, but the new chip in the Switch 2 is no slouch. Let’s go big.
• Halo — If the Microsoft/Nintendo partnership keeps up, this should be on the table. I’d play the hell out of portable Halo.
• Call of Duty — Full version. No compromises. No missing maps or modes. The real deal.
• Farming Simulator 25 — This one hurts. As a huge fan, it’s frustrating to hear we’re not getting the full game — just a “Signature Edition” made specifically for Switch. We know the hardware can handle the real thing. Why not give us that?

And here’s my one big fear: I think some developers are going to make a huge mistake by treating the Switch 2 like it’s just a slightly better Switch 1. That means stripped-down ports, performance cutbacks, missing features — and all for full retail price.

If that happens, I’m out. I’m not paying a premium for a half-game just because it’s on a Nintendo device. Not anymore. The Switch 2 deserves better, and so do we.

Final Verdict: The Switch 2 Turned Me Into a Believer

I went into the Switch 2 hopeful but skeptical. I came out surprised. This is the first time a Nintendo console has really clicked for me in decades. It’s not perfect, but it’s legit. The screen, the power, the feel — they all add up to something I actually want to use, not just admire from afar.

Give it a little time for more games to drop, and I think a lot of skeptics will come around.

And hey, if they do release an OLED model in a year? I’ll probably still be happily playing on this one.