By the time the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch day came around, I had no intention of buying one. I hadn’t placed a pre-order, and I wasn’t going to deal with the expected rush to buy one in person. But when the opportunity presented itself, I bought one anyway—and I’ve decided to keep it.
Right Place, Right Time
I happened to be visiting my parents on the day of the Switch 2’s launch. My parents live in an area rural enough that the nearest town only has a couple of big box stores, primarily a Walmart and a Lowe’s. I figured demand there would be low enough that I could stroll in at reasonable hours and buy one easily.
That turned out to be true. I strolled in around 10AM, and there were several boxes just sitting openly on the shelf next to gear for the original Switch.
There were several more in stock in the back, including all the bundles withMario Kart World. I bought one, figuring I could debate whether to keep or return it later, but at least I’d have one before they were sold out.
You know how the story ends, but here’s why.
When I pulled the Switch 2 out of my box and held it in my hands, it was like handing a dog lover an adorable puppy. Their heart melts, and you know they want to keep it.
The Switch 2 addressed every issue that squashed my desire for the original. I love the new all-black look with distinct red and blue highlights under the Joy-Cons.
The device is larger while still feeling thin and light—far more of both than the Steam Deck I briefly owned but decided to sell.
The screen is gorgeous and capable of more than 720p. The titles coming out aren’t already underpowered at launch the wayBreath of the Wildalready pushed the limits of the original Switch on day one. The Joy-Cons no longer feel too small for my longer fingers and are actually among my favorite controllers, like the Wii-mote used to be back in the day.
There’s a Massive Switch Back Catalog I Never Played
Over the course of my first week with the Switch 2, I haven’t bought any Switch 2 titles other thanMario Kart Worldincluded in the bundle. Instead, I’ve jumped on original Switch games that happen to be on sale. Since I missed the entire Switch generation, there is almost a decade of game releases for me to explore.
Some of the games I’m most excited to play are Switch 1 games, likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, which have been upgraded for the Switch 2.Xenoblade Chronicleson the Wii was my favorite JRPG of all time, yet I haven’t played any of the sequels. I want to get my hands onMetroid Prime Remastered, and I am stoked forMetroid Prime 4. The last main-line Mario Game I played wasSuper Mario 3D Worldon the Wii U. When I bought the Switch 2, Walmart had theSpyro Reignited Trilogyon clearance for $7 andFire Emblem Engagemarked down to $15. Yes, please.
Myfavorite games to play on my foldable phoneare all indie titles, and most of those are also available on the Nintendo eShop. It’s indies like these that currently fill my launch screen.
There Is No Better Family-Friendly Game Library Elsewhere
I’ve beenrelying on NVIDIA GeForce NOWto play non-mobile games as of late. Most of the games that jump out at me on Steam and in the Xbox store are titles I don’t want my young kids to watch. That limits when, where, and how I play.
By contrast, most of the games I want to play on the Switch are family-friendly. Nintendo does action-adventure in a way where games like Zelda and Xenoblade are just fine for kids to see. Even shooters, like Metroid, aren’t graphic. My kids can watch me fight aliens inMetroid Primein a way they catch watch me play throughHalo: The Master Chief Collection.
It’s not just about safely playing games around my kids, either. More importantly, the Switch is packed with games that we can play together.
I Can Share Accessories With My Kids for Couch Multiplayer
Shortly before the Switch 2’s launch, we got our son a second-hand Switch for his birthday. Since those Joy-Cons came with sick drift, a family member got him a new pair (thanks, again).
I had already bought a second 8BitDo Pro 2 controller to go with the console (and have since gotten a third), which meant we had more than four controllers available for couch multiplayer. My daughter inevitably wants a Switch as well, and when that time comes, that may bump the number of Joy-Cons in our house up by another two unless we opt to go for a Switch Lite.
The Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the original Switch Joy-Cons, andmy favorite third-party controller from 8BitDoremains usable as well following a firmware update. By getting a Switch 2 myself, we’re all invested in the same hardware ecosystem. No matter how many people want to play, we always have enough controllers.
Aside from playing the original StarCraft with friends back in high school, I have never particularly liked online gaming. I love couch multiplayer, with that forming some of my fondest childhood memories. These days, no one does couch multiplayer quite like Nintendo.
The Switch 2 Is Still Cheaper Than (Most) PC Gaming Handhelds
At $450, the Switch 2 costs $100 more than the original. Like many, I was originally put off by this price—yet at the same time, I didn’t see it as unreasonable. I couldn’t see how Nintendo could offer this hardware for any less without taking a loss, based on the price of competing PC gaming handhelds out there. The reality is that, compared to similar or more-capable PC gaming handhelds, the Switch 2 is actually pretty cheap.
I considered aLenovo Legion Go, but that costs several hundred dollars more than the Switch 2. So does a ROG Ally. I could buy a Steam Deck again, but I know from experience that I don’t want to go back to that size, weight, or 720p screen. And if I did, I’dwant the OLED model, which at $550 leaves me wondering why I’m paying $100 more for a lower-res display and older hardware.
Lenovo Legion Go
Although not without its issues, the Lenovo Legion Go’s large display, removable controllers, and versatility make it a top choice among PC gaming handhelds.
Asus ROG Ally
Unleash portable power with the ASUS ROG Ally! This premium handheld gaming PC delivers AAA gaming performance, stunning visuals, and seamless compatibility with your favorite platforms. Play anywhere, anytime.
The Switch 2 may not be cheap, but it’s still cheaper. And while first-party Nintendo titles rarely go down in price, I’m a big indie gamer, and those games are as cheap on the eShop as they are elsewhere.
The Switch 2 may not feel underpowered in the way the original Switch did, but it continues Nintendo’s tradition of releasing systems that aren’t quite as performant as the competition. Thing is, with so many game releases still coming out for both the PlayStation 4 and 5 alike, the generation gap is no longer as stark.Cyberpunk 2077andNo Man’s Skylook remarkably similar at a glance on Switch 2 as they do on other platforms, which is pretty impressive when you consider that the Switch 2 is ultimately a handheld. Plus, the Switch 2 is able to handle 4K gaming at 120Hz.
The Switch 2 may not dominate a spec sheet, but it feels every bit like a modern gaming machine, and it’s one I’m convinced is worth every penny.
