Please note that I received a Nintendo Switch 2 to facilitate this review. This has not impacted my review in any way. This post contains affiliate links.
I’ve been using the new Nintendo Switch 2 for about a month now, and if you’re anything like me- someone who loves to play but doesn’t necessarily care about all the technical specs- you might be wondering if it’s really worth the upgrade. So after more laps in Mario Kart World than I’d care to count, booting up some of my classic Switch favorites, and letting the whole family in on the fun, here’s what I’ve noticed after actually using it for a few weeks!
First off, it feels like the same Switch I already knew and loved- just {way} better. The overall vibe is super familiar, so I didn’t have to re-learn anything- it’s definitely still a Nintendo Switch. Everything is still in the same spot, just bigger and more polished. We’ve had several versions of the Switch over the years- the original, the OLED edition, even a Switch Lite- and each time we’ve gone between those it’s been similar to this time in that you can tell it’s a Switch, but it’s slightly different. The main difference here is just that the upgrades are way more noticeable and pronounced than any of the other “switches” we’ve made before between consoles.
One of the first things you’ll notice is how much better the graphics look. Whether you’re playing on the handheld screen or docked on the TV, everything is sharper, brighter, and more detailed. Colors pop more, and the worlds feel more alive and immersive- even familiar games like Zelda look fresh and new. If you’re someone who loves getting lost in game worlds, the upgraded visuals alone make a big difference! While playing Mario Kart World, the first Switch 2 exclusive game, I commented several times about how much more they were able to do with the maps because of how great the graphics are- both on crispness and frame rate.
The other big difference I noticed right away? Faster loading times. Games that used to take forever {looking at you, my beloved Animal Crossing: New Horizons} now load so quickly, even on highly decorated islands. My kids also tested Fortnite on it- they basically gave up on playing it on the original Switch because of the lag, but now they’re fully hooked on playing it on the Switch 2. Zelda games are already known for being beautiful but this takes it to a new level and overall, everything just runs smoother.
We’ve been playing Mario Kart World the most {a Switch 2 exclusive- review coming soon!}, and it’s been a blast. The stronger haptics- those little vibration moments you feel in your hands- make the races feel more immersive and fun. I’ve mostly played the Switch 2 docked on the TV because the graphics look so good {and because we’ve done a lot of family races}, but the handheld screen is definitely sharper and brighter than before too.
As far as what you need to buy, technically nothing extra is required. That said, I’d recommend an extra set of Joy-Cons if you like family or group games, and maybe the upgraded Pro Controller if that’s your thing. A case is a must if you’ll be bringing it places, though it does have a built-in screen protector.
If you’ve never owned a Switch before, this is definitely the one to get. You’ll be able to play future games {many new titles will only work on Switch 2}, and you can still play all the older favorites too.
If you already have a Switch and only play casually, you don’t necessarily have to rush out and upgrade today. But if you enjoy new games, want to get rid of long load times or lag, or want to make sure you can play upcoming exclusives, it’s worth grabbing sooner rather than later.
At the end of the day, the Switch 2 feels like Nintendo took everything that was fun about the original and gave it a major glow-up. It’s faster, smoother, and just more fun to use. I can’t wait to see what other new games come out so we can keep exploring what it can do!
You can buy a Switch 2 {when it’s in stock} at the following locations:
Amazon- Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle {by invite only- you can request an invite}
Best Buy- Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
Don’t forget to pick up your Nintendo Switch Camera {or the Piranha Plant edition!}, Pro Controller, and Joy-Cons!
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