The Switch 2 was unquestionably the biggest console drop in 2025. With a bunch of Switch 2-exclusive titles on the horizon, such as the highly anticipated Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and the new Fire Emblem installment, Fortune’s Weave, we expect big things in 2026.
The $450 price tag understandably served as a deterrent for some, and if you missed out on the initial Switch 2-mania, it's certainly not the end of the world; we’re just getting started here. Nintendo rolled out some instant classics, like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, at launch, but there weren’t many new releases in its inaugural year. It appears that Nintendo is taking a quality-over-quantity approach with the Switch 2 thus far, and in many ways, that’s a good thing.
Still, this has led the gaming community to collectively question: Is the Switch 2 really worth it? As a proud owner of Nintendo’s latest device, I can lend a little expertise. I broke down the most polarizing question in the gaming world right now, and hopefully, it makes your purchasing decision (or rather, indecision) a little more palatable.
It’s no secret that a contingent of the gaming community was turned off by the Switch 2’s $450 price tag. Of course, this didn't prevent the system from being sold out almost immediately during the first wave of pre-orders, but it did raise some eyebrows.
The $500 gaming bundles are unequivocally the better buy. Switch 2 games are now going for $70 a pop, so you get to save $20 off the rip. The Mario Kart World bundle was released in the initial pre-order batch and still represents solid value, especially since it is a Switch 2-exclusive title. The Pokémon Legends: Z-A is another popular buy, but it’s a little harder to get your hands on. Not all that surprising, considering we’re in the midst of Pokemania 2.0.
In a broader sense, the $450 cost isn’t all that unreasonable. In fact, it’s more in line with Nintendo releases than you probably think. The original Switch debuted at $300 back in 2017; adjusted for inflation, that’s about $400 in today’s money. And when you factor in the tariff situation and the hardware upgrades, an extra $50 doesn’t necessarily break the bank. At one point, there were rumors that Nintendo would raise the machine’s launch price due to tariff concerns, but the brand ultimately decided not to. That’s a win in and of itself.
Shop the Mario Kart World Bundle
Nintendo added small but meaningful upgrades to the Switch 2, and they legitimately enhance the overall experience. The redesign isn’t all that groundbreaking, but it does improve gameplay fluidity. The Switch 2 features the same basic design as the original version. It remains a hybrid handheld device, with a portable base unit and two detachable Joy-Con controllers on the ends. The other option lets you plug it into a dock and your TV for a standard home console experience.
The biggest difference in the Switch 2 is the bigger screen. The Switch 2 features a larger, 7.9-inch display, an upgrade from the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen. It now also supports high dynamic range (HDR), allowing the screen to display a wider range of lighting conditions. It’s also noticeably brighter and has better contrast than the original unit's SDR.
The new console’s faster 120-hertz refresh rate is a much-needed upgrade, and according to Senior Review Editor and veteran gaming journalist Mike Epstein, it has been a long time coming.
“If you’re an original Nintendo Switch die-hard, picking up the Switch 2 is a no-brainer,” Epstein said. “The first console’s run is over. If you want more Nintendo games going forward, you need the new hardware. Not to mention that Switch was underpowered from the jump, so there are plenty of OG Switch games that just run better on the Switch 2, even without a paid upgrade.”
In essence, any game you already own for the original Switch, or plan on owning, is better experienced on the new device. Another monumental improvement: it can now run in 4K at 60 frames per second in docked mode, which similarly feels long overdue. For faster, smoother gameplay, especially on the older titles, 1080p is generally the way to go (120 fps in docked mode). Ergonomics have been upgraded, thanks to larger Joy-Cons, which are now easier to press and more comfortable overall. I’ve been shiny hunting in the Pokémon: Fire Red port (don’t ask me how it’s going), and the bigger analog sticks have made the repetitive movements much more palatable.
Speaking of the Joy-Cons, disconnecting them on a whim has also proven to be a more streamlined experience. Nintendo has switched over to a magnetic connection, with a simple one-button release. It’s way easier to switch modes this time around, which is ideal when you're playing through a few games at once.
Another element that PC gamers will love—the Joy-Cons now feature sensors at the long end of the controller, allowing you to use them like a traditional mouse. You can use one or both; admittedly, I haven’t taken advantage of this feature yet, as I'm not much of a PC gamer, but I appreciate the extra option.
Nintendo’s online gaming has traditionally been lacking somewhat, but the Switch 2 gives us hope. For starters, the device features a built-in microphone and GameChat, along with an optional webcam, making the online experience a little more seamless. Not having to jump through hoops to chat with your friends (or enemies) is undoubtedly convenient, and it also saves you a little money down the line if you're not picky about using a headset.
Nintendo seems to be prioritizing the online experience this time around. Take the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, for instance. One of the main highlights of the upgrade pack is the brand-new 12-player online multiplayer support. Regular Switch users don’t have access to this, and it appears Nintendo is trying to implement more online multiplayer into most of its Switch 2 titles. Just another thing to consider.
Call us a little biased, but we think the Switch 2 is totally worth it. The cost of the new device is fairly consistent with inflation, and it features enough impactful upgrades to warrant a brand-new model. With Nintendo set to sunset the original device over the next few years, you’ll only have one real option, anyway. And it's unquestionably the better one.
That being said, your situation also dictates whether or not to pull the proverbial trigger. If you already have a Switch and aren’t enticed by any of the exclusive titles, you can always opt to wait it out. The lack of said titles is another reason you might want to hold off, Epstein noted.
“The game library is still pretty small, so unless there are some specific Switch 2 games that you want to play right now, it’s probably okay to wait a few months or even a year to see how Nintendo and other third-parties scale the platform’s library, even if you're already into the idea of buying one,” he told me.
Nintendo is all in on the new device, though, and the improvements are certainly better than advertised. All things considered, it’s not necessarily an “if” you buy a Switch 2 issue, but rather, a “when.” Mike and I received ours early and have zero regrets, but we understand it’s a case-by-case basis. Just make sure to consider all the factors above.
Tim Kohut is the Deals and Trends Editor for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, Best Products, and Runner's World. He has extensive product review and gear coverage expertise, particularly in tech, home, auto, and health. Tim was previously the Deputy Commerce Editor of The Drive and a Commerce Editor at BGR. He’s also overseen gear coverage and strategy at Popular Science, Bob Vila, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. He has a strong affinity for cats, Batman, and early 90’s Nicolas Cage films, in that order.
Expert consulted:Mike Epstein
Senior Commerce Editor, Reviews
Mike Epstein is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst Enthusiast Group, producing reviews for buying guides Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products. Prior to joining Hearst, he was a video game and technology critic for over 10 years, with bylines at IGN, Gamespot, Variety, Lifehacker, Kotaku, GamesRadar, Flavorwire and Digital Trends, among others. Now, he’s a jack of all trades, helping reviewers share everything they know about all kinds of technical gear, from snowblowers, to running shoes and bicycles, and every kind of gadget imaginable.
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