Without meaning to overlook the original Switch’s impact, Nintendo’s first hybrid console proved, if nothing else, that the concept worked. Now, over one year after launch, the Switch 2 is cementing Nintendo’s status as trailblazers in the handheld console space.
Actually, that’s admittedly a hyperbolic statement given Steamdeck’s substantial userbase, plus the PS Portal’s, ASUS ROG, and Lenovo Legion Go alike. Rumours of Sony’s and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles adopting some form of complimentary handheld indicates, if true, that the market is moving closer to Nintendo’s original hybrid idea. The Switch 2, then, arrived during a resurging interest in handheld gaming, but the Switch’s follow-up was always meant to do more than ride the wave it had a part in starting. It was promising more powerful Nintendo hardware.
So, just over a year later the important question is whether developers – or, indeed, Nintendo themselves – have done anything meaningful with this extra power. Nintendo’s own games historically have never been especially power hungry, but browse the Switch 2’s library and you’ll come across numerous modern AAA games; games that were previously unthinkable on a Nintendo platform. Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Resident Evil Requiem sit alongside Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, and Pokémon Pokopia.
And, despite some pre-launch trepidation, the Switch 2’s gamut of AAA experiences perform reasonably well. Reason being, the Switch 2’s innards are built around a powerful custom Nvidia GPU that supports DLSS AI-upscaling and real-time ray tracing. For CD Projekt Red, this integrated hardware meant the studio could fully optimise Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion in-house. Elsewhere, Nintendo’s sophomore machine can pump out 4K visuals in TV mode, while its 7.9-inch native 1080p LCD screen supports VRR up to 120Hz, even in handheld.
Playing handheld isn’t without its caveats though. Sticking with Cyberpunk, the towering density of DLC location Dogtown reportedly suffers from stuttering performance issues, while shadow resolutions are scaled back all across Night City to preserve handheld mode’s 60fps. The point, however, is that the original Switch forced developers to compromise enormously to get ambitious games running. Now, despite softer shadow resolutions in this example, the Switch 2 has drastically reduced the compromises studios used to make.
And, if a game isn’t quite as demanding the developers can go all-in on harnessing the Switch 2’s potential, with games reaching 120fps at 1080p on the TV, and 60fps in the hand. Add faster load times, HDR support, and sharper cutscenes, and performance is demonstrably where the Switch 2 makes the strongest case for being a meaningful step up from other games.
The Switch 2’s upgrade ecosystem deserves the spotlight too, as Switch 2 editions are consistently more than simple remasters. Yes, you’ve got performance improvements, as in Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom operating at higher resolutions, improved frame rates, shorter load times, and HDR – all that was mentioned a moment ago – but Zelda’s Switch 2 editions also bring in extra camera functionality, JoyCon 2 mouse controls, and an interactive smartphone feature ZELDA NOTES, where your progress is tracked, your blueprints are shared, and navigation is assisted by real-time audio, right inside the Nintendo Switch app.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons expands multi-player servers from eight to twelve. Kirby and the Forgotten Land brought remixed stages, new Mouthful powers for the pink puff, harder boss fights, and fresh collectibles, all alongside a significant performance boost.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t the same game at 4K. It adds Meetup in Bellabel Park, new challenges, collectibles, characters, co-op features; the works.
While Switch 2 editions bolster the console’s lineup, games built specifically for the Switch 2 generation represent a surprisingly broad library too; although we won’t pretend every game is a winner.
Pokémon Pokopia, Splatoon Raiders nestle alongside the aforementioned heavy hitters Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Star Fox make up some more, with the latter an interesting case of being a Switch 2-exclusive remake of the N64 classic. Whilst lists like these are, of course, subjective, we can say little more conclusively that Nintendo hasn’t simply thrown one killer game at the Switch 2 and called it a day. Its first year, instead, is defined by variety: sequels, remakes, spin-offs, enhanced editions, and new experiments.
But, the elephant in the room: no new 3D Mario game, yet. Is the Italian plumber’s absence conspicuous? Or should we remember that modern game development takes a long time, and be assured that Mario’s next adventure is in the (green) pipeline. The reality is that a new mainline 3D Mario game will arrive when it arrives, but it’s worth mentioning here as despite all the positives we’ve outlined already in this feature Nintendo are still keeping cards in their hand.
And look, we’re not saying 3D Mario’s absence is a drawback, but the Switch 2 does harbour a handful of compromises. Battery life, for instance, is barely improved, with Nintendo themselves advertising the Switch 2 as capable of reaching six-and-a-half hours, depending on use. Actually, on paper that’s worse than the original Switch’s up-to-nine hours, but the key word here is “depends”. But, if we’re viewing this as a negative we can only surmise that the Switch 2’s bigger battery capacity hasn’t solved the problem of powering more capable hardware.
Storage is another bone of contention, with 256GB the internal space you’ve got to fill. Compared to the Switch’s relatively paltry 32GB, this – again, on paper – is a meaningful jump, and if you favour indie games you’re probably happy. But, if you’re diving into the Switch 2’s AAA offerings then 256GB won’t last long at all. And, compounding frustration is the fact games can only be saved to next-gen MicroSD cards. Older, non-Express cards can only be used to copy screenshots and videos. And did we mention the 7.9-inch screen size? This thing is big; not a problem for everyone, of course, but it does realistically limit how portable the Switch 2 is given its sizeable profile.
Yet, the unit itself is sturdy enough. Not quite built like a brick but it makes the original Switch feel flimsy in comparison. And, that’s an important detail, as while the console’s outside won’t change, Nintendo hasn’t stopped working on how it functions on the inside. Firmware update 23.0.0 arrived September 10th, bringing improved GameChat functionality, better Virtual Game Card management, and VRR support in TV mode. The Switch 2, then, isn’t the exact same machine that shipped in June 2025. It’ll continue to be iterated upon, and the build quality should see it through the entire generation.
If you’ve never owned a Switch, it’ll soon be too late as Nintendo has confirmed the original version, plus the Switch Lite and Switch OLED will cease manufacture in early 2027. It isn’t being abandoned outright; not yet, anyway, but we’re on the cusp of a generational handover.
If you’re primarily a handheld player, mainly play Nintendo games, and even dip into the AAA space (or are looking forward to The Duskbloods and that remake), then a Switch 2 really is a no-brainer. If you already own a Switch, you’ll have to question how much you value improved performance, access to new games, and all the extra bonuses Switch 2 editions offer. Ultimately, the Switch 2 isn’t perfect (what is?!), but a year in it’s shown itself to be a worthwhile evolution of Nintendo’s hybrid formula.
