The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived in stores and is proving to be a huge success. It’s broken sales records, player counts, but most importantly, our wallets.
And while it boasts some pretty nifty upgrades from 2017’s original Switch, Nintendo has released the Switch 2 with a single game. It begs the question: is it worth forking over $700 for one right now?
Honestly? No. I’ve spent over 70 hours playing the Switch 2 so far, and while I can honestly say I love it, I don’t think the single game (Mario Kart World) is enough for casual gamers to rush out and buy it. There’s a heap of great-looking games coming out by the end of the year, which means you have a little time up your sleeve to keep an eye out for a sale.
If you’re on the fence about whether you should get the Switch 2 right now, let me break down everything you need to know about this absolute unit of hardware.
How does the Nintendo Switch 2 improve on the Nintendo Switch?
In every way, the Switch 2 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor (and people say sequels never match the original).
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes equipped with everything you’d want from an upgrade: A bigger screen, an improved graphics card (which means better-looking games), a larger display, and a fresh new design to match.
You also won’t need to worry about purging games too often for space, as the console features 256GB of internal storage. While games on other consoles are already so big they’ll eat half this storage space up anyway, it’s still a massive improvement.
One of my favourite features of the Switch 2 is the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. Not only are they bigger, but they attach magnetically to the console. No awkward sliding or docking, it simply snaps on seamlessly (and it feels SO good when it does). These controllers also feature mouse control, allowing you to use the side of the controller like, well, a mouse.
What games are available on the Switch 2?
While Mario Kart World is the only new game launched alongside the Switch 2, you can actually play your old games on the new console. Phew. Simply slot your physical cartridge into the Switch 2, and you can start playing almost right away.
You can also choose to transfer your digital games connected to your Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to Nintendo’s new Virtual Card feature. This allows you to transfer one digital game from your original Nintendo Switch to your Nintendo Switch 2. Even better, this lets you share games with your family. However, it’s one card per console at a time, so it’ll take a bit of coordination between everyone.
Because the Switch 2 shares so much with the original Switch, you can transfer all of your files across to the new console. So, if you’re stressed about restarting that hefty Animal Crossing save, worry not! You can just transfer it over and pick up where you left off. That being said, some individuals have reported losing their save files after the transfer. So if you’re a bit too attached, it might be worth holding off for a bit until Nintendo nips that problem in the bud.
How does GameChat work with the Nintendo Switch 2?
With the original Switch, online gaming kinda felt like an afterthought. This time around, Nintendo has made it a major focus of the console.
With the Switch 2, Nintendo has created its very own software called GameChat. It essentially functions as a pseudo-Discord-like platform but with a Nintendo logo on it.
By simply pressing the ominous “C” button on the console, you’ll be taken to the GameChat app, where you can start voice calls with friends. Thankfully, you won’t need to fork out for a spenny gamer headset here either. The Switch 2 comes with a pretty impressive mic, letting you yap away without any hassle.
I had my console set up on the other side of the room, and people in the call party were able to hear me clearly as I spoke. If you want to use GameChat for video calling, you can as well. Nintendo also released a webcam (sold separately), which users will apparently need to purchase if they want to see their friends’ faces while racing them in Mario Kart. Some users have found other webcams that are compatible, but Nintendo says otherwise. Do with that what you will.
How is the online experience on the Nintendo Switch 2?
In true Nintendo fashion, the online experience remains a bit of a weak point. While GameChat is nifty at adding friends to a voice call, it’s still convoluted to even add friends on the Switch to begin with.
To send friend requests, you have to share a 12-letter unique code with someone to add them. Alternatively, you can download the Nintendo Switch mobile app and share a QR code with people there, but it feels a bit disappointing that this isn’t an in-platform experience.
In Mario Kart, for example, it would make sense to add friends via their player profiles in the in-game lobby. Instead, you have to leave the game, go into your Switch profile, find accounts you’ve previously played with and add from there. Any other game right now lets you add friends within the game itself, so it feels like a weird miss from Nintendo.
I can’t believe in the year of our lord 2025, you still can’t send friend requests in-game on Mario Kart.
However, that leads to another overlooked interaction, which I’m not sure Nintendo considered. Since you can’t kick people (AKA gamer speak for booting people out of a game), the only solution to dealing with trolls is to quit the party and report them. Yep, you have to leave the game yourself while the toxic individual gets the validation that they managed to push you to leave. It might sound harsh, but to me, this feels like it’s punishing the victim more than the perpetrator.
While this interaction was exclusive to Mario Kart World, I hope this isn’t indicative of how Nintendo plans to structure its online experience in future games.
Is it worth getting a Nintendo Switch 2 right now?
If you haven’t already forked out your entire life savings to get the Nintendo Switch 2 day-dot, I’d personally recommend waiting for a little bit.
Now, let me caveat that if the Nintendo Switch is your only console, and you’re looking to upgrade, then the Switch 2 is absolutely it. However, if you own a PlayStation or a PC, there isn’t much compelling you to buy one right now. You can already play a majority of games on these consoles, albeit without the handheld aspect.
Before the console’s release, the internet was already making memes about it only releasing with one game. Well, two if you count The Welcome Tour, but that’s less a game and more a $15 instruction manual for the Switch 2. Either way, it does make it pretty hard to justify upgrading your unit right now.
When the original Nintendo Switch was released, it launched alongside The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of the best games of the past decade. With Breath of the Wild’s release garnering 10/10 reviews alongside the revolutionary hardware of the Nintendo Switch, it made it a must-buy, even if it was just for Zelda. As much as I really like the new Mario Kart, I don’t think it has that same je ne sais quoi.
However, there is a lot of promise on the horizon. There’s a brand-new Pokémon game coming out in October, followed by a highly anticipated new Metroid game later this year.
Several old Nintendo Switch games also received graphics and performance updates. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet look and run beautifully on the Switch 2, and feel like the way they were meant to be played.
The Switch 2 is undoubtedly a home run for Nintendo; just look at the release-day sales figures. And with time, I expect even the staunchest of critics will turn their tune eventually. While the console does have issues surrounding its online performance and lack of games right now, I’m hopeful these aren’t permanent issues.
Despite some hang ups, I honestly do believe the console satisfies so much of what we were asking for with a Nintendo Switch 2. With so many new handheld consoles hitting the market this year, the Switch 2 does more than enough to justify its place not only as a handheld, but alongside the best Nintendo consoles.
Image credit: PEDESTRIAN.TV / Nintendo
