Nintendo Switch 2 — One Year Later
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, at 49 — criticized immediately for its price, questioned for its hardware choices, and compared unfavorably to gaming handhelds that pack more raw power into similar form factors. Nine months later, the narrative has changed. Not because Nintendo proved the critics wrong on specifications. But because the games arrived, the ecosystem delivered, and the hybrid concept that seemed tired is proving once again that it is more durable than any spec sheet suggests.
Nintendo ended up having the last laugh on pricing. The PS5 and Xbox Series X both received price increases post-launch, and now sit at 50 each. The Switch 2, at 49, is the cheapest of the three major platforms. In a market where everything is getting more expensive, that gap matters.
The Hardware, Honestly
The Switch 2 runs a custom Nvidia processor with DLSS support — Nintendo's most significant technical advantage over raw horsepower competitors. The console targets 4K output in docked mode via upscaling, and 1080p in handheld. In practice, most third-party ports run at 540p–720p in handheld and 1080p–1440p docked, with DLSS doing the heavy lifting. The image quality is often cleaner than the competing Xbox Series S version of the same game, despite the Series S having more raw GPU power — DLSS is simply better at its job than FSR3 in most implementations reviewed to date.
What the hardware doesn't do is match PS5 or Xbox Series X in texture quality, shadow resolution, or sustained performance at native resolution. Multi-platform titles on Switch 2 are good but not equal. For players who prioritize portability over fidelity, this trade-off is acceptable. For players who want the best-looking version of every multi-platform game, those versions remain on PS5 and PC.
The Games Situation
This is where the Switch 2 has genuinely surprised. Mario Kart World with 24-player races. Donkey Kong Bananza — a 3D platformer so acclaimed it was nominated for GOTY at The Game Awards 2025. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arriving later in 2026. Third-party support has exceeded what the original Switch ever received: Cyberpunk 2077 runs in handheld. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is on the platform. Street Fighter 6 is smooth enough to fool seasoned players. Hades II's Switch 2 port is widely considered the best version on any platform.
The backwards compatibility story is also compelling. Switch 1 games run on Switch 2 with improved framerates and resolution in many cases — a library of hundreds of games ready on day one, with some already benefiting from free upgrade patches.
| Switch 2 | PS5 Pro | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 49 | 50 | 50 |
| Portable | Yes | No | No |
| Native 4K | Upscaled | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusives | Strong Nintendo 1st party | Sony 1st party | Xbox Game Pass focus |
| Backwards Compat. | Switch 1 | PS4 (partial) | Xbox/360/OG Xbox |
Is It Worth Buying in 2026?
Yes — with caveats. If you already own a PS5, Xbox, or a powerful gaming PC, the Switch 2's value proposition is primarily portability. Taking Cyberpunk 2077 or Final Fantasy VII on a flight is a real, tangible benefit that those platforms cannot replicate. If you skipped the original Switch entirely, the Switch 2 with full backwards compatibility to that library is exceptional value. If you are primarily a home console player and image quality matters most, the PS5 Pro remains the stronger platform for multi-platform titles.