My Top Purchase of the Year: The Nintendo Switch 2

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2 for quite some time. The buzz around a supposed Switch Pro that never materialized lingered for years, especially as I noticed a dwindling number of AAA third-party titles making their way to Nintendo’s versatile console. While I always had a solid lineup of first-party games and indie gems to enjoy, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy watching blockbusters like Elden Ring take the gaming world by storm, knowing I’d have to wait for the next-gen hardware to expand my library. But now, it’s finally here.

The Switch 2 shines as an upgraded version of the original. Its 7.9-inch 120Hz 1080P display is impressively sharp—sure, an OLED screen would have been a nice touch, but I’m not complaining. The ability to output at up to 4K, or 120Hz at lower resolutions, is a fantastic enhancement. It’s compatible with most original Nintendo Switch games, many of which have received free or paid updates to boost their frame rates or resolutions.

So far, I’ve dived into Mario Kart World, bundled with the system, but my go-to game remains The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The Switch 2 edition runs at 4K and 60 frames per second for just $10 (or free if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription). That subscription also opens the door to a growing library of GameCube classics, including some titles I missed out on during my childhood.

I intentionally held off on tackling my backlog, which includes several older titles, until I could experience them on a larger handheld display, and I have no regrets. Spending hours immersed in Octopath Traveler while lounging on the couch with the big-screen handheld was an absolute blast. Plus, Nintendo and third-party developers have been generous with free demos for Switch 2 titles, like Donkey Kong Bananza and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, allowing players to try before they buy.

My only real gripe with the Nintendo Switch 2 is its 256GB of internal storage, which feels a bit cramped for someone like me with a sizable digital library. Expanding storage means investing in a microSD Express card, which can be significantly pricier than the standard microSD cards used by the original Switch. I’m hopeful that future hardware revisions will include an OLED display and at least 512GB of storage, and by then, microSD Express cards will hopefully be more budget-friendly.

The console’s starting price of $449.99 surprised many, but it seems reasonable given its tech specs and the rising tariffs that delayed preorders in North America, prompting a price hike for the original Switch. Nintendo recently stated that it will shift its primary development focus to the Switch 2 and expand its business around this new platform. I’m excited to see exclusive titles and ports of third-party games making their way to my new favorite console.