The Nintendo Switch 2 is now available to pre-order. It will cost $449.99, and a bundle that includes Mario Kart World (which is only in production through the fall) will cost $499.99, saving you $30 versus buying the game separately.
But should you buy the Switch 2?
In early 2024, when I first published this article, many people wondered whether it was still a wise choice to buy a Switch, or if they should just wait for the Switch 2 instead. That was before we knew as much as we do now. Nintendos April 2 Direct, as well as Polygons own Switch 2 hands-on impressions, shined light on nearly everything we were curious about: namely, how powerful the Switch 2 will be, the ways in which its different from the original Switch, how much itll cost, and what games we can expect to play on launch day (and beyond).
Considering the Switch 2s high cost, its clearly not for everybody. Priced between $199.99 and $349.99, the original Switch model — whether that be a Switch OLED, the regular Switch, or the Switch Lite — might still be the right fit for some people. With so many options and so much money at stake, its as confusing as ever to decide what the right move is. Perhaps we can help you.
Have you played the Switchs stellar game library?If youre brand-new to the world of the Nintendo Switch, there are many good games to catch up on. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Dread, Super Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Pikmin 4 — I could go on, but Ill let our roundup of the best Switch games do that for me. You dont need a Switch 2 to play so much of the best that the Switch has to offer.
Its reassuring to know that nearly all original Switch games — both digital and physical — are compatible with the new console, and that some of them will boast performance increases thanks to the faster hardware. (Nintendo is selling Switch 2 Edition upgrades of some original Switch games that contain a multitude of upgrades, but you wont have to pay for those upgrades to simply play the games you own.) If you do choose to buy the new console, all of your games will likely come with you.
Related: The Nintendo Switch 2 is faster — but by how much?
While Nintendo has announced release dates for its first Switch 2-exclusive games, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, other upcoming Nintendo releases, like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, are also coming to the original Switch. Unless you really love Mario Kart, the quantity of Switch 2 exclusives at this time doesnt completely tip the scales in favor of the new console.
And yet (this is dizzying, I know), I dont suggest that most people buy a Switch at its full price just to catch up now. If you find one on a deal, thats another story. But if you dont want to wait for a deal that may never come (or that may not be as good as we wish for it to be), then you should consider pre-ordering the new console or waiting until more exclusive games are out to make the purchase.
Image: Nintendo Do VRR, ALLM, 120 Hz mean anything to you?If so, youll want to wait for the Switch 2. If not, you might be perfectly content with the original Switch.
The Switch 2 boasts surprisingly modern specs (no offense, Nintendo) with a screen thats capable of running games at up to 120 frames per second in 1080p resolution. Its Nvidia G-Sync display utilizes a technology called variable refresh rate (VRR) to adapt the screens refresh rate to the GPUs performance so that you dont notice screen tearing. As for auto low-latency mode (ALLM), the Switch 2s dock can automatically trigger your TVs low-latency gaming mode to ensure the best possible visuals, and it can play games at up to 4K.
Related: Nvidia confirms that its all up in the Switch 2
The original Switch… cant do any of that. Its 720p screen tops out at 60 frames per second, and many games make it apparent just how long in the tooth the original hardware was becoming.
On the other hand, are you buying for someone who doesnt care about tech specs?Does the Switchs lackluster-at-times performance dampen the fun you can have with its games? The answer depends on who you ask. As for me? Not really, coming from the guy who happily explored Hyrule (as well as above and below it in Tears of the Kingdom) and played dozens of other games with a grin from ear to ear. But again, from a financial perspective, buying a Switch OLED for $349.99 right now — just $100 less than the Switch 2 — doesnt make sense. Unless Nintendo drops the price of the original Switch consoles (personally, I dont expect Nintendo to slash prices in half, but wouldnt that be nice?), Id consider buying the Switch 2.
That said, the Switch OLEDs built-in screen is better in one major way compared to that of the Switch 2s. As you might have gleaned from its name, the Switch OLED has an OLED screen that makes games look phenomenal. While it runs at a lower resolution and refresh rate than the Switch 2, the new consoles LCD screen will likely pale in comparison when it comes to presenting rich, accurate colors and perfect blacks.
Do you love the GameCube?Ah, Nintendo got you there, right where it hurts. The company is introducing GameCube games to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, but only if you have a Switch 2. Only with the new console will you be able to play The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, F-Zero GX, and more coming in the future.
