Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Do you need to upgrade?

Eight years after the launch of the OG Switch, Nintendo has released the latest Switch 2.

Now we’ve spent enough time with the Nintendo Switch 2, and awarded the console with a four-star rating, we’ve compared it to its predecessor to help you decide whether or not you should upgrade. 

Keep reading to see what’s really different with the Switch 2 compared to the Nintendo Switch. Not sure if either of Nintendo’s offerings are right for you? Visit our best game consoles guide to see our favourite alternatives.

Pricing and availability

Officially released in June 2025, the Switch 2 is unsurprisingly the most expensive Nintendo console available, with an RRP of £395 / $449.99. If you’re keen to nab some extras with your console, say the new Mario Kart World or a mighty MicroSD Express storage card, then we’ve rounded up some of the best Switch 2 bundle deals to help you score a bargain.

The Switch has been a firm favourite ever since its launch back in 2017 and is still available to buy from the official Nintendo site and third-party retailers too. With an RRP of £259.99/$299.99, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the eight year old console is considerably cheaper than its recent successor.

Design

• Although the Switch 2 looks familiar, there are thoughtful upgrades with the console
• At 7.9-inches, the Switch 2 is bigger than the 6.2-inch Switch
• The Switch 2’s dock has a new design and more ports
• Switch 2 has an improved kickstand

The Switch 2 is unmistakably a sibling of the original Switch, as its foundations remain the same with a dock and a Joy-Con that attaches either side of its screen. However, the Switch 2 feels more refined, which is accentuated by its entire black finish whereas the Switch sports a more colourful and playful aesthetic.

With a 7.9-inch display, the Switch 2 is also considerably larger than the 6.2-inch Switch although both remain an LCD screen. To match, the Joy-Cons of the Switch 2 are also larger and are fitted with a few new features too, which we’ll get into in more detail later. For a happy medium, the 7-inch Switch OLED is a mid-sized option with a more vibrant OLED display instead.

The beauty of the Switch series is with its versatility, as both the Switch 2 and Switch can be played either in handheld, tabletop or TV mode thanks to the included dock. Tabletop mode has seen a necessary improvement with the Switch 2, as the console now sports a sturdier kickstand while the Switch’s original stand was “very narrow and flimsy”. 

It’s not just the console and Joy-Cons that have seen a redesign with the Switch 2, as the dock has also seen a revamp. Not only does it sport a curved design now, but there’s now the welcome addition of an Ethernet port alongside the existing USB-C and HDMI.

Winner: Switch 2

Screen

• Both the Switch 2 and Switch have LCD displays
• Switch 2 has a 1080p screen and can support up to 120Hz in certain games
• The OG Switch is capped at just 720p

As we’ve touched upon, the Switch 2 rather disappointingly sticks with an LCD screen much like the original Switch. However, the screen isn’t exactly the same as it’s bigger, at 7.9-inches, has a 1080p resolution and can support HDR. Not only that but it can now also support refresh rates up to 120Hz in compatible games too.

Comparatively, the Switch caps out at 720p resolution while in docked mode this is raised to 1080p.

Although it’s certainly not perfect, the Switch 2’s screen is a big improvement from the original Switch as it offers more detail and is more responsive too. The screen alone, however, is not a reason to upgrade if you own the Nintendo Switch.

Winner: Switch 2

Controllers

• The Joy-Con 2s are now bigger to correspond with the larger screen
• Game Chat is opened with a press of the new C-button, found on the right Joy-Con 2
• While the original Joy-Cons slot in either side of the display, the Joy-Con 2s attach magnetically

Arguably, the Joy-Cons of the Switch 2 have seen the biggest alteration compared to their predecessors. Not only are they bigger, to accommodate the larger Switch 2 display, but they have a new C-button, can work as a mouse and now attach magnetically to either side of the screen. 

The magnetic attachment is especially useful as we found it makes the Joy-Cons feel more rigid and durable when in handheld mode compared to the Switch. 

Found on the right Joy-Con, the new C button acts as a shortcut to Nintendo’s new Game Chat feature which allows you to communicate with up to 12 people while gaming and even video chat when you’ve connected a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera to your device (sold separately). 

When Nintendo first announced the new mouse feature of the Switch 2, which enables the Joy-Cons to be used like a mouse in certain games, it’s fair to say we were a bit sceptical. However, we found this feature worked much better than expected, although we hope more games integrate it so it doesn’t go unused.

All of this isn’t to say the original Joy-Cons aren’t any good. Yes, some users have reported “Joy-Con Drift” where the analogue stick starts to drift in one direction, the controllers are still comfortable to use and are fitted with tools like haptic feedback, an accelerometer and a gyroscope too.

Winner: Switch 2

Performance

• Both the Switch 2 and Switch are powered by different unnamed Nvidia chips
• The Switch 2 feels like a more capable console than its predecessor
• While it has eight times the memory of the Switch, you’ll likely need a microSD Express card to enjoy more games

Nintendo has kept the exact chips that power both the Switch and Switch 2 under wraps, so all we know for sure is that they’re by Nvidia. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Switch 2 feels much faster and more capable than its predecessor, with games running at more stable frame rates than the original.

One issue that unfortunately remains with the Switch 2 is storage space. Although Nintendo offers eight times the storage with the Switch 2, at 256GB, considering 7GB is taken up with the system software alone, this doesn’t actually leave much to play with. 

To cope with this, you’ll need to invest in a microSD Express card. Unfortunately you won’t be able to just reuse your standard Switch microSD as they aren’t compatible with the Switch 2. 

Annoyingly, at the time of writing, not only are microSD Express cards more expensive (starting at £50 for 128GB), but they only go up to 256GB. Hopefully we’ll see this increase as time goes on.

Winner: Switch 2

Games and Software

• The Switch 2 is backwards compatible and some Switch titles have seen free updates accordingly
• Limited game launch lineup
• Switch 2’s home screen is essentially the same as the Switch

The headline game launch with the Switch 2 was undoubtedly Mario Kart World, which feels familiar but adds a few fun additions to keep you entertained. While there are plenty of Nintendo Switch 2 games announced that are coming soon, the initial lineup does feel a bit scarce. 

However, it’s worth remembering that the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, so your original Switch titles are still playable. Some OG titles, such as Tears of the Kingdom have even seen free updates to enhance gameplay on the newer console too, which is a massive bonus. 

Otherwise, the Switch 2’s interface looks and feels familiar, with the home screen essentially exactly the same as the original Switch, so you won’t need to worry about familiarising yourself with a whole new UI.

Winner: Switch 2

Battery Life

• The exact battery life will depend on the game you’re playing and your console’s settings
• We’d advise you invest in a power bank to keep either your Switch 2 or Switch topped up when on the go

Firstly, it’s worth noting that battery life will depend entirely on the game you’re playing and your console settings. However, we have concluded that the battery life on the Switch 2 is poor and “the worst of all the Switch models”. While Nintendo promises a pretty vast range of two to six hours of battery life, we found it was really more on the lower end of the scale.

Sure some first-gen Switch titles lasted for about three and a half hours, but Mario Kart World depleted the battery in just two hours and 45 minutes. If you plan on gaming on the go, you’ll really need a power bank to keep you going. 

The Switch performs better here, lasting up to five and half hours when playing Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe. 

Winner: Switch

Verdict

The Switch 2 is undoubtedly a brilliant update from the OG Switch. Not only does it feature thoughtful amendments, like the improved kickstand, but it’s more powerful, has new features like Game Chat and sports a larger display than its predecessor.

There are, however, some drawbacks. Its battery life is pretty dismal and in order to store your library you’ll need to invest in a pricey microSD Express card. 

If you’ve had your Switch since its launch then we’d argue upgrading to the Switch 2 makes sense. However, if you’re still happy with your Switch and its library, then it doesn’t make that much sense to upgrade right away.