June brought about the biggest console launch in years. Outside of the constant leaks and discussion that ended up getting one company sued in the process. The Nintendo Switch 2 is exactly what a lot of people wanted. Most of what some people needed, and almost nothing that would improve my experience over a Switch OLED. But I still bought one. The Nintendo Switch 2 is what can still be called the handheld most people will end up buying. But depending on your needs, that might not include you.
Nintendo Switch 2: The Cost
The System and Games
The cost has arguably been a pain point during the launch of the Switch 2. $450 gets you the console, $500 gets you the system with a game bundled in, and if you want to grab a game that’s going to be $60-$70 there as well. While it can be said the price is too high, the Switch 2, being a Nintendo product, means it’s going to sell like mad for the general audience.
Personally, I was patient and managed to nab an “open box” unit from Walmart for just $350 plus shipping (thanks to Team Retrogue), and for the cost, it seems much more reasonable. Plus, it came with a copy of Mario Kart World.
The Accessories
The more egregious upcharge comes from the accessories, in my opinion. We complained about Joy-Cons being $70-$80. The new Joy-Cons land anywhere from $90-$100. Most accessories increased in price to avoid raising the system price anymore, but even then, it feels expensive.
$80-$90 for the Pro 2 controller feels like a bit too much, despite the praise it’s received. For a Switch 2 dedicated controller, I’ve ended up finding my way back to things like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 or Pro 3. Both of which I’ve found use cases for in my brief time with the Switch 2.
The Ergonomics
For a system meant for everyone, the Switch 2 plays it safe. Pairing its flat-backed design with a larger 7.9”, 1080p display means you’ve got something portable, but also easy to add a grip to. I found the Switch OLED to be fine in terms of ergonomics, but something about expanding that flat slab even further made it harder to enjoy the Switch 2 in handheld mode more.
I’d really rather the ergonomics of placing the tablet on a surface and using the Joy-Cons separately for general gameplay. Otherwise, it does about as well as it can for a design meant to appease everyone.
Nintendo Switch Online
One of the biggest arguments on the scene towards Nintendo’s platforms is Nintendo Switch Online and its built-in emulators. The emulation scene will argue that you can just emulate on your own handheld, your PC, or anything else that can perform better than a potato. But if you’ve already got a Switch 2, you already need to pay for it online, and you want easy access to these games, you might as well use them.
With NSO, you get NES, SNES, and Game Boy. Get the expansion pass, and you unlock GBA, Genesis, Nintendo 64, and GameCube as well. With most of these systems being D-pad-centric, the use of something like an 8BitDo Pro series controller serves me well in use. As a Game Boy Advance first kind of guy, Super Mario Advance 2 and 3 are going to be my go-tos. As of recently, though I’ve given Metroid Fusion a try as well, and have found myself enjoying it more than expected.. If you’re looking for a proper game review, though, Monto Tech can talk your ear off about Metroid Fusion specifically.
The Games I Ended Up Playing
Despite the high cost, despite the breadth of games to pick from. The Switch 2 ended up being just a couple of things for me. A Mario Kart World device, which, while it’s a good game, I think, after a bit of gameplay, I find myself preferring Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. That being said, over time, the tides of opinion can and will shift in that regard. Even though the emptier feeling of the open world might never be my favorite.
The other thing is an Indie machine. Yeah, I have a bunch of options for this now, too. I can use GameHub on my Y700, or PortMaster on my RP Flip 2, or just Steam on an AYANEO Air 1S. That being said, I still have a bunch of games I bought for my OG Switch that I still haven’t finished. Flinthook, Freedom Planet, and Cursed to Golf are a couple of examples. I’ve put a lot of time into Rogue Legacy on the Switch, so all of my good saves remain there.
Any new Indie Games I buy, I start on PC, like Easy Delivery Co. However, my backlog across systems is the only other reason I’m even bothering to pick up the Switch 2.
Final Thoughts
It’s for a general audience, obviously. Everyone who wants a “more affordable” console can grab the Switch. You want Nintendo games, you want a family experience, and you want a system that just works. You grab the Switch 2 if you want it to last. As someone in the handheld market, I’m inherently broken towards this. With a never-ending supply of options and a need to feed consumerism, the Switch 2 gets treated like the rest: a good handheld I barely play enough to justify.
If I sold all of my handhelds, I would probably keep it over most other options due to the ecosystem. I’d also probably keep a half dozen of my controllers, cause I’m apparently up to 4 8BitDo Ultimates for some reason. That being said, you don’t need a Switch 2 yet. Wait until the games you want for a new platform are out before you dive in. Otherwise, you’ve just got another handheld collecting dust while you wait for Kirby’s Air Ride. Again.
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