The only home for Mario and Zelda, and the simplest to use
Nintendo Switch 2
Reviewed by
Eran Yorkovsky · Founder, PickGrade
The right handheld for the most people: the only way to play Nintendo's exclusives, console-simple with no settings to tune, and cheaper than most handheld PCs. The screen's LCD not OLED and battery is modest, and note the US price rises to $499.99 on Sept 1, 2026.
The Switch 2 is the only place to play Nintendo's first-party catalog, and that alone decides the purchase for millions of buyers. Beyond the exclusives, it is the most frictionless handheld here: no operating system to manage, no graphics settings to tune, and a sharp 1080p 120Hz display with strong third-party support this generation. Docked TV play, detachable controllers for instant two-player sessions, and sane battery life make it the default pick for households and anyone who wants a handheld that behaves like an appliance rather than a PC.
$449.99
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Last reviewed Jun 10, 2026
What we like
- ✓Exclusive home of Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Nintendo's catalog
- ✓Zero-setup console simplicity — no OS tinkering ever
- ✓7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz screen with much stronger third-party ports than the original Switch
- ✓Docks to a TV and splits into two controllers for instant multiplayer
- ✓Best-in-class family features and parental controls
Trade-offs
- −Screen is LCD, not OLED
- −Battery life is modest (about 2-6.5 hours) in demanding games
- −Storage expansion needs pricier microSD Express cards
- −Accessories are expensive, and GameChat now requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership
- −US MSRP rises to $499.99 on September 1, 2026
Best for
Anyone whose must-play list includes Nintendo exclusives, families sharing one device, and buyers who want console simplicity with no settings menus.
Avoid if
You already own a big Steam or PC library — none of it runs here, and you'll buy games again at full Nintendo prices. Storage expansion also requires pricier microSD Express cards.
The three lenses
How we grade →- 8.9/10
Value & Longevity · Eran Yorkovsky
Score breakdown
- ease9.8/10
- fit9.6/10
- quality9.2/10
- value8.9/10
Specs
- os
- Nintendo OS (console-simple)
- chip
- Custom Nvidia (Ampere GPU) with DLSS; up to 4K docked
- price
- $449.99 (rises to $499.99 on Sept 1, 2026)
- battery
- 5,220 mAh; ~2-6.5 hours depending on game
- display
- 7.9-inch 1080p LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 (not OLED)
- storage
- Internal + microSD Express (faster, pricier cards)
- controllers
- Magnetic Joy-Con 2 (one doubles as a mouse)
- compatibility
- Plays most original Switch games; dock has a cooling fan
How we know
High confidenceLast checkedThe Nintendo Switch 2 is the right handheld for the most people — the only way to play Nintendo's exclusives, console-simple to use, family-friendly, and cheaper than most handheld PCs. It launched in June 2025 and became the fastest-selling console in Nintendo's history, topping nearly 20 million units within ten months. The upgrades over the original are substantial: a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10, a custom Nvidia chip with DLSS upscaling that outputs up to 4K when docked, and redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers that attach magnetically and can even work as a mouse for strategy games and shooters. It plays the vast majority of original Switch games, and the new dock adds a cooling fan for sustained docked performance. The honest caveats: the screen is LCD rather than OLED, battery life is a modest 2 to 6.5 hours depending on the game, it needs pricier microSD Express cards for storage expansion, accessories are expensive (Joy-Con 2 run about $95), and GameChat now requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. One thing to know on price: the US MSRP is $449.99 today, but Nintendo has confirmed it rises to $499.99 on September 1, 2026, citing component costs — so buying before then saves $50. For Nintendo fans, families, and anyone who wants gaming that just works, it's the easy choice.
Compare Nintendo Switch 2 with the top alternates side-by-side.
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Other expert reviews
Video reviews
Digital Foundry — Nintendo Switch 2 in-depth hardware review
From real owners
Human reviews that sharpen our AI grade
- ★★★★★Nothing beats the Nintendo Games
Playing Mario Kart with my kids bring my back to my childhood. LOVE IT!
James · Jun 25, 2026
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