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The Wait Is Over: Why the Nintendo Switch 2 Was My Best Purchase of 2025

I have a confession to make: I spent the last three years rolling my eyes at every "Switch Pro" rumor that crossed my feed. You know the ones—breathless speculation about 4K graphics and next-gen power that never materialized. I watched from the sidelines as heavy-hitters like Elden Ring skipped Nintendo’s ecosystem entirely, leaving my trusty (but aging) original Switch to handle indie darlings and first-party staples.

But the wait is finally over. The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, it’s sitting on my media console, and I can say without hesitation that it’s the best piece of tech I bought this year. It isn’t perfect—we’ll get to the storage situation in a minute—but it is exactly the upgrade we needed.

The Screen: Not OLED, But Still a Stunner

Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. The Switch 2 ships with a 7.9-inch LCD screen, not an OLED panel. Coming from the Switch OLED model, I was prepared to be disappointed by the black levels.

Here’s the reality: You probably won’t mind. The bump to 1080p resolution on a handheld screen of this size makes everything look incredibly crisp, and the new 120Hz refresh rate makes motion feel buttery smooth in a way the original Switch never could. Plus, when you dock it, the ability to output at 4K is a game-changer for your living room TV.

Breathing New Life into Old Favorites

The real magic of the Switch 2 isn't just the new games; it’s what it does for the library you already own. Backward compatibility was my biggest worry, but Nintendo nailed it.

My most-played game this month hasn't been a new release; it’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. On the original hardware, it was a masterpiece that occasionally struggled to keep up. On the Switch 2, running the dedicated upgraded version (which is a free download if you have a Nintendo Switch Online sub, or a $10 upgrade if you don't), it hits a rock-solid 4K at 60 frames per second. Seeing Hyrule with that level of fluidity feels like playing the game for the first time all over again.

We’re also finally seeing a robust GameCube library on Nintendo Switch Online. I missed out on a lot of that era as a kid, so having those titles accessible—and playable on a handheld that actually feels ergonomic—has been a joy.

The "Gotcha" You Need to Know About

I promised I’d be honest, so here is the one massive downside you need to factor into your budget: storage.

The console comes with 256GB of internal storage. In 2025, with game file sizes ballooning, that is simply not enough for a digital library. To make matters trickier, expanding that storage requires a microSD Express card. These are significantly faster than the old microSD cards, which is great for load times, but they are currently about twice the price.

If you are buying this as a gift, be aware that the $449.99 sticker price is just the entry fee. You will almost certainly need to buy a memory card sooner rather than later. My advice? Look for bundles or keep an eye on sales for microSD Express cards specifically.

Is It Worth the $450?

The $449.99 price point was a shock to the system for many of us, especially with tariffs driving up electronics prices across the board. It’s a steep ask, especially compared to the launch price of the original Switch.

However, looking at the tech specs and the sheer utility of the device, it feels fair. You are getting a capable 4K home console and a high-end handheld in one package. With native heavy-hitters like Mario Kart World (which came bundled with my unit) and third-party demos like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade proving the system can handle serious graphical lifting, the value proposition is there.

The Verdict

If you are a tech enthusiast who has been hoarding a backlog of games waiting for better hardware, the Switch 2 is a no-brainer. Playing Octopath Traveler on the couch with that big 7.9-inch screen is the cozy gaming experience I’ve been craving all year.

If you are budget-conscious, it might be worth waiting to see if a hardware revision eventually brings an OLED screen or a price drop. But if you jump in now, you’re getting a machine that respects your old library while finally opening the door to the modern third-party games Nintendo fans have been missing out on for years.

Where to Buy:

• Best Buy: $449.99
• Amazon: $449.00
• Target: $449.99