Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Wayfinder Redux earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially here, launching at $449.99 …and yes, it’s very real and very good. Trigger warning though…. if you remember how hard it was to get a PS5 during the pandemic, then prepare for a similar emotional rollercoaster. Anyway, if you’ve ever wished your original Switch felt a little more premium, or a little more modern, this is the one you’ve been waiting for - and it is worth waiting for. And suffice to say, if you click the link below and you get the chance…. then don’t hesitate!

Let’s start with the hardware: the Switch 2 screen is a bright, sharp, 7.9-inch full-HD display with zero visible pixels, even up close. I know we’re all used to high-res screens nowadays. but the camera had a hard time finding them …even up close. It’s ideal for Nintendo’s saturated, cartoony color palettes – whether you're in Hyrule, on Rainbow Road, or firing up Stardew Valley for the umpteenth time. It's an LCD panel, not OLED, but it’s still seriously impressive. Crisp detail, excellent viewing angles, and no lag.

The build feels great, too. Solid without being heavy – the sweet spot between portable and premium. There’s reassuring heft to it when it’s in hand - making it feel more like a tool, not a toy - but it’s obviously still a toy, and you should find great comfort in the crossover. In my opinion, toys and tools should be no different in build quality, so it’s nice to see Nintendo taking care of this aspect. Whether it’ll last as long as my original GameBoy Color that still turns on remains to be seen!

The solid build quality extends to the controllers, and the redesigned Joy-Con 2’s magnetically snap into place - with buttons and joysticks that feel better than ever: clicky, firm, and much more deliberate. Honestly, the whole input experience feels like a proper upgrade – less floaty, more focused.

One of the more talked-about additions is a new social feature called GameChat, which lets you voice or video chat with friends mid-game using the built-in mic or optional USB-C camera. It’s a neat idea, and I’m sure some people will get good use out of it – especially for couch-style games like Mario Kart or Smash. That said, it’s hardly a game-changer if you’re offline, on a plane, or just not into gaming as a group activity. If it’s rock-solid, that all that matters, and only time will tell.

Backwards compatibility? Yep. Your existing Switch library carries over (with a few small exceptions, apparently), and Nintendo has confirmed that most Joy-Con and Pro Controllers still work. There’s even a docked mode that pushes up to 4K at 120fps, if the game supports it and your TV can handle the output.

Battery life and load times are better, thanks to a major performance bump in both CPU and GPU. And internal storage gets a serious boost to 256GB (up from 32GB on the original Switch) – finally enough room to store more than a few games without needing to offload your saves to a microSD card every weekend.

If you’re wondering what it feels like in the hand: think iPad mini meets PS5 controller. There’s a new adjustable stand on the back for tabletop mode, and a second USB-C port on top for charging while upright. No more awkward cable tangle.

Final Thoughts?

The Switch 2 isn’t trying to be a PlayStation killer or a PC replacement. It’s doing its own thing – just better. Better screen. Better controls. Better everything. And if you’re like me and think that gaming should feel good even when you’re losing badly in Smash, then this one’s going to hit the spot.

Worth the upgrade? If you play games on the go – absolutely. Available now on Amazon