Nintendo Switch Review: Still Brilliant, Even in the Switch 2 Era
8.5/10 — Nintendo Switch
Pros
- Play on the TV or on the go, seamlessly
- Enormous library of superb first-party games
- Great for local multiplayer
- Cheap second-hand, and its games work on Switch 2
Cons
- Underpowered; third-party ports often look rough
- Joy-Con stick drift is common
- Nintendo games rarely get cheaper
- Switch 2 exclusives won't run on it
When it launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch did something no console had quite pulled off before: it was a home console you could lift out of its dock and carry around. That idea, plus a run of brilliant Nintendo games, made it one of the best-selling consoles of all time. The Switch 2 has now taken over as Nintendo’s main machine, but the original is still very much worth a look.
Design
The Switch is a tablet with detachable Joy-Con controllers on each side. Docked, it plugs into the TV. Undocked, it’s a handheld. Prop it up on its kickstand and slide the Joy-Con off, and it becomes a two-player console anywhere. Switching between them is instant and it still feels like magic.
There are three main versions. The original model (look for the later revision with the improved battery), the Switch Lite (a cheaper, handheld-only model) and the Switch OLED, which has a gorgeous 7-inch OLED screen and a much better kickstand. If you’re buying today, the OLED is the one to get.
Performance
Power was never the Switch’s strength. It runs at up to 720p in handheld mode and 1080p on the TV, and demanding third-party games often run at low resolution or with frame rate dips. Nintendo’s own games are a different story: they’re designed around the hardware and generally look and play superbly.
The biggest hardware weakness is the Joy-Con. Stick drift, where the character moves without you touching the stick, is a common problem. A Pro Controller is a worthwhile purchase for longer TV sessions.
Games
This is why you buy a Switch. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Metroid Dread are just the start. There’s also a huge indie library, many of which feel made for handheld play. Nintendo’s games hold their price stubbornly, but second-hand copies help.
Switch 1 or Switch 2?
The Switch 2 is more powerful, with a bigger screen and its own exclusives, and it plays most original Switch games. If you want the newest Nintendo games, it’s the one to buy. But if you’re on a budget, buying for a child, or mainly want to explore the existing library, a second-hand original Switch or Switch OLED is great value, and its games will carry over if you upgrade later.
Verdict
The Nintendo Switch is one of the most enjoyable consoles ever made. It’s underpowered and its controllers aren’t the most reliable, but its library is stacked with classics. In the Switch 2 era, it has become a fantastic budget buy rather than the cutting edge.
