My Nintendo Switch 2 Review, After Hours Of Gaming—And How To Find It In Stock

The Nintendo Switch is a longtime fan-favorite handheld gaming console. But it’s now eight years old and showing its age. That’s a big part of what made the June 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 launch so enticing. The latest portable console from Nintendo adds a slew of new upgrades that on paper would excite any gamer. As the consumer tech editor here at Forbes Vetted and an avid gamer, I put these upgrades to the test, gaming with the new Nintendo Switch 2 over the course of three weeks and racking up 40 hours of playing time.

During testing, I considered the Switch 2’s new design and display as well as its performance. I also compared it to the original Nintendo Switch console, which I played on, along with other devices, over the last three years. I considered whether the new upgrades truly made gameplay better and whether the improvements were worth the significant price increase in the new model. Read on for my full Nintendo Switch 2 review.

Nintendo Switch 2: Design

Bigger, With Hardware Improvements

Right out of the box, I noticed the size of the Nintendo Switch 2. Its display is now 7.9 inches, compared to the 7 inches of its predecessor. This display also now supports HDR, a 4K resolution and can hit 120 frames per second for smoother gameplay. It feels a little heavier to wield, and my hand positions while gripping the console have slightly changed from its predecessor, but it doesn’t impact gameplay.

In addition to display design changes, Nintendo put a lot of effort into its Joy-Con controllers, now called Joy-Con 2s. Gone are the old rail connectors. The handheld gaming controller now uses a magnetic attachment, so they “click” and lock into place. I’m a fan of this change—it’s much easier to add and remove the joystick controllers—but it’s not without its flaws. While it’s easier to lock the joystick controllers onto the display, I pinched my fingers the second time I tried to lock them back in. I haven’t experienced any accidental pinches following this incident, but it’s worth noting that for clumsier folks or kids, you want to be mindful of your appendages.

Nintendo added a few more smart choices to its design. There are two USB-C ports, one on the bottom and one on the top, so you can charge with one and connect a peripheral like the Viture Pro XR Glasses to another. The kickstand, originally a small piece of plastic to hold up the Switch, now wraps around the lower part of the console and is more adjustable for flexible play.

Nintendo Switch 2: Performance And Display

Greater Hardware That’s Built For Hours Of Fun

Under the hood, there’s a lot of hardware improvements. In addition to the upgraded LCD display, the joysticks are more fluid with less resistance. As a hypermobile person, I didn’t experience problems (most of the time) with the original Switch, but I still appreciate that Nintendo made it easier for me to play without potentially damaging my joints. The Joy-Cons are more responsive during gameplay, and the HDR rumble 2 inside the controllers provides a more immersive gaming experience with a more precise vibration.

But the biggest change I noticed between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 is how fluid gameplay is. There were moments when I was playing The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom on the old console where the screen would judder and jerk when Zelda walked. The Nintendo Switch 2’s upgraded processor and graphics make it so that any kind of lag and juddering vanishes.

Display Upgrades Are Hit And Miss

Because the LCD display is an upgraded panel, colors look great when playing Mario Kart World, one of the brand’s largest game launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. (Donkey Kong Bonanza was just released July 17 for the Nintendo Switch 2, about a month later.)

At this time, Nintendo says these new Switch 2 games are compatible with the original Nintendo Switch, but there will come a time in which the hardware requirements will only be met by the Switch 2. I did notice that Mario Kart World works on both, but it’s more vivid, more responsive and smoother with the hardware upgrades of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Still, it’s another design choice that left me impressed. For an LCD display, the new Switch 2 feels uncharacteristically close to an OLED panel. Blacks are nearly as inky as they would be on an OLED display, and I have to commend Nintendo for using a panel that’s eerily close to the real OLED deal here. I suspect like its previous iteration, the Nintendo Switch 2 will get an OLED model, but for now, this display makes games look lovely.

I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 while I happened to be testing the LG G5 OLED TV as a contender for the best gaming TV; normally, I test console gaming on the 65-inch Amazon Fire Omni TV. Testing across two panels brought up an issue I hadn’t expected. When you first place the Nintendo Switch 2 into its dock, the system automatically registers the TV and offers the opportunity to adjust the HDR brightness settings.

Ideally, you should barely be able to see the symbol on the right side while the left stays visible. I tried to accomplish this on both TVs—and both times, I couldn’t pinpoint brightness settings to a satisfactory level. It’s hardly noticeable when gaming, and if you’re not looking for it, you won’t notice it. However, dedicated gamers who thrive on accuracy for color and brightness might bristle at this detail.

A New GameChat Designed With Parents In Mind

Nintendo added a new button to the Joy-Cons, just under the home button, that opens up GameChat, which allows you to chat with your friends while playing. Confirm your email and phone number before you start chatting, and you can create chats and view them. What I really liked about this feature is that it looks built for parents’ peace of mind: You can only chat with your friends, so no strangers. But it also works in that if you just want to game uninterrupted, that’s fine, too. I’m a fan.

Nintendo Switch 2 Versus The Competition

While this isn’t the first time Nintendo launched a portable gaming console—I’ve been playing Nintendo devices since the GameBoy Color—the landscape has changed dramatically in the last three years. MSI, Lenovo, Asus and Valve each launched individual portable gaming console. They all feature ergonomic builds with similarly-sized displays; it’s under the hood where you’ll see the main differences.

Most of them use Windows 11 as an operating system, and by proxy, they come with Copilot AI integrations. The biggest exception is the Valve Steam Deck, which opted for a Linux-based OS. That’s important: The Steam Deck’s design is built for modifications, also called modding, with third-party software. Nintendo focuses only on first-party games, so don’t expect to mod any of your games. And, because it uses its own operating system, don’t expect any AI integrations.

Personally, I’m fine with the closed system and lack of AI, and I see this also being a boon for parents. This is a gaming console that’s designed for pure fun, and there’s something to be said about that in an age where everything feels like it can do, well, everything. It’s also more affordable than the competition, starting at $450 for the Switch 2, while competitors start at $600.

That said, if you are a passionate modder, plan to go with a competitor. I do recommend the Valve Steam Deck if that’s the route you take. If you just want a gaming console to play your games, then the Nintendo Switch 2 is ideal.

Nintendo Switch 2 Verdict

Still The King

For the price and the hardware upgrades, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a joy. Like any gaming console, there are going to be some quirks, but Nintendo keeps them to a minimum. Odds are they won’t interrupt your gameplay. Parents might find that it’s a fun way to get the family involved with active games like Super Mario Jamboree. It’s also great for gamers who want a light, portable console with access to thousands of games without paying a fortune.

It’s also worth considering how you play your games and whether or not you want to modify them. If you don’t plan to, then the Nintendo Switch should be the portable gaming console that you carry with you.

How To Buy The Nintendo Switch 2

Due to demand, the Nintendo Switch 2 is selling out rapidly—often as soon as a retailer restocks (we watched consoles go out of stock while editing this story). The best way to track down those restocks are to sign up for email alerts with these retailers below and to check back frequently.

• Amazon: You can request an invitation to purchase both the standalone system and the bundle, which includes Mario Kart World, but Amazon won’t guarantee you’ll receive one.
• Walmart: The Nintendo Switch 2 has gone in and out of stock on Walmart since the June launch and is currently only for sale at an increased price from third-party sellers.
• Target: Both the standalone gaming console and game-bundle option is sold out at Target at the moment, but we have seen it available here online and for pickup, including briefly at launch.
• GameStop: While you can’t get it for shipping, you can pick it up in store. Just make sure that your preferred location has it in stock.
• Best Buy: While you currently can’t order the Nintendo Switch 2 online, Best Buy just restocked the Nintendo Switch 2 in stores July 17 in conjunction with the launch of the new Donkey Kong game.

How I Tested The Nintendo Switch 2

I spent over 40 hours with the Nintendo Switch 2. I set it up and transferred all my files from my original Nintendo Switch. I noted the physical differences between the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2, including display features, extra ports, Joy-Cons and more.

From there, I put the device to the test with hours of gaming. I specifically tested on the following games: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom; Stardew Valley; The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim; Mario Kart World and many more.

During gameplay, I compared my experiences on the Nintendo Switch 2 to the Nintendo Switch to get a sense of how much the under-the-hood hardware had improved. I considered gameplay display quality both in handheld mode and in TV mode. Additionally, I considered gameplay smoothness and looked for juddering, lag and more. I also reviewed the ease of use when removing and adding the Joy-Con 2s, as well as how they performed both attached to the device and connected to the controller.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has published dozens of tech and electronic guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including gaming stories so you can play for hours with quality peripherals.

• Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. Not only is she a home entertainment expert, but she is also a dedicated gamer who has tested many of the top gaming consoles on the market, including the Asus ROG Ally, the Valve Steam Desk and more.
• When testing portable gaming consoles, Isaacs focuses on aspects of interest to everyone, from folks who just want to play a casual game to serious gamers who want extra features to power their play.
• When she’s not testing the best gaming headsets, she’s testing the best gaming TVs, the best 65-inch TVs and the best wireless earbuds.
• This story was reviewed by Rose Gordon Sala, the deputy editor who oversees both the baby and kids gear and consumer tech teams. She regularly attends trade shows to review the latest toy and tech launches, and also has extensive experience playing on the Nintendo Switch ecosystem with her children, as well as other consoles like the Xbox and the PlayStation5.