Updated 22 Oct 2026
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it?
Yes — if you want Nintendo's games or a console you can carry.
It plays on the TV or as a handheld, with a 7.9-inch 1080p screen that runs at up to 120Hz and magnetic Joy-Con that click on and off. It's much faster than the first Switch, runs most Switch games and has 256GB of storage. Handheld battery life is only about three to five hours, some games come on cards that only unlock a download, and it needs the newer, pricier microSD Express cards. Nintendo raised the price in September 2026.
92%of 290 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Plays on the TV or in your hands
- Bigger, sharper 120Hz screen
- Runs most Switch games
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What owners say
Owners love the bigger, sharper screen and playing on the TV or on the go. Complaints are Joy-Con faults, pricey games and short battery life.
Good to know
- Handheld battery life is short, about three to five hours.
- Some games come on cards that only unlock a download.
- Older microSD cards don't work; it needs microSD Express cards.
- Some owners had Joy-Con that stopped working or wouldn't pair.
From 290 buyer ratings at Currys and Target (US), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- A big upgrade on the first SwitchMentioned a lot
- Sharper graphicsMentioned a lot
- Play on the TV or handheldMentioned a lot
- Bigger, brighter screenMentioned a lot
- Fun for the whole familyAlso mentioned
What they complain about
- Joy-Con stopped working, wouldn't pair or ran down fastVery rare
- Games are expensive, or few are worth buyingVery rare
- Dead on arrival or stopped workingVery rare
Get it if…
- You want Mario, Zelda and Pokémon.
- It's for the family or for children.
- You want to play away from the TV.
Skip it if…
- You want the biggest third-party games at their best: the PS5 does that better.
- Your friends play online on PlayStation or Xbox.
More on the Switch 2
How we reached this verdict
TechRadar calls it a big step up on the original Switch, praising the bigger 120Hz screen, the magnetic Joy-Con and the much better performance, but finds handheld battery life weak at about three to five hours. Nintendo raised the price to £419.99 and $499.99 from September 2026, after the review.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, TechRadar (UK price), VGC (US price), TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), manufacturer specifications.
Updated 22 Oct 2026How we decide