Nintendo Switch vs Switch 2: Should You Upgrade in 2026?
It’s almost the Nintendo Switch 2’s 1-year anniversary, but many (including ourselves) are still stuck with the OG Nintendo Switch. While not definitive just yet, it’s about time Nintendo starts phasing out the older hardware in favor of the bright & shiny sequel. But for OG Switch owners, does the Nintendo Switch 2 pose enough of an ‘upgrade’ to justify jumping in? We’re taking a deep dive into the debate to help you figure out if now’s truly the best time to cop Nintendo’s new hardware.
Nintendo Switch 1 Vs. Nintendo Switch 2 Specs Overview
| Features | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch OLED | Nintendo Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | March 3rd, 2017 | October 8th, 2021 | June 5th, 2025 |
| Screen Size / Type | 6.2-inch LCD | 7-inch OLED | 7.9-inch LCD |
| Handheld Resolution | 1280 × 720 | 1280 × 720 | 1920 × 1080 |
| Docked / TV Max Output | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p | Up to 4K |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Up to 120Hz VRR |
| HDR Support | No | No | HDR10 |
| CPU | Custom NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC (4GB RAM) | Custom NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC (4GB RAM) | Custom NVIDIA Tegra T239 SoC (12GB RAM) |
| GPU (CUDA Cores) | 256 CUDA Cores | 256 CUDA Cores | 1536 CUDA Cores |
| Internal Storage | 32GB | 64GB | 256GB |
Specs alone, the Switch 2 dominates its predecessor with massive upgrades to CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage.
When you consider that games like Cyberpunk 2077, Fallout 4, and Resident Evil Requiem can run on the platform while lookin’ pretty, ya gotta give the Switch 2 its props.
It does all that, and more, without even adding much bulk compared to the OG Switch.
It’s slim, trim, and beastly, making it a fantastic upgrade over the OG handheld, and it’s even better when you hook it up to a 27-inch gaming monitor!
In practice, the Switch 2 finally brings Nintendo much closer to the performance tier of modern handheld gaming devices like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 or ROG Xbox Ally.
Those two are still behemoths in the gaming handheld space, but they do miss out on Nintendo-exclusive titles you can’t get anywhere else.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, since not all gamers care about AAA titles that demand the most powerful performance.
Real-World Performance Differences
Massive Frame Rate & Resolution Gains
The Switch 2 adopted the OG’s plentiful backlog of titles, one of its strongest (and simultaneously weakest) points. But we’re stuck thinking why we should bother buying a more expensive console just to play last-gen games.
And to be fair, that’s a good question. But in reality, those performance gains you get from the new & improved hardware make the Switch’s library that much more enticing to play.
Take The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for example.
On the Switch 2, ToTK is a phenomenal title. The gorgeous world of Hyrule was detailed & sharp, colors popped out of the screen with true-to-life vibrancy, and it was too smooth of an experience to ever think about going back to the original Switch to play the same game.
And this is mainly in part thanks to the Switch 2’s fantastic 1080p resolution, speedy 120Hz refresh rate, and powerful internals, making it a prime candidate for gaming monitor setups to get crisp visuals & lightning-quick frames.
The problem is that this shiny new power can also become a detriment to the Switch 2.
See, thing is, games that aren’t “Switch 2 Enhanced” can feel rough. They run smoother, but without proper updates, some games can look blurry or stretched on the Switch 2’s higher-resolution screen.
So here’s the conundrum: when a majority of consoles' library is from last-gen, and aren’t patched to support new hardware, is it truly worth it?
Handheld Vs. Docked
The Switch 2 doesn’t just boost performance, it meaningfully upgrades how games look and feel in both handheld and docked mode. The jump to a 7.9-inch 1080p display makes an immediate difference in handheld mode.
But docked mode is where the real leap happens.
The OG Switch capped resolution to 1080p when docked, while the Switch 2 supports a stunningly detailed 4K output, along with a 120Hz VRR refresh rate; a perfect pairing with a portable 120Hz gaming monitor.
Not every game’s gonna crank out 4K at 120Hz, but at the very least, they could, making the Switch 2 feel far more modern than its predecessor.
For players who mostly game docked, this might be one of the strongest reasons to upgrade.
Plus, it makes the missing OLED display a whole lot more acceptable.
Nintendo Switch 2 Games Library
Another major debate in the Switch community right now is the Switch 2’s game library; or lack of it. Most games come to both the original Switch 1 and Switch 2, and there just isn’t much drawing players to the new console right now.
We’ve had a few stellar exclusive titles, like Mario Kart: Tour, Cyberpunk 2077, and Donkey Kong Bananza, but since then, not much reason to migrate to the Switch 2.
There’s just not enough to bring new players to the Switch 2 right now, which is where we’d suggest holding off, unless there’s a title you absolutely have to play that’s not available on the original Switch.
It’s worse when you realise the current road map for the year doesn’t have anything on the same level as Breath of the Wild or Mario Odyssey.
Even the next mainline Pokémon game, Pokémon Winds and Waves, is slated for a 2027 release.
The bottom line is there’s just not enough of a reason for a Switch 1 owner to upgrade yet, when it comes to the game library. It’ll slowly pad out over the coming year or so, but right now, you’re not missing out much.
Exclusive Switch 2 Features
To sweeten the deal, the Switch 2 has a few exclusive features that might entice you into diving in for an upgrade:
Game Share
The most exciting feature on the Switch 2 is GameShare, which can be a game-changer for families and friends who play together often. With the Switch 2, you can simply share a game, even if they don’t own it, and play together on different consoles.
This way, if parents have a Switch 2, just GameShare to their kids’ Switch to play together! Saves you a few bucks (though the game has to support the feature).
Voice & Video Chat Support
Takin’ a step out of the dark ages, the Switch 2 finally has a built-in voice & video chatting feature, GameChat.
You’ll still need an external camera to use video chat, but at the very least, you can get to voice chatting right away with the built-in mic on the Switch 2.
Whether this is enough of a reason to upgrade, since you can just use something like Discord, is a whole other discussion entirely.
Mouse-Mode Controls
The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons have a unique feature that gives you a whole new way to play & navigate the console: mouse mode. Flip the Joy-Con on its side, and you can use it as a mouse; surprisingly, it works well.
Again, the game needs to support the nifty new feature to work, but strategy, FPS, and puzzle games just feel right with a mouse.
Who Should Upgrade? (And Who Shouldn’t)
Realistically speaking, not every Switch owner has to run out to upgrade to the Switch 2. Here’s a quick breakdown to help decide where you stand:
✅ You Should Upgrade If:
- You want a bigger screen with 1080p/120Hz support.
- You primarily play docked & want 4K resolution.
- There’s a Switch 2 exclusive title you want to play.
- You care about smoother performance in demanding titles.
- You want to play AAA third-party games like Cyberpunk 2077.
- You own the original 2017 Nintendo Switch.
❌ You Can Probably Skip (For Now) If:
- You already have a Switch OLED.
- None of the current Switch 2 exclusives excites you.
- You’re happy with 720p/1080p resolutions.
- You mainly play less-demanding casual games & indies.
- You don’t care about 4K or higher refresh rates.
Price & Value
Of course, all those performance upgrades come at a cost, a significant one.
At launch, the Switch 2 costs $449 compared to the original Switch’s $299. This makes it a hard sell, especially for players who already have a working Switch (even more so, if you have the Switch OLED).
But to be fair, the price bump does make sense.
It’s packin’ a lot of heat with stronger hardware, a better, faster screen, 4K support, with huge increases to storage/RAM. With specs alone, it's closer to modern gaming handhelds rather than a modest hybrid console Nintendo originally launched in 2017.
But value ultimately depends on how you use the system.
The upgrade is worthwhile if you mainly play docked, are a stickler for smoother performance, or plan to jump into Switch 2 exclusives. In its current state, the hardware is relatively future-proof.
On the other hand, if your current Switch already runs the games you love without issue, then it’s harder to justify, at least for now.
Realistically, the Switch 2 isn’t an essential upgrade yet. It’s more of a “nice-to-have” leap in performance, rather than a must-buy replacement.
Should You Wait for a “Newer” Switch 2 Model?
Should You Wait for a Switch 2 OLED Model?
Honestly, no. The Switch 2 OLED model is probably a long way away from now. Taking a history lesson quickly tells ya bout the Switch 1’s upgrade cycle; the Switch OLED only dropped in 2021, 4 years after the original’s 2017 release date.
There’s no tellin’ if they’ll follow the same pattern, but at the very least, we know for sure they won’t release the Switch 2 OLED anytime soon.
Will There Be a Switch 2 Lite Version?
Very likely, yes, there will be a Switch 2 Lite.
There are already rumors circulating after someone dug through Nintendo’s website’s source code for a new model. However, we speculate that at the earliest it could be by the end of this year, or more likely, with the release of Pokémon Winds & Waves in 2027.
Is It Better to Buy a Discounted Switch OLED Instead?
Switch OLEDs are an enticing deal; they’re cheaper, can play most games on Switch, and have that oh-so-pretty, vibrant OLED display.
But let’s be real here; at this point, the clear option is to go with the Switch 2. It’s more powerful, it’s future-proof, and it’s just a better value buy right now.
Final Verdict – Should You Upgrade?
Honestly, it ain't as clear cut as 'should'; it's all about the kinda gamer you are and the console you have:
- Get the Switch 2 if you have the original 2017 Switch or Switch Lite.
- Hold off on the Switch 2 upgrade if you already have a Switch OLED.
The OLED still holds its own, but older Switches are due for an upgrade, and the Switch 2 just gets so much right. It’s got beefed-up hardware, plenty new features to check out, a growing library of games that push the console’s horizons, and it’s bigger, better screen.
The biggest factor, though, is the type of games you want to play. The Switch 2’s current roster is sparse to say the least; nothing that’s out of the gate blasting you to get a Switch 2.
Mario Kart Tour? I’m still good on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. BotW or TotK? Can still play it on my Switch OLED. A new 3D Mario? Still missing. There are just not enough games that the Switch 2 can play that the original Switch can’t (first-party titles, anyway).
While the Switch 2 has plenty to offer, it’s not a crucial upgrade for now. But hey, it’s your money; if you really are hankering to get your hands on the thing, you won’t be disappointed.
FAQs
Will Switch 2 games be exclusive?
Currently, not all games are exclusive to Switch 2; however, in the future, we expect that the OG Switch will be slowly phased out, with first-party titles mainly exclusive to Switch 2. For example, Mario Kart Tour, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Mario Tennis Fever.
Will the Switch 2 price drop soon?
It’s unlikely the price of the Switch 2 will drop soon. This is mainly due to current memory restraints in the market, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the price is slightly bumped up as well.
Is the Switch 2 worth it for handheld players?
Yes, the Nintendo 2 for primarily handheld gamers is a fantastic upgrade because of the bigger & higher res screen & smooth performance.
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