Nintendo Switch 2: The Popgeeks Review

Didja hear? For the first time in eight years, Nintendo has a new console out! They stretched the success of the Switch as far as they possibly could, but there are only so many smaller versions or slightly better screens or unrelated clocks you can stall with before you have to face reality and actually upgrade the technology. It wasn’t easy fighting the websites at midnight to nail down a preorder for the Switch 2, but I pulled it off and here’s the proof splayed out on my couch, wrappers and all. The Switch 2 comes in a smaller box than the original, with a thin cardboard lid, liftable from the bottom, revealing the screen and Joy-Cons on the top tray (hopefully your sales merchant hasn’t stapled anything there!) Lift the tray and you’ll find the charging cradle, AC adapter, USB-C cord, HDMI 2.1 cable and a small sheet of medical warnings and warranty info. Also, if you got the bundle version, there’ll be a scratch-off ticket for your Mario Kart World code here. No instruction manual to speak of; figure it all out yourself. The Switch 2 is a bit heavier than the OG Switch, and its finish feels […]
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I bought the Switch 2 on launch day, and I agree with most of this article. I’ve been gaming since the NES era, and Nintendo has always followed their own logic. I find that both frustrating and inspiring. I noticed the same HDR issue right away. I played Super Metroid and it looked too bright, almost faded. Once I switched HDR to “supported games only,” everything improved. That option should be easier to find.

The Joy-Cons surprised me the most. I always disliked how fragile they felt on the first Switch. These new ones feel sturdier, and more comfortable to hold, even during longer sessions. I play in handheld mode a lot, so that matters to me.

One thing I’m watching closely is pricing. I understand inflation and tariffs are part of life now, but $80 for a game still feels like a step too far. It makes bundles more appealing, but not everyone wants the same bundle.

Overall, this feels like a solid upgrade. Not revolutionary, but a clear improvement. Nintendo always mixes good ideas with strange business decisions. I’ll keep using my original Switch alongside the new one, mostly for battery management. They could’ve made save transfers easier, but at least it works once.

I’ve always liked Nintendo, but I think they’re starting to push it with these prices. I understand that hardware costs more now, but charging $80 for a Mario Kart game? That doesn’t feel respectful to customers. And making people buy a special microSD card just to store games? That’s an unnecessary barrier. I haven’t bought the Switch 2 yet. The review makes it sound solid, but I’m not sure I need it. My current Switch works fine for most things, and I’m not playing the newest games anyway. I’m mostly worried that they’ll make future titles exclusive to the new model and leave older systems behind. The HDR issues also make me hesitate. I don’t want to mess with settings just to play something that used to work. Nintendo should have known better than to apply visual filters to everything by default. That’s not user-friendly.

Maybe I’ll wait a year, or see if they lower the price later. For now, I’m holding off.

The Joy-Con redesign is such a surprise win. Never thought Nintendo could make them feel this good without bulking them up. Still gonna wait for a Pro 2.0 though—my thumbs remember the old stick drift too well.

Wild how close we came to this thing getting priced into oblivion. Trump’s tariff dodge might be Nintendo’s greatest speedrun yet. Wonder how long that price ceiling will hold if trade talks nosedive again.

I got my Switch 2 from my uncle. He waited in line at 5 AM. I’ve been playing Tears of the Kingdom again and it runs better now. No more frame drops in the sky levels.

The screen is great. My old Switch looks blurry now. I like the new sound it makes when turning on. I know that’s small, but it feels cool.

I had no idea what HDR was. My older games looked weird until I turned it off. That setting should be easier to find.

It’s annoying that accessories are more expensive. I wanted another dock, but it’s too much.

Still, I like this system. I think it will last a long time.

I own every Nintendo console since the Famicom, and I wasn’t going to miss the Switch 2. This one feels more solid. Heavier, better sound effects, and finally a screen that shows what it’s really capable of. The article was right about the Joy-Cons. I used to avoid them completely. I always went for the Pro Controller. But these new ones surprised me. I played Fire Emblem Engage for two hours in handheld mode, and my fingers didn’t ache. That’s new.

I wish there had been more physical packaging. No manual, no fun insert art. It feels less personal than before. I miss that kind of thing. Overall, it’s a good upgrade. Not a game-changer, but necessary. If you skipped the OLED model, this is the one to get.

Too expensive in my country, A switch 2 game is 3000 bucks in my country's currency. Steam games are cheaper

I followed the trade situation closely, and I think Nintendo was extremely lucky. If those tariffs had gone through, the price of the Switch 2 would’ve skyrocketed. The article mentions “TACO”—that made me laugh, but it’s also true. You can’t make stable business decisions with unpredictable policies.

I don’t usually buy consoles at launch, but I made an exception this time because I was worried the price would go up later. It’s a smart device, no question. I don’t love the price of games, and the surprise about MicroSD card requirements wasn’t great either. That felt like a trap.

Still, I admire how Nintendo managed the situation. They shipped early, avoided the worst effects of the tariffs, and stayed quiet while others panicked. That’s strategy. I don’t know if I trust them to keep doing the right thing, but I respect their timing.

I think other tech companies are watching closely. What happened here could affect how the next PlayStation or Xbox gets made.

The console itself is good. I like the screen. I use it mostly for RPGs, and load times are definitely better. But I’m annoyed that Nintendo didn’t include a proper manual. Some features are hard to understand without searching online.

If they keep raising prices, Nintendo may lose fans here. Gaming is already a luxury for many people. They should be more aware of that.