My thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2

My thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2
I’ve had the chance to play the new Nintendo Switch 2 for a little while now, and since I’m always on the lookout for something portable I can take on the train or play with friends, I thought I’d share what I like and don’t like about it. If you’re a gamer (or just curious), here’s how it is.

What’s great
Real good image. Compared to the original Switch, the Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch screen with 1080p resolution in handheld mode. When I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the train from Berlin to Hamburg last weekend, the image looked so crisp that I could actually see details I never noticed on the old Switch. The colors popped, and even in daylight, the screen didn’t look washed out.
It’s way faster. My old Switch sometimes made me wait forever to load big games. With the Switch 2, I started Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during a 5-minute train stop – and I was racing before the train even left. No more staring at loading screens for hours.
The hybrid design is still awesome. I love that I can just drop it into the dock when I get home and continue the same game on my TV. I did that after getting home from the trip – handheld on the train, big screen in my room. It felt super smooth, no lag, no weird syncing issues.
Backwards compatibility is a lifesaver. I already had a bunch of games on my old Switch, like Witcher 3 and Super Smash Bros. I was honestly nervous about losing them, but they worked right away.
What I’m not so excited about
Battery life is… not great. I was on the train for about three hours and by the time I got to Hamburg, my battery was at 12%. I had brightness on medium and wasn’t even playing online. So yeah, it’s not terrible, but not great either. If you travel a lot, you’ll probably need a power bank.
The price hurts a bit. I got it partly with my saved-up summer job money, but it still felt like a huge spending. If you already have a working Switch, you might think twice before spending that much again.
No OLED screen. I’ll be honest, I expected an OLED. The LCD is good but after trying my friend’s Nintendo Switch OLED Model once, the difference is noticeable. Not a dealbreaker, but still a bit disappointing at this price.
My verdict:

Buy it if you love gaming on the go, like me – someone who plays on the train, in the park, or with friends at their house.
Wait if you already have a good Switch and mostly play older titles at home.
Maybe skip if your budget’s tight or you barely use handheld mode.
For me, the Switch 2 is totally worth it. It fits my lifestyle perfectly: quick gaming during commutes, serious gaming at home. The improved graphics and performance make the games I already love feel new again.