A polished refinement of the original rather than a leap, with a great screen, near-universal backwards compatibility and a surprisingly good GameChat.
Nintendo Switch 2
Image: Nintendorecommend
Critics’ consensus
6 professional reviewers tested the Nintendo Switch 2, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: speed. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by WIRED, Tech Advisor, CNET and 3 more
The catch: Battery life is short, and games and storage cost a lot.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What do critics say about the Nintendo Switch 2?
A true next-gen console that the reviewer strongly recommends, with impressive graphics, snappy performance and a strong game line-up.
The best large gaming handheld, with a big display and great controllers, but short battery life and storage costs.
A markedly better Switch that largely sticks to the formula, though still behind PC handhelds in power.
A refined sequel that turns the Switch into a great hybrid with a lovely screen and enough power.
A broadly excellent upgrade with a much better display, stronger performance and 4K docked play.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Not sure about the Nintendo Switch 2?
Image: Asus
Image: MSI
Image: Lenovo
Image: AsusCommon questions
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it?
Most critics think so: 6 of 6 recommend it. Battery life is short, and games and storage cost a lot.
Do critics agree about the Nintendo Switch 2?
Critics agree: scores range from 80 (The Verge) to 90 (WIRED), a spread of 10 points across 6 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.
What do critics dislike about the Nintendo Switch 2?
Price (3 of 6 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (critic score 81), best premium windows handheld.