Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Worth it in June 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRO2NM0vxQE

An Honest Opinion on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025

Before you read this post, please note, I am NOT AN OWNER of a Nintendo Switch 2 at the point of writing this blog. I am however someone who is planning to pick one up eventually. This post is outlining all the problems I have with the current state of Nintendo, their latest console and why I haven't got a Nintendo Switch 2 yet. Please watch the video above to hear why I DID NOT pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day.

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 on 05.06.2025, I thought it would be interesting to really dissect and talk about the Nintendo Switch 2 as a console and if it is worth it, despite some of the criticisms the console has been receiving since its reveal back in January.

Now the hype of the Nintendo Switch 2 release has been and gone, what I find interesting is that even though there has been lots of criticism regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 from gaming fans, it has been the best selling Nintendo console of all time in its first week, reaching over 3.5 million units, a record that has never been seen by a Nintendo console before. However a week on, I've seen lots of discourse about the console, including complaints about the battery life and the lack of exclusives. I've even seen a few people say they are returning their switch 2 and will repurchase once the console has a bigger library of exclusive games.

For this blog I am going to be truthful with my opinions, good and bad. As a life long Nintendo fan, I want to speak the truth out of respect for a company I have followed since I was young as this is a factor of my life that I am very passionate about.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the sequel console to one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, The Nintendo Switch. The original Nintendo Switch was released in 2017 and is now lets say... an outdated console that is a few generations behind the current state of consoles. Because of it's stratospheric success over 8 years, it made sense for Nintendo to think, let's do that again.

The Nintendo Switch is arguably my favorite console of all time, followed closely by the Nintendo 64. I've been a life long Nintendo fan and I've had ownership of every Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64. I have pumped thousands of hours into my gaming experience with Nintendo gaming, However I'm just not that interested in picking up Nintendo's latest offering at this point of time that I write this post.

I think this is down to one major factor and that is, the pricing. It's simply too high. £450 is extremely expensive for a handheld console, especially considering the lack of new features from the new console. We live in a cost of living crisis, and I don't know about you but I can't afford that with my current living situation.

Not only is the console extremely expensive but so are the prices of the Nintendo Switch games themselves. £70 - £80 for Mario Kart World is quite frankly a joke. It's obvious that this pricing range is going to be the new normal for future Nintendo games. I know gaming can be expensive anyway, but this expensive?

Now I'm going to sound like a man yelling at clouds here but back when I was growing up, games on average cost around £30-£40 new. Even back then as a child that was expensive, that was my entire months pocket money. How are children expected to buy the games that are marketed to them today with the current day prices?

I've seen Mario Kart World and lets be honest, it does look amazing, maybe a little empty with its open world that was heavily marketed, but overall the game looks phenomenal visually and in game-play. But £80?.....what! For £80 I expect, the best graphics, the best game-play, the best everything. But Switch 2 cant provide that, yet for £450, the console should, lets be honest. Mario Kart World to me looks like it could have been a late release Switch 1 game. Usually I am one who will argue that graphics do not make a great game, game-play does. But when you have a console thats priced at £450, then I expect to see great graphics with great game-play always. I expect Next Generation and so far this console doesn't feel like that, it just feels like up-scaled Nintendo Switch 1. More on this later.

The other issue with games is that the selection of games at this moment is well, kind of underwhelming. Mario Kart World is the right game to launch for Switch 2 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the best selling game on Switch 1, so it makes sense, but it's not in my eyes the game I was hoping for. Wheres Zelda? Wheres the 3D Mario Game we all want? Why wasn't Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokemon Legends Z-A released on Launch. Yes you could say Donkey Kong Bananza is technically a 3D mario spinoff game, but it's not a true 3D Mario game. These games alongside Mario Kart World would have been a system seller to me personally. Also the other games that have launched with Switch 2, most of them are already on other consoles, Hogwarts Legacy? Cyberpunk2077? Street fighter 6? Not only that, but Nintendo are pushing Breath of The Wild and Tears of The Kingdom like they are practically new games. It's great that they run better now but I've played those games to death. I don't need to play them again at this point, especially at full price if you don't own them already.

Not only this but Have you paid and played The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour? Because if you have then you're part of the problem. It's pure greed from Nintendo and you're falling for the bait. Paying for a welcome package on top of an already overpriced console is just ridiculous and feels a bit scummy. From what I've seen, the welcome package isn't worth the price either. This game should have been a free inclusion with the Nintendo Switch 2. It could have been this consoles Wii Sports which was a very successful Tech Demo for the Nintendo Wii.

I think The Switch 2 for many people will become a secondary console. The reason for this is simply because nobody is buying a Switch 2 to play third party games. The likely reason you would buy a Switch 2 is to play the exclusives. The Nintendo owned I.P's. buying a switch 2 you're in it for the long haul and have to understand that the exclusive are what truly count on the Switch 2 and are released over time.

Another huge factor is that I've seen many Switch 2 owners complaining about the battery life of the Nintendo Switch 2. Depending on the power demand of the game you are playing, 2-6 hours of average battery life is honestly really poor. Nintendo have already had to release a warning and an elaborate set of instructions for Nintendo Switch 2 owners to follow to boost the power of the console.

It's 2025, I know I always make sure any of my new tech such as my phone is fully charged before turning on so the battery is healthy but surely the Switch 2 should have a great battery life as soon as you turn the console on for the first time.

Now I'm not saying Nintendo Switch 2 is all bad - it's not, in fact I want to get one. I just can't justify the price for the quality of the product at this point, especially when you can pick up an Xbox Series X or Playstation 5 for around the same price now. Both consoles are more powerful and play the majority of the release titles you can find on Switch 2.

One of my thoughts on this console is that it just feels like a Nintendo Switch Pro, despite the added 2 in the name. The console doesn't feel like a generational leap. I have said this previously about The Xbox Series X and PS5, they have always felt like more powerful versions of the Xbox One and PS4. I don't think it helps in the current climate, that the gaming industry has gravitated to a mountain of remasters and remakes being made. Nintendo are heavily leaning on the fact that Switch 1 games run better on Switch 2, making these games a sort of sudo remaster because of better frame rates and processing times.

If you were around, go back to the release of the Playstation 2 or the release of the Nintendo 64. Can you remember that feeling of how those consoles really showed a generational leap from the previous console? That Nintendo 64 release day was arguably one of the most important days for video games as true 3D graphical gaming had arrived and it was mind blowing. Switch 2 just doesn't hit this feeling. Switch 2 games are still just Switch 1 games that run better due to the power of Switch 2, hence the Nintendo Switch 2 editions of Switch 1 games. None of the current generational consoles have hit this feeling for me. Of course consoles will always become more powerful over time but if feels like graphics have hit this sort of status quo where they can't get any better, therefore a new console seems kind of mute.

Lets talk about the new features of the Switch 2, Firstly the game chat feature. Yes this is awful. It's a worse discord on your Nintendo Switch 2, Nobody is going to use this. Especially when its behind a paywall and if you want to use face cam, you have to purchase a low quality webcam that costs an extra £50. It's quality is horrible, the streaming of other players devices is low FPS and the sound quality is weak. Stick to Whatsapp, discord, messenger or Zoom.

Now lets talk the consoles resolution. 4k 120fps sounds amazing right? Absolutely, until you realize something. My Samsung phone can do that to. 4K 120fps isnt actually that impressive. Any Audio Visual person will tell you that 4K 120fps on a Nintendo Switch is not the same as 4K 120fps on a high end PC. For example, If I shot a video on my £1000 phone at 4K and then shot the exact same video on My £2000 Mirrorless SLR camera also at 4K. There would be a massive difference between the two versions in quality. This is because both tools have completely different storage builds. This is the same for game consoles. Its why a games console will never match up to a High end top of the range PC even though they can hit the same frames and resolutions. This is how Nintendo are catching you out. 4K 120fps is great but it's not actually that impressive if you get what I mean. This was even the first thing they mentioned in their Switch 2 themed Nintendo Direct back in April, because it sounds impressive and gets you onboard.

Now I have heard good things about the new mouse pointer controls, Apparently they are responsive and work well as intended, However until nintendo really utilize this feature in their games, to me this feature is a massive gimmick that I think will likely be overlooked. Of course there will be some games that utilize the mouse controls, for example, Metroid Prime 4 beyond is the game I can think of off the top of my head that will use optional mouse controls. I imagine that Call of Duty (If it actually comes to switch like it was promised) will also use mouse controls. Maybe some mini-games in future Nintendo games will to like in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome tour, who knows. So far there is nothing that really screams mouse controls are a do not miss feature. Oh wait, I forgot about that wheelchair basketball game that is coming out soon, Drag and Drive. That game is going to utilize mouse controls but so far that game looks like it has the same problem Arms on Nintendo switch 1 had. 2 hours of fun then never play again.

Lets talk about Xbox and the Rog Xbox Ally X. Some are calling it 'The Switch 2 Killer'. Spoiler alert, it wont be. I think this is really where Nintendo have faltered The market this time round as copy paste handheld consoles are starting saturate the gaming market. With the announcement of the Rog Xbox Ally X. There are now multiple Handheld consoles on the handheld gaming market. For example, The Steam Deck, The Playstation Portal, The Lenovo Legion go, Logitech G Cloud Gaming console, The MSI Claw, to name a few. Its obvious these consoles are trying to capitalize on Nintendo's success with the Nintendo Switch. The truth is none of these consoles are outdoing the Nintendo Switch, despite being more powerful. Nintendo are waving the flag and paving the path for the handheld gaming trend, They are the best at it and the Kings of Handheld gaming.

So why is this a problem? Well it's because Nintendo just have not innovated this generation. Instead of doing what Nintendo usually do best each generation which is think on new game changing and interesting ways of playing games, such as motion controls, dual screens and the hybrid handheld concept. Nintendo have just tried to recapture lighting in a bottle again this time round and haven't really thought outside the box with this console. More power for a console is not innovation when other consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PS5 are already more powerful. This also does not count for the capability for the Mouse controls on Nintendo Switch 2 as PC's and even some consoles can already do this. It feels like Nintendo are catching up this time round instead of building a new path away from the one they just built.

The Wii U was a failed console. There is no denying that, but at least that console was brave enough to try new things like the Gamepad, even if it was a misfire. But the Wii U was in a way a kind of prototype for the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U walked so the Nintendo Switch could run. The Wii U is often looked back at as an overlooked console that had great games and interesting idea. I think The Switch 2 may fall into the trap that the Nintendo 3DS had where it didn't really feel like anything truly new or interesting. Some people had no idea the 3DS existed because the original DS was so popular that it outshone the 3DS and was remembered more. Also the 3DS felt a little outdated for it's time of release as technology was starting to move onto tablet screen technology which really hindered the 3DS. This is a problem the Switch 2 could easily face as technology is really evolving rapidly with the rising use of A.I and virtual reality. Lets face it, the Nintendo Switch 2 feels like it should have been released 2 years ago.

Now on a more positive note. Gamecube has returned on Nintendo Switch 2. Amazing! Surely though Switch 1 could have got gamecube emulation to? Well I guess Nintendo have got to sell their latest console somehow. Anyway I am happy to see this console return. The Nintendo Gamecube has some of the greatest Nintendo games of all time on it. Soul Calibur 2 is a super massive highlight, so is The legend of Zelda The Windwaker, although I really would have liked to have seen the HD version of Windwaker come to switch instead, But that was never going to happen really was it. Back to my point, Gamecube emulation at this point is the best part of Switch 2 in my eyes. That's kinda sad.

But! this isn't all as it seems. Let me remind you that Nintendo still has Nintendo Gamecube games locked behind a paywall. You still have to buy the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion pack. In my opinion Nintendo Switch Online Expansion pack is worth it if you can split the family membership, but Nintendo are marketing these Gamecube games as if you can play them out of the box for free. This sums up what this generation of gaming feels like to me. Everything is locked behind some kind of paywall. The worst part is you don't own anything with your purchase. Nintendo Switch Online is a streaming service, You're paying for a license to stream these games and these games can be taken away at any moment. Not only that, all games on Nintendo Switch online are old games from past generations. Nintendo really could take a page from Microsoft and make all their Exclusive games playable through Nintendo Switch Online on day one like Gamepass does, now that would be worth it!

Moving on, Oh yay! Nintendo have pretty much kept the same user interface from switch 1. That's sarcasm if you couldn't tell. It's things like this that have really made me feel like the Switch 2 is not a new console at all but more of a Nintendo Switch pro. Its like Apple and Android. A new generational phone every year and it always looks the same or there are very little noticeable changes. Seriously, couldn't Nintendo think of a new User interface for Switch 2. This is a real shame in my opinion. No homescreen music, no themes. I do appreciate the new sound effects though, they are cool.

Now I have a huge collection of Nintendo Switch games. I have around 60-70 games altogether in both physical and digital. I do not want to pay £450 just to continue playing these game when I can keep playing them on my Nintendo Switch Oled just fine. I also think it is really cheeky that Nintendo are charging for game upgrades at full price. £70 for The Legend of Zelda Breath Of The Wild, a game that's been out for nearly 10 years? I do not need to play that game again right now. Its awesome that the majority of Switch 1 games are playing faster and smoother on Switch 2, but I really shouldn't have to pay extra on top to of a hefty base price to continue playing games I already own.

Gamekeys....oh man, that is a can of worms. Remember when you brought a new game and it was complete on disc? I miss those days. As a physical collector of games, someone who likes to hold a case and say it's in their collection, I am said that Nintendo have basically confirmed that physical games in the future will become mostly codes in boxes or purchasable physical keys that unlock a digital copy of the game to download. This is extremely sad and is the biggest factor as to why gaming on the high street is dying. Because of gamekeys and digital copies of games are now the new normal. With Digital versions of games YOU DO NOT own your game, you are paying for a licence to play the game, It could be taken away at any time. I hope this changes and we see most games being put fully onto the cartridge again without need for downloading the entire game. This isn't just a Nintendo problem either as both Sony and Microsoft Xbox are just as bad with this problem to.

I think there is so much to think about with the Nintendo Switch 2. This has been a very negative insight into my thoughts about the Nintendo Switch 2. There are lots of positives with the console. There is going to be a stellar line up of games for the console, Nintendo always deliver on their AAA games, that's a fact. Nobody makes and puts the polish into their games like Nintendo do, expect for maybe Pokemon (Sort that out Gamefreak).

Something I do like about the new Switch 2 is the build quality. The new larger screen and larger joy-cons is a game changer for sure. I always found the original switch with the LCD screen, had a screen that was way to small, The Oled revision of the Switch 1 was a game changer for me when playing in handheld mode. However I always felt the console was too hand crampy. I was playing Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1+2 on my Oled Switch and within 20 mins, my hands were in pain due to precise button pressing and placement of my hands. The Switch 2's larger size fixes this problem.

I also like the inclusion of the new magnetic Joy-cons. This is another game changer. The original switch had a problem with Joy-cons feeling loose when attached to the switch itself. It was always a fear that they could slide out and break at the slightest force. The new magnetic Joy-cons change this though and are more sturdy and harder to force out thanks to the locking system. Amazing!

I would have like to have seen a variation of colours of the Switch 2 for release though. The current Black/Dark Grey with red and blue analogue sticks edition of the console is kinda bland in my opinion. one of the best things about Switch 1 was how many Joy-con designs there were. You could mix and match and personalize your switch to match your personality. I only assume there will be more Switch 2 Joy-con designs and possible special edition themed Switch 2's in the future.

Is the console worth it?

Right now I will say no. The Switch 2 is only in its infant days. There's no denying that the Switch 2 is obviously better than the Switch 1. Of course it is, however the release has shown that there's a lot of breathing room for quality of life changes and teething issues to sort out and Nintendo will most likely know that from market research. Things will hopefully change for the better if consumers vote with their wallets instead of just falling for whatever Nintendo tell them to buy day one because it has the Nintendo branding slapped on it. Nintendo fans are die hard, So only time will tell.

If you have a Nintendo Switch 2 and you are enjoying the console. I am super happy for you. I did some research and asked you Nintendo Fans who have purchased a Switch 2 if you are happy or disappointed with the console on my Switchbored YouTube channel and only a third of consumers said they were disappointed.

It was also interesting to see how many people have decided to wait to get the Nintendo Switch 2. I also made poll asking Nintendo fans if they are waiting on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Half of the voters said they are waiting.

I think for now The Nintendo Switch 2 has been a success for nintendo but also slight misfire for fans expecting more of a generational leap. There seems to be so many questionable decisions made by Nintendo that just seem to be driven by pure greed. I do however think over time that the Nintendo Switch 2 could U-turn and we see massive changes to the console to make it worth the purchase. Maybe some revisions like an Oled Screen or a Lite version of the console will be announced in the coming year. Who knows, only Nintendo do.

I do think if you're willing to wait until the console has had more of a run with its game library and teething issues have been sorted like an extended battery life. Then the console may just be as great, if not better than the Switch 1. I'd wait until their is a build revision, A Nintendo Switch 2 Pro you could call it.

Remember this post has come from the mind of someone who has not yet owned a Nintendo Switch 2. Opinions are opinions and they don't always align with other opinions. If you're looking to buy a Switch 2 in June 2025, my advice is do what you think will make you happy.

Did you enjoy this blog post? Well then you may enjoy my Nintendo Switch gaming channel known as Switchbored on YouTube. Check it out. I post content just like this over there.

https://www.youtube.com/@Switchbored

Thanks for reading

Sam