Nintendo Switch 2 review after one year: understand the pros and cons of the hybrid console
The Nintendo Switch has established itself as one of the best-selling video games in history. With the arrival of its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, a year after launch, interest in its capabilities and what it offers for the future is growing among gaming enthusiasts. The update hit the market on July 10, 2026, promising more power and more advanced titles.
A detailed analysis of the Nintendo Switch 2 allows you to understand its main characteristics, identifying both positive aspects and weaknesses, essential information before a possible acquisition.
Main changes to the design and quality of the console screen
The Nintendo Switch 2 maintains the hybrid proposal that made its predecessor successful, allowing you to play both on television and in portable mode. However, the new model is physically larger and heavier. Although this construction gives a feeling of greater solidity when handling, the increased size reduces the practicality of carrying it in smaller bags or backpacks on a daily basis.
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The console’s screen has been expanded to 8 inches, providing an improved visual experience in portable mode, with Full HD resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Despite these advances, Nintendo chose to use an LCD panel, unlike the OLED technology present in a previous version of the Switch. This choice results in less vibrant colors, grayer blacks and lower contrast, especially in bright environments.
Storage capacity and performance of the new processor
The Switch 2 incorporates an updated Nvidia chip, which increases gaming performance and enables the use of image upscaling techniques to achieve 4K resolution when connected to a television. Despite the notable graphical gain, the hardware still ranks below competing desktop consoles and requires a more robust cooling system, which can generate noticeable fan noise under intense use.
The internal storage capacity has been increased to 256 GB, representing an improvement over the 64 GB of the previous model. However, this space is still considered limited given the growing size of current games, which often surpass the 50 GB mark and can reach 100 GB.
For gamers who purchase many digital titles, installing a MicroSD Express memory card will become a necessity in the short term. This expansion, however, implies a considerable additional expense, given that these cards are significantly more expensive than conventional micro SD models.
The Switch 2’s game catalog and backwards compatibility
The device offers full compatibility with physical cartridges and digital games purchased for the first Nintendo Switch, ensuring that users do not lose their current library. Some older titles even show better performance and more stable frame rates on the new hardware, although more significant visual improvements depend on specific updates provided by the developers.
Among exclusive games, the Nintendo Switch 2 stands out for Nintendo’s own main releases. In the first year after the console, titles such as Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokémon Pokopia and Star Fox were already available. For the year 2026, releases such as Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are planned.
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In addition to Nintendo titles, the console has attracted games from other major publishers, something the first Switch often failed to achieve. The Switch 2 has already received games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil Requiem and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, with a new Call of Duty promised for 2026. The catalog of independent games also remains robust, similar to its predecessor.
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It is important to consider, however, that many of these games can have high prices, especially those from Nintendo, which are rarely offered in promotions. In July 2026, for example, Mario Kart World costs around R$439, while Donkey Kong Bananza costs R$390, representing a significant investment.
The innovations and compatibility of the new Joy-Con controllers
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The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons have abandoned the traditional rail fitting system, now adopting a magnetic attachment mechanism to the console. This change aims to eliminate the mechanical play that previous controls could present over time, but makes it impossible to directly use accessories or covers developed for the original Switch.
Despite this change, accessories from the first model are still compatible with the Switch 2, although with some limitations. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, for example, cannot turn on the console using its integrated button, and the old Joy-Cons cannot be docked, but work normally when used undocked.
Nintendo added new vibration sensors and a dedicated button for voice chat, as well as a function that allows you to use the controller as a mouse. Despite these technical improvements, the internal structure of the analog sticks has not been drastically changed, which keeps consumers concerned about possible long-term wear problems, such as the well-known “drift”.
Analysis of the positive highlights and challenges of the console
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The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant evolution compared to its predecessor, offering a larger screen, controls with expanded functionality, greater power to play demanding games and full compatibility with older titles, which benefit from the new processor for improved performance.
Considering that the original Switch was released in 2017 and its successor only in 2025, it’s reasonable to expect the Switch 2 to have a long lifespan, remaining relevant for much of the next decade, making it a lasting investment for gamers.
On the other hand, internal storage is a negative point. The 256GB of space can quickly fill up, as some recent games approach 100GB. The need for expansion with a Micro SD Express card incurs a considerable additional cost for users.
The choice for an LCD screen instead of OLED, made to control the final price of the console, results in a lower display quality than what Nintendo already offered in previous models, affecting the vibrancy of colors, contrast and the depth of blacks.
