Nintendo Switch 2
Exact average 84.8 · 5 printed, 3 estimated · printed scores only: 85
Image: Nintendo8 professional reviewers tested the Nintendo Switch 2, and 8 recommend it. Most praised: speed. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by WIRED, Tech Advisor, CNET and 5 more
The catch: Battery life is short, and games and storage cost a lot.
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What 8 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90WIRED
A polished refinement of the original rather than a leap, with a great screen, near-universal backwards compatibility and a surprisingly good GameChat.
Read WIRED review - 90Tech Advisor
A true next-gen console that the reviewer strongly recommends, with impressive graphics, snappy performance and a strong game line-up.
Read Tech Advisor review - 85CNET
The best large gaming handheld, with a big display and great controllers, but short battery life and storage costs.
Read CNET review - 80Trusted Reviews
A refined sequel that turns the Switch into a great hybrid with a lovely screen and enough power.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 80The Verge
A markedly better Switch that largely sticks to the formula, though still behind PC handhelds in power.
Read The Verge review - 89est.Expert Reviews
A broadly excellent upgrade with a much better display, stronger performance and 4K docked play.
Read Expert Reviews review - 85est.Retro Game Corps
The reviewer finds the Nintendo Switch 2 to be a significant improvement over the original, especially when paired with third-party controllers that enhance ergonomics and gameplay.
Read Retro Game Corps review - 79est.Mrwhosetheboss
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a fantastic handheld console that offers a great gaming experience, but it struggles to compete as a home console due to its limited performance compared to other systems.
Read Mrwhosetheboss review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- Retro Game Corps on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
- Mrwhosetheboss on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 79
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other handheld game consoles critics rate highly
Compare head to head
Common questions
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it?
Most critics think so: 8 of 8 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 79 (Mrwhosetheboss) to 90 (WIRED), a spread of 11 points across 8 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.
What do critics dislike about the Nintendo Switch 2?
Price (3 of 8 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS (critic score 85), best for a console-like pc handheld.