Buying guide for Which Nintendo Switch console is best?
There are plenty of forms of entertainment to choose from, but it doesn’t get any easier if you have set your heart on a Nintendo Switch. Do you want portability or do you favor a bigger display? Deciding on the best Nintendo Switch can be a tricky business.
Broadly speaking and special editions aside, there are three versions of the Nintendo Switch. However, if you want the full experience with all the bells and whistles, then the Nintendo Switch OLED is the best option.
But that’s not to say that the other models don’t have a place in the ever-growing gaming sphere. Similar to choosing between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation consoles, choosing the best Nintendo Switch console largely depends on your specific gaming preferences, lifestyle and budget.
Our top picks
Best Switch overall
Product Specifications: Storage Capacity: 64GB | Total Ports: 4 | Screen: 7” OLED | Dimensions: 9.5” L (with Joy-Cons attached) x 4” H x 0.5” D | Weight: 0.93 lb (with Joy-Cons attached)
The latest version of the Nintendo Switch includes a few upgrades over the initial offering, with the most striking being the addition of a 7-inch OLED display. This gives brighter colors, vivid hues and crisp visuals.
And as video games get bigger in size and more complex, you’ll need more storage space. This version comes with 64GB of storage, which is more than enough to download digital games and keep your game progress safe. Another upgrade of the original is enhanced audio in tabletop and handheld mode.
It also features the TV mode, which lets you connect the Switch to a display in your living room. The white Joy-Con controllers detach from the display and are then used to direct the action. In terms of the dock, this version features a built-in wired LAN port to bypass the Wi-Fi connection for more reliable online play.
Best bang for the buck
Product Specifications: Storage Capacity: 32GB | Total Ports: 4 | Screen: 5.5” | Dimensions: 8.2” L x 3.6” H x 0.5” D | Weight: 0.61 lb
The Lite is a smaller, more compact version of the Nintendo Switch. Despite its more affordable price, the handheld console is still compatible with the vast library of Switch games.
Unlike the original Switch and OLED model with detachable controllers (Joy-Cons), the Switch Lite goes all-in-one with built-in buttons and a touchscreen on its 5.5-inch display. This means no swapping controllers for different colors or sharing with friends, but it's lighter and more portable.
Although the Switch Lite’s smaller size and compact design make the console more portable, it’s worth mentioning there’s no way to hook the Switch Lite up to a TV. Regardless, it’s the most affordable Switch console money can buy and still delivers an outstanding gaming experience.
Best for kids
Product Specifications: Storage Capacity: 32GB | Total Ports: 4 | Screen: 6.2” | Dimensions: 9.4” L (with Joy-Cons attached) x 4” H x 0.5” D | Weight: 0.88 lb (with Joy-Cons attached)
The Nintendo Switch is an affordable, portable and incredibly versatile console that lets you game anywhere and anytime. Not only does it offer plenty of fun titles for every type of gamer, including kids, but it also delivers three distinct ways to play.
Want to gather your family or friends on the couch? Dock your Switch and connect it to your TV for big-screen play. Craving some social gaming on the go? Prop the Switch up in tabletop mode with its built-in kickstand, detach its Joy-Con (controllers) and pass them around for instant multiplayer action. Or if you just want to escape reality and play a single-player game, just snap the Joy-Con back on and take your favorite games with you wherever you roam.
It's worth mentioning that the classic Switch console comes with only 32GB of storage (enough space for about four games), while the pricier Switch OLED packs 64GB of storage space. Fortunately, all Switch consoles have a MicroSD card slot for expanding the onboard storage. The standard Nintendo Switch is the best option for kids and families because of its affordability and durability. Compared to the Switch OLED, it’s cheaper to replace if it breaks or gets lost and it still includes a dock for playing on the big screen — unlike the even cheaper Switch Lite console.
Nintendo Switch vs. other popular consoles
The Nintendo Switch falls into a unique category of video game consoles, something that Nintendo is rather adept at doing.
While it directly competes with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S and Sony’s PlayStation 5 in TV Mode, none of the other consoles feature a handheld and tabletop mode. This makes the Switch more portable and appealing to a certain demographic that requires that.
But this comes with a price. The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are more powerful than the Switch. Thanks to their solid-state drives, they offer higher resolution (up to 4K), better graphics, and faster loading times.
Both consoles have an impressive lineup of exclusive titles, too. Xbox is known for its Game Pass subscription service, which offers a vast library of games, while PlayStation has critically acclaimed exclusives like "The Last of Us, Part II" and "Ghost of Tsushima." Both consoles also support advanced gaming features like ray tracing.
The Nintendo Switch is a gaming console that caters to both casual and hardcore gamers. It offers a mix of first-party titles like "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Super Mario Odyssey," as well as a wide range of indie and third-party games.
When it comes to choosing between gaming consoles, the decision ultimately boils down to what you value the most in your gaming experience. If you value portability and the unique gameplay experiences offered by Nintendo's first-party titles, the Switch is unmatched.
On the other hand, if you prioritize better graphics, performance and a more traditional home console experience with a strong lineup of AAA titles, then the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X would be more appealing. Each console has its own niche and caters to different preferences and gaming styles.
Is the Nintendo Switch for kids?
It’s challenging to classify whether a gaming console is for kids or not, as it all relates to the games being played. Of course, there are mature games developed for adults that feature a lot of bad language and gore, but there are an equal number of titles that are perfectly suited for the whole family.
However, you are more likely to find mature games for the Xbox or PlayStation than for the Switch. This is good news for parents, as the Switch is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including kids, teenagers and adults.
In addition, Nintendo is well-known for its extensive collection of family-friendly games that feature iconic characters and franchises, such as Mario, Zelda and Animal Crossing. These games are designed to be fun and engaging while also promoting creativity, problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Another aspect of the Switch that will make parents glad is that it’s not just a console for entertainment; it also offers a range of educational games that can help children develop their math, reading and critical thinking skills. These games make learning interactive and fun, using the gaming medium to teach valuable lessons.
While the Switch is definitely suitable for kids, it has a broad appeal that means it's not just for children.
Are Nintendo Switch games expensive?
For a console that is aimed at kids and adults alike, many feel that the $60 price tag per game on top of the cost of the console is too much. But while it is marginally less than games for the Xbox or PlayStation, there are several reasons why they seem expensive.
The overarching reason is what people in the industry call “Nintendo tax.” Similar to how Apple charges a premium for its high-quality products, Nintendo does the same. The company is known for quality, longevity and the fact that games rarely go on sale.
Another reason comes down to supply and demand. When there is a huge demand for a specific title, Nintendo keeps the price high. And with games such as the “Legend of Zelda” and “Mario Kart” never waning in popularity, this means the retail price will never decrease.
However, financially, there is another reason for this price. The Xbox and PlayStation can play digital copies of games, but the Switch uses physical plastic cartridges. It costs more to produce these cartridges than it does to make something digitally available or pressed to a disc.
Nintendo Switch Games worth checking out
This is Super Mario Bros. like you’ve never seen it before. Forget everything you know about the endearing (and often frustrating side-scroller) and be prepared to look at the world in a very different way.
Featuring Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy and Toad, it sees the heroes take on Bowser in the Flower Kingdom, which adds new mechanics to the game. With the addition of the Wonder Flower into the world, it transforms the game’s levels to feature pipes bursting to life, floating in zero gravity and transforming into a colossal Spike-Ball.
There are also new unique abilities and power-ups to overcome obstacles and enemies, and up to three friends can go on an adventure together. There is also significant multiplayer functionality, where you can race against others, observe other players’ silhouettes or find standees left behind by other gamers to help you along the way.
In this follow-up to the acclaimed “Breath of the Wild,” the game continues the hero Link’s journey as he explores the vast landscapes of Hyrule and the mysterious islands floating above.
But the sequel isn’t merely a continuation. It also features some brand-new abilities for Link, such as Ultrahand, Fuse and Ascend. One of the most remarkable features of the game is the inclusion of Zonai devices. These devices can be used in a variety of ways, such as combat, exploration and puzzle-solving. They allow players to create vehicles and other structures to navigate through the world.
Additionally, the game is bringing back shrines and Korok seeds from “Breath of the Wild” and introducing a recipe system to keep track of meals and elixirs. If you are a fan of the hugely popular franchise, “Tears of the Kingdom” is a must-buy. It pushes the Switch to its limits with no loading times and seamless transitions between areas.
If you revel in the idea of putting Mario in a fighting ring against Donkey Kong or pitting Snake from Metal Gear Solid against Ash from Pokemon, then “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” is the game for you. Essentially, it has 74 playable fighters from several Nintendo and third-party franchises, and it’s your job (and up to seven other players) to knock your opponent out of the ring.
One of the new features introduced in “Ultimate” is the Spirits mechanic. This replaces the collectible trophies from previous games. Spirits can enhance fighters with unique abilities and are mainly obtained through "Spirit Battles." These battles are themed challenges that represent the character the Spirit depicts.
But it’s not all about punches and kicks with some of your friends. If you think you can tackle the world by yourself, the game has a relatively sizeable single-player mode called “World of Light.” In this mode, you explore a new world to rescue captured fighters and Spirits from an evil entity named Galeem.
Mario and Luigi are the loveable plumbers who have enthralled gamers for decades. But those two aren’t just good plumbers — they’re also excellent racecar drivers. Naturally, that also depends on who they are racing against, but that is what “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is all about.
Essentially a port from Nintendo’s ill-fated Wii U console, it has the biggest roster of characters, tracks and vehicles in the series’ history, including all the base and DLC content from the Wii U version. However, it also adds some new elements, such as a revamped Battle Mode, offering a traditional experience with five battle types across eight new arenas.
Perfect for kids new to the franchise or unfamiliar with the Switch’s controls, the game features enhancements to Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate for beginners, making it more accessible to new players. Up to eight players can duke it out around the arena, while up to 12 players can race online.
How we analyzed
Generally, it would be a challenge to compare video game consoles to one another. However, since there are only three distinct versions of the Nintendo Switch, it makes the task a bit easier. The most important factor to consider is playability. Is it easy to hold? How good are the graphics? Which games are available?
Two of the consoles have different play modes, which obviously makes it better than the handheld-only version. But comparing the remaining version is tricky. We looked at the differences in display quality, internal memory and any unique aspects to inform our recommendations. We also consulted BestReviews tech expert Jaime Vazquez to gain more insight into how the Nintendo Switch compares to other consoles on the market.
