It has been a wild ride for Nintendo fans over the last eight months. After years of speculation, rumors, and wishful thinking, the Nintendo Switch 2 finally arrived on the scene in June 2025. If you are just catching up—or if you are trying to decide whether now is the time to make the jump—you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Is the new console worth it? What happens to your old games? And why is everyone talking about memory prices all of a sudden?
Don’t worry. We are going to break down everything you need to know about the Switch 2 transition. We will look at the sales numbers, the hardware, the games, and what Nintendo’s president has been saying lately. By the end of this, you will have a clear picture of where the “big N” is heading.
Let’s dive in.
The “Switch 2” Era Is Officially Here
When the original Switch launched back in 2017, no one expected it to become the legend it is today. Fast forward to early 2026, and the original Switch has officially become Nintendo’s best-selling console of all time, smashing the record previously held by the Nintendo DS with over 155 million units sold .
But all good things must evolve. The torch has now been passed.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed that the company is shifting its primary focus to the new hardware . This doesn’t mean the old Switch is dying overnight—far from it—but it does mean that the big, ambitious projects are now being built for the Switch 2.
Record-Breaking Sales: The Fastest Start in Nintendo History
So, how is the new kid on the block doing? In short: incredibly well.
As of December 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold nearly 17.4 million units . To put that in perspective, it has already surpassed the lifetime sales of the Wii U (which sold just 13.6 million units over four years) in less than seven months .
According to financial reports, the console sold a massive 7 million units during the holiday quarter (Q3) alone . Nintendo is forecasting that the Switch 2 will hit 19 million units sold by the end of March 2026 . Industry analysts are calling it the fastest-selling console Nintendo has ever released .
What does this tell us? It tells us that the “switching 2nd” phase is happening fast. People aren’t waiting around. They are upgrading.
Hardware Deep Dive: What’s Under the Hood?
If you are used to the original Switch, the Switch 2 feels like a familiar friend who has been hitting the gym. It is slightly bigger, noticeably heavier, and significantly more powerful.
Here are the key specs, broken down simply:
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Processor: A custom NVIDIA Tegra T239 chip (based on the Ampere architecture) .
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RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X (a huge jump from the original’s 4GB) .
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Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1 (you will actually have space for more than two games now) .
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Screen: 7.9-inch LCD running at 1080p in handheld mode .
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Docked Mode: Supports up to 4K resolution using DLSS technology .
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Controllers: New magnetic-attachment Joy-Cons (no more sliding rails) .
The LCD Debate: A Step Back?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Many fans were surprised—and a little disappointed—to see that the Switch 2 went back to an LCD screen instead of keeping the OLED panel from the 2021 model .
Why did Nintendo do this? Most likely to keep the base cost under control.
While OLED offers those deep, inky blacks, the new LCD screen is no slouch. It runs at a sharper 1080p resolution (compared to the OLED’s 720p) and has higher peak brightness, making it much easier to see when you are playing outside . It is a trade-off, but for the power boost you get everywhere else, most reviewers agree it was the right call .
Performance: How Does It Feel?
In terms of raw power, the Switch 2 is often compared to the PS4 Pro or Xbox Series S when it is sitting in its dock .
The real magic trick here is DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) . In simple terms, the console renders the game at a lower resolution (which saves battery and processing power), and then uses AI to smartly upscale it to 4K on your TV. The result? Games look crisp and run smoothly without the console sounding like a jet engine.
The Game Library: What Can You Actually Play?
A console is only as good as its games. Luckily, the lineup for the Switch 2 is starting to fill up nicely.
Big Names Are Arriving
The February 2026 Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase was packed with announcements . Some of the heavy hitters now confirmed for the Switch 2 include:
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Launching May 12)
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Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition (Available now as of February 24)
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Coming 2026)
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Resident Evil Requiem (Launched February 27)
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FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH (Coming June 3)
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MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 3 (Available now)
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Digimon Story Time Stranger (Coming July 10)
It is clear that third-party developers are finally treating the Switch 2 as a serious platform for AAA gaming. As Todd Howard from Bethesda put it, the team is excited to bring their franchises to Nintendo hardware because of how personal and unique the experience feels .
Mario and Friends
Of course, Nintendo’s own studios are carrying the torch. The biggest system-sellers so far have been the usual suspects. “Mario Kart World” has reportedly sold around 14 million copies, and “Donkey Kong Bananza” has moved over 4 million units since launch . Looking ahead, “Mario Tennis Fever” is dropping in February, and “Pokémon Pokopia” is slated for March .
The Big Question: Will My Old Games Work?
This is arguably the most important topic for anyone who has been collecting games for the last eight years. The short answer is yes, but with a small technical footnote.
The Switch 2 does not run old games natively. Instead, it uses a real-time translation layer (think of it as a very smart built-in translator) to convert the code from original Switch games so the new hardware can understand it . This means your physical cartridges and digital downloads will work just fine .
This backward compatibility is a massive deal. It means you don’t have to choose between playing Breath of the Wild or the latest Indiana Jones game. You can keep your entire library in one place.
Navigating the Transition: The “Switch 2nd” Experience
Nintendo has noted that a huge chunk of new owners—specifically 84% of early adopters—were already existing Switch owners . This suggests that the upgrade path is smooth. People aren’t abandoning the ship; they are simply moving to a newer, faster model.
A Note on Digital Ownership
If you are planning to upgrade, now is a great time to log into your old Switch and make sure all your purchases are tied to your Nintendo Account. Just like moving from a PS4 to a PS5, your games are attached to your profile, not the plastic box. As long as you have your login info, your library will follow you to the Switch 2 .
The Cloud on the Horizon: Potential Price Hikes
Now for the part of the article that requires a tiny bit of financial planning.
Nintendo has officially stated that it is “considering” a price increase for the Switch 2 . This isn’t because they want to be greedy; it is because the cost of memory (RAM) and components is skyrocketing globally .
President Furukawa confirmed that while price hikes won’t happen before the end of the current financial year (March 31, 2026), they are definitely on the table for the future . Some analysts predict a jump of €50 to €100 .
If you have been sitting on the fence, the current price tag of around $449 / €470 might look pretty attractive compared to what it could cost in April .
The Super Mario Movie Effect
We can’t talk about the future of Nintendo without mentioning the box office.
The first Super Mario Bros. Movie was a cultural phenomenon, and it actually helped sell Switches. Now, with the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, set to release in April 2026, Nintendo is hoping for a repeat performance .
Movies drive interest. Interest drives hardware sales. If the movie is a hit (and let’s be honest, it probably will be), expect to see a lot of new faces picking up a Switch 2 later this spring.
Conclusion: Is It Time to Make the Leap?
So, where does that leave you?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is off to a blazing start. It is powerful enough to run modern AAA titles, it respects your old game collection, and it has a steady stream of software lined up for the rest of the year.
However, the transition isn’t free. The cost of entry is high, and there are warning lights flashing about potential price increases down the road.
If you are a casual player who is happy with your current Switch library, there is no rush. The old console isn’t going to brick itself just because a new one exists. But if you are eager to play the latest releases with smooth performance, crisp graphics, and a library that keeps growing, the Switch 2 is a fantastic piece of kit.
As analyst Serkan Toto noted, “The implosion of sales… did not happen” . In fact, quite the opposite. The switching 2nd generation is here, and it is stronger than anyone predicted.
What do you think? Are you planning to upgrade now, or are you waiting for a price drop? Let us know in the comments below!
