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If you’re looking to play the latest Mario or Legend of Zelda game, you’ll need to grab a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. Nintendo offers various versions of its bestselling console and offers a vast library of exclusive and third-party titles for gamers of all ages to enjoy.
Launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has only continued to improve over the years, with Nintendo most recently releasing the groundbreaking Switch 2. But which console is right for you? To help you sort it all out, we’ve assessed every available model at different price points to make your decision easier.
Editors’ Favorite
Battery Life: Up to 6.5 hr | Game Modes: TV, tabletop, handheld | Screen Size: 7.9” | Internal Storage: 256GB | Max Resolution: 4K
Nintendo took the best parts of the original Switch and updated it with improved graphics and processing power, delivering the Nintendo Switch 2 to fans. With a vivid 7.9-inch LCD touch screen and support for HDR at 120 fps, this is the ultimate Nintendo console for portable handheld and TV gaming.
It has 256GB of internal storage, allowing you to store more digital games and applications, and it supports 4K resolution on compatible TVs. It includes two Joy-Con 2 controllers, a dock for TV game mode, a USB-C charging cable, Joy-Con grips and strips and a high-speed HDMI cable.
The Switch 2 allows you to enjoy innovative games, such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza, as well as enhanced versions of original Nintendo Switch classics such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Great Value
Battery Life: Up to 6 hrs | Game Modes: TV/Tabletop/Handheld | Screen Size: 7.9” | Internal Storage: 256GB | Max Resolution: 4K
No other video game has caught the attention of Nintendo enthusiasts and gamers in 2025 quite like Mario Kart World, which is available only on the Nintendo Switch 2. This bundle includes a Switch 2 console with a crisp 7.9-inch display and high-resolution gaming in TV mode.
You’ll also get Mario Kart World, which offers a unique experience where players can race in an open world against online competition. You can join up to 23 other players in a single race, and enjoy several game modes, such as Grand Prix, Battle and Time Trials. You can also choose from more than 50 playable characters with alternate unlockable costumes.
If you want to get started gaming right out of the box, this Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is a no-brainer. Mario Kart World is the top Switch 2 game out right now, with plenty of more highly anticipated Switch 2-exclusive titles on the way.
Battery Life: Up to 7 hrs | Game Modes: Handheld | Screen Size: 5.5” | Internal Storage: 32GB | Max Resolution: 720p SHD
As the name suggests, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the smaller, more travel-friendly version of the original Switch. It measures just 3.6 by 8.2 inches and is built as a true handheld system, meaning there are no detachable Joy-Cons. All controls are fixed directly onto the body, so you manage gameplay entirely through the built-in buttons and sticks.
It has a vivid yet compact 5.5-inch display that helps keep the overall size and weight down, and the battery lasts up to seven hours. Beyond the smaller form factor, the Lite has a few key limitations, as it can’t be docked for TV play, and there’s no tabletop stand. However, these limitations make it significantly more affordable than a standard Switch console.
The experience is centered around handheld gaming, making it a simpler but highly portable option for players who don’t need big-screen support or detachable controllers. Plus, it’s available in various colors, including turquoise, blue and coral.
Battery Life: Up to 9 hr | Game Modes: TV, tabletop, handheld | Screen Size: 7” | Internal Storage: 64GB | Max Resolution: 1080p FHD
The Nintendo Switch OLED upgrades the experience with a vibrant 7-inch OLED display that delivers richer colors, deeper contrast and noticeably sharper visuals compared to the standard model. It also doubles the internal storage to 64GB, giving you more room for digital games right out of the box.
The console comes paired with the familiar red and blue Joy-Cons, complete with improved speakers built into the unit for clearer handheld and tabletop audio. For players who enjoy tabletop mode, the wide, adjustable stand on the back is a major improvement, allowing you to tilt the system to the perfect viewing angle.
This OLED model is available in a clean white colorway and a stylish Splatoon-themed edition for fans who want something a bit more unique.
Battery Life: Up to 9 hr | Game Modes: TV, tabletop, handheld | Screen Size: 6.2” | Internal Storage: 32GB | Max Resolution: 1080p FHD
The original Nintendo Switch features a 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen, offering clear visuals and responsive gameplay. Depending on the model you choose, battery life ranges from nine hours on a full charge, and it’s supported by 4GB of RAM for smooth performance.
This version comes bundled with the iconic Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con controllers, which attach to the sides of the console for handheld play or can be used wirelessly for tabletop and multiplayer gaming. The Switch also includes a built-in stand, making it easy to set up in tabletop mode.
Although it’s an older model of Nintendo’s flagship console, it’s still a solid choice for Nintendo fans who want something affordable yet versatile.
Instead of competing against Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation in the home console wars, Nintendo moved away from the Wii’s design and developed a handheld console that could be docked for playing video games on a larger display, such as a monitor or TV. With the included tabletop stand, the console easily rests on a flat surface, making it easy to play when you don’t want to hold it in your hands.
However, with three different Switch models and the innovative Switch 2, it can be challenging to figure out which one is best for you. To make the best choice, several factors should be considered. These include the types of games you want to play, your mobility and your budget.
The Nintendo family of gaming devices includes a flagship console, several handheld gaming systems and their classic console replicas. Each system provides gamers with a unique experience.
The Nintendo Switch delivers multiple innovations in video games. Its controller can be used to play games when the Switch is attached to a TV, but it doubles as a standalone tablet, so the same games can be played anywhere.
The console can transform into a battery-powered touch-screen tablet that’s 100% portable. In addition to this, the Switch allows gamers to shop Nintendo’s online store to buy, download and play legacy titles.
Nintendo’s consoles and devices have shared one thing in common since the 1980s: They each featured innovative controls that forced gamers to interact with games in new and exciting ways. As you consider how you want to play your Nintendo games, think about the unique controllers for each. Choose wisely, as your controller will be a part of every game you play.
In addition to Nintendo’s near-constant innovation, the company is known for exclusive titles and unique characters that gamers have been enjoying for decades. Characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Zelda, Link and even the entire Donkey Kong family have seen new adventures on every Nintendo console.
Nintendo’s most popular gaming franchises include the following:
The Super Mario Bros. games began as side-scrolling platformers but have evolved into grand-scale adventures that span multiple perspectives including 2D, 3D and even first-person. Each title is unique, but they all focus on Mario’s adventures – stomping turtles and eating mushrooms to defeat the evil King Koopa.
The Legend of Zelda games showcase our hero Link on his journey to save the land of Hyrule from the evil warlock, Ganon. Recent iterations in the franchise have seen the game transform into a massive, mission-driven role-playing adventure that challenges players for hundreds of hours.
The Super Smash Bros. series of games brings together characters from across the Nintendo catalog for a series of high-intensity duels. With characters like Pikachu, Mega Man, Mario, Luigi, Link, Princess Zelda and even Pac-Man, the Super Smash Bros. games are great for parties and tournaments as well as the occasional “Who would win?” battle.
Mario Kart is the franchise that became the gold standard of video game racing. Featuring the entire cast of the Mario series (including side characters like Toad and Wario), the Mario Kart series has gamers competing to be the fastest in a variety of crazy locations on tracks that are weird, challenging and incredibly fun.
It’s important to understand the market for which Nintendo builds its games and gaming devices: kids, families and retro gamers. Nintendo targets all of its products at these audiences, carving a niche for itself in the gaming world and foregoing features and apps that many consider standard on non-Nintendo consoles.
If you’re thinking about buying a Nintendo console, consider the things you’d find on other consoles that you wouldn’t find on a Nintendo:
Before purchasing your next Nintendo console, consider these tips.
A. It depends on the model and the generation. For example, a standard Switch with an LCD display retails for about $200, while the OLED version costs about $400. Special and Limited Editions that bundle together the console and a game typically retail for $400 to $600. The Switch Lite costs around $230, the Switch 2 costs $450, and Mario Kart World bundles cost $500.
A. Nintendo Switch games come on cartridges, so the Switch cannot play any Wii or Wii U games that came on disc. (The Nintendo Wii U can play older legacy Wii games but not vice versa.)
We analyzed every available Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 console by comparing specs and features. Although newer models offer some enhancements, we decided to include older console versions to give shoppers more options that fit their budgets and gaming needs. Plus, we also took a look at some bundles to provide gamers more bang for their buck.
