I'm A Lifelong Gamer — Here's Why Nintendo's Switch 2 Is Worth Every Penny

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5 days ago

Back in 1985, when my family acquired Nintendo's original NES gaming system, my life changed for the better — but when the Japanese tech brand released the hand-held Gameboy in 1989 and the Super Nintendo console in 1991, my parents put their feet down and refused to keep upgrading our video game systems every time a new one hit shelves.
But my love and devotion to Mario, Link and Nintendo's other licensed characters did not die that day. In fact, it's been the complete opposite. I can't even begin to fathom the hours I've spent button-mashing my way through every console Nintendo has blessed us with including the original Gameboy, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U and original Switch. I will admit that when the brand revealed that the follow-up to the Switch would simply be the Switch 2 and it turned out to look quite similar, I had some doubts. Those doubts were quickly laid to rest the first time I picked up the newly magnetic joy-con.
'Mario Kart' has always been a favorite, taking me back to playing 'Double Dash' on GameCube in college and, more recently, playing 'Mario Kart 8' with my niece and nephew. My first experience with the Switch 2 was trying out 'Mario Kart World,' which gave me the familiar euphoric feeling I've experienced so many times throughout my life. It's the game so many of us grew up playing with added features like an open world mode and knockout rounds. It took a lot of self-discipline not to stay up all night trying to unlock all of the characters and vehicles.
Since that first play, I have tried other titles including: 'Welcome Tour', 'Split Fiction', 'Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess' and 'Cyberpunk 2077.' I'm not the type of gamer who gets hung up on tech specs, but I've spent plenty of hours with my Switch 2 so far and there are noticeable improvements. The visuals are crisper. The load times are faster. One of my favorite new features is the ability to loan out digital game cartridges to friends playing on their own consoles. Another major add-on is the ability to use the joy-con as a mouse, which will come more into play with future game releases like 'Drag X Drive.' Nintendo is also selling a camera accessory to allow for video chats with friends while playing along with plans to incorporate that function into games like the upcoming upgraded version of 'Super Mario Party Jamboree.'The one main issue I ran into as I prepared this review was storage. Bringing games from my first Switch console onto the new one and adding some of the aforementioned titles I tested, the system's internal memory filled up very quickly. Some people might be happy to install and uninstall as needed when they move on from game to game, but I love having my own little arcade at my fingertips. I was dismayed to learn that the memory card I purchased for my original Switch (which still has plenty of space) no longer works for Switch 2. If you have any interest in exploring some of the more graphically advanced options, you will need to purchase a microSD Express card separately.
I know many adults who think video games are just for kids or say there just aren't enough hours in the day to make time for playing. After gaming for most of my 40+ years on this earth, I can say they've helped not only my mental health, but also my brain function. It's worth making the time. I gravitate toward puzzle games and have found Nintendo rules when it comes to offering problem-solving and strategy-focused experiences that really require brain power. A lot of these options can also be played in quick stints as opposed to the hours of investment required to complete other titles.
Once your Switch 2 is all set up, check out these games worth adding to your collection:
A walkthrough game showcasing the Switch 2's features
Consider this one an interactive instruction manual. "Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour" teaches users about the new functionality of the Switch 2 including the magnetic joy-cons. Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
An action RPG featuring an all-star voice cast
"Cyberpunk 2077" made a splash when it was first released back in 2020. This action-packed journey through Night City includes the voice acting talents of Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves and more. The Switch 2 version really shows off the advanced graphics this new system is capable of.Get it from Amazon for $68.70.
A Nintendo icon refreshed for a Switch 2
Hyrule has never looked this gorgeous. This edition of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" brings Link, Zelda and Ganon into the new Nintendo era with a new Switch 2-specific feature called Zelda Notes, which involves voice-assisted navigation to help you on your adventure.Get it from Amazon for $79.
A breathtaking Japanese-inspired strategy game
"Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess" is one of the lesser-known launch titles garnering a lot of buzz. The stunning visuals and immersive story make this one an automatic add-to-cart after setting up your Switch 2.Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
A new adventure for an old fan-favorite character
DK is back, baby! "Donkey Kong Bonanza" stars the titular gorilla smashing his way through level after level with aspiring singer (and Mario's first love interest before Peach) Pauline along for the ride. Get it from Amazon for $69.
A fight through 1980's Japan
Sega's Yakuza series has been going strong for 20 years and the "Yakuza O" prequel is one of the best of the series. This director's cut was a launch title for the Switch 2 and takes players into the seedy underworld of organized crime in Japan. Get it from Amazon for $49.80.