Nintendo Switch 2: What It Costs, What to Play, and What to Add
Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode. Credit: AOMAF2024, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
The Switch 2 is the console that does something the others cannot: it is a home console and a handheld in one. In its first year and a half it built a strong library of Nintendo games you cannot play anywhere else, and it keeps nearly all of the original Switch library playable too. It also got more expensive on September 1. This page covers the price, the games, the storage question every owner runs into, and the accessories worth adding.
Price and Bundles
| Option | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Switch 2 | $499.99 | Console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, dock |
| Switch 2 + Mario Kart World | $549.99 | Console plus a digital copy of Mario Kart World |
US list prices as of October 4, 2026. The standalone console rose from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, which puts it level with the PS5 Digital Edition and the cheapest Xbox Series S. If you want Mario Kart World anyway, the bundle is the better deal. A Zelda themed Switch 2 system arrives October 29, ahead of the Ocarina of Time remake on November 5.
What You Are Buying
- A 7.9-inch 1080p screen with HDR and up to 120Hz, a big step up from the original Switch.
- Up to 4K on a TV when docked.
- 256GB of internal storage, eight times the original Switch's 32GB.
- Joy-Con 2 controllers that attach magnetically and can be used like a mouse in supported games.
- GameChat, built-in voice and video chat with friends, which requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Backward compatibility with the large majority of original Switch games, cartridge and digital.
The Games Worth Owning
- Mario Kart World: the launch game, an open world take on Mario Kart. Get it in the bundle if you can.
- Donkey Kong Bananza: a 3D platformer built around smashing through everything, and one of the best reviewed games on the system.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: the long awaited return of Samus in first person.
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A: the latest mainline Pokémon adventure, set in Lumiose City.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Nintendo's remake of the classic arrives November 5, and it will be the system's big holiday game.
- Valheim: the Viking survival hit reached version 1.0 on September 9, with Switch 2 among its new platforms.
GTA VI is not coming to Switch 2. If that matters to you, see our GTA 6 console guide.
Storage: The One Thing to Get Right
The Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards for game storage. The regular microSD cards that worked in the original Switch cannot hold Switch 2 games, so an old card from your first Switch will not help. Look for the microSD Express name or the "EX" logo on the package before you buy.
This matters more than it sounds, because of Game-Key Cards. Some physical Switch 2 games ship as a cartridge that holds a key rather than the whole game. You insert it, the game downloads, and it takes up storage just like a digital purchase. Between digital games, Game-Key Cards, and updates, 256GB fills faster than people expect.
A 256GB microSD Express card doubles your space and is the right size for most players. Heavy digital buyers should consider 512GB. Memory prices have risen this year, so compare a few listings before buying.
Accessories That Actually Matter
1. A screen protector and case. The screen is the most expensive thing to damage. A tempered glass screen protector and a carrying case cost little and protect a $500 device you will take places. Make sure both say Switch 2, because the screen is larger than the original Switch's.
2. A Pro Controller for TV play. The Joy-Con 2 work fine for short sessions, but the Switch 2 Pro Controller is far more comfortable for long ones and adds programmable back buttons.
3. A microSD Express card. Covered above, and the accessory most owners end up needing.
4. Extra Joy-Con 2 for multiplayer. Mario Kart World and party games are built for four players. A spare Joy-Con 2 pair turns the console into a family machine.
5. A camera for GameChat. Optional, but the Switch 2 Camera adds video to GameChat and works in a few games.
Nintendo Switch Online, Briefly
The base Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online play and GameChat, and includes a library of classic NES, SNES, and Game Boy games. The Expansion Pack tier adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and on Switch 2, GameCube classics. Families can share one Family membership across up to eight accounts, which is usually the best value. Current pricing is on Nintendo.com.
Official Nintendo Links
- Nintendo.com: hardware, support, and account settings
- Nintendo eShop deals: current digital sales
- Nintendo Switch Online: memberships and the classic games library
Our Latest Nintendo Coverage
- Valheim Leaves Early Access September 9 With PS5, Switch 2, and the Deep North
- Console Prices Are Going Up: What to Buy Before September
- Which Console Should You Buy in 2026? A Straight Answer
→ Comparing systems? See our guides to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC gaming.
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