Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? How old and new games run on it, from Resident Evil Requiem to The Witcher 3

I'm writing this article for two types of people. One is buying a Switch for the first time and wondering if the old, cheaper console is enough or if they really need the 2. The other has been playing on the first one for years and is asking what I was asking last year: what do I get for my money besides a larger screen? This isn't a benchmark test—for that, there's Digital Foundry. It's more about what I'd ask myself after a year of use, complete with numbers where available.

In short: how is the Switch 2 different?

On paper, it's a completely new generation, and in practice, it is too. The screen is 7.9 inches and 1080p (compared to the old 6.2 inches and 720p), going up to 120 Hz with variable refresh rate handheld, and outputting 4K when docked, where the old one capped out at 1080p. The internal storage is 256 GB, which isn't just an upgrade compared to the old 32 GB, but a whole different league. The Joy-Cons don't slide on rails anymore; they snap onto the console magnetically, and there's built-in GameChat, for which you can also buy a camera. According to various analyses, the graphics performance is roughly ten times that of the original. That ten-fold increase is what matters for the games below, not the marketing fluff.

Your old games on the new console: this is the best part

If you have a shelf full of Switch games, I have good news: almost all of them work on the 2, both from physical cartridges and digital downloads. And they don't just run—they run better. GamesRadar and HowToGeek tested them thoroughly in the first few weeks: even without updates, old games get a more stable frame rate, fewer stutters, and in many cases faster loading times, simply because the new system doesn't sweat running them.

Where the publisher provided a specific patch, the differences are dramatic:

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: with a free patch, 1440p rendering and a virtually locked 60 fps. This was the game that stuttered worst on the original system, and now it runs the way it should have at launch.
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom: with the paid "Switch 2 Edition" update, 1080p in handheld, native 4K docked, better shadows, and load times cut in half. If you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, this is included.
• Witcher 3 (the old Switch version): according to Digital Foundry's tests, it holds a near-locked 30 fps on the new system, so dynamic resolution doesn't drop as low, resulting in a sharper image—without any patch.

For me, this was the decisive argument: I didn't need to buy new games to immediately feel the difference. My old Switch library basically picked up where it left off, only running better.

Big names on Switch 2: by the numbers

Resident Evil Requiem

This is the game most people look up regarding the Switch 2, and for good reason: in handheld mode, it looks like a "big" home console game. The trick is DLSS: internally, the console renders at 540p docked and 360p handheld, with Nvidia's upscaler bringing the image up. According to Digital Foundry's analysis, the result is sharper and more stable than the Xbox Series S version, even though that starts from a higher internal resolution. Frame rate is uncapped targeting 60 fps; in practice, it hovers around 40–50 docked, dropping to 30 in the worst cases, and 25 handheld. If that bothers you, the 120 Hz screen helps a lot to make stutter less noticeable. I play in handheld mode, and the shiny, rainy scenes were what first convinced me that this system is truly in a different league.

Cyberpunk 2077

The Ultimate Edition was a launch title on Switch 2, together with Phantom Liberty. There are four modes: Quality 30 fps and Performance 40 fps, both available separately in handheld and docked. Here are the numbers from Digital Foundry: docked, Quality mode scales from 720–1080p to 1080p, Performance mode from 540–1080p; handheld, 450–810p scales to 810p, and 360–720p to 720p. The base game holds 30 fps, though drops occur in dense areas of Phantom Liberty, and fast motion can cause DLSS blur. What I would say: this is Cyberpunk fitting in your bag, a sentence that would have sounded like a joke a few years ago. If you played it on PC or PS5, this won't be the prettiest version. But if you haven't played it yet, this is the most convenient.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

There are two paths. The old Switch edition, as mentioned above, runs at a stable 30 fps with a sharper image on the new console, and can be bought cheap secondhand. CD Projekt also announced a dedicated Switch 2 Remastered edition: official numbers state 720p handheld, 1080p docked, between 30–40 fps (with 40 fps only on a 120 Hz TV). So the rumored 60 fps didn't materialize. If you already own the old cartridge, I wouldn't upgrade right away; if you're buying now, the Remastered looks nicer, but the old one offers better value.

And Nintendo's own games

There is less benchmark data for these because they simply work. Mario Kart World is the bundle game, open-track, unbeatable for local couch multiplayer. Donkey Kong Bananza is the one I played all the way through as an adult, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is what search trends show most people were waiting for. Pokémon Legends: Z-A released on the old console too, but the Switch 2 version is prettier and faster. The takeaway is the same as above: you don't need the new system for Nintendo games, but they are better on it.

Game-key card: how it works and what to watch out for

This is what most people misunderstand at the shop. Many Switch 2 games come on a game-key card: the card doesn't contain the game itself, only a key. On first launch, the system downloads the full game, requiring an internet connection and enough free space on internal storage or a microSD Express card. Afterward, internet isn't required—just keep the card in the console to prove you own it. According to Nintendo's official description, the card isn't tied to an account or console, so it can be lent or resold just like a regular cartridge. Two things that still frustrate people: the download size is large, and if buying used, clear space beforehand. Check the box label before purchasing to see which type it is.

Speaking of storage: Switch 2 only runs games from a microSD Express card. Your old microSD is fine for screenshots, not for games. Look for that specific label on the packaging, don't just look at the price tag first.

So, is it worth it?

• Buying a Switch for the first time: get the 2. The original is cheaper, but Switch 2-only games (from Mario Kart World to Requiem) won't run on it, and older games run better on the new model.
• You have a Switch 1 and mostly play Nintendo games: no rush, but after experiencing the Zelda and Pokémon updates, it's hard to go back to the old one. If your kids use it too, the 256 GB storage alone is a compelling argument.
• You want multiplatform games on a portable device (Cyberpunk, Requiem, Witcher): this is what the original console simply couldn't do. Here, the 2 isn't just "nicer"—it's the only option.

What most people throw away from the box

Here's a personal note. After the first week with my Switch 2, the Joy-Con strap frame disappeared, the paper manual landed at the bottom of a drawer, and the box went on top of the wardrobe with a "throw out later" mindset. Then guests arrived, we needed two controllers, and the grip was nowhere to be found. Since then I do things differently: all accessories stay in one place, and duplicate items get passed along. If you're missing any of these, I have them available:

And don't throw away the wrist strap frame—playing Mario Kart and motion games without it is uncomfortable, and it's hard to buy separately.

The original box is worth real money—nobody tells you this when buying

When I sold my old Switch, buyers flocked to the listing with the box, while those without a box brought endless haggling. It's not rocket science, just experience: on the secondhand market, a complete system in its original factory box sells faster and with smaller discounts. Buyers see that it was taken care of, shipping is safer in the original inserts, and the listing simply looks more trustworthy. For the Switch 2, this matters even more right now because it's a new, expensive system and buyers are cautious.

If you threw yours away, or it got water damage or lost during a move, here is an original empty box (box only, no console):

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Switch 2 games run on the old Switch? No. Games labeled "Nintendo Switch 2" on the box only work on the new console. Conversely, almost everything older works on Switch 2.

Do I need a separate dock? No, one is included in the box. The old Switch dock cannot be used with the new system.

Do old Joy-Cons work on the 2? They can pair wirelessly and be played with, but they won't attach to the sides of the console because the new model uses magnetic mounts.

Can game-key card games be resold? Yes, the card is not linked to an account. The new owner will need to download the game, then insert the card to play.

How much is the box worth when selling? There's no exact number, but in my experience, listings with boxes sell faster and require less price cutting. Keeping a box costs nothing compared to the value it adds.

Sources: Digital Foundry analyses (Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil Requiem, backward compatibility), Nintendo Life, NintendoEverything, GamesRadar, HowToGeek, Tom's Guide, Nintendo's official game-key card guide. Nintendo game observations are personal experience.