Nintendo Switch review: buy now or wait for the next update?

Is Nintendo Switch worth it in 2025?

With the Nintendo Switch 2 rumoured to be ready for release next year, you may be wondering whether buying a Nintendo Switch is worth it in 2024. That really depends on how desperate you are to get your hands on the latest model and how long you’re prepared to wait. At present it is hoped the Switch 2 will be released within the first half of 2025. However, we still don’t know if the release date is confirmed, whether this will be a backwards-compatible device, or what the exact specs will be. So, if you want top-notch gameplay sooner rather than later, the Switch OLED is probably your best option. If the Switch 2 does come out sooner than expected and you desperately want one, you can always trade in your original, Lite or OLED Switch on Back Market for extra cash to fund your latest console.

When did the Nintendo Switch come out?

The Nintendo Switch first launched in 2017. Since then, there have been two main updates – the Nintendo Switch Lite and the Nintendo Switch OLED. The original Switch is undeniably a success to this day, with peak sales of 28.8 million in 2021 and still over 16 million units sold in 2024 to date.

Back Market Verdict: ❤❤❤❤🤍

Which Nintendo Switch should you buy?

There are three unique Nintendo Switch versions to date, each with its own benefits. But how do you know which Nintendo Switch to buy? Let’s begin with an overview of the technical specifications of each model.

Nintendo Switch review: technical specifications

The original Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can be used as a handheld or connected to a TV and used as a home console. This unique design has made the device a popular choice for over seven years, with benefits for almost every game.

The hybrid nature of the original Switch makes it one of the most versatile handheld models around. You can access the full game library and choose to play handheld, docked or table top style, depending on the game you’re playing and where you happen to be. The Switch comes with lots of accessories, including detachable Joy-Con controllers – the only disadvantage to this is that you run the risk of losing one or more of them. 

While larger than traditional handhelds, the position of the right analogue stick can make gameplay feel cramped. A small micro-SD slot is available at the bottom of the console for the option to add expandable storage – perhaps a necessity with only 32 GB available internally. Nintendo Switch SD cards can add up to as much as 2 TB of storage. You will also find a kickstand for table top play, a power button, a volume rocker, a headphone jack and a slot for game cartridges along the outside of the console.

Nintendo Switch Lite review: technical specifications

The Nintendo Switch Lite was designed as a handheld-only version of the popular console, offered with fewer features and at a correspondingly lower price point. Lighter and more portable than the original, the Switch Lite is the ideal travel companion for gamers on the go.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is smaller, lighter and more compact than both the original and OLED models, perfect for those who like to game on the move. However, it cannot be converted into a home console or used as a table top device, and you can only play handheld games on it. That said, the price is accordingly cheaper, so if you only or mainly play handheld games, you can save and still get everything you want from a console. The controllers are fully integrated, but you do have the option to connect as many as four separate Joy-Cons wirelessly. The Lite also has a slightly longer battery life, although not significantly so – you’ll perhaps get an extra 30 minutes of gameplay before you need to recharge.

Nintendo Switch OLED review: technical specifications

The Nintendo Switch OLED brings improved storage, memory, sound and graphics to the table, with most of the benefits of both the original and Lite combined. While this is the most expensive model, you do get what you pay for.

The newest of all the current Nintendo Switch versions, the Nintendo Switch OLED can be used in handheld and docked modes just like the original. It comes with enhanced features, which are reflected in the price. These features almost exclusively affect handheld play, so if you mainly play when connected to a TV, the OLED could be a luxurious but ultimately unnecessary upgrade. However, if you mainly play handheld games but would like to have the option of playing docked, there are numerous benefits. The docked version is only equal to that of the original, other than the addition of a LAN port for more stable online play, but handheld play is vastly superior. Additional features include enhanced speakers, a larger display and double the amount of internal storage, plus a wider kickstand for table top play.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?

The release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 is as yet unconfirmed, although rumours suggest it could hit the stores as early as spring 2025. It was initially thought that the release date would be before Christmas 2024, but now gamers are awaiting the announcement of a date next year. While Nintendo has confirmed there will be a Switch 2, there is no official release date on the cards as of November 2024. The launch price is rumoured to be around £385.00 – significantly higher than the price of the original Switch, which was £279.99 at launch.

Where to find the best price for a Nintendo Switch

The best price for an original Nintendo Switch is £192.00 on Back Market, with the Switch Lite available from £145.00 and the Switch OLED from £252.00. These are refurbished products that are sold as good as new – each comes with a warranty for at least a full year, and you have 30 days to test the product to ensure it’s entirely to your satisfaction. If you’re not completely happy, you can send it back with free shipping and get your money back. Not only that, you get great discounts on the cost of buying new, and you get to help protect the environment by reducing your e-waste and carbon footprint.

As outlined above, there are pros and cons to each of the Nintendo Switch models currently available. Switch Lite is more portable and the cheapest of the three options but misses out on some key features. The original Switch is versatile and has some great features, while the Switch OLED is the most expensive, offering a premium handheld experience. The best model for you will therefore depend on your gaming style, your budget and how many games you want access to. If you can afford it, the Nintendo Switch OLED is probably the superior model overall.

Is Nintendo Switch the best handheld console?

While Nintendo Switch is certainly a leader in the console market and has a lot to offer gamers of all ages, there are various other options. Back Market stocks a variety of leading brands and models, so spend some time looking at what’s available and what games you can access before making your decision. Just a couple of examples are:

Before you make your decision, check out what’s in stock on Back Market – it’s a haven for older models and refurbished products at great prices.