Written by Matthew Whitaker

On November 4th, Nintendo released their Q3 earnings report with sales numbers that were surprising to even the most enthusiastic fans and investors. Since its initial launch on June 5th, The Nintendo Switch 2 system has sold over 10 million units, making it the fastest-selling video game system of all time.

In fact, the data only counts sales up to September 30th. Plus, Nintendo Switch 2 systems sold alongside the hyper-popular Pokémon Legends: Z-A are not counted in the report. 

With the holiday shopping season kicking off and multiple massive Nintendo releases on the way, sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 will only grow from here. One thing is for sure, though: Nintendo Switch 2 is an absolute hit with gamers of all kinds.

Of course, any new video game system has its good and bad points, so here’s what you need to know if you’re considering hopping on the Nintendo Switch 2 train:

The Good

Putting it simply, Nintendo Switch 2 is “the fun machine” with the amount of joy and excitement it offers gamers. The system has already been supplied with some of the best games this year, offering a multiplayer masterpiece in the form of Mario Kart World and a single-player pleasure through Donkey Kong Bananza. 

Games for the original Nintendo Switch play best on Nintendo Switch 2, with performance-improving patches and content-expanding Nintendo Switch 2 Editions giving new life to evergreen hits on Nintendo’s previous system. And it’s not just Nintendo at the party — third-party publishers are supporting the Nintendo Switch 2 with mega games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Madden NFL 26. 

Playing this vast array of games with the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a dream. It feels like human hands were made for this controller. There are also fresh ways to play games using the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and the Joy Con 2’s mouse controls — which add even more to the fun. 

On top of all that, users with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription can enjoy a growing library of Nintendo GameCube games exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Gamers are loving their new Nintendo Switch 2, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

The Bad

The two major issues with Nintendo Switch 2 are its increased emphasis on digitally-downloaded retail games and the price. Mario Kart World costs $79.99 — a major jump from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which has an MSRP of $59.99. 

Not only that, but most Nintendo-published games on Nintendo Switch 2 charge $69.99, which is in line with the PlayStation and Xbox’s recent game pricing. Offsetting this is the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s $449.99 price tag — an excellent deal considering the system’s technical features and performance. 

Some frustration surrounds the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades — priced between $4.99 and $19.99 — though they often offer new features and content beyond mere performance upgrades. Additionally, many of Nintendo’s games received free performance upgrades, including popular titles such as Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 3.

The other gripe many users have is with the Game Key Card versions of third-party games. Game Key Cards look like physical copies of retail games, but contain no game data on the card aside from a download key requiring users to download the full game and use their limited storage space. 

While this does allow users to share and resell Game Key Cards, it effectively passes the game data storage costs onto the users and is useless in terms of game preservation. Users have pushed back against Game Key Cards, preferring to buy affected games directly from the Nintendo eShop. 

Some users are even refusing to purchase these games at all. Despite challenges with high game prices and Game Key Cards, the future of the Nintendo Switch 2 system looks brighter every day.

The Future

Nintendo is only just getting started with the Nintendo Switch 2, as plenty of major first-party game releases are on the way. 

There’s Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario Tennis Fever, Pokémon Pokopia, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Splatoon Raiders. In fact, the Kirby and Metroid series’ latest games launch before the end of 2025! 

Not only that, Nintendo continues to release Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of popular games for the original Nintendo Switch, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Bros. Wonder set to receive major upgrades as well as content additions in 2026. 

Nintendo’s not the only one launching major games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Third-party publishers are bringing major games like System Shock and Resident Evil Requiem to the Switch 2. As developers receive development kits and sales grow, we’ll see even more game ports and entirely-new game launches on Nintendo Switch 2.

Overall, Nintendo Switch 2 is a total hit with its rapidly growing user base, delivering endless fun in only a few months. While there are some hiccups with pricing and a dip in interest for physical games, the expanding game library and innovative play options easily make up for it. 

With soaring sales and a lineup of major first-party and third-party titles on the way, the future of the Switch 2 is shaping up to be even more exciting than anyone anticipated.