On June 13th, I officially joined the next generation of Nintendo handhelds: I got the Switch 2.
And the funny part? I wasn’t even planning to buy it.
Originally, I told myself there was no reason to upgrade. Most of the games I love, I already own on the original Switch. The graphics? Fine. The speed? Manageable. Why drop hundreds of dollars on a slightly better version of something I already had?
Then something unexpected happened. Some family friends, out of nowhere, said, “Hey, we barely ever give you gifts. Here’s something for you.” And they gave me the money—enough to get the system. At that point, I kind of had no excuse. I had the funds, the curiosity, and the go-ahead from the universe. So I ordered it.
I went through Nintendo’s official site, picked the game bundle (because it saves you around $30), and waited. At first, I got the “We’re not able to supply your order yet” email. That was fine. A few days later, I got the second email: “It’s available.” Boom. Switch 2 secured.
First Impressions: A Better, Brighter Switch
I’m not here to do a deep-dive review. You’ve probably seen plenty of those already. Most of them say what I’m about to say: the Switch 2 is just… better.
It’s faster. It’s heavier (yes). But it’s also cleaner, sharper, and easier on the eyes. And that last one matters a lot more to me now because last year was also the year I finally got glasses. So yeah—being able to see the screen clearly is kind of a big deal.
The screen is big, bold, and beautiful. I’ve mostly played in handheld mode, and it feels solid. If you’re used to the original Switch, it will feel heavy. But if you’ve ever held a Steam Deck? The Switch 2 feels light in comparison.
Game Time: Faster Loads and Smoother Play
Let’s talk games. One of the first things I noticed was the load times. They're just better. I’ve been playing Dragon Quest XI, and compared to my original Switch, everything moves more smoothly. Transitions are quicker. Loading screens are shorter. It’s subtle, but you feel it.
Minecraft was another test. People had said it runs better on the Switch 2—and they were right. Blocks load instantly. The game doesn’t feel as glitchy. I even tried the old “fill the world with TNT” trick in Creative Mode, just to see how it would handle it. It kept up impressively well.
Then there’s Mario Kart World. It’s a solid game. Better than Deluxe, in my opinion. But let me just say it: I still don’t get why it costs $80. I know prices are creeping up, and Switch 2 games are hitting the $70 mark regularly now. But this one? Still feels off. Great game, weird price.
Bringing It to the Classroom
Now that we’ve got two original Switches at home and the new Switch 2, I’ve decided to take one of the older ones and leave it in my classroom. I plan to use it for indoor recess on rainy days, as a reward for good behavior, or even for simple tech integration activities.
Of course, I’ll make sure the games are age-appropriate. But there’s something really fun about turning a regular classroom into a space where learning and gaming can co-exist.
Just Sharing Some Summer Joy
I thought about taking pictures of my setup, but honestly? It’s nothing fancy. Instead, I took the Switch 2 out to a local mall and snapped some shots in the wild. I’ll share those at the end of this post. They turned out surprisingly nice!
I’m still in summer mode—brain half on vacation—so this isn’t a “big” post. Just a little update, a bit of joy, and something to share with fellow gamers and educators.
And hey—if you haven’t checked it out yet, don’t forget about Grammar Through Video Games! It’s a series I made for teachers, parents, and gamers who want to blend learning with play. You can find it on my Substack.
Thanks for reading—and let me know what you think of the Switch 2 if you’ve picked one up too.
— Prof. Rock
