Mario, Powered Up: A Grownup’s Guide to the Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo is a part of Generation X’s DNA. Whether you spent your childhood playing Super Mario Bros. on the original Nintendo Entertainment System console, obsessed over Tetris on the GameBoy, dedicated countless hours to Wii Sports later on or have gone on every Legend of Zelda adventure over the years, you know how the gaming company has grown and changed with you.

Now comes the company’s Switch 2, which was released in June and quickly became the fastest-selling console in U.S. history. A fair chunk of those buyers were no doubt people in their 50s: 57 million Americans who are 50 or older regularly play video games, a recent study from the Entertainment Software Association found. In fact, more than half of Gen X males and just shy of half of Gen X women play at least one hour per week.

If you’re thinking of buying a Switch 2 for yourself—or later this year as a holiday gift for your child or another family member—here’s what you need to know:

Pros

There’s something for everyone. That’s a well-worn marketing cliché, for sure, but many Nintendo games really are as fun to play as an adult as they are for kids. While the system can handle complex, immersive experiences (stuff that might appeal more to young-adult gamers who spend hours in front of the screen), some of the most popular titles, like the cartoony racing game Mario Kart World, are fast, fun and easy to grasp. “I see the Switch 2 as something that bridges generations,” says Bob De Schutter, an associate professor of game design at Northeastern University in Boston.

Better hardware equals a better experience. For all its positive features, the original Switch (released in 2017) had become a bit long in the tooth. The Switch 2 lets players load games faster and play them on a larger, sharper screen. (Like its parent device, the Switch 2 is a hybrid console; it can be hooked up to a TV through a docking station or played using its built-in 7.9-inch screen.)

You can connect with others. The GameShare via GameChat feature lets you simultaneously play select Switch 2 games against others online, even if they don’t own copies of the game. It’s a great way to connect with friends, kids or grandkids who live elsewhere.

Cons

It’s expensive. The Switch 2 starts at $450. That’s $150 more than the original Switch cost at its launch. And games can run up to $80 each, compared with $60 for big titles on the original Switch. “The price point is going to be difficult,” De Schutter says.

It can be hard to find friends. To add a friend or family member for online play, you’ll need to ask them for a unique 12-digit number that’s associated with their Nintendo account. “Connecting with friends still has some friction points,” says P.J. McNealy, CEO of Digital World Research.

There are a lot of lower-quality games out there. Digital downloads are the most popular way to add new games. No more heading to the electronics store to buy cartridges. But that means a lot are available at My Nintendo Store, including many janky games that often try to copy more-established titles. So do some research before you buy. There are no refunds on digital products.