🎮 Nintendo Switch 1 vs Switch 2: An Honest Parent Review From Someone Who Owns Both
- AlboApproved
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
If you read gaming headlines, you’d think the Nintendo Switch 2 instantly made the original Switch obsolete.
That’s… not true.
I own both systems.
My 5-year-old plays Mario Kart regularly.
I play Zelda late at night, usually handheld, usually for about an hour after the kids finally fall asleep 😮💨
Here’s the honest truth most reviews won’t tell you:
🔥 Switch 2 is awesome.
✅ Switch 1 is still completely fine.
Which one you should buy depends less on specs — and more on how you actually play.
🧒 Switch 1 Is Still Completely Fine for Kids
Let’s start with kids — because that’s where most parents are deciding.
The original Switch is still more than enough for a 5-year-old.
My son plays Mario Kart on Switch 1 with:
😄 zero frustration
🎮 zero complaints
🚗 maximum chaos
But here’s the part that surprised me.
When he plays Mario Kart World on Switch 2, he immediately prefers it.
Not because he understands specs — but because:
smoother gameplay
snappier controls
cleaner visuals
Kids don’t care about frame rates. But they absolutely feel smooth gameplay.
👉 Parent takeaway:
If your kid mostly plays Mario Kart, Kirby, Pokémon, or party games, Switch 1 is still a great choice. Switch 2 just feels nicer.
😌 For Parents: This Is Where Switch 2 Quietly Pulls Ahead
I’m a parent who games 1–2 hours a night max, usually handheld, just to decompress.
This is where Switch 2 earns its keep.
⏱️ Load Times Change How You Play
This is the most underrated upgrade.
Using Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as an example:
Switch 1: ~15–20 seconds to fast travel
Switch 2: ~4–7 seconds
That doesn’t sound dramatic… until you live it.
On Switch 1:
😑 you hesitate to fast travel
🌀 you avoid bouncing between shrines
🧠 you think, “Do I really want to wait again?”
On Switch 2:
⚡ you fast travel without thinking
🗺️ you explore more
⏰ short sessions actually feel worth it
When you only have an hour to play, this matters more than raw specs.
🎮 Nintendo Switch 1 vs Switch 2 (Quick Comparison)
Nintendo Switch (Original)
✅ Still excellent for kids
✅ Huge game library
✅ Tons of accessories already available
Nintendo Switch 2
🔥 Smoother gameplay
⚡ Much faster load times
📱 Bigger, better handheld screen
🔁 Backward Compatibility (Yes, Your Games Still Work)
If you’re worried about losing your old games — relax.
Switch 2 is fully backward compatible.
That means:
💿 physical cartridges work
☁️ digital libraries carry over
👨👩👧 parental controls transfer
Even better:
Switch 1 games run better on Switch 2 — smoother, more stable, faster.
You’re not starting over.
You’re upgrading the experience.
🗡️ Zelda Fans: The $10 Upgrade Is Worth It
If you already own:
Breath of the Wild
Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo offers a $10 upgrade per game for the Switch 2 versions.
What you get:
⚡ faster load times
🎨 smoother performance
📱 a companion phone navigation app
My honest take:
This is how these games should have always run.
✋ One Real Downside: Handheld Ergonomics
This part matters — especially for parents.
On Switch 1, the Hori Split Pad was a game-changer for handheld play.
On Switch 2, good ergonomic third-party controllers are still catching up.
If you play:
late at night 🌙
handheld 🛋️
on the couch or in bed
…comfort matters more than specs.
🎮 Controllers I Actually Use
Absolute must-have for handheld comfort.
My current solution using tabletop mode. Works surprisingly well thanks to the bigger screen.
⭐ Games I Actually Recommend
🚗 Mario Kart World
The best family game on Switch 2. Kids notice the smoothness immediately.
🗡️ Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Still Nintendo’s best open-world games — now without the wait. Part 1.
🗡️ Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Still Nintendo’s best open-world games — now without the wait. Part 2.
🦍 Donkey Kong Bonanza
One of the first games that truly feels built for Switch 2.
✅ Final Verdict: Switch 1 vs Switch 2 for Parents
Here’s the honest answer:
👍 Switch 1 is still great
🚀 Switch 2 is clearly better
🤷♂️ Neither choice is wrong
If you’re a parent playing casually, Switch 1 is still completely fine. If you care about smoothness, load times, and polish, Switch 2 is worth it.
I love Switch 2.
I don’t regret owning Switch 1.
That’s the difference between hype and reality.
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