Switch 2 vs PS5. Different consoles for different people. Here's how to decide.
The big difference:
Switch 2 is portable. Play anywhere. PS5 is a home console only.
If graphics matter most:
PS5 wins. More powerful hardware, native 4K, better ray tracing.
If game selection matters most:
Nintendo has Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid. PlayStation has Spider-Man, God of War, The Last of Us. Third-party games are increasingly available on both.
Price:
Almost identical. Switch 2 is $450. PS5 Digital is $450. PS5 Disc is $500.
Who the Switch 2 is for:
People who travel. Families with kids. Nintendo fans. People who value flexibility over raw power.
Who the PS5 is for:
Graphics enthusiasts. Sony exclusive fans. People who only game at home.
The truth:
Many people own both. They serve different purposes.
Compare Nintendo Switch 2 prices at major retailers.
Some people are having problems with the Ethernet port in their Switch 2 dock. Here's what to do.
What's happening:
Reports include connection drops, ports not recognizing cables, and consoles getting hot with wired internet. Nintendo has acknowledged this as a known issue.
Check if you have the problem:
Plug in an Ethernet cable. Go to System Settings > Internet > Test Connection. Stable speeds and no drops? You're fine.
If you have problems:
Try a different cable first. If that doesn't help, contact Nintendo support. The dock has a 12-month warranty.
Workarounds:
Just use Wi-Fi. Switch 2 has Wi-Fi 6, which is plenty fast for online gaming.
Or buy a USB-C Ethernet adapter and plug it directly into the console. Bypasses the dock entirely.
Should you worry?
Only if you're seeing problems. If your Ethernet works, you're fine.
Check Nintendo Switch 2 prices at major retailers.
Got a Nintendo Switch 2 for your kids? Here's how to set limits and keep them safe online.
The quick version:
Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone. It's free and gives you more options than the console settings. Kids under 16 need the app configured to use GameChat.
What you can control:
Game ratings, online chat and voice features, daily play time, bedtime hours, and eShop purchases.
The preset modes:
Nintendo provides four presets: None, Teen, Child, and Young Child. Or go Custom to tweak everything yourself.
About GameChat:
Kids can voice chat and video chat with friends. It only works with people on their friends list. Random players can't call your child.
Through the app, you can see who they've been chatting with. You can turn off video chat entirely, restrict the camera, or approve which friends they can chat with.
Setting time limits:
Pick daily hours. Set a bedtime. The console warns them when time's almost up. You can make it automatically shut off when the limit hits.
Coming from the old Switch?
Parental control settings transfer during setup. But you'll need to configure GameChat settings and the system PIN from scratch.
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Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's paid service for online features. Here's whether you need it for your Switch 2.
The short answer:
If you want to play games online with other people, yes. If you only play single-player games, no.
What it costs:
Basic: $20/year individual, $35/year for a family of up to 8. Expansion Pack: $50/year individual, $80/year for a family.
What basic gets you:
Online multiplayer in games like Mario Kart World, Splatoon, Pokemon. Cloud save backups. A library of NES and SNES games.
What Expansion Pack adds:
Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and GameCube games (GameCube is Switch 2 only). DLC for Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2. Switch 2 upgrade packs for Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
What you DON'T need it for:
Single-player games offline. Buying from the eShop. Free-to-play games like Fortnite and Rocket League online.
Already have a membership?
It works on Switch 2. Just sign in with your Nintendo Account.
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Want to play with friends on the couch? Here's what's worth playing on Switch 2 right now.
Setting up controllers:
Go to Home > Controllers > Change Grip/Order. Press L+R on whatever controller you want to use. Switch 2 supports up to 4 players locally.
The essentials:
Mario Kart World is why you bought this console for multiplayer. Up to 4 players split-screen racing. This is the game everyone plays when friends come over.
Split Fiction is called the best co-op game of 2025. A two-player experience designed from the ground up for playing together.
Nintendo exclusives:
Survival Kids is Switch 2 only. Built specifically for local co-op.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land lets two people play through the whole game together.
Kirby Air Riders has GameShare: only one person needs to own the game.
Donkey Kong Bananza has co-op and is a strong launch title.
The honest truth:
The couch co-op library is thin right now. These are your best options. More games are coming.
Check Nintendo Switch 2 prices at major retailers.
Your Nintendo Switch 2 won't turn on after sleep mode? You're not alone. Here's the fix.
What's happening:
Some Switch 2 consoles enter a deep sleep state when left charging in sleep mode for several days. The power button does nothing. Screen stays black.
The fix:
Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds continuously. This forces a hard reset. Release, wait a few seconds, press power normally. It should boot up.
If that doesn't work:
Plug into the dock while holding the power button. Try a different charger. Leave plugged in for 30 minutes, then try the hard reset again.
Prevention:
Don't use sleep mode for several days. Instead, fully power off: hold power for 3 seconds, select Power Options, select Turn Off.
Is it broken?
No. This is a software quirk, not hardware failure. Nintendo may fix it in a firmware update.
If nothing works, contact Nintendo support at 1-800-255-3700.
Check Nintendo Switch 2 availability at major retailers.
Need more battery life on the go? Here's what works with the Nintendo Switch 2 and what's worth buying.
The basics:
Your Switch 2 has a 5,220mAh battery. Nintendo claims 2-6.5 hours of gameplay depending on the game. Mario Kart World pushes it to about 2 hours. So yeah, you probably need a power bank.
What to look for:
Get at least 10,000mAh with USB-C Power Delivery output of 30W or higher. That gives you roughly one full charge plus extra.
The Switch 2-specific options:
Mavulo Battery Pack snaps around your Switch 2 like a case. Designed for the 2025 model, charges in about 2.5 hours. Around $40-50.
Antank B5 is magnetic and sticks to the back. Hands-free gaming while charging. Adds 3-8 hours. About $45-55.
The maximum battery option:
Anker 737 has 24,000mAh and 140W output. Almost 12 hours of total playtime. Big and expensive ($100+), but nothing else comes close for long trips.
The budget pick:
Belkin Gaming Power Bank costs around $35 and gives you about 1.5 full charges.
Safety note:
The Switch 2 only pulls what it needs (up to 60W), so a 100W charger won't hurt it. Just stick with reputable brands.
Check Nintendo Switch 2 prices and accessories at major retailers.
Yes, Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). Here's what that means.
What VRR does:
Your TV matches whatever frame rate the game outputs. No tearing, no stutter from mismatched refresh rates.
Do you have a compatible TV?
TVs from 2020 or later in mid-range and higher often support VRR. Look for HDMI 2.1 with VRR, AMD FreeSync, or G-Sync compatibility.
How to turn it on:
System Settings > TV Output > enable VRR. Also enable "Match Display."
When it helps:
Games with variable frame rates. Open world games, demanding scenes, anything where performance fluctuates.
When it doesn't matter:
Games locked at stable 60 fps already feel smooth.
Handheld mode?
No VRR. Built-in screen runs at fixed 120Hz. VRR only works docked via HDMI.
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Your Nintendo Switch 2 has a 12-month warranty from Nintendo. Here's what that actually means and how to use it.
What's covered:
Manufacturing defects and workmanship issues. If something breaks because of a flaw in how it was made, Nintendo fixes it free.
What's NOT covered:
Drops, water damage, cracked screens, problems from knockoff accessories. If you broke it, that's on you.
The good news about Joy-Con drift:
If your Joy-Con 2 develops stick drift or the magnetic attachment fails, Nintendo repairs it free even after your warranty expires. They've acknowledged these are known issues.
Getting a repair:
Go to Nintendo's support website or call 1-800-255-3700. They're available 6 AM to 7 PM Pacific time.
What repairs cost out of warranty:
Console issues like water damage: about $179. Dock problems: $66. Pro Controller: $48. These prices add up, so consider a protection plan if you're accident-prone.
Timeline:
Figure 2-3 weeks from when you ship it to when you get it back.
Critical step before sending:
Back up your saves to cloud storage through Nintendo Switch Online. Repairs can wipe your data. Some games don't support cloud saves.
Don't ship anything until Nintendo tells you to. They'll give you specific instructions. Compare Nintendo Switch 2 prices at major retailers.
Is the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack worth it? Depends on what you play.
What it costs:
$50/year individual. $80/year for a family of up to 8 people. Split 8 ways, that's $10 per person per year.
What you get:
Retro games: N64, Sega Genesis, and GameCube libraries. GameCube is Switch 2 exclusive.
DLC included: Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise, Mario Kart 8 Booster Course Pass, Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion. These cost ~$70 separately.
Switch 2 bonuses: Upgrade packs for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
When it's worth it:
You play Animal Crossing and Mario Kart 8. Those DLCs alone cost more than a year of Expansion Pack.
You're on a family plan. $10 per person per year for all this content is great value.
When it might not be:
You only play modern games. You want to own DLC permanently. You're paying $50/year solo and barely use the extra features.
Check Nintendo Switch 2 prices at major retailers.
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