Who would win in a fight between Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite vs Nintendo Switch 2? Wait, no. That's not it. What we actually need to establish is which console you should pick up for the Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals this November.
The first three consoles that line Ninty's shelves are more alike than different - they all use the same internal components (though the OLED adds some extra storage) to run the same games with the same control scheme. However, there are enough differences to make each one suited to a particular playstyle and their prices scale nicely across three different budgets. That's before we get into the brand new Nintendo Switch 2, which is a level up from the rest with its 7.9-inch display, larger and improved Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, new custom NVIDIA Ampere GPU, and a new pricier MSRP to go along with it.
Because many of us will be hoping to put a Nintendo Switch-shaped gift under the Christmas tree this Holiday season, getting to the bottom of the Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite vs Nintendo Switch 2 kerfuffle before Black Friday isn't a bad idea. Let's break it down, shall we?
Nintendo Switch Lite |
Nintendo Switch |
Nintendo Switch OLED |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price |
$199.99 / £199.99 |
$299.99 / £259.99 |
$349.99 / £309.99 |
$450 / £395.99 |
Display |
5.5-inch LCD HD display |
6.2-inch LCD HD display |
7-inch OLED HD display |
7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen |
Battery |
3,570 mAh |
4,210 mAh |
4,210 mAh |
5220 mAh |
Storage |
32GB |
32GB |
64GB |
256GB |
Compatibility |
All Switch games (that can be played in handheld mode) |
All Switch games |
All Switch games |
Most Switch (digital & physical) games and all Switch 2 games |
Dimensions |
91.1 (H) x 208mm (W) x 28.4mm (D) |
102mm (H) x 239mm (W) x 28.4mm (D) |
102mm (H) x 242mm (W) x 28.4mm (D) |
272 × 116 × 13.9 mm |
Dockable? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Best for |
Kids |
Docked play |
Handheld play |
Futureproof Nintendo play |
Which Nintendo Switch should you buy?
The Nintendo Switch 2 is not another iteration like the Switch OLED, and instead marks the next-generational leap as far as Nintendo's consoles are concerned.
No one needs to invest in the new handheld straight away, and plenty of people and families can still find a ton of value in grabbing one of its predecessors instead. However, the Switch 2 is the best option for this Black Friday if you want a future-proof Nintendo device that will be compatible with all the latest and upcoming Nintendo games.
Nintendo is sticking with support for the older line of handhelds for the foreseeable future. Nintendo President, Shuntaro Furukawa, has stated that the company plans to "continue sales of Nintendo Switch hardware" so there's no rush to entirely move to the Switch 2 just yet. However, if you need to own and play every new Nintendo game and get access to the handheld's latest features, the Switch 2 is your best option.
Kirby Air Riders, which launches on November 20, is a Switch 2 exclusive and won't be available to those with an older Switch handheld. Let's not forget that you'll need the device to play the latest games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza too. Additionally, the latest Nintendo Switch library of classic GameCube games requires not just a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership but also a Nintendo Switch 2. If you want to ensure you have ongoing access to all the latest games and features Nintendo has to offer, the Nintendo Switch 2 is your best bet to grab this Black Friday.
The 'standard' Nintendo Switch will be the best fit for the majority of people. Besides being somewhere in the middle in terms of price, it enjoys the best of all worlds - it can be connected to the TV for big-screen action or taken on the go in handheld mode. We would, however, recommend it most to those who will primarily be playing in docked mode. It's the cheapest way to play Switch games on the big screen, and it offers the exact same power as the OLED model. That means you don't need to pay for a fancy handheld screen you won't use - even if you do occasionally play on the road.
We also recommend it the most to those who aren't fussed about having the newest games as they launch. While a lot of upcoming Ninty titles are available on the older device, titles like Mario Kart World are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. If you don't mind taking advantage of the vast amount of older Switch games available in the eight years since it originally popped on the handheld scene, then the original is still a valid pickup.
Begrudgingly, a new wave of price increases has made its stance as a cheaper option a bit more complicated. I mean, it is still technically one of the cheapest options this Black Friday, but its value has been diminished now that it's $339.99, $40 more than its older $299.99 MSRP. The price gap between it and the Switch 2 is now a lot smaller, meaning you can find more value in grabbing the new handheld instead, especially if you want ongoing support for all the latest Nintendo games. If you aren't bothered much about that, this version of the console is the best all-rounder for families who don't needed the latest games and features this holiday season.
This cheaper, smaller version of the original Switch is ideal if you just want to dabble in Nintendo's game library without breaking the bank, or if you're looking for a console that'll suit your kids. Sturdier than its counterparts and featuring built-in controllers, this console is perfect for taking with you when out and about.
However, note that it can't connect to the TV and can only be used in handheld mode. This means it's not great for local multiplayer sessions; crowding around its little display for split-screen action isn't much fun.
Hoping to clock some hours playing in handheld mode? The new Switch OLED will be your jam. While it isn't the 4K Nintendo Switch Pro we were originally hoping for (and it doesn't offer much of a reason to upgrade from older models, as discussed in our Nintendo Switch OLED review), it does have a new and improved screen that features a gorgeous OLED display for brighter, more vibrant color. The console itself also has an improved kickstand, so it's ideal if you want to play in tabletop mode as well.
Even the new Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't have the stunning OLED display like this handheld, so there's still a lot of reasons to grab it over making the next-gen upgrade this Black Friday.
Happily, it'll connect to your TV too. This allows you to get in on some split-screen multiplayer gaming, adding to the OLED's versatility. Speaking of which, small quality-of-life improvements such as an Ethernet port on the dock (ideal for those looking to play online multiplayer more reliably) have been added.
Which Nintendo Switch should you buy?
When trying to figure out which version of the Switch you should get, it's helpful to establish exactly what you want from it. Are you hoping to play the latest and newest Nintendo games? Are you on the hunt for a multiplayer-friendly machine you can play with family and friends on the big screen? Will you be playing it solo? Or is it going to be for your kids? Your answer should help point you in the right direction. We've broken it down for you below.
You want access to the latest Nintendo titles:
If you're a big Nintendo game fan and want to play the latest first-party games as they drop, the Nintendo Switch 2 is your best option. The Switch 2 is the next-gen version of its predecessors, and is available as a standalone model for $450 / £395.99, or as a Mario Kart World or Pokemon Legends Z-A Bundle for $499.99 / £429.99 at select US and UK retailers - or straight from Nintendo too. While some games are still being launched on the older device, titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and the upcoming Kirby Air Riders are Switch 2 exclusives, and you'll need to own the latest Ninty machine to play them over the holidays.
I want to play games with family and friends:
If you fall into this category, buy the 'standard' Nintendo Switch. It costs $339.99 in the USA or £259 in the UK and can do a bit of everything. To be precise, it can be played on the TV if you want multiplayer fun or big-screen gameplay, and it can be used on the go in handheld mode.
I want a console for my kids:
Shopping for a child? Don't hesitate to get the Nintendo Switch Lite. That version of the console is sturdier, cheaper, and has its controls built in to sidestep any controllers being lost. It can still play all the same games as well, albeit not any of the newest Switch 2 exclusive titles, nor can it play games on the TV (the Lite can only be used in handheld mode, which means it isn't much good for multiplayer - unless each child has a console, that is).
I want quality handheld play wherever I am: Whether you don't get TV remote rights too often, or you just want to hunker down with some classic handheld Nintendo, the Switch OLED is the best choice for those keeping the system's battery warm.
I want a cheap console for my commute:
Anyone wanting a console to brighten up their commute should opt for the Nintendo Switch Lite. While it's normally a good idea to get the standard Switch because it can be used on the TV as well as in handheld mode (the Lite is handheld only), that's less of an issue if you're mainly playing on the train or bus.
I want the best of everything:
Stepping into the Switch ecosystem for the first time? So long as you don't mind spending a little more, the Nintendo Switch 2 ticks all the boxes. Besides a larger screen and newly improved Joy-Con 2 controllers, it's backwards compatible with digital and physical Switch games, so you can still enjoy the eight years' worth of iconic and old Nintendo titles, and still leave room to try the latest Switch 2 games too.
Want to see what's on offer right now? Once you've made your decision, you can browse the latest deals and discounts on every kind of Nintendo Switch (including the best Nintendo Switch bundles that are currently available) below. More are sure to appear in the Black Friday gaming deals, so keep an eye out as we approach the end of November.
