Switch 2 works better as a portable than I thought it would

I’ve had my doubts about the portability of Nintendo’s latest system ever since it was revealed in January.

The original Switch felt like the perfect size for a hybrid console, while handheld gaming platforms like the Steam Deck feel too bulky for me to lug around easily.

I assumed the Nintendo Switch 2 would be somewhere between the two, and ultimately too bulky for handheld mode.

After purchasing it, I’ve mostly played it docked on my TV. When I went out of town over the holiday weekend, though, I had no choice but to primarily use my Switch 2 as a portable console.

While I initially dreaded this, I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. The Switch 2 strikes a perfect balance between portability and power, and I’ll eagerly take it on my next trip.

Nintendo Switch 2 is big, but travels well

I had no problems taking it on the go

The Switch 2 isn’t a tiny console. It’s larger and heavier than the original Switch, which was already substantial compared to previous Nintendo handhelds, such as the 3DS or Game Boy Advance.

My Switch 2 definitely won’t fit in my pocket anytime soon, but that is not the main thing I look for in a portable console.

It’s more important that the system travels well and feels good to play when not hooked up to a TV.

When I had to buy a bulky case for my system because the smaller, official Nintendo cases were out of stock before my trip, I was concerned that the system would be a pain to travel with.

In practice, it traveled well and actually gave me an even deeper appreciation for the hybrid design that the original Switch and this new hardware trailblazed.

Yes, the Switch 2 is big, but it’s not overwhelming.

When I took it out to play on the plane, I could comfortably hold it in my hands like the original Switch.

Because it’s a much more powerful console, I was able to play impressive-looking games like Mario Kart World and Bowser’s Fury without sacrificing much in terms of frame rate or game quality.

It offers the impressive game-playing quality of the Steam Deck with a handheld feel more similar to that of the original Switch.

Nintendo Switch 2 gave me a deeper appreciation of tabletop mode

It’s now my preferred way to play Switch 2

After I arrived at my grandparents’ home after my flight, my Switch 2 came out when there was some downtime.

I played some Mario Kart World and Missile Command Delta in handheld mode, but found some good nooks and crannies in my grandparents’ house that were perfect for tabletop mode.

Tabletop mode is the third “play style” for Switch and Switch 2 that Nintendo promotes alongside the docked and handheld modes.

I never used it with my original Switch, though, because the kickstand was so flimsy.

Thankfully, Switch 2 makes some massive upgrades to the kickstand. It now feels sturdier, can bend much further, and goes across the entirety of the console’s backside.

Whether I was placing it on a table, ottoman, or fancy headboard with shelves in my grandparents’ house, I could find a suitable way to position the console in tabletop mode, allowing me to play it comfortably.

The added USB-C port on top of the console means I can now charge the console while playing in tabletop mode.

While these capabilities aren’t entirely new to the Switch 2, Nintendo’s approach to portability feels perfected, like a true portable console.

We refer to devices like the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally portable PCs, but they can’t stand on their own without third-party products to give them a kickstand.

That ultimately means they’re powerful, but weighty handhelds that don’t necessarily always travel that well.

They’re good handhelds, but not necessarily great portable gaming platforms that travel well. The Switch 2 truly feels portable.

Nintendo Switch 2 is now my go-to console for travel

And I can’t wait for more games

I played a lot more Switch 2 than I thought I would during my trip. It never felt overly heavy or cumbersome to use in handheld mode while sitting cramped on a plane or relaxing on a couch.

If I wanted to set it up for a more stable way to take some of that weight off my hands or position it in a way that makes it easier to play Mario Kart World with my family, improvements to the tabletop mode made that a seamless and comfortable experience.

Much of this could be said for the original Switch, but Switch 2 also benefits from the upgraded specs that allow more powerful games to be played.

Mario Kart World looks great, and I can only imagine how impressive playing third-party ports like Elden Ring will be on the system.

While I initially had some doubts that Switch 2 would travel as nicely as Nintendo’s previous gaming handhelds, I now can’t see myself ever traveling without it again.

Now, I just need to wait for Nintendo to restock its thinner Switch 2 cases sometime soon.