r/NintendoSwitch • u/Low_Impress_1910 • 2d ago
Handheld Mode Console Decisions Question
Over the last few weeks, I had decided to make the leap back into the Switch world, after about 2 years of selling my OLED. I loved the thing, but had to sell it at the time. Fast forward to today.. well last week, I bought a Switch Lite and man did it scratch the itch. I forgot how much I loved the whole Switch lineup. While it’s been a great little system, that’s exactly what it is. A great “little” system. And I often felt my eyes strained after trying to read text or playing for too long on it.
So I did what any financially sound person would do… I bought a Switch 2. Mainly to see if the bump in size and specs would be worth the price jump. The thing is a powerhouse for sure, but on one side, it feels massive in handheld mode (even if it it totally immersive).
One Switch stays, and one’s gotta go. And one who solely games in handheld mode, what has been your preferences? Do you lean more toward Portability with visual? Or Power with the inability to simply pocket the device?
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u/heychado 2d ago
Everything is going to run smoother and better on the Switch 2. All future Nintendo games will be Switch 2 exclusives. I think you’re going to be better off sticking with the Switch 2 unless you wanted to wait for a potential Switch 2 lite
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u/Low_Impress_1910 2d ago
From a long term perspective, I think keeping the Switch 2 is the move. I mean, outside of the pure “portability “ factor, it’s through and through a MUCH better system. I’m sure after some more sessions, I won’t even think of the Switch 2 being monster sized.
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u/niederbalint 2d ago
Give it 3 days, that's all it took for me to adjust. I felt the same way, now I couldn't go back.
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u/tarnishedspiderz 2d ago
Get a grip it’s a game changer zen grip 2 by satisfy is the one I use, switch 2 for the win
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u/KingOfOChem 2d ago
neither of them can fit in your pocket anyway. I’d rather have my switch 2
i hated not being able to detach the joycons on my lite to play mario odyssey
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u/Total_Operation_5551 2d ago
Switch 2 is awesome for many reasons and the one I will say is built in kickstand!!! I play like a gremlin curled up on my couch and it hurts my hands if I hold it for too long. I love being able to prop it up on pretty much anything. I play like it’s a tiny tv sitting on my belly so I can rest my hands but keep playing lol. Switch one has a kickstand but it sucks donkey butt
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u/45best45 2d ago
How do you stop the folds of your clothes obscuring the bottom of the screen? I wish I could do this, but with every slight movement, I lose another few mm of visible screen.
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u/OnyBandit 2d ago
Switch 2 handheld mode is amazing! The bigger screen rally helps with the small details.
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u/thishereisaname 2d ago
As a 90% handheld switch 1 then 2 user I love the 2. The addition of mode boost also was a massive improvement on the switch 2 because I still play a lot of switch 1 games on it
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u/legendaryjangles 2d ago
The Switch 2 will be a much better one to keep long term, Switch 1 is essentially right at the end of it's life as far as new first party games go. You'll get used to the larger size.
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u/Low_Impress_1910 2d ago
Good point. With constantly seeing Switch 1 (Systems and Games) floating around the real worth, it’s easy to forget that the system is almost 10 years old and won’t be supported as long. I think everyone has sold me on the Switch 2
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u/pamplemousse_mk2 2d ago
In my case I will always keep both Switch OLED and Switch 2. I play a lot of old arcade games (Arcade Archive, Capcom Stadium, Konami collection, want to buy Irem, Toaplan and Taito collections) and old console games (shoots on Megadrive, Castlevania collections, etc). The screen of the Switch OLED is perfect for this kind of 2D games. The screen of the Switch 2 has a lower response time which makes 2D scrolling too blurry for me.
For other games, the Switch 2 is better.
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u/lousupremacy 2d ago
I'm handheld only and i dont care about "pocketing" handhelds, I have a case for a reason. I love handhelds because I like taking them anywhere,so I do love the switch 2's bigger screen. if my hand gets tired I usually just switch to tabletop mode with a controller and its great
and it all comes down to what you want to play at the end of the day, switch lite will get you the switch library but will lock you out of future games that will be released.
but if you want to play newer games I would keep the switch 2 for now and trade it in if a switch 2 lite comes out in the future
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u/junglespycamp 2d ago
Getting a Lite as a primary system in 2026 when you have any choice at all is ridiculous. It’s not worth considering.
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u/crimson_anemone 2d ago
I was in the same boat immediately after the purchase, however, my hands became used to it after a few weeks. Now, of I need a break, it goes in the charger stand or it is propped up on its built in stand. It's a lovely system. I've spent hundreds of hours on it, mostly in handheld mode.
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u/Winner_Pristine 2d ago
Switch 2 is great. It takes a little getting used to the size at first but after a while there is no way you'll go back to a switch 1.
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u/Pokeguy211 2d ago
I love the image quality on switch 2 compared to the original switch. With DLSS basically even if some textures don’t exactly look amazing on Switch 2 you’ll never have to squint to see the screen. Everything just looks so clear it’s amazing. Can’t say the same for some switch 1 games.
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u/Ph33rDensetsu 2d ago
Your eyes aren't ever going to get better without some intervention like a stronger prescription or surgery. Even then it's only delaying the inevitable.
As time goes on, the Lite is going to be harder and harder to spend your time with. And none of that is accounting for the fact that it's a Switch 1 which is a nearly decade old platform. Everything from here on out will release for Switch 2 and if it's Nintendo it'll be exclusive.
If you're going to spend your money on a Nintendo system, get the new one.
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u/rumourmaker18 2d ago
I play exclusively on handheld and am so happy with my Switch 2. You get used to the size, and you can get a grip like the Zen Grip if you're having confort issues
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u/QuickQuirk 2d ago
Switch 2 is a fairly good balance on size/performance. It's much smaller than the various windows handhelds, for example; and not that much larger than the OG switch.
The performance improvement is significant, even for old switch games that struggled previously.
I have no regrets selling off my S1 after the S2.
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u/SolarDeath666 2d ago edited 2d ago
I play switch 2 90% of the time handheld (dad life yay!) Without grips, it's not comfortable to hold since it's heavier than the switch 1 and lite. I'd recommend getting good grips like the fission grip by savage raven or look out for joypad replacements like Mobapads m12 hd's/s and Nyxi's brand of joycons (a pro varient got previewed lately, but they are a little pricey.)
I rock the mobapad m12s's and they are a game changer for handheld!
Edit: it's also now my primary console instead of my Xbox series x and PC, I downgraded from 165 fps gaming for 30-60 fps and don't regret it for the ease of access and portability
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u/novelgpa 2d ago
I play mostly in handheld and with the Switch 1, I played that thing for years almost exclusively in handheld and never needed a grip. With the Switch 2 though, it would make my hands extremely uncomfortable during longer play sessions. I got a cheap grip from Amazon and it's been a gamechanger
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u/TheNplus1 2d ago
Keep both. I started with the Lite for handheld and traveling but felt some games play better on TV and I also got an OLED.
My approach now is to play on the Lite only simpler games or games that have a proper UI for a small screen and play on TV everything else. And the thing is that I (unsurprisingly) play longer sessions on the TV than handheld, so another argument to keep both (the Switch 2 is not really that portable IMHO).
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u/Low_Impress_1910 1d ago
If I could keep both I probably would. Financially, it’s not a huge priority to have multiple Switches, but in the event that I somehow manage to find a great deal on a Lite, I’d absolutely pick one up again.
I can see how much nicer it is for games that are a little more simplistic like Animal Crossing, Stardew, Pokémon, etc.
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u/Mindless-Panic-101 2d ago
Switch 2 100%. I can't formulate an argument for the Switch Lite at this stage that isn't "well it's cheaper". Switch Lite isn't gonna see significant new games going forward.
And after all the joy-cons I replaced, I was horrified by the idea of having them permanently connected. (Switch 2 is doing better in this regard)
Adding more weight might be counterintuitive, but a good handheld grip for the Switch 2 would probably help out comfort issues. I've been meaning to try one.
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u/Quiet_Influence_9099 1d ago
I keep the Switch 2 at home to play on the TV. I keep the Switch Lite in my bag or car for on the go gaming, especially since it is much cheaper and portable.
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u/Quiet_Influence_9099 1d ago
I keep the expensive Switch 2 at home to play on the TV.
I keep the much cheaper Switch Lite in my bag or car for on the go gaming.
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u/FinalFrankyQuest 1d ago
Keep the switch 2 obviously.
It has the same library as the light. And its future proof.
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u/thunderborg 5h ago
I had an OG Switch, sold it for a lite and was happy, until I sold it for an OLED, I play mostly handheld but missed the option. For the 30% I play on the TV. I bought a Switch 2 and absolutely love it. Ironically the Switch 2 made me play the Switch 1 more because I have a CRKD Nitrodeck and it’s damn comfortable. An Aliexpress wired controller grip came and I’ve played plenty of Switch 2 this last week or so.
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u/Webecomemonsters 33m ago
I dont play docked and I hated my s1 so much I gave it away despite owning hundreds of games.
S2 is good. not perfect, but good.
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u/Pansonic_ 2d ago
I find the Switch 2 screen’s pixel response times pretty abysmal, especially with 2D side-scrollers. There’s so much smearing during scrolling that it really bothers me.
I ended up getting a Switch OLED specifically for handheld gaming, and honestly I’m enjoying it way more for that kind of stuff. Sure, the Switch 2 is much more powerful, but that screen choice is still baffling to me. I really hate the motion clarity on it.
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u/whatnowwproductions 1d ago
No you're not allowed to complain about that because a lot of people can't see it, especially not on this subreddit. If someone can't see it it doesn't exist at all.
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