Nintendo Switch OLED: Best Handheld Console Ever?

Nintendo has always dominated the handheld market. From the Gameboy to the DS to the 3DS, Nintendo has always come on top, and when the Switch was released in 2017, it marked a new era for handhelds. It has dominated the majority of the console market since its release, and it was the first major console to integrate a hand-held experience with a console experience. It was portable and great for on the go, but docking enabled it to be used at home, connected to the TV more like a traditional console would. This enabled the Switch to enter two markets simultaneously, and many buyers that wanted a taste of both experiences opted to buy the Switch. It could be a home console, and a second later it was a portable gaming system, perfect for your next adventure. It was lightweight, and games loaded on a snap. It had a stand so it could be put down and used on any surface and even though the controllers took some getting used to, they were extremely comfortable to use. There wasn’t a lot to complain about either, but the major complaints revolved around the screens lower resolution and its response to glare, making it almost impossible to play outside when it was too sunny.

The Switch OLED takes handheld mode to another level and is a must for those that use their Switch more as a portable gaming device than a console. It might seem like a minor upgrade at first, but the display itself is probably a good enough reason to upgrade. The OLED display is the best display on a Handheld device, ever! That’s a lot to say, but the display never disappoints, if you couple that with almost an added inch of screen real-estate, with almost no noticeable increase in size, you get a much better gaming experience overall. The brighter and more vivid colours make a HUGE difference, and while many may remain skeptical about it still, most if not all games just look much better on the OLED model. Side by side, there is a very noticeable difference, with the normal Switch having less contrast and duller tones, that don’t have as much visual appeal.

The only upgrades aren’t the screen though, with a wider and better-looking dock that now has rounded edges on the top, giving it a cleaner look. The back pops off to reveal the ports, getting rid of the hinged flap. The OLED model also sports an ethernet port, which should provide a better online console experience. The kickstand has been replaced with a wide hinged stand, that is more sturdy and allows for a wider range of angles. The build quality of the stand feels more premium too, it doesn’t feel flimsy like the kickstand on the normal Switch. The storage has been doubled, now having 64 gigs of storage, which in our opinion isn’t the best, but it’s still double that of the previous Switch. The audio quality had improved too, which lounder and sharper audio for a more immersive gaming experience.

There has been no upgraded internals, with the new Switch, and that might be treated as a con depending on how you want to look at it. It has the same load times, the same battery and the same joy-cons. The price may be a turn-off though, at 350 dollars, its 50 dollars more than the previous Switch and might not give users enough of a reason to upgrade. The new OLED Switch remains a great option for those looking to purchase their first Switch, but those with working Switches might not want to shell out 350 dollars only for minor upgrades. It might be justifiable for those that use handheld mode often, but those that use their Switch as a console will find no value in upgrading.

Overall, the new OLED Switch is the obvious choice for those looking to get their first Switch. But the lack of unchanged internal specs won’t make any difference for those that already have working Switches. Those that use their Switch often on handheld mode, might find it somewhat valuable; but for most the new Switch is an unnecessary upgrade, even though it provides the best handheld experience the current market offers. Don’t get me wrong though, the OLED Switch is a great product. If you’re looking to get a new Handheld, look no further!