The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017. Yet in 2026 it is still on sale, still getting games and still sitting in millions of British living rooms. With the Switch 2 now on shelves, deciding whether the original is worth your money takes more thought than it used to.
The short answer: the Switch is still worth buying if you mainly want Nintendo’s own games, need an affordable family console or want a handheld for travel and the commute. It is not worth it if you care about cutting edge graphics, want the newest third party blockbusters or expect years more of major new releases. Read on for the full picture.
Where the Switch stands in 2026
The Switch 2 arrived in 2025, which changes the maths for the original. Most new Nintendo releases now target the newer machine, and the original gets fewer big titles. The upside is that prices for the original have drifted down on the clearance and second hand market, which is good news if your budget is tight.
The original is far from dead, though. The eShop is still running, online play still works and the back catalogue is enormous. Thousands of games are available right now and none of that is going away. As a safety net, the Switch 2 plays most original Switch games, so what you buy now carries forward if you upgrade later.
Switch models compared
Three versions of the original Switch exist. On UK shelves in 2026 the OLED is easiest to find new, the Lite is the budget pick and the standard model mostly survives second hand. Here is how they stack up.
| Model | Typical UK price | Screen | Storage | Dock | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch OLED | £260-£280 | 7 inch OLED | 64GB | Yes, with wired LAN port | 4.5-9 hours |
| Switch (standard) | £200-£230 | 6.2 inch LCD | 32GB | Yes | 4.5-9 hours |
| Switch Lite | £180-£200 | 5.5 inch LCD | 32GB | No, handheld only | 3-7 hours |
For most buyers the OLED is the sweet spot. The screen is a genuine step up, 64GB of storage helps and the improved dock adds a wired LAN port. A cheap second hand standard Switch is still a fine buy, but check it is the revised model with the better battery, model number HAC-001(-01), rather than the 2017 launch version.
The Lite is the value pick for kids, travel or a second console in the house. Its limits matter though: the controls are fixed, it cannot connect to a TV and a small number of games need separate Joy-Con to play properly. Check our full guide to which Switch games work on the Switch Lite before you buy.
The game library: the real reason to buy
Hardware ages but a great library does not, and the Switch catalogue is one of the strongest Nintendo has ever assembled. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are all here, and most are excellent value bought pre-owned.
The Switch also became a haven for indie games. Hades, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, Celeste and hundreds more play beautifully in handheld mode, and eShop sales regularly cut prices by half or more. Nintendo Switch Online adds online play, cloud saves and libraries of NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Mega Drive classics for around £18 a year.
The honest caveat is third party support. The newest multi-platform blockbusters are built for more powerful hardware and increasingly skip the original Switch. If playing the latest releases matters to you, this is the console’s biggest weakness.
Who should buy a Switch in 2026?
Families with young children. The Switch has the best family friendly library in gaming, simple local multiplayer and solid parental controls.
Nintendo fans who sat this generation out. Never played Breath of the Wild or Mario Odyssey? A cheaper Switch plus a stack of pre-owned games is one of the best value deals in gaming.
Handheld-first players. Commuters and frequent travellers will get more from a Switch than from a box tied to the TV.
Budget buyers. At clearance or second hand prices, nothing else offers this many quality games for this little money.
Who should skip it?
Graphics-first players. The Switch tops out at 1080p docked and less in demanding games. If visuals matter most, look elsewhere.
Players chasing the newest releases. If your must-play list is full of the latest multi-platform titles, an ageing handheld will frustrate you.
Anyone who can stretch to a Switch 2. At around £395 the newer console runs Nintendo games better and has years of support ahead. If you can afford the difference, it makes more sense.
Switch vs the alternatives in 2026
The Switch does not exist in a vacuum. Here is how it compares to the other options a UK buyer might consider this year.
| Option | Typical UK price | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch OLED | £260-£280 | Nintendo exclusives, family gaming, handheld play | Ageing hardware, fading third party support |
| Switch Lite | £180-£200 | Cheapest entry point, kids, travel | No TV output, fixed controls |
| Switch 2 | Around £395 | New Nintendo games for years to come | Highest price, still building its library |
| Steam Deck | £349 and up | PC gaming on the go, emulation, raw power | Bigger and heavier, no Nintendo games |
| Xbox Series S | Around £250 | Cheap current gen gaming with Game Pass | Digital only, not portable |
If Nintendo’s games are the draw, nothing else plays them, so the real choice is the original Switch versus the Switch 2. If you want portable power instead, the Steam Deck wins on performance but loses on size, battery life and simplicity.
If retro gaming matters more than new releases, dedicated retro handhelds can be better value than any Switch; see our complete guide to the best handhelds for retro games. Older second hand handhelds are worth a look too, including Sony’s overlooked portable, covered in our rundown of the best PlayStation Vita games.
What to pay and what to avoid in the UK
As a rough rule, pay no more than £280 for a new OLED, £230 for a standard model or £200 for a Lite. Above that you are either overpaying or should be considering a Switch 2 instead. Christmas bundles and the January sales are usually the cheapest time to buy new.
Buying second hand, test before you buy when you can. Check the battery model number, look for stick drift on both Joy-Con (replacements cost around £70 a pair) and ask about the dock and charger, since replacements add up. Refurbished units from established retailers with a warranty are a safer bet than a random auction listing. Be wary of grey imports too: a UK model comes with a UK charger, a valid warranty and no region headaches, which is worth a small premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nintendo Switch still getting new games in 2026?
Yes, but the pace has slowed. Nintendo still releases the odd title and indie developers continue to support it, but the biggest new games are built for the Switch 2. The existing library of thousands of games is not going anywhere.
Should I buy a Switch or a Switch 2?
Buy the Switch 2 if you can afford it and want the newest games with years of support ahead. Buy the original if your budget is tighter, you mainly want the existing catalogue or you want a cheaper console for kids or travel.
Is the Switch Lite worth it?
For the right person, yes. It is the cheapest way into the Switch library and it is tough, light and ideal for children. Just be sure you are happy with handheld-only play and check game compatibility first, since a handful of titles need separate Joy-Con.
Can you still play online on the original Switch?
Yes. Nintendo Switch Online still works on the original models, online multiplayer is active and cloud saves and the retro game libraries are all available. No shutdown has been announced.
Do I need a microSD card for the Switch?
Almost certainly, if you buy digital games. The internal storage fills up quickly once you download a few titles. A 256GB card from a reputable brand is the sweet spot for most players and usually costs around £20 to £25.
The bottom line
The Nintendo Switch is no longer the exciting new thing, but it remains a sensible buy for the right person. If you want Nintendo’s back catalogue, a family friendly console or a cheap handheld, it is still worth it at the right price. If you want the future, buy the Switch 2 instead.
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