Switch owners have been clamoring for an upgraded model of the device for years now, and while the Nintendo Switch OLED isn't quite the 4K experience some had hoped it would be, it still represents a step forward for the popular handheld/console hybrid. Perhaps the biggest question poised by the release of the console, however, is just who it's for. With some larger updates, there's certainly an appeal for all, but does the Switch OLED fall in the awkward in-between of too little for pre-existing owners and not enough to justify a purchase for newcomers?
Despite flirting with that possibility, after hands-on with the console, it's pretty clear just design of the Joy-Cons - even internally - has been ed up.
By far the most impressive achievement on offer is the Nintendo Switch OLED screen, with a better-than-expected improvement coming from a display that's shifted to a .8 inch bigger rendition and crisper picture. The size does make a considerable difference in handheld mode, representing the best handheld display of any Switch variant so far. That's also improved by OLED technology, with better clarity across the board in colors, as well as a better display of variations of black. While playing Metroid Dread, this was especially prominent, with the shadows of various levels and the movements in the background of them crisp and clear, creating a gorgeous visual scene. The Switch OLED's handheld mode is one of the most obvious reasons to purchase the console.
Nintendo Switch OLED audio is also crisper and with more depth, and while it won't rival a good set of headphones, it's a big enough upgrade that it makes handheld mode much more enjoyable without any audio assistance. A change that may have flown under the radar for some is the improvement to the Switch dock for the OLED version, which now has an ethernet port. That's a welcome boon for those who experience significant drops in internet quality when using WiFi, and represents the biggest element for docked mode s to consider, though the new version of the Switch dock will be on sale separately.
The console itself also includes a change to the kickstand, which is bulkier and wider in positive ways. Tabletop mode was largely forgettable on the original Switch because of the flimsiness of the stand it had built-in, but it's much more viable now. In testing, the console stands up to table bumps and similar activity in a sturdier manner, not threatening to fall over the same way the original model did. Internal storage has also been doubled on the Nintendo Switch OLED, though microSD cards are still ed in the model and are recommended for those who do most of their game purchasing digitally.
If there's anywhere the Nintendo Switch OLED changes fail to make much of an impact, however, it's definitely in docked mode. Compared to the extensive improvements that most facets of handheld mode will experience, there's little on offer here that will fundamentally change the way people experience the Switch while it's docked. Battery life also hasn't been improved much (if at all), and internal specs haven't produced a more powerful console in a way that will satisfy those still waiting for a "Switch Pro" to make its debut.
That said, though, it's clear that there's a market for the Nintendo Switch OLED among both pre-existing and potential new owners. For the latter, the Switch OLED is simply the best version of the device available on the market today. For those who already own a Switch but play almost exclusively in handheld mode, the leap to the Switch OLED is certainly worth considering - the screen makes a huge difference that far exceeds what's proposed on paper with the upgrade, while the audio and storage upgrades are solid gets, too. While there's not much here for s who find that their Switch is docked for the bulk of their playing time, there's something for everyone else, and the Nintendo Switch OLED is easily the best variation of the console to-date.
The Nintendo Switch OLED releases on October 8, 2021, for $349.99 USD. Screen Rant was provided with a Nintendo Switch OLED device for the purpose of this review.