Nintendo Switch 2 vs PlayStation 5: Which Is the Better Console?

Nintendo Switch 2 vs PlayStation 5: Which Is the Better Console?

By Maia Yunker

Image by Nintendo | Sony

In the modern age technology has influenced almost every aspect of life; school, work, home-life, and in my opinion most prominently in how we spend our free time. One invention that is extremely popular to pass time is gaming consoles, but there are so many out in the world nowadays, how do we know which ones to buy? There are many factors to look at when deciding what console to buy; some of these factors include cost, desired audience, portability, practicality, controller feel, hardware capability, and screen quality. The two console companies that have gained the most traction in the last few decades is Nintendo and PlayStation. While XBOX is also a popular console, Nintendo and PlayStation offer distinctly different gaming experiences while XBOX is very similar to PlayStation. I also had more access to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles, so it made the most sense to review them together. Nintendo and PlayStation offer two different varieties of consoles, but which one is the better fit for you? In this article we will be looking at the two newest releases of each company and comparing their attributes to try and figure out which console is the best fit for you.

In the past there has been a distinct price difference between Nintendo consoles and PlayStation, with PlayStation historically being the more expensive of the two. This is mainly because the PlayStation’s processing power and hardware tends to be more elite than Nintendo’s, therefore explaining the higher price point. With Nintendo’s recent release of the Switch 2, however, this price difference has become considerably less, which leaves us asking the question of which console gives us more bang for our buck. The PlayStation 5 released in 2020, almost 6 years ago, or the Switch 2 that was released this year. The PlayStation 5 is priced between $475-700 depending on the seller, model, and bundle purchased, while the Switch2 is priced at $450-500 depending on seller and bundle purchased. The price of these two consoles is extremely similar and most likely the driving factor will not be price but rather on how you are wanting to use the console. This leaves us to look at the adaptability and practicality of the Switch 2 vs PlayStation 5.

The Switch 2 is known for its adaptability to be used on the go, or at home, with its ability to be played hooked up to the TV, in handheld mode, or propped up on its kickstand. This console is perfect for someone who wants to be able to play anywhere, anytime. The PlayStation 5 is a sedentary console, which means that it cannot be played on the go, it must be hooked up to a TV. There is a feature called remote play on the PS5 that allows for the console to be played on a secondary device, like a phone or tablet, but you are then constrained to the processing power and graphics of that device. This means that the gaming experience may not be up to par with the users’ expectations. This makes it a lot less practical for someone who is constantly on the move and wanting to play video games wherever they go. The PlayStation 5 can support more intense games that require higher power that can’t be achieved in such a small console that the Switch 2 is.

Touching a little more on portability, these two consoles are very different in how they can be transferred or moved around. The Switch 2 has a dock that can be attacked to the TV, and the physical console rests inside the slot. The console comes with two controllers that attach to each side of the screen that can be easily removed to be used as separate units. The whole system can in a sense snap together which I found to be very useful when trying to transport the system to another location. Handheld mode is also very convenient because you can just pick up the console and move it around with you without any cables or connections to a larger device. Unlike the Switch2, the PlayStation 5 is purely a console that does not have an independent screen and is dependent on an outside source to display the visuals and play the game. This greatly decreases the portability of the console because you cannot play it anywhere because you must have access to a TV. While you can move the console relatively easily from room to room, by simply shutting down the hardware and unplugging any connectors, this console would not suit someone who wants to play in handheld mode by directly holding the console, or on the go where there may not be access to a secondary projecting device. Although the PS5 can function on remote play, you will need a stable WIFI connection and must be okay with decreased quality in graphics and game flow depending on the quality of the streaming device.

The desired audience is different between the two consoles, the PlayStation 5 is directed towards a more mature audience, while the Switch 2 is very family friendly. PlayStation is a more directed towards single playing, and has more violent games that contain graphic content, while Switch 2 has a large collection of multiplayer games that are directed towards all ages for fun and relaxing gameplay. So, if you are looking for more exclusive single player games, I would lean more towards the PlayStation 5. PlayStation exclusive games tend to be in the action genre as seen in the popular game Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, and the Last of Us series. While if you want to play more relaxed games with multiple people, I recommend looking to get the Switch 2. Some of Nintendo exclusive games include, Mario Cart, Legend of Zelda, and Super Smash Bros.

Image by Unknown 

The Switch 2, although it is small and portable, you give up some console power because of the size and portability. The Switch 2 can support many games, but it can struggle with games that require intense graphics. The graphics card in the Switch 2 can seem to lag or be slower when trying to power larger games with larger worlds and more storage. If you are not a huge gamer this lag will most likely not affect your gaming at all, but if you frequently play video games and are used to a system that can handle these big games you may notice that the Switch 2 is having some trouble keeping up.

The PlayStation 5 however, because it is a sedentary console, can focus all its power into delivering top notch gameplay. When playing the PS5 you will experience seamless game play and extraordinary visuals. The PS5 because its sole purpose is to be hooked up to a TV and played, can use the entirety of its power to make sure your gaming experience is the best it possibly could be. You don’t have to worry about its battery running down because of the graphics or game storage because it is constantly plugged in, which is incredibly important when thinking about how long you can or will want to play before having to turn it off.

So, if you are looking for a console that has good graphics and can handle games seamlessly with maybe a little slower frame rate and loading speed the Switch 2 may be a good choice for you because it combines easy portability and power together to create a very universal experience. Although, if you are looking for a console that can handle anything you throw at it without batting an eye and are willing to sacrifice not having an as portable console, I would look more towards the PS5 purely because of its superior hardware that won’t disappoint. 

 

The two consoles have very different controllers. The PS5 has the standard controller, what you probably think of when someone says video game controller, with handles and the actual controls in the middle, while the Switch 2 has block controllers that do not have designated handles. You can use the switch controllers separate or together, if you use them individually you turn the controllers on their side and use them horizontally, while if you use them together you hold one in each hand and use them vertically. Although, if you are wanting the traditional controller to feel with the Switch 2 there is an extra piece of equipment that you can purchase that the switch controllers can snap into that makes the separate items into a cohesive unit that can be used as one. I prefer the adaptiveness of the Switch 2’s controllers because you can split them up and use them separately but still have the option to put them together and use them as a traditional controller. 

Image by Screen Rant

The screen quality of the consoles almost entirely depends on the kind of TV the visuals are being displayed on, although the Switch 2 in handheld mode uses an LED screen, which is slightly less visually pleasing than an OLED would be. OLED screens are known to be superior because it allows for the darks to be even darker, and the lights to be even lighter. This allows for bright contrasts that attract the eye and are very visually pleasing. Some think that the Switch 2 was a downgrade to its predecessor the original Switch and the Switch OLED because they did not use an OLED screen, but in my opinion the LED screen that was used looks perfectly fine, and I do not notice a large difference between the two in terms of visuals and colors. The PS5 does not utilize an independent screen, so the quality level is dependent on what platform you are streaming on.

From my experience there is not a trait forward answer to what console is best for you, or what console is best in general, they both have pros and cons that could influence which one would be the best fit. In my opinion, and the kinds of games I enjoy playing, I lean more towards the Switch 2 because of its portability and family centered games. I find that I do not need the slightly more powerful system of the PS5, the kinds of games I enjoy just do not need that much power. I think that the Switch 2 is the perfect mix of power, adaptability, and comfort, I think that this console could meet the expectations of most individuals that are looking for a casual gaming experience. The Switch 2’s sleek look is very eye catching and is a good size if you are wanting to play handheld with a 7.9-inch screen. The PS5 is a slim standing console but cannot be played handheld (unless in remote play), which is a drawback for some. Both consoles provide an extraordinary gaming experience with amazing visuals and powerful systems that can handle large amounts of data. You can’t really go wrong with either option, both are solid gaming consoles that would work well in any situation.