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What Makes a New Console Generation Worth Upgrading To?

A console upgrade is worthwhile when its games, supported improvements, or play modes matter to you. Check compatibility and total cost before replacing your current system.
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A new console is worth upgrading to when it gives you games or improvements you will actually use—not simply because it is newer. Start with the titles you want to play, then check how they run on the new system, whether it changes where you can play, and what it will cost to move your library and setup.

Start with the games you want to play

The strongest reason to upgrade is access to games you cannot play on your current system, or a noticeable improvement to games you already care about. Make a short list of the titles you expect to play, then confirm which console supports them and whether any advertised enhancements apply to those exact games.

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For example, Sony’s September 2024 announcement named Alan Wake 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hogwarts Legacy, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 among PS5 Pro-enhanced games. Sony says enhanced features are available only in selected PS5 games and vary by title; they are not a blanket upgrade to every game. Sony’s launch announcement lists the model’s positioning and launch-period details.

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Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, while Nintendo warns that some titles may be unsupported or not fully compatible. Check the Switch 2 feature page and Nintendo’s compatibility guidance for the specific game before relying on your existing library.

#1 Best Overall
Nintendo Switch 2 System
  • The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
  • GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play

Decide what kind of upgrade you need

More performance within the same console family

PS5 Pro is a higher-performance member of the PS5 family, not a separate console generation. Sony describes upgraded GPU capability, advanced ray tracing, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, its machine-learning-based upscaling. For supported games, Sony says these features can enable higher-fidelity graphics and smoother frame rates. Whether you will see a benefit depends on the game and its support for the features.

Sony’s 2024 product claims compared PS5 Pro with the then-current PS5: 67% more GPU compute units, memory that is 28% faster, and up to 45% faster gameplay rendering. These are manufacturer specifications and claims, not independent measurements or a direct comparison with another console. Sony also said PS5 Pro Game Boost could apply to more than 8,500 backward-compatible PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro, potentially stabilizing or improving performance in supported PS4 and PS5 games. That figure does not mean every one of those games receives a guaranteed enhancement. See Sony’s PS5 Pro announcement for the scope of those claims.

A different way to play

Switch 2 may be a more compelling change if you want one system for TV, tabletop, and handheld play. Nintendo says it has improved processing capability, speed, and graphics performance over the original Switch, with sharper visuals, smoother frame rates, and faster loading possible depending on the software. These are software-dependent benefits, not promises that every older or new game will perform identically.

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Rank #2
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
  • The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
  • Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***

Consider the play situation you value most. A living-room player may care chiefly about supported image and performance improvements on a compatible TV. Someone who regularly plays away from the TV may value Switch 2’s handheld and tabletop modes more than a raw performance increase.

Check what your existing games and accessories can do

Backward compatibility can make an upgrade easier, but do not assume that every game, controller, dock, or accessory carries over. Nintendo lists the original Switch Pro Controller as wirelessly pairable with Switch 2, but the original Switch dock is not compatible. Its support page also explains that compatibility varies by software and accessory.

Before selling or trading in your old console, verify the games you intend to keep playing and any accessories you depend on. Check whether a game is fully compatible, whether it has limitations, and whether you need a new accessory for a feature you plan to use.

Rank #3
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth
  • 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
  • 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
  • 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
  • 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
  • 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
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Work out the full cost and whether your setup can show the benefit

Compare the current local price of the console with the value of the improvements you expect to use. Include games, storage, any required accessories, and any paid game upgrade if applicable. Also check whether your display supports the features you care about; a capability you cannot use with your screen or usual setup may add little value.

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Storage and accessories differ by system. Nintendo lists 256 GB of internal Switch 2 storage, with some space reserved for system use. Expansion for Switch 2 game storage requires a microSD Express card; a standard microSD card is not suitable for that purpose. Nintendo Switch 2 video chat uses the built-in microphone, but video requires a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or another compatible USB-C camera, sold separately. Nintendo says online features such as GameChat require internet access, a Nintendo Account, and Nintendo Switch Online membership, with availability and terms varying by country. Details are on Nintendo’s feature page.

Historical launch prices are not current price quotes. Sony listed PS5 Pro launch MSRPs on November 7, 2024, of $699.99 USD, £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY including tax, along with a 2 TB SSD. Check local retailers for today’s price and availability rather than treating those launch figures as current.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Nintendo Switch 2 System
Nintendo Switch 2 System
The next evolution of Nintendo Switch; One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
$499.00
Bestseller No. 2
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system; One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
$568.00

Use this upgrade test before buying

  1. Name the benefit. Write down the games, performance improvements, or play modes that would make the upgrade worthwhile to you.
  2. Verify support. Check official game and accessory compatibility information, and confirm which specific games receive performance or visual enhancements.
  3. Check your setup. Make sure your display, play location, and network access can support the features you intend to use.
  4. Add the total cost. Include the console, games, storage, and any necessary accessories or memberships; compare that with the benefit you expect to get.
  5. Keep your current console if the case is weak. If it already runs the games you want and the new model’s supported improvements do not matter to you, waiting is a reasonable choice.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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