Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware makes it the perfect system for me — but its OS needs to improve in 5 ways

It’s safe to say that the Nintendo Switch 2 was worth the long wait. The console was released in June 2025, and in just a few months has already become the fastest-selling console launch in history, selling close to 7 million units already. And that’s all been while navigating criticism about not having enough games. 

With the Switch 2 featuring a lot of significant upgrades, such as a faster chip, bigger storage, bigger display, improved Joy-Con controllers that magnetically attach this time, there’s a lot to love. The improvements go further, too, with the eShop being simpler to use, not to mention being much quicker than the painfully slow Switch 1 version.

The Escapist recaps 

• After years of anticipation, the Nintendo Switch 2 was released on June 5, 2025.
• At the time of writing, the console has sold almost 6 million, becoming one of the most successful console launches in history.
• The Switch 2 features a bunch of improvements, such as 4K support, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers, 256GB storage, and more.
• Those who own a Switch 2 and subscribe to the Nintendo Online Expansion Pass can also play GameCube games via its retro service, such as F-Zero GX and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
• One huge improvement is the Switch eShop, with big speed gains when browsing the app to buy games and downloadable content, and much more.

However, despite the Switch 2’s operating system also getting a fresh coat of paint, it’s essentially the same software we’ve been using since the original Switch launched in 2017. With this in mind, we’ve come up with five other improvements that should come in a future system software update:

1. Improved Groups

If you’ve been a Switch owner for several years, you’ve likely attained a huge game library where you’re usually scrolling through a list to find the title you want to play. Back in 2023, Nintendo listened to the cries and introduced ‘Groups’, a way to put your games into a curated collection. 

However, you can only access them when you go into the ‘All Software’ section, followed by pressing the ‘L’ button to see your Groups, making the process convoluted.

We’d love to see these Groups brought to the main screen, but also the ability to pin them in a certain place. This way, as you play different games, the Group isn’t constantly pushed to the back of the line. Also, having some smart features like games from certain franchises and developers being automatically added to these Groups would save players the hassle.

2. Better Wi-Fi Management

If, like this writer, you commute and travel a lot with your Switch 2, you’ll find yourself connecting to different Wi-Fi networks to download the latest software update for Nintendo Classics and games like Fortnite and Mario Kart World. However, connecting to a wireless network can be a headache, especially when the console fails to do it. 

You’ll be greeted by pop-ups and a stop-start interface, meaning you can’t do anything else as the Switch 2 tries to connect to Wi-Fi, leaving you annoyed and frustrated. How about we simplify the steps when connecting to a network, and have this part of the interface be like an overlay, similar to how you connect to Wi-Fi networks on your Mac and Windows devices? 

This would be ideal for the quick menu, which appears when you hold down the Home button. This way, you can play a game, bring this up, and have the Switch 2 quickly find a Wi-Fi point, with a small pop-up where you can type in its password.

3. View Albums by Game

Granted, the method of transferring captured photos and videos via the Switch app is much better on Switch 2 than it was on the original console. But there should be an easier way of looking at the photos and videos you’ve taken from each game that doesn’t involve going to the Album app. This is where the game icons can come in.

When you press the + button on a game, you have four different rows that show settings for it. But it would be great to have another row that solely shows the photos and videos you’ve taken for the game. 

This way, you get a shortcut to view the media without having to go to the Album app. In addition, perhaps the quick menu, accessible when holding down the home button, to have a quick-access option to the media as well while you’re in-game. Now that would be a game-changer.

4. Use Platinum Coins for exclusive customization options

One of the biggest wishes from Switch 1 owners has always been the ability to change the theme of the home screen. The Nintendo 3DS, the predecessor of the Switch, made it easy, but all you can do on all Switch models is change the theme from light to dark. 

However, there are signs that Nintendo is planning on adding the ability for players to obtain exclusive avatar icons via the Switch Online app. By playing certain games, players can use Platinum Coins to buy these, like classic Game Boy handhelds and more, which is a very welcome addition to the console.

Perhaps it’s time for Nintendo to expand this further using this method for themes, too. They could even keep the feature as a bonus for those who are subscribed to the Nintendo Online service on Switch 2, and encourage players to unlock more.

5. Achievements

Yes, an achievement system is something players have been asking about for years, but they’re more important now than they ever were on the Switch 1. There’s a valid argument that the concept of them goes against what Nintendo is as a company – it wants games to be focused on fun, not box-ticking. But many of its games have had their own form of achievements for years now. 

Whether it’s Super Smash Bros. Melee with its trophies and completion rate when it came to match events, or how the Switch 2 Editions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom let players use an app called Zelda Notes that lets you earn medals for achieving certain goals. In some form or another, achievements have been in many Nintendo games, hidden in plain sight.

But achievements can serve as encouragement for players to complete challenges and really earn the satisfaction of unlocking them. Zelda’s Notes system does it well by making them an optional draw, with the reward being medals, and you can keep track of how your friends are doing, too. It’s unobtrusive and keeps players engaged with the game. 

If there were an opportunity for this to be expanded, perhaps to the Nintendo Classics retro game services next, that would be a great way of encouraging players to try out titles they hadn’t previously considered, but they would be rewarded for doing so. Nintendo has always been known to do things its way, and achievements could be a great example of that.

Ask The Escapist

References

1. The Legend of Zelda games – Nintendo Switch 2 Editions & ZELDA NOTES – Overview Trailer (YouTube)