The PS5 delivers cutting-edge graphics, 4K gaming at 120fps, and a massive AAA game library, while the Nintendo Switch 2 prioritizes portability with hybrid docked/handheld play and exclusive Nintendo franchises. The PS5 is a stationary powerhouse; the Switch 2 is a flexible, on-the-go console.
PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Sony's premium next-gen console with cutting-edge performance and exclusive AAA titles.
Nintendo's hybrid portable/docked console with iconic first-party games and flexibility.
GPU Performance. Maximum Resolution & Framerate. Form Factor. Launch Price (MSRP). Exclusive Game Franchises. Storage (Base Model). Portability
Choose the PS5 if you prioritize cutting-edge graphics, complex AAA games, and online multiplayer at the highest fidelity—it's the premium choice for serious gamers who game primarily at home. Choose the Nintendo Switch 2 if you value portability, Nintendo's beloved franchises (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon), social gaming, and the flexibility to play anywhere—it's ideal for casual gamers and those who want gaming versatility.
PlayStation 5: 10.28 TFLOPS | Nintendo Switch 2: ~4.5 TFLOPS (estimated)
PlayStation 5: 825GB SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB
PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: ~100 MB/s (estimated)
PlayStation 5: 72.5% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Standard noise levels | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3 (Standard, Digital, Slim) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: +2.9% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 8 cores @ 3.5 GHz | Nintendo Switch 2: 8 cores @ 2.0 GHz
PlayStation 5: 825 GB usable | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: ~95% PS4 compatible | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $120/year (PS Plus Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 12+ major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: PSSR2 AI upscaling (2026, free) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Standard Console Launch Price (MSRP 2026)
PlayStation 5: $499 (PS5 Standard) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K (2160p) at 120fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Custom ultra-fast SSD (faster) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 400+ games (PS Plus Extra) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 40 million units | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 2-3 generations (PS2-PS4 selective) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 91.04 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 72.6% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 60-120 fps (PS5 Pro exceeds) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Horizon: Zenith Chronicles, Ghost of Tsushima: Revelations, Marvel titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 300+ backward compatible | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $90 per 1TB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $9.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 10.28 TFLOPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K @ 120fps | Nintendo Switch 2: 1440p docked @ 60fps
PlayStation 5: 400 games (PS Plus Extra) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 2 generations | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 6-8 major titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Advanced haptic feedback + adaptive triggers | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K (3840×2160) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 60 FPS standard, up to 120 FPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Hardware-accelerated, full support | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 18 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $9.99/month (PlayStation Plus Essential) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $599.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 825 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 750+ titles (PlayStation Plus tiers) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Baseline | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 30% faster custom SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $499 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 6 years of custom optimization | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Limited PS4 backward compatibility | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Yes, 4K/60FPS capable | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Select PS4 titles only (1 generation) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Custom SSD (faster) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Native 4K capable | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Limited | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Closes gap through optimization | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 6 years of proven optimization techniques | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz variable | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $649.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 599.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 519.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 36 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K/1080p | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 20+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Good (PS4/PS3 select) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 90.20 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 10.28 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 825 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Not disclosed | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Home Console Only | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Estimated 70+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: God of War, Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, Returnal | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s (custom optimized) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 15-20 PS Plus tier | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 120 fps (capable) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Behind by 6.39M | Nintendo Switch 2: 6.39M ahead
PlayStation 5: None (stationary) | Nintendo Switch 2: 7.9 inches
PlayStation 5: 120Hz at 4K | Nintendo Switch 2: 120Hz at 4K (docked)
PlayStation 5: Yes | Nintendo Switch 2: Yes (newly added)
PlayStation 5: Precision 3D Audio (evolved) | Nintendo Switch 2: Standard surround
PlayStation 5: Advanced adaptive triggers | Nintendo Switch 2: Standard vibration
PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: 12GB (estimated)
PlayStation 5: 3840x2160 (4K) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $499-$549 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Stable native 4K | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Baseline (100%) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 16GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: 12 GB LPDDR5
PlayStation 5: 120fps (PS5 Pro) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $499.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Slightly lower frame consistency | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Yes - DualSense haptic triggers | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5,500 MB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 825 GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 16 GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 120 fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 40+ exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Limited (PlayStation Plus Extra tier) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K (3840x2160) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 120 fps at 4K | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: ~2,000 PS5 optimized | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Home console only—stationary | Nintendo Switch 2: Full hybrid portable + docked
PlayStation 5: 4K (2160p) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $499 | Nintendo Switch 2: $349 (estimated)
PlayStation 5: 5-10 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: ~500 PS5-exclusive/optimized | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5-15% typical | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $80 (PlayStation Plus Extra) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K/60fps or 1440p/120fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5 minutes (unbox, connect, play) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: ~15% of multiplayer titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 60 FPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 500+ AAA titles | Nintendo Switch 2: 2,500+ Nintendo games + multiplatform
PlayStation 5: $70/year (PlayStation Plus) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 10 GB (unified architecture) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 30 minutes | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 40+ (God of War, Spider-Man, Horizon) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 825 GB (usable) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: No equivalent (PlayStation Plus Extra $18.99/month) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 14 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 5.5 GB/s raw (22 GB/s effective) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 150+ exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 110+ million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 110W typical | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $17.99 (PS Plus Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 700+ (PS Plus Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4,500+ PS4 games (99%) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 0.8 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 50 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K 120Hz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 12 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 168 games | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 90 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $180 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 600 (PS Plus Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz (variable frequency) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Average Game Load Time (Major AAA Titles)
PlayStation 5: ~3.2 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: Variable scaling, 40-60fps typical | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 47 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz (variable) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 825GB SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K @ 120fps (select titles) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 280+ (PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 296 exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 0.8-2.0 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 3.5 GHz (8-core) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 58-60 FPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $19.99/month (Plus Premium) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 4K (3840×2160) | Nintendo Switch 2: 1440p docked / 1080p handheld
PlayStation 5: 120fps at 4K | Nintendo Switch 2: 60fps typical
PlayStation 5: N/A—not portable | Nintendo Switch 2: 6.5+ hours
PlayStation 5: God of War, Spider-Man, Final Fantasy, Hogwarts Legacy | Nintendo Switch 2: Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, Splatoon
PlayStation 5: 16 GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 25+ major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 120+ million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: $80 (PS Plus Essential for online) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: 0-3 PlayStation exclusive day-ones | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: PlayStation Plus Premium (iPhone, Android, browser — limited) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 7.0 inches
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 4K (exact specs not disclosed)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB expandable
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Thinner and lighter design
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Eight-core ARM Cortex A78C
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: LCD (estimated)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $20/year (Switch Online)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 530g handheld
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 8-12 hours estimated
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 50+ confirmed exclusives
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB internal (expandable via microSD)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 6.5 hours average
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $299 (estimated)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~1,000 exclusives
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 8.4 inches
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~50% faster throughput
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 3840×2160 (4K)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~150 exclusives + backward compat (6,450+ compatible)
Backward Compatibility with Previous Gen
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 99% of Switch library playable
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~420g (estimated with larger screen)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 1440p (2560×1440)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 60 fps
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $349 (estimated)
PlayStation 5: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $20 (basic) or $50 (Expansion)
How to choose between PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2
Compare PlayStation 5 vs Nintendo Switch 2
PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2. Contains 201 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2.
Can I play PS5 games on the Nintendo Switch 2?
No. The PS5 and Switch 2 use completely different architectures and operating systems. Games are developed exclusively for each platform. While some third-party titles (e.g., The Witcher 3, Doom) appear on both, they're separate versions optimized for each console's hardware.
Which console has better exclusive games?
Both excel differently. PS5 dominates cinematic AAA experiences (God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy XVI, Spider-Man 2) with cutting-edge graphics. Switch 2 owns legacy beloved franchises (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon) with proven 20+ year appeal. The 'better' choice depends on your genre preference: immersive blockbusters (PS5) vs. Nintendo's creative first-party design (Switch 2).
Is the PS5 or Switch 2 better for online multiplayer?
PS5 offers superior online multiplayer infrastructure with PlayStation Plus tiers (Essential $60/year, Extra $130/year, Premium $180/year) supporting competitive shooters and ranked games at 120fps. Switch 2 supports online play but at lower framerates (typically 30-60fps) and with less competitive-grade infrastructure. PS5 is better for competitive gaming; Switch 2 excels at local co-op.
How much storage do I need for each console?
PS5's 825GB SSD fills quickly—large AAA titles (e.g., Call of Duty, Final Fantasy XVI) consume 100-170GB each. Most users buy a 1-2TB external SSD ($80-150). Switch 2's 64GB base storage is expandable via microSD (tested up to 1TB, ~$30-80). PS5 requires more immediate investment in storage expansion.
Can I use the same game library if I own both consoles?
No—each console has a separate ecosystem. Game purchases don't transfer between platforms. However, many cross-platform titles (e.g., Fortnite, Minecraft) are available on both consoles with separate logins and progress tracking. Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus are separate subscriptions with different game catalogs.
How to Choose Between PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2
GPU Performance: PlayStation 5 has 10.28 TFLOPS, while Nintendo Switch 2 has ~4-5 TFLOPS (estimated).
Consider: Maximum Resolution & Framerate
Maximum Resolution & Framerate: PlayStation 5 has 4K at 120fps, while Nintendo Switch 2 has 1080p handheld / up to 1440p docked (60fps typical).
Form Factor: PlayStation 5 has Fixed home console only, while Nintendo Switch 2 has Hybrid portable + docked.
Launch Price (MSRP): PlayStation 5 has $499, while Nintendo Switch 2 has $349 (estimated).
Exclusive Game Franchises: PlayStation 5 has God of War, Spider-Man, Final Fantasy (timed), while Nintendo Switch 2 has Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid.
Storage (Base Model): PlayStation 5 has 825GB SSD, while Nintendo Switch 2 has 64GB internal + microSD support.
Portability: PlayStation 5 has Not portable, while Nintendo Switch 2 has Full portable + docked hybrid.