Xbox Series X is a stationary powerhouse delivering 12 TFLOPS of performance and 4K gaming at up to 120fps, while Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid portable console with significantly lower specs (8 TFLOPS estimated) but portability and exclusive Nintendo franchises.
Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Microsoft's premium fixed-hardware console with 12 TFLOPS and Game Pass ecosystem.
Nintendo's hybrid portable/home console with detachable controllers and estimated 8 TFLOPS performance.
Processing Power. Gaming Form Factor. Maximum Resolution. Game Library (Exclusives). Launch Price (USD). Storage Capacity. Online Subscription Cost (Annual)
Choose Xbox Series X if you want cutting-edge graphics, 4K performance, and access to hundreds of games via Game Pass on a large TV. Choose Nintendo Switch 2 if you prioritize portability, Nintendo's exclusive franchises (Mario, Zelda, Pokémon), and a more affordable entry point into next-gen gaming.
Xbox Series X: 2.4 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: AMD Zen 2 (8-core at 3.8GHz) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPs | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K at 60fps native | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2020 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: RDNA 2 (Current-gen) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 220 MB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: ~100 MB/s (estimated)
Xbox Series X: 27.5% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $17.99/month | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Quietest gaming console ever made | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2 (Standard & All-Digital) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: -2.9% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: ~98% Xbox One compatible | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $180/year (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 15 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: No major announcement | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Standard Console Launch Price (MSRP 2026)
Xbox Series X: $499 (Xbox Series X) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: PCIe Gen 4 NVME | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ games included | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 25 million units | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox original to Series) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16 GB (10 GDDR6 + 6 DDR5) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS at 4K | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: WiFi 7 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 34.43 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 27.4% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120 fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Forza, Starfield, Game Pass exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4000+ with enhancements | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $220 per 1TB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $16.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: 12 GB LPDDR5
Xbox Series X: $599.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3328 shading units | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 320-bit interface | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K / 60fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3500+ titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Baseline (100%) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16.7 TFLOPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3-4 major titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard vibration | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (3840×2160) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS standard, up to 120 FPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2.4 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Supported (developer-dependent) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $10.99/month (Game Pass Core) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 560 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ titles (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: No - standard vibration only | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16.7% more powerful | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10% faster | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard speed | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Current generation (4 years optimized) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Xbox One, Xbox 360, Original Xbox titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Yes, 4K/60FPS standard | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: £449.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Yes, native 4K/60fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Can keep up with PS5 Pro in some instances | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox One, 360, Original, Series) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 300+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Extensive (4+ generations of Xbox titles) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Consistent 4-8% performance advantage on cross-platform titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Current generation optimization | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $649.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Not available | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12.15 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 649.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 499.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 52 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/1440p | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Extensive (4 generations) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 6,000+ (Xbox One, 360, OG Xbox) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 100+ annually | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60 fps (targeted) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 major titles | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 400+ (Game Pass) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 38% | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Yes, standard | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 52 CUs equivalent (12 TFLOPS) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10x faster SSD (vs PS4) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Baseline stable performance | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/60FPS confirmed (Replaced) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 generations (Xbox to Series X) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: No thermal issues reported | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000GB usable | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120fps native | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Outperforms PS5 Pro | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Game Pass (400+ games, day-one releases) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2,560 MB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1,000 GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 25+ exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ (Xbox Game Pass) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Requires external TV (typically 43-85 inches) | Nintendo Switch 2: 7.0 inches
Xbox Series X: 3840 x 2160 (4K) | Nintendo Switch 2: 4K (exact specs not disclosed)
Xbox Series X: 120 Hz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: N/A (mains powered) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4.45 kg (with stand) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 450+ Game Pass + digital store | Nintendo Switch 2: ~150 exclusives + backward compat (6,450+ compatible)
Xbox Series X: 4K (2160p) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000 GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K Blu-ray disc drive | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K @ 60 FPS (Replaced) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 cores @ 3.8 GHz | Nintendo Switch 2: 8 cores @ 2.0 GHz
Xbox Series X: Up to 4K (2160p) @ 120Hz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16 GB GDDR6 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499 (standard) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 448 GB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: ~50 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard FSR/DLSS support | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $500 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60 FPS (native optimized) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 200+ exclusive | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10 minutes | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/120fps (native) | Nintendo Switch 2: 1440p docked @ 60fps
Xbox Series X: $180/year (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: $20/year (Switch Online)
Xbox Series X: 4,250g (requires desk/TV mount) | Nintendo Switch 2: 530g handheld
Xbox Series X: N/A (not portable) | Nintendo Switch 2: 8-12 hours estimated
Xbox Series X: 150+ exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: 50+ confirmed exclusives
Xbox Series X: 3.8 GHz (7-core Zen 2) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499 | Nintendo Switch 2: $349
Xbox Series X: 4K @ 120fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ (Game Pass) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ Xbox/360 games | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard ray tracing | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPS | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: No, stationary only | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 25+ million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8 cores (custom x86) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000 GB (internal) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 400+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 28+ Million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: AMD Zen 2, 8 cores @ 3.8 GHz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1 TB NVMe SSD (proprietary expansion) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499 (with disc drive) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: UHD Blu-ray included | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Hardware ray tracing (AMD) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 8+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 35+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1.2-1.8s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K/60fps typical | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3.8 GHz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 700+ games | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard implementation | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 30+ exclusive franchises | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 10+ simultaneous | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 TFLOPS | Nintendo Switch 2: ~8 TFLOPS (estimated)
Xbox Series X: 800+ | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 16 GB | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 28 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 6 years (released Nov 2020) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3.8 GHz (fixed frequency) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ optimized for Series X | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 47 exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 25 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 180W typical | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $16.99 (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $499.99 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1.2 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Current Generation (5+ years) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 12 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (2160p) at 120fps | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 499 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K 120Hz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 156 games | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 35 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $180 | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500 (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3840x2160 (4K) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2250GB (expansion card) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 0 hours (requires power outlet) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 500+ fully optimized | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 2560 MB/s | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 0.5-2 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 95%+ across 4 generations | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Standard vibration, impulse triggers | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4 years (2020-present) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4+ (Halo, Forza, Gears, Starfield) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Average Game Load Time (Major AAA Titles)
Xbox Series X: ~4.8 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: Consistent 50-65fps with fixed architecture | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 28 major exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1000GB SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K @ 120fps (select titles) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 400+ (Game Pass Ultimate) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 139 exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 1.5-2.5 seconds | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120 fps (variable) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $11.99 (Standard Tier) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 15 exclusives | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 4K (3840x2160) @ 120Hz | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 60-120 fps (varies by game) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 3,000 (Xbox native) | Nintendo Switch 2: 2,500+ Nintendo games + multiplatform
Xbox Series X: 15 minutes | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 0 (fixed hardware) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $17/month (Game Pass) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: $399 (Series X) | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: ~25 million | Nintendo Switch 2: N/A
Xbox Series X: 120 fps | Nintendo Switch 2: 60 fps
Xbox Series X: 1000GB SSD | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB (expandable to 2TB via microSD)
Xbox Series X: $499 | Nintendo Switch 2: $349 (estimated)
Xbox Series X: $60-120 (Game Pass tiers) | Nintendo Switch 2: $20 (basic) or $50 (Expansion)
Xbox Series X: Home console only; 3.8kg (8.4 lbs) | Nintendo Switch 2: Hybrid portable + docked; ~320g handheld (estimated)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB expandable
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Thinner and lighter design
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Eight-core ARM Cortex A78C
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: LCD (estimated)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 6.39M ahead
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 7.9 inches
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 120Hz at 4K (docked)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Yes (newly added)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Standard surround
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: Standard vibration
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 12GB (estimated)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 64GB internal (expandable via microSD)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 6.5 hours average
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: $299 (estimated)
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~1,000 exclusives
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 8.4 inches
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~50% faster throughput
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 3840×2160 (4K)
Backward Compatibility with Previous Gen
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: 99% of Switch library playable
Xbox Series X: N/A | Nintendo Switch 2: ~420g (estimated with larger screen)
How to choose between Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2
Compare Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2
Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2. Contains 270 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch 2.
Can you play Xbox Series X games on the Nintendo Switch 2?
No. Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 have completely different architectures and game libraries. Xbox Series X uses Windows-based architecture and plays Microsoft/third-party titles, while Switch 2 uses NVIDIA technology and plays Nintendo-exclusive and select third-party titles. Some third-party games appear on both platforms, but at different visual quality levels (lower on Switch 2 due to less processing power).
Is Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible with original Switch games?
Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the original Switch's digital and physical game library, meaning you can play thousands of existing games on the new console. This gives it an immediate advantage for existing Nintendo players who won't need to repurchase their games.
Which console is better for playing AAA games like Call of Duty and EA Sports titles?
Xbox Series X delivers superior performance, running these AAA titles at 4K/120fps with ray tracing enabled. Switch 2 will run these games at lower resolutions (1080p handheld, 1440p docked) and reduced visual quality, making it better for playing these games on the go rather than achieving the best graphics.
What is the true cost of ownership over 4 years?
Xbox Series X: $499 console + ($60 × 4 years for basic Game Pass) = $739 total. Nintendo Switch 2: $349 console + ($20 × 4 years for basic online) = $429 total. Game Pass can offset Xbox costs if you play numerous titles, while Switch 2 remains more affordable long-term for casual players.
Which console has better exclusive games?
Both are strong but serve different audiences. Xbox Series X offers Halo, Forza, Starfield, and Obsidian RPGs via Game Pass. Switch 2 offers Nintendo's iconic franchises: Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing. Your preference depends on which franchises appeal to you—there's no objective winner.
How to Choose Between Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2
Processing Power: Xbox Series X has 12 TFLOPS, while Nintendo Switch 2 has ~8 TFLOPS (estimated).
Gaming Form Factor: Xbox Series X has Home console only, while Nintendo Switch 2 has Portable + docked hybrid.
Maximum Resolution: Xbox Series X has Up to 4K at 120fps, while Nintendo Switch 2 has Up to 1080p portable, 1440p docked.
Game Library (Exclusives): Xbox Series X has Halo, Forza, Starfield, Game Pass catalog, while Nintendo Switch 2 has Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing.
Launch Price (USD): Xbox Series X has $499, while Nintendo Switch 2 has $349 (estimated).
Storage Capacity: Xbox Series X has 1TB internal SSD, while Nintendo Switch 2 has 64GB internal, expandable via microSD.
Consider: Online Subscription Cost (Annual)
Online Subscription Cost (Annual): Xbox Series X has $60-120 (Game Pass tiers), while Nintendo Switch 2 has $20.