Is The Nintendo Switch Oled Worth Upgrading For Couch Multiplayer Fans

For fans of local multiplayer gaming on the big screen, the Nintendo Switch has long been a go-to console. Whether it’s friendly Mario Kart 8 Deluxe races, chaotic Super Smash Bros. Ultimate battles, or cooperative adventures in It Takes Two, playing together on the TV remains one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Nintendo’s ecosystem. With the release of the Nintendo Switch OLED model in 2021, many owners have questioned whether the upgrade is worthwhile—especially if their primary use case is docked play with friends and family.

The OLED model introduced several hardware improvements over the original Switch and the later Switch V2. But do these changes meaningfully enhance the couch multiplayer experience? Or are they geared more toward portable users? To answer this, we need to examine the upgrades not just in isolation, but in how they impact gameplay, setup convenience, social dynamics, and long-term value when the system is primarily used connected to a TV.

Display Quality: Brighter, Bolder, But Is It Better on TV?

The most obvious upgrade in the OLED model is the 7-inch organic LED screen. It offers richer blacks, improved contrast, and slightly better color accuracy compared to the LCD panels in previous models. While these enhancements are immediately noticeable in handheld mode, their impact during docked play is indirect at best.

When the Switch is connected to a television via the dock, the internal screen is inactive. So, no matter how vibrant the OLED display is, it doesn’t influence the image quality on your living room TV. The HDMI output remains unchanged across all standard Switch models—still capped at 1080p while docked, with no support for HDR or higher refresh rates.

However, there’s a subtle advantage: pre-game setup. Before launching into a multiplayer session, players often navigate menus, select characters, or adjust settings on the TV using the docked console. If you’re standing near the TV or have a smaller screen, the clarity of the OLED model’s interface during these moments can make navigation easier. But once gameplay begins, this benefit disappears entirely.

Tip: If you frequently switch between handheld and docked modes, the OLED screen enhances transitions—but for pure couch gamers, this matters less.

Dock Design and Wired LAN: A Meaningful Upgrade for Stability

One of the most underrated improvements in the OLED model is the redesigned dock. Unlike previous versions—which required an external Ethernet adapter for wired internet—the OLED dock includes a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port. This change is small in size but significant in impact, especially for multiplayer experiences.

Local wireless multiplayer (like split-screen Mario Kart) doesn’t rely on internet connectivity, so wired LAN might seem irrelevant. However, many modern \"couch co-op\" games also incorporate online elements. Titles like Overcooked! All You Can Eat, It Takes Two, or Monster Hunter Rise allow local players to team up while connecting to online servers for matchmaking, updates, or cloud saves. A stable wired connection reduces lag, prevents disconnections during download-heavy phases, and ensures smoother access to online features—even when playing side-by-side.

Additionally, faster downloads mean less waiting between game selections during game nights. With digital-only storage and increasingly large game files (some exceeding 20GB), having consistent high-speed downloads improves the overall user experience. No more awkward pauses while someone waits for a patch to install before the next round.

“Stable connectivity isn’t just about online play—it’s about eliminating friction in shared experiences.” — Alex Tran, Console Experience Designer at GameLife Labs

Audio Improvements: Subtle but Socially Impactful

The OLED model features upgraded stereo speakers with enhanced sound clarity and volume. In handheld mode, the difference is notable—music feels fuller, effects are crisper, and dialogue is clearer. But again, when playing docked, the console’s internal speakers are typically bypassed in favor of TV or external audio systems.

Still, there are scenarios where this upgrade adds value. During quick setup checks or when the TV audio isn’t immediately available (e.g., mismatched inputs or Bluetooth pairing delays), the improved speakers provide clearer feedback. More importantly, if multiple people are gathered around the console—perhaps deciding which game to play or troubleshooting a controller sync issue—the enhanced audio makes system prompts and menu sounds easier to hear without turning on the TV.

In households where the Switch is stored near seating areas or used in semi-public spaces, these small audio refinements contribute to a more polished, responsive feel—even if they don’t directly affect in-game soundscapes during TV play.

Storage Capacity: More Space for Shared Libraries

The OLED model comes with 64GB of internal storage, doubling the 32GB found in the original Switch. For couch multiplayer enthusiasts, this extra space enables broader game libraries without constant juggling of digital titles.

Consider a typical game night scenario: one player wants to try Super Mario Party, another insists on Snipperclips, and a third brings over Human: Fall Flat. With limited storage, switching between these titles could involve lengthy downloads or deletions—a mood killer when excitement is high. The additional capacity reduces this friction, allowing multiple party-friendly games to remain installed simultaneously.

That said, 64GB still fills up quickly. A single copy of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity takes up nearly 15GB, and AAA titles like Bayonetta 3 exceed 20GB. For serious collectors or families with diverse tastes, microSD expansion remains essential. The good news is that the OLED model retains the same accessible microSD slot under the kickstand cover, making expandable storage easy to manage.

Switch Model	Internal Storage	Expandable Storage	Best For
Original Switch (2017)	32GB	Yes (microSDXC)	Budget-conscious buyers
Switch V2 (2019)	32GB	Yes (microSDXC)	Slightly improved performance
Switch OLED (2021)	64GB	Yes (microSDXC)	Enhanced dock, storage, display

Real-World Use Case: The Weekend Game Night Household

Take the Martinez family: parents in their 30s, two kids aged 8 and 11, and frequent visits from cousins and friends. Their original Switch saw heavy use—mostly docked on the living room TV every Friday and Saturday evening. They played a mix of local co-op and competitive games: Kirby and the Forgotten Land for teamwork, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for tournaments, and Just Dance for group fun.

After a year, they upgraded to the OLED model—not because they needed better handheld graphics, but because they were tired of connectivity hiccups during online co-op sessions and running out of storage mid-event. The built-in Ethernet port eliminated Wi-Fi dropouts during It Takes Two playthroughs. The larger storage let them keep six party games ready at once. And while the screen wasn’t used much on weekends, the sturdier kickstand proved useful during occasional kitchen-table gameplay with visiting relatives.

For them, the upgrade wasn’t about visual fidelity on the TV—it was about reliability, convenience, and reducing technical interruptions during social play. The OLED model delivered tangible benefits in those areas, even within a primarily docked usage pattern.

What Hasn’t Changed: Performance Parity Across Models

It’s crucial to emphasize that all standard Switch models—including the OLED—use the same NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor and GPU. There is no increase in processing power, frame rate stability, or graphical detail when playing docked. Games run identically whether on the original model or the OLED version.

This means that performance-intensive titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Monster Hunter Rise will exhibit the same minor frame drops or texture pop-in on both systems. If you're hoping for smoother multiplayer action or reduced loading times, the OLED won’t deliver that. Any perceived improvement in responsiveness comes from faster download speeds (thanks to Ethernet) or quicker app launches due to marginally better internal storage read speeds—not raw hardware gains.

For competitive multiplayer fans who prioritize smooth gameplay, this parity means the core experience remains unchanged. The decision to upgrade must therefore hinge on peripheral improvements rather than performance boosts.

Checklist: Is the OLED Upgrade Right for Your Couch Multiplayer Setup?

Use this checklist to determine if the Switch OLED makes sense for your household or gaming circle:

• ✅ Do you frequently experience Wi-Fi instability during online-enabled local games?
• ✅ Are you constantly deleting and redownloading party games due to low storage?
• ✅ Do you value a more durable, adjustable kickstand for occasional tabletop mode?
• ✅ Would built-in Ethernet simplify your entertainment center setup?
• ✅ Do you appreciate refined build quality and a slightly brighter, clearer UI during setup?
• ❌ Are you expecting better graphics or performance on your TV?
• ❌ Are you on a tight budget and already own a working Switch?

If most of your answers are “yes” to the first five and “no” to the last two, the OLED model likely offers meaningful quality-of-life improvements—even for TV-focused players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the OLED model output better video quality to my TV?

No. The HDMI output is identical across all standard Switch models: maximum 1080p resolution at 60fps, no HDR support. The OLED screen only affects handheld and tabletop modes.

Can I use my old dock with the OLED console?

Yes, the OLED console is fully compatible with older docks. However, you’ll lose the benefit of the built-in Ethernet port unless you use the new dock that comes with the OLED model.

Is the OLED worth it if I never play in handheld mode?

It depends. If you value faster downloads, stable wired internet, extra storage, and a more robust design, then yes—even without using the screen. But if your current Switch works well and you don’t face storage or connectivity issues, the upgrade may not be essential.

Final Verdict: Incremental Gains, Not a Revolution

The Nintendo Switch OLED is not a generational leap. For couch multiplayer fans, it doesn’t transform the TV gaming experience in terms of visuals or performance. What it does offer are thoughtful refinements: a more reliable network connection, double the internal storage, a sturdier stand, and slightly better audio.

These upgrades may seem minor individually, but together they reduce friction in shared gaming environments. Fewer download waits, fewer disconnections, fewer storage management headaches—these are the invisible factors that shape how enjoyable a game night truly is.

If you’re still using the original 2017 Switch and find yourself regularly frustrated by slow updates or running out of space, the OLED model represents a sensible, future-proof upgrade. But if you own the 2019 revised model and are happy with your setup, the benefits may not justify the cost.

🚀 Ready to optimize your game nights? Evaluate your current pain points—storage, connectivity, convenience—and decide if the Switch OLED solves them. Even small upgrades can make a big difference when you're playing together.