Amazon Luna vs. Nintendo Switch 2: Which Should You Buy?

Your gaming experience can vary drastically based on your machine of choice. Making this decision requires research and prioritization, as each console delivers unique benefits and playstyles. Two notable competitors are Amazon’s Luna and the Nintendo Switch 2. What does each device offer, what kind of gamers do they target, and what are their pros and cons? You’ll have a better idea of what to purchase by the end of this analysis.

What Is Amazon Luna and Its Structure?

Amazon Luna is not a gaming console — it is a cloud-based platform. It has been active in the U.S. since 2022, and you can access it via a monthly subscription. If you sign up, you can access it from multiple devices, including an Amazon Fire TV or your PC or Mac. Luna even has an app, available for iOS and Android. It has integration with Twitch and other platforms, making it ideal for seamless streaming.

If you’re familiar with PlayStation Plus, Amazon Luna is a similar model. The base subscription, Luna+, is $9.99 monthly, and users can see the games included in this tier without signing up. It has a library of over 100 titles, including famous series like Sonic, Fallout and Borderlands. It also includes many top indie titles, such as Hollow Knight and Dave the Diver. You can try a seven-day free trial if you need time to assess the catalog’s worth. Amazon Prime subscribers also get access to a rotating selection.

However, you can expand the service further. It has a Ubisoft add-on for $17.99 a month, which unlocks games like Far Cry 6 and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, among others. You can also subscribe to the Jackbox Games bundle for $4.99 a month, with the ability to play the series’ ever-increasing list of addictive party games. You can buy games outright through Ubisoft or GOG’s platform instead of relying on the embedded library.

You can access your library from almost all of your devices. If you would rather not use a mouse and keyboard to play — especially on your TV — then you can get Amazon’s Luna Controller, which is highly competitive, given the cost of gaming peripherals in 2025. It promises reduced latency by up to 30 milliseconds compared to other models.

What Are the Details on the Nintendo Switch 2?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s most recent console release, coming off the heels of its predecessor — one of the bestselling consoles ever. Much like its older sibling, it is a hybrid console. You can play it in handheld mode, or you can insert it into a dock to connect to a TV or other screen. It retails for $449.99, which includes the console, necessary cords, the dock and its proprietary controllers, the Joy-Con 2s. 

Gaming specs can vary with the Amazon Luna because they depend on what you are playing on. However, the Switch 2’s dedicated hardware determines its ability. Here are the tech capabilities your money is going toward:

• 7.9-inch LCD screen with 1920×1080 resolution and HDR10 support
• Custom-made graphics processing unit and CPU by NVIDIA
• An estimated 6.5-hour battery life, depending on the game’s intensity
• 256 GB of internal storage
• Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth compatibility

You can also play more diverse titles if you want access to Nintendo’s first-party games. Optionally, you can access Nintendo Classics with its subscription, allowing you to play retro titles from the GameCube, Game Boy and the Super Nintendo, among others.

How Are the Systems Similar?

Here is a quick rundown of the similarities between the two gaming experiences:

• Both offer a potentially portable gaming experience.
• You can purchase optional controllers to diversify how games feel to play.
• Each platform has a subscription-based service to access exclusive titles.

In reality, the two options are more different than they are alike. 

What Are the Most Notable Differences?

In short, the major distinctions between Amazon Luna and the Nintendo Switch 2 are:

• One is a console with dedicated hardware, and the other is a cloud-gaming service.
• You have the option to own games physically with a Switch 2.
• A Switch 2 can be bought outright for a one-time fee, while Amazon Luna is subscription-based.
• The game catalogs are different.

These factors may weigh differently depending on your priorities. If cost is a concern, the choice is a no-brainer. If long-term ownership is meaningful to you, then the Switch 2 would be the go-to option.

What Are the Drawbacks and Advantages of Amazon Luna?

Dive deeper into the nitty-gritty details of the Amazon Luna — both the good and the bad.

Pros

Everyone can access Luna with payment information and a viable machine. You do not need to buy a separate, proprietary console to access a vast selection of quality titles. Accessibility is one of its most significant advantages.

The price point is also competitive. While platforms like Steam are free to use, they do not have an existing library. The monthly charge is justifiable if there are many titles on Luna’s list that you already want to play.

The service is also perfect for someone who wants a lot of options immediately. You might dabble between games because you’re a streamer or want to experiment with many genres. Luna is perfect for this mindset, as it eliminates the expenses of accumulating an extensive physical library before delving into many titles.

Cons

One of the biggest cons of most cloud gaming services is the ownership controversy. Even its base library may not remain consistent. Games can come and go from the platform. You do not own the games you are not paying for individually, which means your favorite titles could not be playable the next month. 

Many gamers do not like this uncertainty and question whether it is an ethical business model if customers are paying for games they do not own. Additionally, Amazon has been known to take titles away from consumers in the past — even products it has bought. The recent fiasco with Kindle has reminded shoppers that digital purchases could be temporary, which does not bode well for a trustworthy business model for cloud-based games.

Low internet speeds can also hinder your gaming experience. Unstable connections can create lag, which could make or break your playthrough. For Nintendo Switch 2s, you can use physical cards or download games natively to prevent this from happening. With cloud-based services, connectivity is a must.

What Are the Most Notable Pros and Cons of the Switch 2?

If you are leaning toward getting a Switch 2, here are a few other things you may want to consider.

Pros

For many reasons, Nintendo gamers are returning customers, but one is more prominent than others — you only get access to Nintendo’s intellectual properties (IPs) if you have its consoles. Some of the most famous series on the planet, like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing and Kirby, are only available on Nintendo consoles. 

If you choose a gaming option like Luna, you immediately forgo access to these titles. Many third-party developers have their games on the Nintendo Switch 2, either virtually through its eShop or on a physical game card.

Investing in a Switch 2 is a one-time charge. You only have to buy the console once instead of seeing a bill on your bank statement every month. You can subscribe to Nintendo’s service, which allows you to access many retro titles and online features. It is not mandatory, as you can still access your personal library without it. 

Cons

The upfront cost of the Switch 2 and its accessories is one of the most immediate drawbacks. The console costs $449.99, making $9.99 monthly Amazon Luna sound like a steal. Additionally, the average price of Nintendo titles is going up, with its launch title, Mario Kart World, sparking controversy for its $79.99 price tag — a first for the company that ended up setting a precedent.

If you want to stream, you may also be disappointed by the Switch 2. Because of its integrations, it is easier to set up Twitch with Amazon Luna. With a Nintendo device, you will need a capture card and a more complex setup to get the show up and running. These barriers could prevent some streaming hobbyists from getting a Switch 2.

Finally, game performance is limited by the Switch 2’s hardware. If you have a PC, you can retrofit and upgrade its parts as you wish. This could transform your video games. However, a Switch 2’s internal mechanisms are locked in. You cannot change them, so if a game runs poorly on the console, this will likely not change unless an optimization patch is released. If you want hardware flexibility and customization, a Switch 2 is not ideal.

Amazon Luna vs. Nintendo Switch 2 — What to Invest In

Both products offer a different way to interact with the world of video games. Some people will always be console gamers, while others are willing to experiment with innovative cloud platforms to see how they develop. Each path allows you to enjoy quality titles, so it inevitably all comes down to personal preferences, finances and the types of games you want to play.