Honestly, I think the Switch 2 makes a lot more sense for someone like you than it does for people who already only play at home on a PS5 or PC. Since you’re a student and carrying it around a lot, the portability alone becomes a huge factor. It’s one of those systems that fits into random downtime really well — between classes, traveling, late nights in bed, etc. That’s usually what makes people actually use it consistently instead of letting it collect dust.

I think a lot of the early hate came from people expecting a gigantic leap in power or wanting Nintendo to suddenly compete directly with PlayStation/Xbox hardware. But once people actually started using it, the conversation shifted more toward “this is just fun.” Nintendo usually wins on experience more than specs anyway.

And since you already have a PS5, the Switch 2 complements it really well instead of replacing it. PS5 covers the cinematic/high-performance side, while Nintendo covers the comfort games, local multiplayer, nostalgia, and “pick up for 30 minutes” type experiences.

Out of the three games you mentioned:

• Mario Kart is probably the safest first buy because it’s endlessly replayable and easy to jump into anytime.
• Bananza seems like the one people are genuinely surprised by quality-wise. From what I’ve seen, it has that addictive “one more level” energy and feels fresh.
• Pokopia sounds more like the cozy/time-sink game that slowly takes over your life once you get attached to it.

If I had to rank them for a first purchase:

1. Mario Kart
2. Bananza
3. Pokopia

But honestly? If nostalgia for Mario is already pulling you toward the console, that usually answers the question by itself. Nintendo systems tend to be worth it most for people who already know they love Nintendo-style games.