Honestly, I'm absolutely happy with my Steam Deck, I think it ticks most of your boxes (it even runs Linux, so it's essentially a portable Linux computer designed for gaming), so I think it's the better option that you're looking gor. To your points specifically:

it's really geared towards family/party gaming

There are plenty of party games on Steam.

it's Nintendo, so you get the whole usual games (Mario Kart, Zelda, etc.)

This is the only reason to get a switch, if you want a Nintendo console and Nintendo games this is the way. Everyone who gets a switch understand this is the reason they're getting it. If this is as strong a point to you that it makes you overlook everything else, then get the switch.

like most consoles, it's plug and play and can be enjoyed in the living room (I kind of gave up trying to set up a proper gaming experience with my Linux PCs, given that I don't have the hardware for it)

Steam Deck also has a Dock that you can plug to your TV, you'll need controllers but even so it should be much cheaper in the long run since games are extremely affordable compared to Nintendo.

the battery life is not great to say the least (2.5 hours takes me back of the Game Gear in early 90s!)

Haven't seen many benchmarks of the switch to be honest, but that does sound bad, the Deck only gets that bad battery life if you're playing Cyberpunk or something, for more casual games it can get upwards of 6h. Plus you can get power banks that fast large it while playing, which I assume is also possible on the switch although the switch 1 used to have some issues with power banks.

the screen seems to be pretty bad too (at least it's a step back from the OLED one of the Switch)

All but the cheapest Deck models now use a 90Hz OLED panel

the joycons are still not using a Hall effect sensor, meaning they might still be prone to drifting

While the Deck's default sticks are not hall effect, they are easily replaceable and Valve sells hall effect replacements on ifixit, so if you ever get drift in your sticks it's fixable.

most of the games will not be sold as proper cartridges but as download codes

If you're going down this rote Steam sells download codes for much cheaper

the whole thing (console, additional gamepads, games) is quite pricey

The Deck is about the same price, but like I said you'll end up saving in games since you start with your whole Steam Library and can get more games much cheaper.

it's Nintendo, famous for their anti-everything (anti-homebrew, anti-emulation, anti-piracy)

The Deck is by far the most open console you can get, you can even replace the entire OS if you want to, but StramOS is great and you shouldn't need to.

Every piece of news on the Switch 2 made it sound less and less impressive.

I'm the opposite of you, I pretty much buy EVERY console and I'm skipping the Switch 2 for now.

1. Price is too high.
2. Game prices are too high.
3. Cartridges aren't games, they're download keys.
4. Demo that should have been included is a paid demo.
5. Features are pay gated after 1 year (camera).

If you absolutely need to entertain the 7 year old, get a Switch OLED. It's a better deal.

If you don't already have a Switch 1, it's got a pretty great library to catch up on. And I would still recommend getting a Switch 2 over buying a Switch 1 now, because that'll last you this whole generation too. It's also worth noting that the Switch 2 kinda has a secret bonus library of ports that ran poorly on Switch 1 but are miraculously good now.

I also have to be that guy and say to take most of the negativity here with a grain of salt. Put it this way, if you want informed opinions on the system, ask people who actually have one rather than people who don't.

I personally don't recommend anyone get the Switch 2. The new price points are frankly ridiculous, and I'd hate to see that shit get justified by sales.

Personally, I'd recommend looking into handheld PCs. I haven't looked into them much myself due to lack of money, but they're generally much more worth the cost from what I've heard.

All that said, I missed that you were looking for something to play with your 7 year old child. Switch might be better, but any handheld would be... notably destructible, so that's a factor to keep in mind.

Honestly, you should get the OG Switch.

It does everything you're looking for in the Switch 2, but without most of the downsides.

If you haven't had one already, you have a lot of great games to catch up on, which you could buy with the money you'd save by not buying a Switch 2.

I would very much not trust a 7 year old with a 450 USD device but you do you.

Honestly? If what you want is something to play "nintendo games" with the family? I would just go buy one of the pi-like devices or even go full sicko with an FPGA and then totally obviously legitimately purchase and rip every single game you want.

But in all seriousness, a small raspberry pi-like device running ES-DE (fuck the hateful transphobic shithead behind Retroarch) is probably the genuine best choice for someone who wants to play the games of their youth without thinking much. AliExpress is nowhere near as good as it used to be but Retro Game Corps has reviewed a LOT of these kinds of devices over on youtube.

And if you want the portability? You can buy two (there are plenty of gameboy-like devices in that space) and still come in way under the price of a switch 2. Which, again, seven year olds are stupid and destructive.

You vote with your wallet. Look at all the cons you listed and think if you really want to support that. Do you want to tell Nintendo that this is ok, and you'll pay the high price for it?

Have you looked at a Steam deck, or any other alternative like a regular laptop? You can run way more games, including emulating Nintendo games.

I have it and I like it. It’s the switch 1 but with the hardware of the steam deck.

Switch 1 accessories work with switch2, even all of the controllers. Games work better on the new console as well.

The 2.5 hours battery life are more like 2 hours if playing Mario kart with 120fps and high brightness. Games like Deltarune get ~4.5 hours.

This is probably not to place to ask about getting a Nintendo console. Most people here are hardcore pc. (which is fine, but definitely biased).

My personal recommendation is this:

Do you want to play new Nintendo games? Get a switch 2.

Want to older Nintendo games and multiplats? Get a steamdeck.

The screen thing is really overblown. Yes, there are technical analysis that point toward issues. However most people, including myself and several of my friends, don’t notice anything wrong in real life. Maybe if you’re an absolute snob about display tech you’ll notice something is off but that’s it.

If you are planning to play docked with family then the battery life isn’t really an issue.

If you are only going to use it for Switch 2 games then there’s no hurry to buy one now. There’s hardly any. But there’s a big catalog of fun Switch 1 games you can play on it that make it viable to buy now.

I haven't powered on my switch in years, but when I used it, 99% of the time it was docked with a TV, so the battery life and screen didn't matter to me. I would think that's the best setup for family gaming anyway.

The cartridge/download code is a step down in ownership of your games, but that's been a lost battle for years. Steam is widely seen as the standard for gaming, and you are only buying a conditional license when you buy a game on that platform, you don't own those either. This change only really matters if you, personally, rip games from disks/cartridges.

The portable part of the console doesn't seem to matter to you.

So really I think the real question you have to ask yourself is: do you want nintendo games?

If yes, switch 2 seems like a good fit.

Otherwise, most other games are on everything now (PC, xbox and playstation)

Another console might fit your requirements.

If you are willing to disregard thenplug and play, you could also consider a PC with steam big picture: it's pretty close to a console experience.

If you skipped the Switch 1, I think it's worth going for. It's overpriced for the moment - there are only a handful of Switch 2 exclusive games worth playing this year. Even the flagship Mario Kart game is a little weird with how it does some of its modes. But the Switch 1 has an extensive library with plenty of great multiplayer options. If you're ready for a purchase, might as well go ahead and get the 2 so y'all can play the new Nintendo games when you want.

I agree that Nintendo the company is really slimy though, and it does feel a little gross to support them sometimes.

Switch 2 barely has any new games save for the newest Mario Kart and the upcoming Donkey Kong game.

If money is an issue I would just recommend buying a used/refurbished Switch 1. They're going for fairly cheap and most of the library is virtually the same. Most of the first-party games and indies run well on it.

Get a steamdeck and wait for the emulator.

Personally, I’m skipping the Switch 2 because I used my Switch 1 like four times since its launch.

The Switch 2 will likely have games similar to ones that came before it, so if you haven’t been tempted into trying those, you probably won’t be into the new ones.

Like, I’d want the Switch 2 for Mario Kart World but then realized that I played Kart 8 like twice. Online play didn’t scratch the itch, my wife sucked at it, and it was hard to get a group IRL together to play often.

Maybe try emulating some of the older versions of games you’re interested in. It’ll at least give you an idea of how much fun you’d have on the newer versions.

Also ask yourself if you’re a handheld gamer. I don’t think I am which is why I also don’t use my steam deck ever.

Get the OG switch.

Currently the switch two has exactly one game out for it. Mario Kart World.

Whose big feature is a single player open world.

I have one and I can tell you that even though it's not an OLED, the screen is not bad in the slightest. It's really big, super sharp, and the high refresh rate just makes anything that takes advantage of it look fantastic. The battery is more or less the same as the Switch 1. It's also pretty comparable to my Steam Deck. It really just depends on the game. I tend to keep a charger nearby and I haven't had it come close to dying on me yet. While some of the joycons may have an issue with drift, I am sure plenty of them won't. I haven't had an issue with mine yet, and I can say they are a massive step up from the Switch 1 joycons. It is definitely pricey and that is certainly a valid concern. There will still be plenty of physical carts released, that really depends on what the developer wants to do. Nintendo definitely has that strong anti piracy stance and that does have the potential to cause issues. But if you don't use it for anything other than legitimately purchased games, it's extremely unlikely that you'll run into any issues caused by it.

This is all subjective, but because of nintendo's bs, switch 2 is their first console I have almost zero interest getting. If your kids specifically really want the switch, they'll be disappointed by anything else, but if not, I recommend looking into steam deck or other linux handhelds. There are lots of good PC games that fit the bill. Because of indie devs, the selection is should be a lot larger even.

Switch 1 would be my recommendation.