Have you ever wanted to take your console games on the go but retain the ability to play them on your tv? Do you miss the old days where you and your friends could sit side by side and play games? Do you miss when developers made games to be fun and worry less about graphics?
This is BAD tech and Gaming's review of the Nintendo Switch and how it intends to answer those questions!!
Stick around for the conclusion for our buying recommendation at the end.
We will have 4 different categories to help us understand the Switch Great Good Bad Horrible
Starting with the GREATS
In the Box
what you get in the box is actually more than most people usually talk about. You get the joy con controllers (which we will go over in the good category) a controller mount the switch and two pieces that attach to the joy con controllers to make then each a controller. The fact that you can use the in box controller as two separate controllers as well helps to show what the versatility of this product actually is. In the box you also get the console a power plug and the TV dock. Compared to Microsoft and Sony this decision seems out of place.
Switching?
Continuing with the greats one of the biggest questions I had was how would this device actually connect to the tv and how glitchy would it be. Thanks to the SUB C port it is seamless really you plug it in and bam just like that its on, not to mention if the console and tv are off but the console is in the dock it can turn your TV on. I have the Vizio Smart tv with Chromecast built in so your results can vary with that trick.
Moving forward Usability makes it into the great category the switch delivers 100% on its promise to take your console games on the go but retain the ability to play them on your tv. I have played this on break at work, at a friends house not on a tv, at home, outside, at Panera Bread (as I am writing this). Because of this it makes other consoles fell immediately outdated in that regard.
Ports
Nintendo making the decision to make the Type C port and the SD card universal is an amazing decision as usually they are very proprietary not to mention they did include a headphone jack which is always welcome.
Games
The Game selection is amazing with their 1st party selection being great with no signs of slowing down, with Super smash bros, Animal crossing and many other games coming soon it really feels like They are throwing all they got at this console. That’s not even including 3rd party games like Stardew Valley, Rocket League and more. The games that are coming out fir the system really feel more like 2 player games, which brings back that old feeling of the N64 this is an amazing thing that keeps games more interesting for longer periods of time as different people play games in different ways making it more challenging.
Old School Fun
Last thing in the great category is how this thing brings back the old school gaming where you played right next to your friend or friends and the online service doesn’t feel like the primary way you want to play the switch even though I do.
Moving on to the GOODS
Build
The build quality is just ok on the new Nintendo it is all plastic and I can already feel my left Joy Con getting loose and I have only had it for two months This makes me really worry about this device in the long run however time will tell.
Overheating?
The heat distribution and air vents are great in handheld mode but it always seems to heat up when it is in the dock, I suppose that could be because it is blocking the bottom two air vents.
Compared to Others
One more good thing is really the specs it is very underpowered compared to the other two main consoles however it the reason why it is the goods is because all of the first party games look fantastic and while on 3rd party games like Rocket League you can see the difference it really doesn’t steal from the games experience unless you compare the xbox one side by side with the Switch.
JOY CONS!
Now as amazing the Joy Cons are they can be in the greats as they simply disconnect from the switch way to easily, I can be sitting 8 feet from the switch playing on my tv but it will disconnect for what feels like no reason this is just not good at all and makes me miss shots in Rocket League frequently, Come on Nintendo this was sooooooooo close to great. Especially since you can use each Joy Con as an individual controller.
Onto the BADs
Longevity Concerns
There are a few things here and the first one we already touched on so I wont harp on it but I really worry about the longevity of this device.
Software
Next is software, while the UI that they have come up with works GREAT it is lacking so much like customizability of any kind. Also there are no apps for YouTube, Netflix or any streaming apps accept HULU which is annoying. Lastly here is there is no support for Streaming at all, while not a problem for most people. With most kids and teens playing this having a YouTube channel it doesn’t make sense as this would be a great way to get more information about your games out there to the world, word of mouth from actual people. There are ways to stream but it costs more Money.
Price?
Final thing in the BAD category is the price being at $300 I do love this console I does feel overpriced. With Xbox and PlayStation offering so many more things in their systems like native streaming, entertainment apps, they are more like media hubs that you can also play games on and its all blue ray capable. It just seems Nintendo is almost pulling an Apple here
There is only one Horrible thing in this review
The Kickstand
It is flimsy one sided and plastic. This makes for a not good experience uness you are on a very even and flat surface. It has no adjustable modes as well. Nintendo at least make it metal or give us one on each side. If the table is tilted at all the device just falls and we already know that the build quality is concerning. I have used it in the past but you are better off buying a 3dr party holder for it.
IN CONCLUSION
YES The developers of Nintendo really bring together people to play their favorite childhood games in a very satisfying
Way and YES they deliver in their promise to bring console games to life on a mobile platform. I have not this much fun playing games in a long time and the best part about it, I get to choose how I want to play them and where I want to play them. I highly recommend the NINTENDO SWITCH and will leave a link in the description below to purchase one. One Final question for you, What are you waiting for will you make the Switch?