Can Nintendo’s Newest Console Switch Up Gaming?

One of gaming’s biggest companies, Nintendo, launched their latest console earlier this
Month called the Nintendo Switch.

But how good is it, really? Can it stand side by side with other giants in the industry’s products?

The Nintendo Switch is marked at only $299.99, which is extremely good for the launch price of a console, since Sony’s Playstation 4 started out at $399.99 and Microsoft’s Xbox One started at a whopping $499.99.

The console comes packed with the console itself, two mini-controllers which Nintendo calls “Joy-Cons,” a more conventional controller that you slide the Joy-Cons into. a couple cords, and a dock. The dock is where the name really comes in: It allows you to seamlessly switch in between the different modes of the console.

The Nintendo Switch’s design allows it to function in two modes: using a hand-held mode, and–like a conventional console– on your TV. Both modes have their own separate benefits. The hand-held mode allows gamers to take any game anywhere, meaning you won’t have to stop playing when you’re on the go, or when someone calls for your help. The TV mode allows for a larger screen to play on, and has moderately better graphics. But the difference in speed and graphics in the different modes are truly almost unrecognizable.
The home screen for the Switch is fairly simplistic, more similar to a phone’s home screen than that of a Playstation or an Xbox. It focuses on the games and apps, making them the biggest thing, and putting them directly in the middle.

On the bottom, there’s a multitude of useful apps and tools, allowing you to access things like the system settings and the virtual store. In the top right, you can see the time, wifi connection, and battery percentage. The minimalistic interface prevents confusion, or having to hunt down exactly what you’re looking for.

The Switch comes packaged with all the essentials for enjoying your new console, but some of the accessories will make your gaming experience much more enjoyable. The Pro Controller is more of a traditional controller, and it’s honestly the best controller I’ve ever used. It’s large enough to fit in bigger hands, and not too large for those with smaller hands.

As for the buttons, they are smooth and responsive, and the joysticks are very fluid. It also holds a charge of an insane 40 hours! That’s like three charges of an Iphone. This is honestly a must-have for any gamers looking for a very conventional, comfortable controller.

Other accessories include a multitude of different travel cases to keep the machine safe while on the go, screen protectors, and extra Joy-cons.

The console does have some important flaws though. As with Nintendo’s last console, the WiiU, there were very few games available at launch. So for the past couple weeks, the Switch has basically been a Legend of Zelda machine. However, Nintendo has promised that more companies are going to be producing games for their console, which hopefully turns out to be true.

There’s also rumors of the dock scratching the screen of the Switch and of the left Joy-Con un-syncing, but after roughly three weeks of play, I haven’t experienced either of these problems. Nintendo is also infamous for not producing enough stock of their products for everywhere but Japan. Most people that hadn’t preordered the Switch weren’t able to get one, unless they were it was extremely lucky (which is what happened in my case). But to rectify this, Nintendo has already provided more stock to companies for purchase.

Overall, I give the Switch a great 9 bad tasting cartridges out of 10. The system is excellent for all types of gaming, and I expect much more to come!