Switch it up!

So, I bought a Nintendo Switch...


...which puts me in possession of all the three major console families this generation. Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and now, Nintendo's Switch. Just like the previous generation debut with the Wii, Nintendo have opted for something that sets itself far away from the graphics heavy and powerful consoles Sony and Microsoft offer.

While previous Nintendo consoles have attempted to capture another market and audience than the typical teenage/adult market of action games, Switch simply tries to market itself as something different. Both physically as a hybrid console, but also with a different kind of software line-up with Nintendo franchises the competitors do not have. It's about new and old ideas blended.

If Nintendo's Wii proved anything, it's that under powered and unique can sell, incredibly so, in fact. We mustn't forget that the Wii outsold both the PS3 and 360, by a significant number. This was alongside Nintendo selling insane amounts of Nintendo DS's and 3DS's at the same time too.


So, while the HD effort of the Wii U felt like a halfway and miscalculated step from Nintendo, thus falling into obscurity, the Switch feels like something brand new and fresh. It blurs the line between handheld and stationary consoles, making itself a convenient hybrid. Yet, it brings over  the innovative DNA that the Wii and Wii U brought to the market: a controller in two separated parts, gyro controls and touchscreen.

Technically, the Switch is a souped up handheld tablet that can further boost itself when docked as a traditional, stationary, console. Nintendo's goal, as it seems, isn't to compete on pushing technical boundaries with 4K, HDR and graphical power like Sony and MS. No, it's about delivering something that's it's own thing. This choice of goal has paid off already, as Switch has become as huge success for Nintendo. Deservedly so.

As an owner of the competing consoles, my aim for the Switch is to catch up on  Nintendo exclusives and maybe some interesting third party releases suited for the system. After all, Nintendo have done a nice job at doing their best to optimise Switch titles to perform well on the hardware.

We've seen Wii U ports receiving a boost to 1080p, titles that deserve more attention than on the Wii U's mediocre sales. I'm glad to see ports of Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, Captain Toad and Mario Kart 8 for instance, all Wii U titles. 

Ports aside though, Switch's heavy hitters at launch are the two titles that have really sold the system in for players. Namely, Super Mario Odyssey and Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

The console


Let's begin with the actual console, then take the controllers separately as they are a bit confusing in their numerous ways of usage. At first glance the main part of the Switch has a distinct tablet design to it, reaching as far as being Android based at it's core. It's most iconic with it's Joy-Cons in red and blue attached to it's sides. It's become a recognisable design, with Nintendo going for a old school look on the logo.

As a tablet it's a little chunky with the overly thick frame to the screen, however, considering the power this little device pushes, it's a fairly compact device. It's portable, but not pocket portable.

Alongside the actual Switch, a docking bay is included. This square shaped holder sets the console in docked mode and houses a power and HDMI socket. Docking the Switch results in the performance being boosted, typically going from a handheld resolution of 600-720p up to 900-1080p. It's a cool feature and helps the games look better on a large TV with higher resolution, while saving battery power in handheld mode.

The screen on the Switch has a fairly sharp picture, with a native 720p output. Games that go below this resolution in handheld mode can look blurry on the screen. Luckily, Nintendo's first party titles hit the native 720p mode, mostly. The Switch can be placed with a somewhat flimsy plastic stand on a table too, for when you're on the move in handheld mode, aimed for multiplayer on an airplane flight tray or a train table for instance.


The docking station will also charge the console. It's all cleverly designed to easily switch between handheld and docked mode. Therein the Switch brand name. Placed vertically in the docking, I appreciate the sleek and small design of the console. The only downside is that the docking station seems like a place where you can easily scratch your screen if you're not careful taking it in and out. 

Overall, the Switch is sleek looking, although it dangerously balances between two chairs by being under powered for stationary and too large for portable mode. The end result works fine though.

The controllers


When it comes to controllers, well there's quite a few official ways to play. Out of the box you get two Joy-Cons, one left and one right, meant to be held vertically. These, ingeniously enough, work as two tiny NES-like pads horizontally. Two player action straight out of the box, without further controller purchases needed, very neat!

These Joy-Cons can be attached to the main Switch console so the whole thing looks like a big handheld or removed and used separately in each hand. You can even widen them slightly with some hand strap modules that make the L and R buttons more accessible, these straps are included with the console.


The Joy-Cons can also be placed into a controller shell, which is included. This aptly nicknamed "dogface" controller basically gathers the Joy-Cons together in a traditional controller shell. However, it isn't a very comfortable controller fit in my opinion and kind of a cheap solution, but it's included so we can't really complain. I prefer to avoid it.


The solution to get a "traditional" controller is the official "Pro Controller". This is available separately, slightly above an Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controller in price. Although the main principal idea of the Switch are the Joy-Cons and their diversity in usage, it's nice with an alternative quality controller. After all, it's mainly the first party titles that utilise the Joy-Cons in clever ways, a lot of third party titles don't.

The Pro controller is fantastic quality. It's no secret that I've never been much fond of the PlayStation controllers, with their out-dated DualShock layout and weirdly placed symmetrical analogue sticks. Luckily, Nintendo have opted for the left analogue stick in the main position, just like the fantastic Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers.

I quickly realised this controller is just as good as Microsoft's effort on the XB1 controllers. I'd say their neck to neck in the ergonomic grip, button layout and quality of build. A nice step above the cheaper feel of a PS4 controller.

The XB1's controller still has the edge when it comes to the analogue triggers and deeper joystick tops, but Nintendo has the better shoulder buttons and
 their superior d-pad. Both the Nintendo and Microsoft controllers support the great HD rumble.

Sadly, the triggers on the Switch Pro Controller are merely buttons and cannot be used the way the XB1's analogue triggers can. For gradual acceleration and deceleration in racing games for instance. A bit of a miss to have the triggers digital only.

As a whole though, this controller is a highly recommended, if not a must-buy!

The games and UI

Physical Switch games use cartridges for their storage. It's a departure from the recent handheld devices, like the 3DS and PS Vita, that utilise flashcards. The cartridges have a small form factor, reminding me of a chunkier PS Vita card. The games are packed in small cases which are the height of a Blu-ray, but with a much smaller depth.

Games can obviously be purchased on the Nintendo eShop too. With a typically smaller download size compared to the massive PS4 and XB1 titles. However, the internal storage space on the Switch is very sparse, 32GB. You can extend the storage by using a SD flashcard, but be aware that saves from games cannot be transferred between storage mediums. Hopefully this gets fixed, when Nintendo now introduces clouds saves with their online subscription system.


I like the visual look of the Switch user interface, it's stylish and easy to navigate, with recognisable icons. Perhaps a bit on the large size on a big TV, but I guess it's done so to match the small handheld screen. Not the sharpest of picture quality, running at 720p regardless of docked or not, but I found it a breeze to navigate. The way the UI sorts you games on a horizontal axis, I could imagine becomes cluttered over time. Perhaps they will add folder options down the road.

Much like the XB1 and PS4, the Switch has a home button that puts you back to the home screen while having your current game suspended in the background. At the home screen you can check settings, visit the store or check what friends are doing. 
Suspend mode, in general, is fantastic. Much because of the handheld feature I presume, it powers up your console from sleep and straight into the game you're running in no time!

I really dislike the short username and the fact that it isn't unique, as such you need to share a long and cumbersome "Friend code" to add people to your friend list. It seems outdated and stupid way to add friends.

Conclusion

While the Switch has already received quite a few third party ports from major titles, it's not a console I'd recommend if you have no interest in first party Nintendo titles. It's not a console best suited for the powerhouse game genres like first person shooters or racing games, that push on the hardware limits.

However, as a family device that easily transforms from a docked console to a handheld device and with multiplayer so prominent as a feature, especially with the fantastic idea of two small Joy-cons, it's highly recommended. Where Nintendo seemed to miss the target audience with the Wii U, they've dangerously aimed off course from Xbox and PlayStation with the Switch, yet seem to have hit a jackpot idea. It's different, and brilliantly so. 

My main gripe would be the price, with the undeniable lower specifications than the cheaper and more powerful Xbox One or PlayStation 4 competitors. It depends on how important Nintendo's first party titles are for you and if you'll use it in combination with travelling. It's Nintendo though, their hardware has always been on pricey side. A more aggressive price strategy might make the system sell even more, making third party developers even more interested in porting their games over to the system.


Describing the console is harder than actually letting people try one and understand it's potential. I really believe Nintendo have hit a home run with the Switch and returned to their, albeit under powered, ingenious thinking when it comes to approaching gaming in new ways. Much like how the Wii became such a tremendous success.


Switch is a console you can't help but love once you've tried one!