Nintendo Switch Review

Nintendo Switch Review: Reason to Avoid Nintendo Switch

The gaming industry has changed a lot since the console, codenamed NX, was officially announced as the Nintendo Switch on October 21, 2016.

While Sony and Microsoft have struggled to keep up with demand for their next-gen consoles, Nintendo has continued to go strong with the Nintendo Switch, breaking sales records and creating a hybrid device that’s as comfortable at home as it is on the street. go.

What’s more, the platform’s early software issues have been conveniently pushed aside, with massive epic titles like Breath of the Wild joining remastered classics like L.A Noire and Diablo 3. Now there are so many games to choose from that it’s hard to make a choice. determine the ultimate link to the best Switch games.

This is indicative of how innovative the Switch is as a game console, as neither the Playstation 5 nor the Xbox Series X chose to offer similar features to the Nintendo handheld console, instead focusing on home graphical and speed improvements.

As we get closer to the traditional midpoint of the console’s life cycle, rumors are mounting about a new Nintendo Switch Pro console that promises to improve performance in terms of both graphical capabilities and processing speed.

But until that happens, we’re still happy to report that the Nintendo Switch is a must-have console. Ideal for both family co-op games and large-scale single player games, the Switch continues to deliver on its promise years after launch.

Design: It just feels good

If this was a first impressions review, we’d hand over the nuclear codes to Nintendo and be done with it. Right out of the box, the Switch is an amazing console. While there’s nothing unique about the tablet itself, aside from the logo on the back, ample ventilation, and a kickstand, the magic starts when you insert the Joy-Con controllers. Each Joy-Con controller slides along rails on either side of the console until it clicks so you know when it’s secure (the console also makes a “click” sound when turned on, which accentuates each Switch trailer).

In their handheld form, the Switch’s controls are more console-like than any other handheld device I’ve ever used. This is not surprising. Bridging the line between console and handheld is the goal of the Switch. What was a pleasant surprise was the size of the Switch with the Joy-Cons strapped on. I was expecting the display to be much larger based on what we saw in the launch trailer, and then the contrast from seeing first hand made me worry that maybe it was too small. After spending some time with the Switch, you feel just right.

The screen is big enough for two players to play from about a meter away, but not so big that the device feels unwieldy in your hands. Holding it with one hand is a little uncomfortable, but no more than a regular tablet. There was definitely an adjustment period when we first got our Switch, but it was more of an issue with button placement than size. It’s also been amplified by Breath of the Wild’s confusing controls (Oh my God), so it’s hard to blame the Switch itself.

The controls get a little tighter when you’re docked and using the Joy-Con’s grip. I often find myself reaching over the top to press the X button with my index finger while my thumb rotates the Y and B buttons. This problem is not enough to make me stop using the Joy-Con grip even with an easily accessible controller Pro (I often pick whichever controller is closest) but it’s noticeable and can be a problem for anyone with bigger hands than my little pygmy hands.

The Switch’s docking station is pleasantly sophisticated. It’s small enough to fit in the small remaining space next to the TV on my entertainment device, where the Xbox One and PlayStation won’t fit.

It’s also a surprisingly simple setup. The power cord and HDMI connector are neatly hidden under a door on the back of the docking station. If you’re a Joy-Cons fanatic, you also have the added benefit of forgoing charging cables. The natural home of the Joy-Con is attached to the ends of the Switch console where they charge. As long as you remember to bathe at the end of the night and brush your teeth twice a day, you should live life without any unsightly mess.

Performance: It’s not powerful

In this review, I won’t go into too much detail on the Switch’s specs. As it became known a few months before its launch, the switch runs on a special Nvidia Tegra chip with an architecture similar to the Tegra X1 mobile processor. No, it’s not going to compete with the PS5 or Xbox Series X, and there are a lot of big AAA games that the Switch just can’t handle (although it can play The Witcher 3 and Skyrim, and that should be enough for just about anyone).

Nintendo was never looking to “finally enter the console race” despite everyone constantly comparing it to those two. The bottom line is this: Breath of the Wild is a massive game with no load times (except for fast travel, shrines, and death) and looks amazing on both the Switch display and my 55-inch TV. There were a few noticeable framerate drops as I devastated the Bokobolin camp with a chain blast. While noticeable, it’s not overly dramatic, and in my experience, the problem wasn’t solely related to the docking station or portable device.

The Switch’s 6.2-inch, 720p touchscreen isn’t as loud and bright as you’d expect from the latest tablets, and it suffers a little in the sun, but is still manageable. Like most tablets, the Switch’s display really shines when you’re gaming in the dark of the night, but even with a little shading, it still looks like nothing we’ve ever seen on a handheld console.

All this is passable. Graphics freaks will probably scoff at the 1280×720 display, but the techie will enjoy console quality on the go.

The real problem I’ve had with the Switch is the battery. Nintendo listed an estimated battery life of 3 hours for more intense titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and around 6.5 hours for less intense titles. I managed about 2 hours and 40 minutes for each loose session of Breath of the Wild. 2 hours and 40 minutes isn’t bad for a huge game like Breath of the Wild, but that’s not the main problem.

When you see that alarmingly flashing red light on your 3DS, you simply find the nearest charger, plug it in, and go.

Switch doesn’t have that. We hit about 5% battery when we reached for a USB-C cable plugged into the wall. Although the Switch assured us it was charging, the battery continued to drain. The only way to continue the game is to return to the pier.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a console that’s being sold for its versatility; The console, which has enjoyed great success, is a seamless transition between handheld and couchet gaming. This is not a problem when docked (thankfully) as the switch takes the load off the display.

The final downside when it comes to the switch hardware is the 32GB onboard memory. What a ridiculously small amount of storage for a $469.95 console that has already announced games that take up half that. The only option here is to purchase additional storage in the form of a microSD card. Fortunately, this is any microSD card, unlike the expensive proprietary PS Vita cards.

32 GB is still cheap. The smallest iPhone 12 comes with 64GB of internal storage. My PS5 (which I constantly have to delete games from) has over 500GB. In theory, you can increase the Switch’s storage capacity with a 2TB microSDXC card, but the extra cost will really affect your credit card balance.

Nintendo Switch games

Over 100 games were released for the Nintendo Switch in its first year. The list includes well-known franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario and Bomberman, as well as a huge selection of quality indie games such as Shovel Knight.

It has since expanded to over 3,500 games worldwide. A huge number of these games are also made by small indie studios, so there are many types of games that you can play.

Another highlight of Switch games is the re-release of classic games like Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Final Fantasy XII. Being able to take some of these epic epics with you on the road is what really sets the Switch apart from newer PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

So should you buy the Nintendo Switch?

Buy it if: You want to just play games for fun.
Don’t buy it if: You are a serious gamer.

There is no doubt, Nintendo has created a masterpiece with the Switch. Based on your experience with the Wii, Nintendo’s console is a perfect hybrid – marrying portability with the power to deliver huge, complex games in a device you can use on the go or on vacation.

With rumors of the Switch Pro launching imminent, there’s potentially some justification for holding off on buying a Switch now. But with the arrival of new hardware, older hardware typically gets a discounted price, meaning you can bargain on the current Switch.

Either way, you owe it to yourself and your family to own a Switch.

Pricing and availability

Price
₹26,470.00

Where to buy

Amazon

Nintendo Switch hardware

A Switch tablet, a docking station with HDMI output, and two Joy-Con controllers are included with the Nintendo Switch. Here is all the information you require regarding Nintendo hardware.

Nintendo Switch

What is a Switch if it has so many detachable components? Technically speaking, the Nintendo Switch is the tablet that powers the console. The Switch Dock, two Joy-Con controllers, and all essential cords are included in the console’s exclusive bundle, which is sold separately from the console itself.

Nintendo Switch Price

HardwarePrice
Nintendo Switch Console Grey₹27,399.0
Nintendo Switch Console Blue and Red Neon₹26,470

Thanks to our 10% GST, the Nintendo Switch is slightly more expensive in Australia than in other countries (but it’s worse in New Zealand).

Nintendo Switch Specs

The Switch’s specifications were surely the subject of wild rumours prior to the formal release. Even though we know a lot more about the system, there are still many things we don’t, such the precise power of the Switch’s unique Nvidia Tegra chipset. Here are the specifications of the Switch that we do know.

Nintendo SwitchSpecs
Display6.2-inch
Resolution1280×720
ProcessorCustom Nvidia Tegra-based system-on-a-chip (SOC)
Internal memory32GB
Expandable memoryUp to 2TB (Micro SDXC)
Audio2 speakers, 3.5mm headphone hack
Battery life3 – 6 hours
ChargingUSB-C
SensorsBrightness sensor
Nintendo Switch Specs

Joy-Con controllers

The Joy-Con controllers are a crucial component of the Switch’s hardware, whether it is used in handheld mode, dock mode, or tabletop mode.

There are grey and red/blue neon versions of the Joy-Cons. Additionally, they are adaptable to a number of attachments, including wheel frames and charging grips.

With the exception of a share button and a different joystick positioning, the Wii U gamepad’s button layout is shared by the Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch.

New capabilities including HD Rumble and an IR Sensor are available on the Joy-Cons. When compared to the latter, the former can distinguish between movement, shape, and distance while simulating real-world experiences like ice rattling in a glass. You could play scissors, paper, rock, for instance, and the Switch would be able to track your hand movement, the distance it is from the sensor, and the action you selected.

Joy-Con specs

When separated, the Joy-Con controllers are relatively compact. The details for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are listed below.

Joy-ConSpecs
Height102mm
Width35.99mm
Depth28.4mm
Weight101.5g
BatteryLithium Ion
Battery lifeApprox. 20 hours

Reason to Avoid Nintendo Switch

It’s acceptable if you exclusively use your console to play games. However, the Switch’s lack of additional streaming options is a grave missed opportunity. Consider how wonderful it would be to watch services like HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix while on the go.

There is no conventional backwards compatibility with the Nintendo Switch. Your GameCube, Wii, and Wii U games won’t operate because there isn’t a disc drive. However, don’t imagine that your DS or 3DS cartridges will function here either.

No one can deny the Wii U’s failure. Nintendo has taken advantage of this opportunity to repackage a number of its top Wii U games for the Switch. The Wii U was the launch platform for games including Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Super Mario 3D World.

Trophies are on the PlayStation, and accomplishments are on Xbox. The Switch is empty. That won’t be important to some people. Earning achievements is fun for some people. Some programmers throw them in as an afterthought, while others utilise them as incentives for completing tasks or finding Easter eggs.

The Joy-Con controllers on the Nintendo Switch are among its major issues. Players have been cursed by the curse of drifting Joy-Cons ever since the Switch arrived in 2017. At this point, the analogue sticks start to move a little bit on their own, which interferes with input.

With regard to internet capabilities, Nintendo has always lagged behind, and the Switch is no different. Paying for online multiplayer is not only cheeky in and of itself, but you also don’t really get that much in return.

Is Buying a Nintendo Switch a Good Idea?

It’s excellent if after reading this you don’t think there are any serious issues. The Nintendo Switch is loved by millions of people, and you can join them. However, we believe that these arguments are convincing enough to make considering purchasing a Nintendo Switch difficult.

Nintendo should continue to make improvements to the Switch for a very long time, even though we believe some of these issues may never be solved.

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