Topic: A few questions about the console.

I might buy a switch mainly to play nintendo games but I want to know about the console first so I have a few questions

How comfortable/good is to play in handheld mode? Especially games like smash, mario kart, mh, fighters z and others. And when is in dock mode how goor or bad is that weird "block" controller?
Or you have to buy the pro controller to have the best experience? I talking for offline gameplay, not really care about the online.

Can you play while charging the console?

How much time takes to recharge entirely?

Is there any way, like a code in the box, to know if the console is a recent version?

1. It depends on how large your hands are. Mine are decently sized and I have no problems with it. It might get uncomfortable on extended play sessions, as the sweat really builds up.
2. What do you mean by the block controller? Are you talking about the Joy-Con Grip? If so, it’s pretty good. I’d recommend a Pro over it, but I wouldn’t say that the Grip is a last resort.
3. For maximum comfort, a Pro would be ideal. It also has a pretty good D-pad, imo.
4. You can play while charging in handheld and docked mode. Tabletop won’t work while charging since the port is on the bottom of the Switch.
5. A couple of hours, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
6. I do not believe there is a way to tell if it is the most recent version. It doesn’t really matter, though. Launch day problems are all resolved.

I'd answer, but the above answer seems quite complete. I'll also mention that I play handheld about 50% of the time, and unless I'm really running the battery down (I once did a 3-hour Zelda session while my girlfriend watched Eurovision...) I never found it uncomfortable.

I also finished my first 80-hour playthrough of Zelda before I got a Pro Controller, so I used the joycon in the grip, and it was perfectly fine for my medium-sized mitts.

Also, a quick google search lets you figure out the production version of your switch by the serial number on the bottom. I wouldn't worry about it, though, all the launch issueas have been fixed.

@TimE_Zer0 I play 85% of the time in handheld. It's great.

When I'm not playing handheld I only ever use the joy cons - separated, one in each hand - works for every game I have, no problem. Never used the grip, don't need it and don't feel the need for a pro controller, though a d-pad left joy con would be nice.

Yes, you can charge and play. I charge while playing handheld, when playing tabletop (resting my Switch in the stand I got with my 3DS copy of Kid Icarus - this has a gap in it for a cable; other stands are available), and when playing docked.

@gcunit
LOL
I have some difficulty when playing ARMS without Joy Con grip on Table Top mode.
But, when the Joy Cons are attached on Joy Con grip or being on Handheld, i can move and strike aggresively. 🤓

The system, when compared to other portable gaming devices (PS Vita, 3DS, etc), is large. I'd say too large for kids to hold for an extended amount of time. Or even someone like me who deals with arthritis, extended playtime while laying in bed can lead to fatigue in the hands. But this isn't a deal breaker. I play in handheld mode, sitting upright, about 85%-90% of the time comfortably.

System version? You can do that by going to the systems menu before connecting the Switch to the internet. I assume you're asking that question because you intend to hack the console? Regardless, the hacking scene for the Switch is moving forward so fast that I doubt any particular version of the console would hold someone back.

@GyroZeppeli How can you charge while playing in handheld mode?

As for the rest of questions, I too play mainly in handheld mode, it's comfortable and the most powerful portable system ever made. And yes, I think it's a handheld that can be played on the TV too, but usually you have other consoles to play on TV and the Switch has the on-the-go feature as its strongest selling point.

The battery doesn't last long, but that's the downside of handheld consoles anyway. You shouldn't play more than 3 hours in a row anyway.

The only complaint I have is the vibration is so strong it has a "metallic" sound on it that other vibration methods seen in other systems don't have. I should feel the vibration, not hear a sound.

@Moroboshi876 The Switch can be charged in handheld mode like any handheld console. Just plug in the charger. I assume you don't have a regular USB-C charger cable like you'd get for some smartphones nowadays but you can purchase them literally anywhere. I have about four spare to hand so charging my Switch as I play it in handheld is never an issue.

@ThatNyteDaez Ah, OK, I thought you meant completely handheld, as in not being limited to sitting on the couch. I must have one of those cables, although I have a Huawei now and those devices have their own standard sadly. But I though the Switch had some specific requirements as to what kind of chargers you could use on it. If you mean just plugging it into a running PC or something, then I understand.

But anyway, I can play on the bus to and from work, and that's a total of 80 minutes a day, so it's not a problem. I just need to remember to not keep the Switch on its case without charging it or the other day I won't be able to play those 80 minutes.

@Moroboshi876 Well you can get a portable power bank....so you can recharge without being tied to the couch

@NEStalgia Yes, that's what I meant: apparently you can't buy whichever you want. Switch appears to be picky and could break, or at least it's what people said when they came out.

Just use the wall charger that originally came with the console.

I use a phone charger and a USB A-C cable. Not as fast as the original charger but it still charges whilst playing. The original charger stays hocked up to the dock - it would be a lot more faff to unplug and carry that every time I take the Switch out.

I bought a satisfye grip and it has transformed the console. Any sort of action game I didn’t go near in handheld mode previously - The right joystick is just far too unnaturally placed (understand why but it greatly affects the use of the console in handheld mode)

Now - with the satisfye - it’s amazing. Playing Fifa, Zelda, Mark Of The Ninja, Skyrim - utterly amazing now. I don’t think I will remove the grip tbh - definitely now my go to console (I have a PS4, Xbox one and a decent pc)

Simple enough go and play Demo setup at GameStop to get in-person experience.

HandHeld mode is find but you need something like "GripCase" to have better grip on the console itself. Block? What is that? Dock Mode gives you 1080p assuming your TV is a HD 1080 model otherwise you will have to invest New TV with 1080 resolution.

Yes you can but you need to use the Charging cord from the Dock to charge while you play or you have to buy other hardware and do your own ext charging so you can keep playing.

Best to leave overnight at least 16 hours to charge before using that is what I did.

The only one with codes are Switch that has included game packaged as Digital download but those will cost you far more than the MSRP standard Switch units. Standard = 299.99+tax , Bundle are 359.99+tax.
You will have to choose which you want but my money is Standard and then you can eShop the game you want or get the physical games you want.

More great advice, you're killing it tonight. 16 hours? What in the actual? How are you charging it - with a potato?

I would think it’s more of a “$1,000 capture card plugged into the outlet” charging method. Potatoes aren’t bad at anything.

Thanks for the replies guys,

No I not intend hack the console when I say I don't care about the online it's mainly because I have read of how bad is the online and sometimes with a lot of hacks (splatoon 2). The question was because for instance with the PS4 you know the year of the console due to a code in the box, so you know "PS4 2018" are betters that the ones came out first.
I don't want to buy the console and have a problem with the buttoms or stick which are, usually, problems related with the first version of production.

I have three more questions:

A micro SD of 128GB it will be enough? I'm interesting at the moment in 4 games: smash, mk 8, hyrule warriors and pokemon go eve (....pikachu). I think with that 4 games I should have fun for months and then try more games.

Can you connect headphones to the switch in both handheld and dock mode?

Difference between the dock and the tabletop?

@TimE_Zer0
1. 128 GB will definitely be enough for those 4 games. If you are planning to go all digital, however, you will need a bigger SD card.
2. Yes and no. Headphones technically can be plugged into the Switch’s jack in every mode, but the controllers don’t have a headphone jack, so you would have to be close to the dock if using wired headphones. It should work with Bluetooth headphones if you have a dongle to put in the jack.
3. Docked is pretty much tabletop mode but on a larger screen. Also, the stand for tabletop is a bit flimsy.

This is why we call a Troll a TROLL. Someone whom has nothing better to say shouldn't say anything.