Topic: Is switch a good alternative to other consoles?

Regardless of how little time I have to game now due to work, children, family etc, I can live without Sony and Microsoft's offerings each generation, because as awesome as they may be, I won't have the time for them. Nintendo though? No. Whether I buy it on launch day or years into its life, I need a Nintendo console in my life to game on when I'm in the mood or have the time or energy.

Haven't touched my PS4 since getting my Switch on day one. Haven't looked back since. I will say that going the PlayStation + Nintendo console route has always been my thing too, like some others here have already mentioned. But Nintendo's games have always done a much better job at gripping me and bringing me back for the replayability. Sony's games are fine... for a one-off tbh. (Excluding Rain World & Dragons Dogma!) but honestly I'd pick the Nintendo Switch over the PS4 any day just because it has the games I want and that portability is a godsend!

I was playing Disgaea 5 on the train just the other day and Implosion on the bus this morning! And when Splatoon 2 comes out, I know I'll be playing that game online in the mornings to and from work (with each match only being five minutes at most, I can at least afford 3 uninterrupted matches at a time)! And that's amazing no matter how you look at it.

It all depends about the games you want to play. I am quite happy with nintendos portfolio, dont really care about third party too much etc. - will definitely not buy skyrim or fifa. If somebody is interested in games like gta, cod, etc, then it makes sense to buy sony or ms and have a switch in order to play nintendo games, that being said a nintendo console is primarily designed to play nintendo games, if somebody doesnt like nintendo games then it makes absolutely no sense to buy the switch.

@Grumblevolcano

It's way to early to judge the Switch about third party support!

"Third party support" can be a lot of things.

If you mean the typical big western coss-platform games, that is also coming to PS4 and X1, then your probably right. Switch will perhaps not get so many of these kind of games, witch also have something to do with the technical limitations of the console.

But "Third party support" is so much more. The 3DS has actually great third party support from Japanese developers, and there are many games on 3DS, that you will never find on any other platform.

I could easily see the Switch go the same route as the 3DS. It's sell's so well in Japan, that Japanese third party developers will make a lot of great games for the system in the future. No doubt about that.

And if the Switch also continues to sell well in the West, then western publishers can't keep ignoring it forever. Again, the big Super Ultra technical 4K HD games will probably never come to the Switch. But western developers will produce other kind of games for it, if it keeps selling. And then they will also try to port all games, when it makes sense.

The Wii had enormous western third party support, although it had technical limitations compared to other systems of that time. Yes, there was a lot of shovel-ware for the Wii, but also many special third party gems in-between. Ports and unique titles only for the Wii. The Switch will have the same, if it keeps selling like it is right now.

Like others here, I have kids, a partner, a job, a home - and I completely accept that Sony has the best and widest library of games. I would LOVE to sit down and play through Persona 5 and Nier, in particular. However, I've had a PS3 pretty much since it launched, and barely played it for the past five years (as I mentioned, I have kids). So I could actually sit down to play the PS3 version of Persona 5, admittedly. However, we also have just the one TV in action, so PlayStation gaming not only means less interaction with my other half and little ones, it also deprives them of the screen.

The Switch is perfect for me. It doesn't have as many absolute top-tier games as the PS4 - but it has enough. Zelda alone has taken 100+ hours (and counting). Being able to carry it around makes a huge difference, though it's still great playing on the TV late at night while others are in bed. Also, the games are generally speaking more family friendly, which is a bonus for daytime play.

Ultimately, the Switch works brilliantly for me. It's absolutely the best alternative to other consoles. But my situation is not the same as everyone else's.

That said, Atlus: please bring Persona 5 to the Switch. Hey, I'd even take 3 Golden...

Depends on your lifestyle and how much you game.

In an ideal world, we'd all have every console and PC and be able to hop from game to game but, you know, life. So it all depends on what you need.

If you struggle to find the time to game or at least use the TV on a regular basis the Switch is a great choice because you can hop on and off it and it really is pick up and play. If you just have the Switch though, you are going to be limiting yourself to Switch games and not playing anything else. There are a lot of games and genres you probably wont get much of on the Switch (and the same if you only owned a Playstation and not Nintendo).

I find the PS4 and Switch give me a good balance (plus I have other handhelds like Vita and 3DS as well as lots of retro systems).

If you like Nintendo's games more than whatever comes out on other systems, then totally go for it. That's the case with me, I've mostly ever owned just Nintendo systems, with the odd exception here and there of owning another system for just one game, like PS2 for Final Fantasy X and PS3 for GTA5. It's definitely not for everyone and I'm definitely in the minority, but it works for me.

Switch/3DS only for me. If I were to possess any other systems, I would prefer a PS4 mainly for cheap and easy VR and multiplats (many of the multiplats that I'm interested in are on PC as well, but niche franchises, such as Digimon, are available only on consoles/PS4), but I have neither the time nor the space to accommodate any more games. My 3DS games are at close to maximum capacity as it is, and just as well seeing as it is at the end of its life. There just aren't enough games that I'm interested in on PS4 to even consider a purchase. Something like, say, the Crash Bandicoot trilogy, as good as it can be, still can't come close to touching a 3D Mario in my book (and I did play the originals on a cousin's PS1, but even back then, when I didn't have any sort of gaming console, I would have preferred an N64 at the time). Nintendo is in a league of their own as far as I'm concerned, and I find their games to be more fun and exciting overall.

I have almost no interest in Western multiplats, however, I am keen on getting games like Payday 2, Steep and FIFA. A port of GTA V would be such a game changer on Switch, though it'll probably never happen. I would love to see Watch_Dogs 2 as well as I really enjoyed the first game on Wii U (the story/characterisation sucked, but the gameplay was where it was at).

Is the switch a good alternative? I mean... this is a Nintendo forum so it would be strange to see someone not recommending a Nintendo product in some way. If you consider yourself a gamer I guess the only real question is what console has games that best appeal to you? After that, what console suits your lifestyle or gaming habits? Then I'd consider price after all of that and there is your answer.

It all depends on you... I own a ps4 from earlier and a switch but prefer to play the switch literally 99% of the time for past few months... The ps4 is just collecting dust. I just enjoy my time more on switch but they are both good systems and ill keep the ps4 for an exclusive I must have etc. Depends on games you enjoy and the person tho. No one can tell you what you like so...

The Switch right now is not a good alternative. When it gets a decent library games I think it will be a good alternative to the 3DS. The Switch will not get the great games that we will see on the PS4 and XB1.

Far Cry 5
Assassin's Creed
Anthem
Star Wars Battlefront 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Crew 2

I personally think the PS4 comes first as it simply has the best and most exclusive games library. Then I would go with the Switch because I like their first party games more than what the Xbox offers.

All depends on the games you like. If you mean substitute as in, get the same games you would elsewhere, then no. If you mean substitute as in, get great games regardless of what's found elsewhere, then yes.

If you find yourself drawn to more than a few big budget 3rd party games, then count them up and rate how badly you want each one of them out of 10. Do the same for Switch. Compare totals and see which one scores higher.

Me, I own all 3 consoles and PC. But Switch is not "supplementary". Not for me. For me, Switch is my primary gaming console, and PS4 is my supplementary console, with X1 and PC just offering a few things I couldn't otherwise play. That's because I care more about Zelda, Mario Kart 8, Arms, Splatoon 2, Monster Hunter XX, Mario Kingdom Battle, Fire Emblem Warriors, Mario Odyssey, Xenoblade 2, Skyrim, etc, and having those games both on console and portably, than I care about the games offered on other consoles, which, there's like a total of 3 games this year from other consoles I'd rank as must plays alongside all those Switch games. Persona 5 being one of them. Horizon Zero Dawn being another. And... well that's pretty much it.

So for me, Switch not only has more must-have games coming this year alone than I can tally up on other systems for their entire collective lifespans, but it offers all those games portably, which makes it a system that stays by my side 24/7. Home, work, waiting room... doesn't matter, always have my Switch with me.

But others maybe don't like all those Switch games, and maybe have an affinity for more of the AAA... for those people it may be the other way around. But regardless of which is your primary and which is supplemental, ultimately both is the best option for anyone who's interested in games on both.

Yeah, the Switch is the dominant console in my life right now too...the shelf that my PS4 is sitting on is covered in such a thick layer of dust that I'd have to do an archaeological dig just to find it again! ..it's like Pompeii down there! :/

@Masurao Hi! Totally and absolutely out of contest with this thread but since NL doesn't have private messages (as far as I know)... I apologize in advance...
If you don't mind, I'd love to have you as a friend on the Switch... 99% of my friends are in Europe so I've got no one on my time zone to play with, and since you're in Japan too... If you want you can add me, and if you don't that's OK too, no problem at all!!

The Switch wont get the Assassins Creeds,the COD's,the Battlefields etc nor will it get Sony or Microsoft exclusives so if you prefer those kind of games over Nintendo games then no,it's not a good alternative.But the other consoles won't get Mario,Kart,Zelda,Smash,Splatoon 2,ARMS,Metroid and the generations best platformers so if you prefer these kind of games over anything else then Switch is the only choice.For me,while there are plenty games I'd love to play that the Switch will never get,I couldn't possibly let a generation go by and miss out on the new Mario,Zelda along with many others.These kind of games are the reason I love gaming in the first place and that'll never change.I have a lot of spare time for gaming everyday as I work from home and I know already the Switch has more than enough coming this year and next to keep me busy.There were times with Wii U where I wished there was more regular releases but that doesn't look like it'll be a problem with Switch.

@Masurao Great! Thank you!!

Honestly, I think you will need one of the other 2 consoles or a PC to go with the Switch. I love the Switch, but I can never be a Nintendo ONLY gamer. A PS4/Switch combo should do.

For sure.
Switch first year is being TONS better than any other console first year from this generation in terms of software. It is having a lot of heavy names. But like any first year from this console generation, yet will be a little sluggish. It will became really good next year, when the library already will be more robust and the expansion in software third party will really begin.

If you will get a Switch in first year and have tons of time free to play, take the online games first, like Arms, Splatoon 2, Super Bomberman R, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (etc.)
This games have local and online. It help a lot to keep the player playing.

Not at this point. Once Splatoon and Mario release, and the Switch is well stocked, yes. There just aren't enough games right now to justify having that as your only console.

I love the portability and versatility of the Switch, but the game library needs some more variety and quantity. I'll be picking one up as soon as they're easier to find.

Rolling with my 2DS, Wii U, and Xbox until then.

It depends on how much you play games and the types of game you play. And of course the money you have free to spend on frivolities like video games in the first place.

If you play upwards of 30 hours a week gaming and have enough money (& willingness) to spend £50-100 a month on new games then you'd probably be a little foolish to own just a Switch because you'd be missing out on far too much.

On the other hand if you play games for less than 20 hours a month and maybe only buy 3 or 4 games a year then you really shouldn't buy more than one console. You'll occasionally miss out on a game you'd love on one of the others but you should always have enough to sate you. Even on the Switch.

There are other qualifying factors too. Like 'do you have a family to play with?', and 'do you predominantly play hands from a single genre?'. If you mostly play FPSs then the Switch is not a viable alternative console - it's an additional one at best. On the other hand if you strongly favour platformers and play little else then definitely Switch is a viable alternative console and you probably don't need either of the others.

Honestly it's a question that has no blanket answer. I'd be a little wary about received online wisdom too - the people who post about games online typically play far more hours per month than the average console owner.