Topic: Playing Nintendo With A Visual Impairment - Looking To Purchase

Hiya Everyone,

I used to own a Nindeo Wii, and although I am not a heavy gamer, I was able to have a lot of fun playing the likes of Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart and whatnot, I also enjoyed playing Sonic, however, at times, this went extremsely fast to the point I could not follow what to do, so at times, when I play some games, it becomes a memory game to remember when to jump and whatnot.

My condition makes everything somewhat blury, I am typing this on my computer as I can tought type and I use the Windows magnification software on a high-level magnification. If I close my right eye, I am pretty much completely blind as I cannot make out a single item, my main vision is from my right eye, however this is still somewhat limited. I play on our Xbox ONE on games such as Tomb Raider and Assassins Creed, which I manage well, requiring aids if there is text to read or if I am to follow a small map for instance, the larger aspects, the more clear the visuals are, the easier it becomes fro myself.

I want to get a Nintendo console, however I have no use for the Switch screen as I will probably struggle with this a lot. I do have a mobile, which also has magnification software on, but also has "select-to-speak" which allows me to select the icon in the corner then tap anywhere and it will speak the text, as on a smaller screen, moving he magnificaiton viewport along a sentence and then to the following line can be very tedious, so perhaps the Switch tablet-like screen could be limitedly used.

**So What Am I Looking For**

Is the Switch the one for me?

I would look at getting one of the modern controllers which I am already used to playing the Xbox, however can I still play a lot of the games without the use of the Switch tablet, is this just an additional feature for those who want to use it on the go, view a game map or whatnot?

Are the games you can buy for the Nintemdo Switch all playable using just controllers?

I've been quite put off, as it gets to me that I have a visual impairment at times, but I haven't always, so I remember playing all the classics such as Donkey Kong, Mario and whatnot, and now I feel Nintendo has potentially gone in a direction where i will stuggle to get the same thrill I used to, but I've not really looked much into it, so I'm really hoping the community here can help me, let me know what accessibility features there are forinstance, methods of playing and whatnot.

Thank you all for your time!

@TIMinion I would like you to find a bit of game play from the part of said game that made it hard to follow, just so I know what I'm looking for.

The vast majority of Switch games are playable with just a controller; there's a few with mandatory touch screen controls but not many. I believe you can also zoom in on the screen using the menu that appears if you hold down the Home button, though I haven't really used this myself so I don't know how it works in motion.

@Snatcher My retina's are damages, so if someone throws a ball at me, I may be able to see their hands moving up and down to lightly throw the ball at me, the speed of the ball makes it so I lose sight, even just for a moment. When I used to play SSB, it is a nice big stage depending on your TV size, and if I remember correctly, when your oponent was up close, you would see it more closer, but if you went to oposite ends of the screen, you would see it from futher away, causing some difficulties.

I'm not looking for something I'll perfectly be able to play, I'm more hoping I'll be able to play to some extent, that I can do so without the Switch tablet (what is this actually called?), whether I could purchase the Switch, two wireless pro controllers and play.

Recently playing Crash Banicoot, I struggled at first, but once I got used to the mechanics, I would be able to complete a level with some ease, however there were some levels where you would be forced to ride a polar bear for instance, where you could not alter the speed. With memory, I could get so far, but typically, in these moments, I have someone else complete them for me.

I know I'll be able to play Mario Kart, something which I really miss, and I used to love playing Donkey Kong Country, but I've not kept up-to-date with this, which is something I would want to get back in-touch with, but it's the tablet device and method of playing which I have concerns about. The crisp, clearly game graphics, ones which don't replicate rel-life, are easier to see, and we have an OLED TV, something which was not the case when we had the Wii, which has made a lot of things I enjoy, a lot more clear to see, no bleeding of colurs or whatnot.

I also loved playing on multiplayer party games.

@TIMinion I think there are a lot of games you could play on the switch actually bc I can't remember to many that has you move at break neck speeds, Mario kart like you said would be fine, Mario odyssey I think, as I don't remember to many levels were you were moving that fast, or you had to do for that matter.

As for zoom in I have no idea really, I might need to ask somebody else.

@TIMinion It looks like Nintendo released the zoom in feature @Dogorilla mentioned 2 years ago, you turn it on in the settings and then double tap the home button. I just tested it with the Zelda game i'm playing and it's easy to turn on in system settings, you can then choose the level of zoom when you have a game opeb and lock it in place by pressing the home button again. It looks like it would be easy to change the level of zoom whilst playing if you needed too.

This article recommends a few games for gamers with a visual impairment, including; Mario Kart, Splatoon 2, Tetris 99, Mario Maker 2, Luigis Mansipn 3 and more.

https://caniplaythat.com/2020/05/08/switch-multiplayer-games-...

I am not visually impaired and I don't know anyone who is, so I can't say how accurate this article is.

@Snatcher, @MarioBrickLayer Thank you very much for your support here!

@TIMinion No problem.

I'm no expert by any means but Nintendo games are quite slow gameplay-wise so you'll be able to keep track of everything without too much hassle. Mario Kart's a good one, especially the 50/100cc modes, Mario Odyssey, and even Breath of the Wild. They're designed to be played for 15-minutes-at-a-time sessions anyhow!

And there is a zoom feature too. Hopefully this helps you make an educated choice!

If you like Donkey Kong Country then Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze might be a great choice. It does have big bold graphics and if you are struggling on some levels you can play as Funky Kong which is much easier as you can use his surfboard as a helicopter to get over gaps.

New Super Mario Bros U would be a good choice too if you like platformers.

Also lots of Switch games have free demos (You can sort the eShop to just show games with demos) which would be a great way for you to see which games would be suitable before buying. 👍🏻

Have you tried to contact NIN support and tell them of your disability and what games would fit your needs? That would be also a good place to start as they probably have people with knowledge of such games for those in needs.

This only applies to handheld mode, but I was quite shocked trying Fire Emblem Three houses in handheld mode - the size of the font was far too small, and also lacked general clarity. Especially when that title is an exclusive, and not something running on numerous different resolutions.

How many games require the Joy Con and do not allow for the option to use the Switch Pro Controller?

I love many classics, but some modern ones I know require the shaking of the controller for instance, when I was playing the Mario Party, various tasks had you do various actions, however are you able to play those multiplayer party games using the Switch Pro Controller?

@Clyde_Radcliffe Yes, Yes, and YES!! I just watched the trailer and asides form the resolution being so much more inproved since I last played, I think Donkey Kong Country, the one where you upgraded your boar to get to different areas, the first boss was a large crate where you had to throw barrels in it's mouth to9 defeat it? I looked back at that game at some point and, well, I remember it being super HD, but looking back, it clearly wasn't, makes me wonder, will I look back at our 4k OLED display in 20 years time and think it looks bad? haha! Watching this trailer, I was thinking... "I want it!!" but first through, wowo, DK looks so much more, physical, it's still a 2D style platform but he's got a lot more 3D style, HD body to him 😂

@SwitchForce I struggle the say how my visual-impairment effects what I am able to do, I would rather see if there are others on here with varioul problems, how they manage and whatnot. Some games I would struggle with a lot at first, such as a party game, but once I remembered the tasks, what you had to do, it would become a game of enjoyment, not have the other persons I am competing against have to inform me of what I need to do to beat them 😜😂

@scannerdarkly7 so handheld mode is just if you want to play games on the go, like the 2D/3DS? I thought some games you could use this on as well as your TV screen, to see a map for stance, your inventory or whatnot?

@TIMinion Most Switch games can be played with the Pro Controller, but I believe Super Mario Party is Joy-Cons only. The upcoming Mario Party Superstars should have Pro Controller support though.

Regarding your last question: you're probably thinking of the Wii U GamePad, which works as a second screen while you play games on the TV like you describe. The Switch, on the other hand, is a portable console that also comes with a dock that lets you play it on the TV. When it's docked you can't see anything on the Switch's screen, you just look at the TV.