With the Nintendo Switch now out for a week, plenty of eager Nintendo fans have put down a lot of money and jumped into the company's latest hardware offering. Various members of our team are in that group, as you'd expect, and having spent the past seven days playing around with the hardware we thought it worthwhile to share some impressions from that period. After all of the pre-launch hype and build-up, we're now right into the Switch generation and all that entails.
This doesn't need any more pre-amble - let's get to it!
Tom Whitehead
To be completely upfront, as anyone watching my pre-launch content and reviews will know I was playing around in a certain game for a while before the system landed in shops. Nevertheless I still felt a lot of buzz on launch day, because the console was fully awake with the eShop and friend requests started to arrive. I also had two members of my immediate family waiting for orders, so I got to share in their excitement.
I've found it interesting to see their play habits and chat to others over the past week, and it's all boosted my confidence in Switch. For some it's an exciting and powerful portable, delivering extraordinary games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the go, and for others it's the next Nintendo home console and a slick upgrade on Wii U (in design and power). In the past week I've played it mostly on the TV, and often barely touching the console or Joy-Con - I hit the HOME button on the Pro Controller and I'm in a game within 10 seconds. I love how fast it is, and ultimately it's been a home console to me so far.
As I write this I'm preparing for a weekend trip though, so I will be taking it on the road. I bought Blaster Master Zero basically for this excursion, as it not only looks fantastic but feels like the kind of game I'd normally play on the road. I have tried FAST RMX on the portable briefly over the past week too but, to be honest, my old reflexes can't handle a game like that on a 6-inch screen.
Finally, how do I feel about my Switch? Well, I've rather fallen in love with it, in very much the same way as I did with my small New 3DS. I rolled my eyes out of their sockets when people actually complained about the lack of elevator music, for example - I love that Nintendo has kept noise down aside from funny and silly little touches. The UI's cute noises, bleeps and bloops have charmed me, anyway. I've also been frustrated at a relatively small percentage of issues getting blown out of proportion, but that's the internet and happens with pretty much everything nowadays. Negativity sells, and that sucks.
Beyond that, it's just such a Nintendo device, yet far slicker than its previous couple of efforts. It's well and truly settled into my gaming (and Nintendo) life already.
Mitch Vogel
I will admit that, at least initially, I was not entirely sold on the Switch and didn't intend on buying one right off the bat. Yeah, I think the idea behind it being a home console/portable is pretty cool, but let's be real, there's not very much available for it in this first year which isn't already on the Wii U in some form. Generally speaking, it takes a year or two for any console to begin hitting its stride, and I was intending on waiting for the library to fill out a bit more before taking the plunge.
Ultimately, the decision to pick one up was one I made on a whim, and was largely born out of my current circumstances. I'm currently in the process of studying abroad at a remote location apart from my main college campus, and as a result I've left all my game consoles behind for the semester. Now, by and large, I've been too busy to have much time to play video games anyway, but every once in a while I'd have an afternoon to myself and find myself wishing I could play some Super Smash Bros. or something to that effect.
Suddenly, the notion of a portable home console became a lot more appealing, as if Nintendo had designed the device exclusively around my situation. Couple that with the fact that it launched on the first day of spring break—which saw me returning to civilization for a week—and I just couldn't resist. I picked up the last unit that they had in town, along with a copy of Breath of the Wild, and my experiences with it have been mixed, I suppose.
First, the positives. I may be shouting in an echo chamber, but the UI that the whole console runs is slick. Ever since Nintendo has begun designing operating systems for its consoles, I've come to expect a certain cumbersome blockiness to them. Sure they work fine, but I've never used a Nintendo OS that feels cutting edge until now. It's fast, it works, and it feels immediately easy to use. On top of that, the screen switching feature that's grabbed so many headlines is as painless and easy to manage as I hoped; I've probably spent an equal amount of time in both portable and console mode, and it's quite nice to know that I can explore Hyrule from the comfort of my bed if I so choose without any compromises.
However, it's not all sunshine and roses. The Switch feels to me very much like a 'beta console', one which still feels like a work in progress. Sure, it plays games pretty well, but that's it. No streaming apps, no internet browser, and no extra features like StreetPass or Miiverse. Now, I agree with many that these are not essential features (c'mon, you can watch Netflix on a fridge these days), but that's beside the point. In a market where every other competing device has such features, the Switch just looks backwards. I'm not highly bothered that I can't browse the internet on my Switch, but it's just giving me one less reason to use it on a regular basis. And when you factor in all the simple things the Switch lacks which its peers possess, that's a lot of missed opportunities.
Matthew Forde
My first week with the Nintendo Switch is not one I expected to proceed as it did. For one I did not foresee myself actually buying the console until a few more months down the line, yet after getting caught up in the furore of launch day and wanting to experience Zelda in the best possible way, then combining that with the tantalising prospect of taking the Switch everywhere and anywhere, here I am.
Like any sane Zelda enthusiast I booked some time off so I could explore Hyrule in real depth...or so I thought. Over 20 hours in and I've barely scratched the surface of what this world offers. Never would I have thought that Hyrule could have such rich depth to it or that I would be so invested in finding every hidden collectible. Breath of the Wild is a monumental leap forward for the series, single handily making my purchase warranted.
Saying that though undersells what is on offer, because when needing a break from Zelda (by break I of course mean being dragged away like a screaming man-baby) I took up some supersonic racing. FAST RMX is a wonderful F-Zero inspired racer that flourishes when on the go. In fact I can imagine I'll spend more time with FAST RMX when away from home due to its easy jump in and out formula. Otherwise I did download the Snipperclips demo, playing through with my partner as we chaotically yelled methods of trying to solve the elaborate puzzle. It seems a goofy, fun time. No doubt I'll end up adding it to my collection in the future.
So all in all one week in and my somewhat rash decision has brought me more joy than cons. Lets hope this continues...
Ron DelVillano
One week into my relationship with Nintendo Switch and I'll admit that I'm not in love. I'm hoping that my feelings will change as we spend more time together and better understand how we work as a couple, but at this point I still find myself lying in bed at night, wondering what my other consoles are up to. I know that I can be picky, and maybe it's just me, but I find myself growing irritated with the little things that Switch does.
The console's primary functionality, and the feature that I was most excited about, is its ability to convert from a home console to a portable with ease. Unfortunately, between removing the Joy-Con from the Switch console and placing them in the Grip or equipping them with their designated wrist straps, the reality is that this process isn't as smooth as advertised. Instead of casually transforming my home console to a portable, I find myself fumbling with full hands - like someone trapped in a late-night infomercial - while my coffee table lies littered with various tiny Switch parts and accessories. I'm also running into frustrations and discomfort with the size of the Joy-Con when using them in their horizontal formation. In short, the process of "switching" is cumbersome, the Joy-Con are too small for my hands, and on top of all that, the game cards taste awful.
That said, I'm starting to come around to Nintendo Switch. It's been a week, and while I may not be in love, I'm beginning to understand its place in my life. The other day I came home from work and decided to take it for a quick spin. Upon waking the console, I noticed that I had a friend request from none other than Nintendo Life's own Daz Calvert. Rather than immediately accepting the request, I instead decided to take this opportunity to partake in one of the few rare pleasures that I still find in life: messing with Daz. Thanks to Switch's intuitive and speedy UI, I was able to screenshot Daz's request, add some text implying that I was going to block him rather than accept, then tag him and post the image to Twitter, all before I even took my jacket off after a long day in the office.
In that moment, something changed. I began to see this new console not just for what it is, but for what it's capable of being. Nintendo Switch is a new outlet for me to quickly and easily engage with my friends, both locally and across the world. Despite my early frustrations, I'm excited to see what Nintendo Switch has in store.
You and me, Switch? We're gonna be just fine.
Arjun Joshi
The first thing I said to myself when opening my glorious new Switch was "Man, this really is a beautiful bit of kit". Of course, like everyone, I knew what the Switch was all about long before, plus I already got the chance to play it at a Nintendo UK event. But holding the thing in my hands and setting it all up with no distractions really demonstrated how fantastically innovative the console was.
Forward a couple of hours later, and my whole family and I are playing 1-2 Switch - which was a feat to behold! The games are so easy to pickup (as they should be) and so accessible through the Switch's peripherals, so my parents naturally gravitated towards it and became hooked. It was difficult to get them off the damn thing so I could finally begin my adventure in Breath of the Wild! And speaking of which, it goes without saying how amazing this launch title truly is. I even had my dad watching me play for a good twenty minutes (something he hasn't done since I used to forcefully sit on his lap and show him my adventures in Pokémon G/S/C as a kid), as he was in awe over the environment my Link traversed through and interacted with.
Unfortunately though, the more I've been using my Switch, the more I've had these "Oh come on, Nintendo" moments. They're not deal breakers as such, but problems such as the lack of both a headphone jack in the Pro Controller, no system web browser, Joy-Con desyncing, frame-rate issues, a cheap-feeling docking station, no method of backing up save files, and not being able to turn off the system (only Sleep Mode) from a controller began to show their ugly faces. I'm sure some of these can be fixed with software updates and could arrive in due course, but the others are quite surprising for a 2017 console release. It also struck me that since the Switch doesn't use CDs for its games, there's no disc drive, meaning any chance of using it as a portable DVD/Blu-ray player flies out the window. To be fair, I've never watched DVDs and Blu-rays on consoles (and I probably never will), but in terms of versatility and perhaps backwards compatibility with older Nintendo titles, that could've been a nice feature. I guess the Switch's size, portability, eShop, and overall stance as a games console - not entertainment system - are the answers to that.
I also couldn't help but come across the many videos of people having problems with their Switch consoles, from both hardware and software standpoints. Naturally, this is likely to occur with any new console launch, but it makes you hold your Switch just that little bit tighter. I immediately got myself a screen protector and then spent an hour diagnosing mine like a fool - something that a customer should never need to do in my eyes - looking for dead pixels and any potential scratches made by the dock etc. Luckily, I'm one of the fortunate ones who seems to have a perfectly healthy, problem-free Switch, but I'll know this for sure should its practicality limits stand the test of a 1-2 Switch tournament I'm hosting at work.
Overall though, colour me impressed. Teething issues and a couple of lacklustre features aside, the Switch is an example of Nintendo stands for, and that's innovation. It'll be interesting to see a "juicy" new game solely designed for the Switch to really get a grasp of the system's power. Breath of the Wild, albeit a huge, expansive, and visually pleasing game, was dual-released for the Wii U, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced port of the Wii U's Mario Kart 8, so I believe we have yet to really see what the system is capable of. Super Mario Odyssey and Skyrim seem like the perfect examples to showcase this, but we've got a slew of upcoming games to look forward to until then!
Liam Doolan
It's great to have a modern Nintendo console back in my life. I say this, because a few months prior to the launch of the Switch I traded in my Wii U. I had never sold or traded one of my Nintendo systems until this point. In my defence, I still own my original Game Boy and the many other systems the Big N has released over the years. I cherish each of these retro devices and appreciate the experiences they can still offer me as they did the first day I got my hands on them.
My time with the Wii U - while filled with good memories - ultimately led to a tough call. I bought the system a year into its life, with the belief it was finally gaining momentum after a trying launch period. I enjoyed games like Splatoon and played each exclusive title for hours on end. When the Nintendo Switch was finally revealed to the world last October, it was easy to see this was the device Nintendo had been working towards all along. The Switch immediately had a sense of accessibility the Wii U never once demonstrated. To top it off, new iterations of FAST, Mario Kart and Splatoon were also revealed for the hybrid console. My only thought at this point was to ditch the Wii U before the online services were cut and it became a shadow of its former self.
My first week with the Switch has been pleasant. The user interface is quick, clean and effortless to navigate. The hardware feels durable, but not in a cheap and tacky way like the Wii U did. While the Joy-Cons are a tad small, both are incredibly well made. It's hard not to appreciate all the tech that has been crammed inside of them! I think the fact this system essentially ships with two controllers is also fantastic. It reminds me of the N64 era and a system bundle Nintendo released including a bonus atomic purple controller. I've read a lot of comments regarding the lack of background ambience on the Switch HOME menu and music on the eShop. The little beeps, bops and whistles are oddly satisfying enough for myself. Although relatively desolate in terms of offerings - the eShop is as slickly presented as the HOME menu. The tile design in both locations also makes everything easy to view.
Swapping between television and handheld game sessions is seamless as we saw in Nintendo's advertisements. I have primarily spent my play time on the television so far, but the occasional Puyo Puyo Tetris and Snipperclips table top multiplayer moments have occurred in between my intensive Zelda marathons. My early impressions of the system's performance based on the launch titles are positive. Breath of the Wild is truly stunning. It's like an animated canvas. The soundtrack has to be one of the best in a Zelda game, ever. Its subtle presence in key locations goes well with the environmental sound effects and further adds to the game's beauty. The only downer - as well documented by Digital Foundry - are the occasional performance issues during more intensive moments. So far, this has not detracted from my own time with Breath of the Wild. Games like Puyo Puyo have also proven there is still plenty of life left in local multiplayer. Not to mention, smaller less intensive games like this one run superbly.
Now, can I please have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
James Churchill
When you get a new console, you always want a cheeky fiddle with its bits first. Much of my initial time with the Switch was spent playing around with the hardware and seeing the different combinations possible when using the Joy-Cons, and testing how the system runs as a whole with wide-eyed enthusiasm. I was surprised at how simple the UI is and how slick everything feels when turning on the system and booting up software, especially when using sleep mode. Everything is easy to find and simple to set up, which is always a plus. Also, I couldn't help but smile at the little clicks and whistle sounds the system makes when selecting particular options. There have been some downsides though, namely the size of the shoulder buttons on the regular Joy-Cons. When playing a game like Zelda things can get a little cramped up there, and I have small hands, so it's a slight irritation. Also, it's a bit disconcerting that the long-winded friend code system has made a darkened return, and the online system is still bare bones, so I hope this gets sorted out. But so far it's snug, slick and easy to use.
As for software I've taken a look at the eShop's Neo Geo games – the addition of which warms my little retro heart – but like most people I've mainly been spending my time with Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Let's face it, it's pretty bloody magnificent. I have been a critic of Nintendo in recent years but it's games like Breath of the Wild that remind me why I became a Nintendo fan in the first place. And after running both versions of the game, it's clear that the Switch version feels that little more crisp. This game has truly stolen my heart with its glorious open-world, deepened combat mechanics and narrative additions, all the while maintaining that traditional Zelda charm. It's been a joy to bask in the beauty of locales such as Hateno Village and take a ride through the countryside with my trusty steed, Bronn, smashing bokoblins as we go. So far, it's been a very happy seven days. And I look forward to many more.
Comments 94
When you get a new console. You just wanna smell the newness.
I love that feeling
I love my switch but hate the fact that there is no miiverse .
Can you ask Shin'en why they pretended in your interview that Fast RMX is an upgrade over Fast Racing NEO, when in fact the game doesn't offer time trials and the option to play with friends online?
Can you ask the developers of Snipperclips why Pro Controller support was omitted? I can see no reason that games supporting the Joy-Con grip or handheld mode should not support the Pro Controller.
I want Snipperclips but would like to use the best controllers available, especially as I bought four of them, so I won't buy the game for now.
After using the Switch for a week, I like it. But I do miss Miiverse, Virtual Console, and a browser.
But there is one huge issue:
Friends' friend codes are not visible, so there is no publicly visible, global identifier on Switch players. How does that work in online gaming? Everyone can call themselves The Pope, and no one can disprove they actually aren't.
I'm actually glad there's no background music in the home menu or eShop. It's tight like a tiger.
I echo the first person, love the system design and functionality, it's worked flawlessly, people need more patience and less whinging, Zelda and Fast RMX are great, and I plan to get Blaster Master Zero too.
The Switch is new, so its software (UI and the eventual additional features) is temporally lacking. As far as the hardware goes, I'm very pleased with it.
I love Zelda, am impressed by the family party vibe of 1 2 Switch, got more from Bomberman than I thought... But ruddy heck Snipperclips is a very short game for 17 quid. The question is what will I be playing after Zelda?
One week passed, some good news some bad news.
Tatsumi Kimishima and Mr. Reggie should listen and think carefully from customers about Switch issues.
Well, I hope Tatsumi Kimishima is willing to release new Switch bundle with more polished design, less flaw design, better Joy Con stability, new colors and bundles.
Should be a redesign of Switch dock model, just like Fat NDS become NDS Lite.
Generally speaking I love my Switch. I'm a bit concerned about my unit barely recognising WiFi though (I noticed, in your article there's a picture of a Switch with Zelda hanging out of the card slot, and there's no WiFi being displayed - do you have this issue too?)
My second main concern is I'm going to be done with Zelda soon and I've got nothing much else to play. I beat Snipperclips in day 1, then moved on to Zelda... Now I'm just waiting on the next big thing which I think is Mario Kart, kind of a bummer that I've already got that game.
@BornInNorway81 I agree. I find it kind of rediculous playing Snipperclips on the TV, single player with one tiny Joy-Con when I could be using the Pro-Controller. Pro Controller has the same buttons as the Joy-Con does when attached to the Switch, and it works like that... so it really should work with the Pro-Controller.
switch needs game organization options. folders and the like. there are digital hoarders out there you know.
@BornInNorway81 I don't know about the online but I do know time trials are being added soon.
@BornInNorway81 you don't even have to go that far; let's instead ask NintendoLife why they didn't even mention these things in their review of the game.
Absolutely loving it so far. The home/ handheld hybrid design fits my lifestyle perfectly. Was great to jump right into a huge game like BotW last Friday and not have to take into consideration that i was leaving for a business trip on Monday. I can continue the same experience on the road, and seamlessly transfer back to my tv when I get home without having to "reacquaint" myself with the world / controls / what the heck was i in the middle of doing.
@Moon let me know if you hear anything about the WiFi issue - I have the same problem as well. Great system otherwise.
I so need to fight the urge to buy one, but my fanboyism is starting to take over.
I have played my friends Switch for several hours. Haven't had any of the disconnect or scratch issues and neither has he. wondering if those are a vocal minority out of the millions. Especially since Nintendo did so many events with so many people and never had the problem in big spaces with plenty of other mobile devices and bluetooth devices around.
The whole thing really feels like a "sorry this is what wii U was supposed to be"
in a way, backwards compatibility could save a lot of those amazing games from obscurity like DKC:TF and Luigi U.
I'd be happy if they port those all to a broader audience if Switch sells, but then i don't want to re-buy them all, maybe a $20 upgrade fee? Some kind of loyalty program for those of us who kept them ever so barely afloat during the lean Wii U years.
I'm loving Zelda: BOTW on Wii U. Its true home.
Just waiting on an update to the UI: a customizable interface, more options, chat messages and photo sharing between friends... Also, the Virtual Console.
"brought me more joy than cons"
Nice!
It's great, but it needs more "stuff." The eShop needs to grow, media functions need to be installed, etc. These will happen in time, of course. But for what it is currently, which is the newest way to play the newest Nintendo games, it's wonderful.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Good to know, been trying to order it on Amazon with no luck. Want to get it with the 20% discount.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE It's neglected, run down, abandoned, inferior home.
I love it to death. It's the coolest console I've ever owned. Makes Wii U look ancient in comparison (both in OS speed and sheer size/power ratio, not to mention aesthetic appeal). Everything works flawlessly too- I applied a 0.3mm 9H hardness tempered glass screen protector and now I feel confident taking it out and about. And I do take it to work every day.
Zelda is officially my favorite game of all time... Having it on a portable, the unadulterated console version on a portable- that truly does single handedly justify owning the Switch. I'd have bought a portable GameCube just for Metroid Prime back in the day, and I feel the same way about Zelda now. Fast RMX is the 2nd best future racer I've ever played, only behind F-Zero GX. So that just sweetens the pot even further- seeing it on the handheld screen just blows my mind. I love how fast it is, how quick the screenshots are (so fast I actually use them for remembering recipes and puzzle solutions in-game), and the whole region free thing is AMAZING. Thank you... Finally. Already took advantage with I Am Setsuna import.
I can't wait for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe- that game looks so good, battle arenas look excellent, and love the other modes like the sunshine coin and all that. Having that game on the go would also single handedly justify Switch... Its crazy- almost every major game makes the Switch worth owning in and of itseld- all thanks to the ingenius hybrid concept. I can't wait to have Xenoblade 2 on my Switch at work, Mario Odyssey on my Switch at work, Fire Emblem on my Switch at work, Skyrim on my Switch at work... just...wow.
If I had to nitpick some areas for improvement, I'd go with cloud saves (which I'm 99% sure are coming or else people won't have incentive to upgrade to new models and Nintendo loves selling new models- plus Reggie practically spelled it out so), also Netflix (but that too is coming). Of course I'm eager to see VC but that's also on the way. Direct messaging would be nice, or some way to communicate to friends, send pics, etc (although twitter posts could serve that purpose, I'll have to start doing that).
All in all its better than I'd even hoped. Joycons are hands down the most awesome way to game I've ever experienced. So comfy they just melt in your hands. I bought a charge grip and Pro controller and haven't even touched them (except to try them out). The best part about Switch isn't just that it's a hybrid handheld with full console power, it's the Joycons which detach and the kickstand. I set it up on my desk at work, pop off the Joycons and I feel like I'm playing at home. It's truly a "console-quality" portable gaming experience.
@shazzy Amen to that. I understand that Nintendo probably made the wise decision that running their own social network was an administrative burden not worth the investment, but Miiverse will for me go down as a glorious experiment of the WiiU Era, and a shining example of Nintendo's quirkiness. It will probably never be matched.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Hope you enjoy having no new games to play on your home, lol.
So on other videogame sites it's PS4 vs. Xbone vs. Switch and everyone just fights all the time
This is a Nintendo site........ but since we still want to fight it's Switch vs. Wii U???? What in the world, they're from the same family! Glad for Switch owners, glad for me still with my Wii U and it's amazing if small library of games! Where else can I play DKC:TF, Luigi U, and the REAL version of Mario Maker?
Switch is great, but it doesn't mean you have to hate Wii U or vice versa.
@JaxonH So, how do you really feel about the Switch
@speedracer216 The Wii U was an amazing console for Nintendo fans. Lots of high quality Nintendo exclusives, many of which were tailored for a second screen experience. Also produced a fantastic eShop experience with a thriving indie scene.
My guess is the console will be highly sought after in 10 years as a quality Nintendo curiosity that was criminally overlooked. My family got hundreds of hours of entertainment from Wii U over its entire lifespan.
We're loving Switch in our household for all the reasons in the article. At this point, I'd be satisfied if it never contains a Netflix or Hulu player. It's much more appealing to me as a dedicated gaming device
However, the barebones approach to the eShop UI is a dramatic step backwards from the Wii U. Sure it's snappy (sort of), but it completely lacks any charm or personality, not to mention it will soon be a scattered mess of nondescript tiles if Nintendo doesn't have plans to put some structure around it. Honestly, compare eShops side by side to see how bad it is on Switch. Here's hoping a major redesign is in the cards.
The Switch is Nintendo's return to form! ..sure, there are some teething issues that need addressing - but I'm very, very happy with my purchase so far!
There's a lot to look forward to in the coming months too! Personally, I'm really looking forward to:
-MK8 Deluxe next month ...I didn't have the WiiU version, so it'll be like a brand new Mario Kart for me!
-E3 ...we're sure to see some big reveals from Nintendo - I wonder what they've been keeping up their sleeves?!
-Nindies ...I must say, the Nindie Showcase kinda took my by surprise - Overcooked!, The Escapists 2 and Stardew Valley all look like 'must buys' to me! - and plenty of others are on my watchlist on the back of that video!
..so excited!!
It's always nice to see people enjoying their new consoles, positive word of mouth makes me want the system that much more, but unfortunately until the system is a teensy bit more feature rich I will be happily playing Zelda on my Wii U, not too mention catching up on all of the great games I have yet to play. I will probably have one by the end of the year though, assuming Mario is as good I think it will be. I really do think that Zelda is worth the price of admission alone if you are wanting it portable, it is just that good of a game!
@mereel
What can I say- Switch is legit!
I just can't stress how cool it is to prop Switch up on its kickstand, slide off the Joycons and play like a console gamer anywhere. Slide up a chair and just game right there with hands in your lap (that's another thing really awesome is having a controller in each hand). Seeing gorgeous console graphics on a handheld screen never ceases to amaze me... The crux of the system is seriously on point.
"the reality is that this process isn't as smooth as advertised. "
Did suspect.
Woah wait a second.... so I FINALLY.............FIIIIIINALLY have some games to play -both eShop and of course this epic Zelda, on my Wii U and they not only want me to overpay and buy into a new system with new accessories and paid online and also re-buy slightly remastered versions of games I already have?
Nah.
Happy for you guys/gals that are jumping on Switch and like it, but you are all really just adding the problem that will be perpetual = Console generation MUST last long enough to have a good amount of quality product AND some time to play and enjoy those games for a while BEFORE the next generation should start.
Everyone I know said this about Wii U "I'll wait for Zelda then get one... Guess I will take that advice from now on and I betcha there will not be a Switch exclusive Zelda main game at all. There is not enough time in these short generation spans anymore.
So what do you all think?
I love the Switch. It is in the running for my favorite console, though. the fact my PS4 has so many great exclusives means it will be tough to knock off. Just being able to take a game like Zelda with me when I'm forced to spend time at my girlfriends family's house(yes I'm a jerk, I've been told 😋) Is a game changer.
As I have said before I have dodged 95% of the issues everyone else has mentioned. The wifi connectivity is the bane of my existence though. All said, there is room for improvement, but what launch console doesn't? I am positive that the Switch will build on what has been a solid foundation .
@KirbyTheVampire @AlternateButtons For the record, not all of us Irish are like him D: some of us are logical
I am quite happy with the Switch. Not many games yet, but will improve with time. I haven't had any issues with my Switch that others reported so that is also cool.
Only issue I have is a crack in the back of the system. Just happened within the last day. Goes around the bottom screw near the Left JoyCon, (-). Very small, but the screw was probably too tight. Probably will message Ninty to report it.
@msvt
it makes me wonder, if zelda had come out a year ago or whatever they originally thought and with how blown away everyone was with the review scores..... would Wii U have made a jump? not that it matters now.
One week is not enough time to know how good the Switch, or any new console, really is. Only more time, games, and updates to the system will tell.
I'm sure the UI and eShop will improve with updates such as it did with the 3DS and Wii U. But in due time.
Personally, I adopted the system day one for the sole reason of playing BotW on the go but I've noticed that I've been playing about 95% on the TV. I could've held out on the Switch until 4/28; when MK8D releases!
Just like my Wii U, the Switch will be utilized the most with Mario Kart! When that game releases and I see how well it handles multiplayer and online, then I'll really know how I deeply feel about the Switch.
@msvt
The Wii U actually had plenty of games. And Nintendo did a pretty good job with it. I have at least 20 games I recommend for it.
And try not to misunderstand the oddity of the "Wii gen". 7th gen was unnaturally lengthened. PS3 and Xbox360 had hard HD growing pains and that let Nintendo sweep with the Wii. Nintendo only delayed those growing pains for the Wii U though.
Basically, Gen 7 was unnaturally long, not gen 8 being unnaturally short.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I suppose that's today's first reminder that you aren't getting a Switch, in case new members of the community don't know yet.
Hate to be a Debbie Downer, but at least none of you have your arm in a cast...
@LordGeovanni You must have bought all the games lol. Nothing special besides the A++ games
love mine,zelda is just perfection,RMX is a great racer.overall im very happy with it.
I felt very happy that I got the NIntendo Switch on Launch Day and I want to get the Dev Kit so I can begin making games for Switch.
For those who want more game dev expeirnces with Nintendo Switch, please refer to that gamasutra article below. Plenty of insight.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/293404/Whats_it_like_developing_for_the_Switch_9_indie_studios_weigh_in.php
@KirbyTheVampire
Not trying to be funny but let's face it the wii u has far more great games on it than switch. Games games games is what's it's about and right now the wii u looks like a cheaper option for now regardless if it failed. Saying that it's just a matter of time before switch has its own great library.. It's just history repeating itself, when the successor to switch comes out ppl will say same thing about switch once they jump on board the new machine,mainly it's a old dead machine with no new games coming. ppl have said same on Nintendo life about 3ds and switch will get its turn eventually
"I hate the fact that I can't play DVD on my Switch... I've never played DVD on a console before but you know, it would have been could if I could on this one"
Man, seriously?
Been a good week
I would be agreeing with everyone wholeheartedly except for the fact that stock issues exist.
I like the Switch a lot, but I won't love it until there's a Donkey Kong Country game for it.
Wow some of the staff comments are crazy. No DVD player? If it could fit a disc in it it wouldn't be a portable. You guys are already saying it's too big to fit in a pocket. Geez. Joycons too small? They can't be any bigger unless the Switch itself is.
Doesn't have this or that yet? What other console had EVERYTHING day 1? Quit your whingeing NL. You are being too critical in an effort to not appear biased. This is a Nintendo site, you are allowed to be biased.
As far as my experience goes I've had no wifi issues, no disconnecting joycons, no scratches. It's been perfect.
One thing I love that I didn't expect was when I was playing BotW and the power went out. The Switch reverted to portable mode and kept going as it was in the dock. Power came back and I kept playing on the TV. Any other console and I would have lost progress. And had to wait for it to boot back up. I nice bonus due to its design.
I love my Switch. And the Pro Controller is the best thing ever.
@BornInNorway81 There's and update with all of that on the way... as has been reported on this site.
If you can't see how the graphics performance boost both in the dock and out are monumental leaps over the Wii U version and all of the insane amount of new content and the rock solid and screamingly fast multiplayer represent a tremendous upgrade and incredible value over the Wii U iteration, then I think perhaps your judgement is impaired.
But we are talking about an insanely great and respected (with good reason) developer and to imply that they were somehow misleading is really messed up and insulting.
Here's the article. Maybe a little research next time will avoid the need for you to imply that a developer is dishonest.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/03/fast_rmx_developer_is_already_working_on_an_update_for_the_switch_launch_title
They obviously wanted to get this in as a launch title and with good reason: It's the most amazing racing game on a portable system, a great way to show off the power of the switch and it widens the breadth of genres available for the system at launch. It's also a great way to showcase local multiplayer. So it did it's job, is a CLEAR upgrade and setting aside all else, is a really beautiful and fun game.
They didn't 'pretend' anything... Fast RMX leaves the old version in the dust in every way... and the update (that I'm pretty sure they'll name after you. Yup.) is on the way.
@Franklin The reality is it actually is just as smooth as advertised. To suggest otherwise is a sign of mental deficiency. My 7 year old swaps back and forth in seconds with no issues.
I love the Switch, it's amazing and i have had no problems at all ... I do miss miiverse it was nice to chat to mates but that it atm all I can think of. It doesn't need a browser, everyone owns a phone for that lol ... I hope more options come out for the homepage as I want more colours and themes I think it's amazing they put BOTW on that lil tiny cartridge! It tastes yum! Haha... All it needs now are a new F-ZERO and Metroid
I hope they release themes like 3DS and have different tones when unlocking like "Mario coin" Zelda chest" "Boo's laugh" etc..
I also want lots of VC.
Wow...some of these complaints are just stupid. I don't know if I'm just easy to please or what, but every moment I've had with the Switch since day one has been perfect with a few exceptions which got as bad as me saying, "huh". It seems to me the gaming world now is just like the movie world where it's all focusing on the negative and picking apart every little detail and demanding more and more and more to the point where we have forgotten the whole point: Just have fun! "The movie wasn't that great because the effects looked weird." Well was it entertaining? "I don't like the Switch because it doesn't have Netflix and the pro controller doesn't have a headphone jack." Well, are you having fun??
I understand they have to have multiple viewpoints for this article but some of these were cringy to read. Is the Switch perfect? No. Well...at least, I think it's not but it's hard to say because I'm too busy enjoying it!
Love my switch even if I did have to buy a pro controller because the joy cons don't work from less than ten feet away from the console.
I convinced myself to buy one, but guess what? Nintendo won't let me!
Nintendo is the only company I want to do business with that refuses to do so.
I didnt have any interest in a console for years but i dont know why the switch triggered my interest with the on the go features and zelda as a launch title reminding me of ocarina of time back in the days. I decided to buy one and told myself ill just sell it back if i dont like but i absolutly love it! It fits my lifestyle so perfectly. Now i just hope for other good games to come out so i have something to play after im done with zelda. The only downside for me was lack of web browser because i would use it instead of my cellphone since i dont have a tablet for that and something i would have loved is a music player like itune or spotify to complement the gaming on the go while listening to music but i guess both could be added in future no problem. Aside from that i love it and i plan on keeping the switch for sure!
@daveh30
Take it up with the mentally deficient Ron DelVillano.
Mitch Vogel and Arjun Joshi have the only sanely well-balanced opinions in the article here. Well done.
@speedracer216 nah the Wii U was toxic. Nothing was saving that debacle
Switch.. No thanks.. Especially after reading all this.. It seems like the only decent thing it has to offer is the fact that it's portable.. And the whole thing feels like when the Wii got released, how amazing and new that was, but this seems like an updated version of the Wii.. Though I do like that it has no internet browser, I hate console browsers, my God they're an embarrassment and a waste of space..
Nintendo continue to bring out cutesy consoles that keep the player safe in it's little Nintendo bubble, and that's fine.. But after the Wii-U, I won't buying another Nintendo console until they really impress me, and the Switch just hasn't.. I'll probably get Breath of the Wild on Wii-U but then I'll be done.. Until Nintendo grow up lol..
@Billsama "It also struck me that since the Switch doesn't use CDs for its games, there's no disc drive, meaning any chance of using it as a portable DVD/Blu-ray player flies out the window. To be fair, I've never watched DVDs and Blu-rays on consoles (and I probably never will), but in terms of versatility and perhaps backwards compatibility with older Nintendo titles, that could've been a nice feature. I guess the Switch's size, portability, eShop, and overall stance as a games console - not entertainment system - are the answers to that."
Read the whole thing. You're taking it out of context. They're considering what other people might like, not just themselves. This particularly applies to the dock, which considering it's barely anything more than a couple chunks of plastic, with just a tiny power/AV circuit board and USB-C connector cable inside, it could have potentially stood to include an optical drive to make it be worth $60. Lack of backwards compatibility is the bigger point of note there...
@Jaxx2507 The Wii U web browser is exceptionally good, I don't know what you're talking about... (Sure, it's missing out on a bunch of HTML5 and other such features, but pretty much everything that's not a fairly recent PC will have issues there.)
@Other-Brother @subpopz I'm pretty sure the optical drive would have been applicable to the dock, not the NS console core... Nothing has tried that since the PSP, which used UMD's, so obviously that wouldn't apply to the NS core component.
@PlywoodStick
Well, and this is just my opinion, internet browsers on consoles (PS3, PS4, Wii-U, whatever) are heavy and slow and unless you stick a mouse in there, they're just horrible to use..
Games consoles should be just that..
@Jaxx2507 Typically, that's very true, yes. The Wii U browser stands out as being surprisingly lightweight yet versatile, though, mostly due to the Gamepad. Truth is... I've actually used the Wii U web browser for a longer period of time than I've spent on any single Wii U game...
@Tsusasi "An update on the way" for time trials and online multiplayer does not warrant a preemptively improved impression upon launch. Based upon those being missing from launch, it should have docked a point from NL's Fast RMX review, from 9/10 to 8/10. (The review itself was written up a little too fast, come to think of it... )
But yes, the technical aspects on the NS version have certainly been improved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2jEAF8mXUQ
@PlywoodStick
See that's where our opinions differ..
I don't doubt the Wii-Us browser was good.. But it's something I would never use..
Wii-U games though.......well that's another argument..
@NintySnesMan The Wii U will be 5 years old this year, of course it has more games. The Switch came out a week ago...
I like the portability of it. It's nice just to sit on the couch and play it. I hate the joycon straps. As for Zelda it's great, my 6 year old has cleared the initial plateau and is marking her way they the game. I really appreciate the auto save feature. My 4 year old is even able to play the game but mostly just cuts down trees. So it's enjoyed by all. I was disheartened yesterday when my 6 year old told me "I don't want to play 1-2 Switch, it's boring." Sure it has some laughs but she summed it all up for me. Price was also ridiculous. I spent over $600 on it, case, screen protector, 2 games, 2 amiibo (which they jacked the price up on), extra joy cons, and pro controller. Ouch.
@PlywoodStick I'm not taking it out of context. Even with the whole quote it is still a weird thing to complaint about.
It is a perfect example of what is wrong with some reviews (like the one from ign) people focus on things the console is not trying to do instead of talking about what it is trying to do.
I think citing "what others might want" is not a good practice either because you don't know what others want, you only know what you want and that should be the focus of any opinion.
Wow the Switch has already been hacked
"I've also been frustrated at a relatively small percentage of issues getting blown out of proportion, but that's the internet and happens with pretty much everything nowadays. Negativity sells, and that sucks."
This, EXACTLY this. Thanks, @ThomasBW84 for that little pearl of wisdom...
I also like your colleague's description of Breath of the Wild being like an animated canvas...
I'm going to get a switch as soon as stock is open. And yes I know you can buy one online for $500 but waiting for it to be $300 somewhere, and checking local stores
As far as games I have botw on my wii u because I pre-ordered it. At stores I have seen all the switch retail games, just dance, skylanders, botw, 1-2 switch, but there seems to be a shortage of botw wii u
I don't own the system, but I have had some good time with the system, and my position on the system is kind of neutral.
Definitely have to say Zelda: Breath of the Wild is easily worth buying the system for, but I was truly disappointed with a lot of the other things about the system. I found the menu was very basic and plain, the joy-con controllers where way too small for me holding them individually, the game selection isn't exactly great at this point (except Bomberman and Zelda, I was having fun with those games), no virtual console at this point, no video streaming services, you have to be careful taking the system out of the dock or it will scratch the screen, how cheap the dock is.
Yea, it sounds like I have a lot of negative to say about the system, but actually my point is that the launch of the Nintendo Switch feels more like a big beta test for early adopters of the system, within' time, the system could actually be really great edition to any ones household.
@shazzy Im sure Miiverse will come. Along with streaming apps and maybe even street pass. Just like one author wrote, the Switch is basically in beta phase right now. But Im sure within the very near future we will get updates and a ton of new features (including online play )
Just yesterday I finally went into a store and tried out the Switch. And I have to say, apart from the awesome HD rumble - which felt exactly like I expected - I was totally unimpressed.
The screen is way too small, the device felt rather thick and the whole UI/system felt very bare-bone, more like a prototype than a finished product.There was only 1-2-Switch available and apart from that, you could do nothing with the device.
I was really hoping that my scepticism would vanish after an actual hands-on, because so far every Nintendo home console - which the Switch obviously isn't - was able to instantly create that 'must-have' feeling which promted me to get it shortly afterwards.
Instead, I was even more disappointed than before. The Switch looked rather sleek and elegant on pictures but the actual device did not.
Reading this article I'm pretty sure the perception of the Switch would be far worse if Breath of the Wild wasn't released on it. Most people that are asked about the Switch actually talk more about how great playing BotW is than about the device itself.
I wish Nintendo would just continue to support the Wii U, with HD rumble and releases like Splatoon 2, ARMS and Mario Odyssey.
@BornInNorway81: Probably because the online mode in FAST Racing Neo was pretty much unusable. Heavy lags, wrong positions and having no rooms took the fun out of it. They could've learned a lot from MK8 but instead they just made a rehashed version for the Switch.
@shazzy Yeah it's strange how Nintendo threw out everything good (second screen, Miiverse, browser, apps, save game backups etc) that came with the Wii U.
@InternetBowser That many? Clearly I missed 30 or 40 of them.
@PlywoodStick
You're probably right about the dock. But that just adds to the price that a lot of people are complaining about already. Not me I think the Switch is good value.
The Wii should've played DVDs and the WiiU Blurays though!
@Other-Brother For what it's worth, the Wii optical drive can actually play DVD movies if the console is modded. (Not the Wii U drive, though. )
I never thought I would love the Switch as much as I do. The portability absolutely surprised me in how cool it is. I'll want to show my roommate something in the game and instead of yelling for him to come in I just bring the system over... it's so cool to me and I am so so happy with my purchase!! Now we just need some more games haha
@Aslanmagic me too it's always on 1 bar!
Really happy with the Switch so far - the only thing I want that isn't there already is the Virtual Console, really! Cloud saving would be cool too just for peace of mind. One day I'd love to see custom themes as well but I love how minimal and responsive the OS is, don't want it to get too bloated.
After one and a half week of having it, the Switch already has a firm place in my gaming habits. It really replaced both the Wii U and the N3DS - and, by launching with Zelda - also the PS4, as I chose to play BotW instead of Horizon: Zero Dawn.
I like the system a lot and look forward to the firmware upgrades that will hopefully bring improvements with cloud saves and streaming apps like Netflix.
As regards Virtual Console, I bought a lot on Wii U and 3DS and won't buy them again. So unless there is a loyalty program or some other reward / new feature that Nintendo introduces on Switch Virtual Console, I'll not have classic games on Switch.
Favorite console ever. I love the size of it, the controllers are so comfy in my small lady hands. It fits in perfectly to my lifestyle where i am traveling 50% of the time.
I wasn't at all hyped about Zelda, only got it because its Zelda. Turned out to be one of the best games ever. Both the console and game have far exceeded my hopes.
No interest in any other software outside the games so haven't noticed that its lacking.
@shani - Same here except I haven't bothered trying the Switch out for myself. The first Nintendo console ever to make me feel empty and not interested. I remember when it was first code named 'NX' I was so excited for it and couldn't wait to hear more information about it. The more information that got leaked the less interested I became but because I grew up on Nintendo I was willing to at least watch the unveil. The first unveil with the corny music and very short showing of what looked like hipsters that have no interest in gaming showing off a mere i believe it was around two minutes or so. I was left with what the heck is this crap. Then the final unveil and trailer showed off Mario odyssey, breath of the wild and a few others. I was left with a sour taste and said to myself why not just get Zelda Breath of the Wild for Wii - u instead. Switch not backwards compatible and you can't even change out the battery when it dies but you have to ship to Nintendo to replace it. Games that run the same practically as Wii - U. When they do side by comparisons they look almost the same and only run a tad better. Hardly able to justify spending over 500 to 600 dollars for new hardware and accessories and peripherals and still no game. Furthermore like @MSVT was basically saying about makes me wonder if they will get a Console exclusive Zelda. I mean it only took Nintendo around six years for this Wii - U port. Wasn't breath of the wild originally supposed to be released in 2014 on the Wii - U. I would much rather they never made the Switch and just kept making games for the Wii - U until there ready to make a good console. This looks rushed and right now you have less functionality on Switch than you do on Wii - U. Why in the world would you upgrade if you own a Wii U just to go backwards. The only thing some will justify is the portability. For people like me who spent enough money on the Wii - U and don't care about portability do not want to pay all this money just to buy the same games again to play portable.
@Rman12 I couldn't agree more!
The portability is also useless to me, so right now the only reasons to get a Switch someday would be the games, namely Splatoon 2 and ARMS. People complained about a perceived lack of games in the past, but I never had to buy a Nintendo console just for two games (I bought a used Xbox360 for 50€ when GTA V was released and then sold it again after I had finished the singleplayer campaign).
If Splatoon wasn't such an exceptional game for me, I could maybe even skip the Switch altogether, because I still have enough games to play on my Wii U for many years.
So whenever Splatoon 2 is released, I will probably buy a used and as-cheap-as-possible Switch, but it will definitely feel so forced!
It's so strange, I've been defending Nintendo and the Wii U against haters in recent years but now I barely find anything good to say about the Switch and find a lot of things that I dislike.
Arjun, while I know what you were getting at by saying Zelda and Mario Kart 8 aren't true Switch titles, to then cite Skyrim as a game you're looking forward to to show off the console is a bit...well it's how old now? 5 years at least? It stands in the same position as Mario Kart 8, in that respect.
I have a feeling I will be playing mine primarily as a portable once I have it. My situation is most akin to the "too busy for gaming a lot of the time, but sometimes I just want to kill an afternoon by myself." But then on those rare days when I have lots of game time, clicking into the TV and laying on the couch sounds glorious. I haven't played it yet, but my sense is that the system was designed for my gaming life.
Also, I'm okay with the death of home screen music, although I hope it's an option if they later decide to add home themes like the 3DS. I actually really enjoyed the themes, and they made excellent digital giveaways for Nintendo.
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