Nintendo’s new console, the Nintendo Switch, was released in the United States on March 3. This revolutionary new system aims to bridge the gap between portable and console gaming as well as redeem Nintendo from its failure of the Wii U.
The Switch has potential to be an incredible portable gaming device. It runs smoothly both inside and outside the dock with little to no lag, despite the lower quality of the processors. The only foreseeable issue is the battery life.
Nintendo has stated that the Switch will run between two-and-a-half to six-and-a-half hours on a single charge depending on the game being played. The audience was anticipating a much better battery. However, since the Switch charges via USB Type-C, it may be possible to buy a separate battery in the future.
The size of the Switch is smaller than I expected it to be. Its 6.2-inch screen and 4-inch-long Joy-Con controllers barely fit in my large hands. Although small, I have no issues holding the console or controllers.
Speaking of which, the Joy-Con controllers are very unique. They offer several different play styles, such as connected directly to the console, in the Joy-Con grip or disconnected from the console and on their own. Personally, I prefer the controllers in two separate pieces so I can move my hands around freely rather than having them confined to one joint piece.
The console also has a kickstand on the back so players can play on a table. However, this kickstand is very small and feels somewhat flimsy. So flimsy, in fact, that it doesn’t even stand up on any surface that isn’t hard and flat. The kickstand also serves as a cover for the microSD card slot. This can pose as a problem if the kickstand were to break off.
In my last article, I mentioned that part of the downfall of the Wii U was the lack of games at launch. Nintendo aimed to solve this problem by releasing “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on the same day as the Switch.
Even though this was a huge selling point of the Switch, that was one of the only games available. Some of the big titles, such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” and “Super Mario Odyssey” will not be available for several months. Even though those at launch don’t have much to play now, they still have much to look forward to.
Overall, the Nintendo Switch is a great console and appeals to a very wide audience. My only problems with the system are the battery and the kickstand, but this can be easily overlooked and fixed with accessories. My rating for this console is an 8/10, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Nintendo games.
The Nintendo Switch is now available at large retail stores for $299.99.
P.S. Yes, the cartridges do taste very bitter.
