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Overanalyzing Anime
Blog Owner & Lead Writer
So, I recently went out and purchased a Nintendo Switch and so far, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the console. It somehow manages to simultaneously be something very familiar, and yet entirely different from anything I’ve experienced before in terms of a gaming console. Keep reading to discover the Good, Bad, and Ugly aspects of the Nintendo Switch!
The Good
The Nintendo Switch is an interesting device. Part “home console,” part “gaming on the go;” it’s a unique device that really manages to stand a part from the completion in a number of intriguing ways. Upon purchasing the device I wondered if the Switch might be something akin to the PlayStation Vita, wherein it sought to bridge the gap between console play and mobile gaming in a not so effective way. However, much to my surprise - and elation - I’ve come to find that the Switch manages to delve into both worlds equally, creating a console that is truly of both worlds.
One of the first things I noticed about the Switch was just how comfortable the device felt in my hands. At first glance the design seems awkward - as though the screen might be too large, resulting in an awkward mobile experience; and that may very well be the case for someone with smaller hands. However, my hands appear to the ideal size, as the console feels incredibly comfortable in my hands, allowing me to play most games in that position. However, there are certain games - really just “DB Fighterz” - that are difficult to play with the JoyCons attached to both sides of the Switch; but therein lies the beauty of the console. If a game requires more flexibility, I can simply unhook the JoyCons from both sides of the console, pop out the built-in kickstand from the device, and let the god times roll. In fact, I used this feature just today at work, when a coworker and each took a JoyCon and duked it out in a quick match of “Super Smash Bros.”
While the mobile aspect of the Switch is great, the console aspect takes it to the next level as the Switch easily slides into its dock in order to bring the fun to the big screen with stunning visualizations that are, in some instances, on par with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One - and I’m not kidding. While its nowhere near as powerful as the PS4 (or X1), it still manages to hold its own pretty well. While games like “Tomb Raider” or “Call of Duty” would be far too much for the console to handle, it manages to hold up incredibly well with “Dragon Ball Fighterz” and “Diablo” - both of which are games that can be found on the PS4 and X1. Not only that, unlike its competitors, the Switch is a creation of Nintendo, which means it’s privy to a number of exclusive titles which include “Super Smash Bros.: Ultimate,” “Pokemon: Let’s Go,” “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” as well as half-a-dozen different “Super Mario” games. All that to say, the Switch is a powerhouse in it’s own regard when it comes to console based gaming.
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Other Good Points
The Bad
With all of that being said, let’s get to the less than favorable aspects of the console, the first of which is the devices battery life. Having both a PlayStation 4 and an XBOX One, I don’t often play the switch via the television. This is mostly because my girlfriend and I watch television a lot, and the Switch allows me to play games like “DB Fighterz” and “Super Smash Bros.” while simultaneously watching shows with her. Furthermore, I have also started taking my Switch to work with me where I spend my free time playing it. The mobility of it was one of the main reasons I purchased it, so it really is a bummer that the battery life doesn’t last any longer. It’s not such a detriment that I would convince someone not to buy it - especially since the majority of individuals who purchase one will primarily use it at home - but it is something to consider, especially if you’re someone who likes to spend hours gaming on the go.
Other Bad Points
The Ugly
There is really only one thing that’s “ugly” about this console, and that’s the price. While the system itself is a whole lot of fun, the act of heading to a local shop and paying $299 (plus tax) for the thing is anything but. It was the steep price that turned me off of the console for so long - and while I’ve fallen in love with it, I really wish that I did not have to pay as much as I did for it. For example, a few months ago I purchased a PlayStation 4 for $199 at Best Buy, and not only did I get a console, I also got a free $60 Spider-Man game. Meanwhile, all my $299 got me was a console. I then had to spend an additional $120 to get two games for the console. And, if I want to get so bold as to want an additional controller - or I guess two, really - I have to pay another $80.
It was just a lot of money to spend, and while I don’t regret it necessarily - mostly because I was planning on spending this money I spent on this on something else anyway - it definitely hurt my wallet to spend so much on it, given the fact that I already own a PS4 and X1.
Consensus
Nintendo has always been one to think outside of the box and, among the three big gaming companies, it has always stood out as the most unique. Their latest console, the Switch, is a testament to their idiosyncratic methodology. Taking a little from almost every Nintendo console that preceded it - the design of the Wii U, controllers similar to the original Wii, the mobility of the Nintendo DS/GameBoy, and a gaming catalog that spans as far back as the NES. In short, the Nintendo Switch is a amalgamation of all the great things Nintendo has pushed out over the last three decades; an ode to both newcomers and long time fans alike.
If you can get past the steep price, I definitely say give it a chance. Its a gaming experience unlike anything on the market right now, and it will definitely offer up hours of fun.
My rating: 8/10
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