Should You Switch to Nintendo Switch?
There has been a lot of press around the new Nintendo Switch this last week as Nintendo has released the specs, pricing and release date of the unique new gaming system.
With so many questions answered, it still raises a few, such as, “Should I switch to Nintendo Switch, or stick with what I have?”
After I give you the facts, I’ll go over whether you should get it, or forget it.
Details:
- Available March 3, 2017
- MSRP $299.99
- Resolution: 720p on console screen, 1080p output when docked
- Battery life: Ranges from 2.5 to 6.5 hours (depends on game demand)
- Bundled accessories: Dock, a set of Joy-Con controllers, liability straps for them, Joy-Con Grip, HDMI and power cables.
- Bundled games: NONE!
Breakdown:
The good:
There’s never been a device like this that can be equally a good home console and portable system. Buy a game once and you get it at home and on the road.
The included Joy-Con remotes are quite remarkable. Not only are they able to do both wired and wireless gaming and support haptic feedback, but they can be split up so two people can play with one half each. If you don’t want to use them, there is a solid looking Pro controller available (more on that in the “bad” section).
The games that have been announced look fun. Classics like Zelda and Mario will be showing up (more on that in the “bad” section). Although still not out yet, there are about 60 titles that should be available within a year of the release or in the near future after that.
The Bad:
At a premium price of about $300, I’d expect at least ONE game to come with this. Nope, none.
Since the console is meant to be portable as well, how about some sort of carrying case to protect it on the road? Not happening.
Can I at least use my old Wii or WiiU games and/or controllers? No! And it’s still not official, but it seems as though even downloaded WiiU content won’t be moved over either, not for free anyway.
Since you can’t use Wii or WiiU controllers, you need more. The Pro controller it’ll cost you about $70. Another set of Joy-Cons will cost $80.
Since you can’t use your Wii or Wii U games, you need more. At launch a small handful of games are available, and Super Mario Odyssey isn’t one of them. Expect it and a decent selection to be here in time for the 2017 holiday season… but not sooner.
No disc drive means not only will Nintendo Switch never support old Wii and WiiU game discs, but it also can’t be used to watch DVD or Blu-Rays. It won’t add to your home entertainment center beyond gaming.
Don’t let that game card slot fool you either. It may look like a 3DS cartridge, but it isn’t. And your portable 3DS games are also not going to be compatible.
Summary:
Sure, it’s a cool looking console and innovative design. It takes the bulky, odd GamePad of the Wii U and makes the next logical evolution. But totally dismissing the controllers and games of the past is a slap in the face of any Nintendo fan what has gotten used to Nintendo’s past policy of reverse compatibility. And the lack of at least one game and the delayed arrival of the blockbuster games means you won’t get much of the system from the get-go.
In short, NO, don’t switch to Nintendo Switch yet. The Nintendo Switch will be a pretty darn good system. By Christmas 2017 it may have it’s act together (better games, perhaps some digital backwards compatibility for games, bundled extras). Until then, wait.
Ah, the good old days when we hoped so much for the Nintendo Switch…