Nintendo Switch review: Innovation at its finest but lacking content
The Nintendo Switch isn’t a perfect console. However, when it comes to variety, innovation and how you play, it’s an amazing gaming machine.
Nintendo has created the next generation of home consoles with the Nintendo Switch (also a handheld). Let it be known that the console does have many flaws and most of these flaws have to do with the lack of content at launch. However, at its core, which is playing games, it’s incredible.
How the Switch is played will be our main focus. For example, we’ve spent most of our time playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The performance and gameplay of the game will be the core of our explanations. We’ll also go into more detail about the different controller variations and the lack of content we mentioned earlier.
The Switch is a home console/ handheld hybrid. Whether you want to play on your TV at home or take it with you on the go, you have the option of doing so. This is what, essentially, makes the console the Switch. You can switch back and forth between the TV or the portable screen. It’s very convenient and easy to do so.
The console is capable of visually stunning graphics, whether you’re on the TV or playing portably. There’s one gripe we have about the TV mode. It has all to do with playing Breath of the Wild. In certain areas in the game, we see significant frame rate drops, which is disappointing. It doesn’t last very long, but it can be annoying.
Other than that, the game is a beautiful wonder to behold in both modes. It’s easily one of the most visually pleasing games Nintendo has ever created, by far. We’re sure it looks great on the Wii U, but the best version is definitely on the Switch. Based on graphical performance, the Switch does its best with what its got. Developers will be able to push the console to its limits in order to create the visuals they want. They won’t have to worry about performance, whether it’s on the TV or handheld.
The handheld mode is very sharp. We see no drops in frame rate and everything is extremely smooth. You can take it everywhere you go and have a great time.
Next up, the Joy-Con controllers. There are three different ways of playing with the Joy-Cons. You can attach them to the screen itself to play portably, you can attach them to the Joy-Con Grip, or you can have one on each hand. By far, the best way to play is on the Grip.
It takes a little getting used to at the start. You get the hang of it quickly, though. Having one in each hand feels a bit weird, but our Wii instincts kicked in a little bit after and it became second nature. Having them attached to the screen almost feels no different than using a Wii U gamepad. It’s a very familiar experience. You don’t have to worry about being close to a console anymore either.
Based on how you play, the games’ performance on the console and the controls, the Switch is incredible — easily the most innovative console to date. But we’ve reached that moment where we talk about why it can be disappointing for some.
For starters, the Switch suffers from a serious lack of games at launch. In reality, this really isn’t a big deal. If you’re complaining about this, then you probably aren’t a Zelda fan. Zelda has been keeping us busy since the console has launched and we aren’t even close to being finished. Of course, we want more games, but maybe in a few months after we’re done with this one.
Not everybody thinks this way, though. Honestly, we can understand their perspective as well. Consumers want variety when it comes to games. We have no doubt that Nintendo will deliver that in the next coming months. However, maybe two or three other significant games at launch would have been nice.
What’s really annoying us is the lack of features on the console. There are no video streaming services, like Netflix or Hulu. It’s a gaming console after all. Every other console has had this, though. We know they’ll add this down the line, we just don’t understand why they couldn’t incorporate this at launch. There isn’t even an internet browser. Come on, Nintendo.
Lastly, the eShop. There are a few game available to download, but that’s it. No virtual console services yet, such as NES, SNES, and N64 games, and we still know nothing about that aspect. Again, we’ll learn more later on. At least that’s what Nintendo gas stated.
Nintendo does this all the time, and it’s definitely frustrating. Patience is a virtue, but it’s no secret that this is a turnoff for many potential buyers.
The “so-called” online service is still up in the air. Almost nothing is known about it other than it will be a paid subscription service later this year and we’ll be able to play a free game every month for a limited time. Nintendo does many things right, but they also do plenty of things wrong.
Next: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild first impressions
Verdict
Overall, despite the lack of games and key features, the Switch is an amazing gaming console. The way you’re able to play it is extremely innovative, and Breath of the Wild runs incredibly well. If a game like that is able to run so smoothly on the console, then any other game should do the same.
The future is bright for the Switch. Once they start implementing everything else, it’ll be hard to find flaws. For now, it’s awesome for what it has and what it can do. Just be aware if you’re an early adopter that it has some work to do before it reaches its full potnetial.