The Nintendo Switch

Boy, this is an odd one. Yup, it's a console-handheld hybrid, like expected, so what are my own feeble thoughts about it? Full disclosure, I don't have a switch. That's a whopping 300 bucks I don't have or have spent on vita games.

Yeah, that's the thing though, the switch is a PS Vita + PSTV. It's a high-end portable, something I thought was proven that people didn't want with the vita. Of course, the switch has its own variety of gimmicks and features, but it has a lot of flaws too. Clearly, the detachable controllers are a big selling point. Not only can you put them into a controller, but you can also have two players on the go. However, aside form technical issues (controllers purportedly de-sync) they also look uncomfortable when held sideways for two players. Also with this comes the complete removal of the D-pad, which is ironic, given the fact that it's Nintendo's invention. Instead, there's a Wonderswan-esque four button arrangement. As an aside, I am overjoyed that I successfully used "Wonderswan-esque" in a sentence.

The system itself is far too large to fit in a pocket, even if you take the controllers off it takes up two pockets. The battery life is also fairly poor, although handheld have been getting worse every generation, so that's not a surprise. All of this means that the switch is not nearly as portable as the ads or even the vita. This is extremely disappointing to me personally, as it will be hard to take with me everywhere. Also, and this a personal complaint, but I'm sad it looks like streetpass won't be making a return. Sure, it wasn't integral to the 3DS, but it was cool nonetheless.

The game library is interesting, if not a mixed bag. Other than Zelda, there's not a whole lot that's interesting that is coming out at launch, but that was to be expected. Moving on from launch, the rest of the year is fairly dry until the release of Super Mario Odyssey. Still, this is a markedly better and more interesting launch than the Wii U, or the ads for that matter.

This system also leaves the 3DS in an uncertain place. Certainly, the Wii U is totally dead, but the 3DS is in a different stage entirely. There are still first party games being made for it, and also ports of otherwise Switch-exclusive games. If there is a third version of Pokemon sun and moon, I wonder if it will also release on the 3DS.

To be fair, it's easy to say the switch doesn't have much competition in the handheld space. The vita is widely considered (incorrectly) as a dead platform, and I don't think android based dedicated games machines will set the world on fire any time soon. When talking about switch as a home console, however, the outlook is less promising. The switch is clearly more powerful than the Wii U, it doesn't seem to beat out a system like the Xbox One. While porting between systems may be feasible (if resolution is lowered) there are new more powerful systems that are out or are coming soon. The switch can't hope to compete in performance with something like the PS4 Pro, or Project Scorpio form Sony or Microsoft, respectively. I am however inclined to say that the move to portability was a method by Nintendo to avoid these direct comparisons.

Public reaction of the switch seems to be good, generally. I have seen a fair amount of hype for the system, which is great. However, personally, the Switch isn't what I wanted from Nintendo. No, I didn't want them to make a continuation to the Wii U, that clearly wouldn't work well. No, what I wanted was a worthy successor to the 3DS. Simple fact of the matter is: The switch is too big to really fit that niche. I am wary about the future of handhelds going forward from this point on. Certainly, I've given the 3DS its fair share or critique, but I remained interested in it because it was a Handheld, not some strange unwieldy amalgamation. I certainly haven't sworn off ever getting the switch, but I just don't feel too terribly left out at the moment. Well, unless Nintendo announces a new Kirby platformer for it. Then all my current reservations go riiiiight out the window.



P. S. Have you seen how expensive those controllers are???? It's the Vita's memory card snafu ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

P.P.S. I have some reservations about Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Looks like third person Skyrim without the rpg elements mixed with minecraft. I think they really wanted to pander to western audiences after the response to skyward sword. Still, I hope it's good, I'll be getting it for the Wii U at some point.