TLDR: The Nintendo Switch is a great hybrid gaming council with many features and is totally worth it in 2023.
- 3 Play Styles: TV Mode, Tabletop Mode, Handheld Mode
- 6.2-inch, multi-touch capacitive touch screen
- 4.5-9 plus Hours of Battery Life Will vary depending on software usage conditions
- Innovative design
- Impressive Built Quality
- Expandable Storage
- Great Exclusive Games Collection
- Huge variety of games
- Attractive price point
- Portable
- Not as powerful as PS4 or Xbox
- Split D-pad
- Graphics are poor compared to PS4 or Xbox
When it comes to gaming consoles, there are three main options for anyone to choose from. These are the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. Sure, there are a few other options, but they aren’t as famous. At Least not yet. So if you are someone who’s looking to buy a gaming console, there’s a high probability you have come across any of these three consoles. And since you are reading this article, it’s safe to assume that you are considering the Nintendo Switch. Well, you will be glad to know that we have walked the distance for you and will make your choice easier. Going forward in this article we will be going through some of the strong points of the Nintendo Switch and see if it’s worth buying in 2023. So if any of this sounds interesting to you, then keep reading.
Is the Nintendo Switch worth it?
First launched in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been growing in popularity since then. A revised version of the Nintendo Switch was also launched in July 2019. Now comes 2023, and it is one of the most popular and beloved consoles available right now. For the past few years it has been continuously gaining new users and it doesn’t seem that it’s gonna stop any soon. In fact ever since the “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” game has been launched, the switch has seen a huge influx of new gamers. But no matter how good a console is, it might not be the same for everyone. So we will be helping you decide whether it is the console for you. Even if the Switch isn’t the one for you, the Switch Lite is also worth a look. It is a stripped-down version of the Switch with fewer features but let’s leave that for some other day. For now let’s bring our focus back to the Nintendo Switch. To begin with, let’s look at the top reasons that are in favor of the Nintendo Switch.
Reasons To Buy the Nintendo Switch
1. Portability
This is one of the biggest positive factors for the Nintendo Switch. Not only does it come in a compact form factor, but it is also very portable. This means that you can easily carry it anywhere you go. You can’t say the same for the other two i.e Playstation 4 and Xbox One. The reason behind these lies in the way they are supposed to operate. Both the PS4 and Xbox One Powerful and fast. They can easily play all demanding games too with high-quality graphics. But this also means that they aren’t that portable and can’t be carried along. They also need an additional display to operate. So, playing on the go isn’t an option with these two.
The Nintendo Switch on the other hand is a hybrid console. This means that you can either play on the big screen by docking it to your TV, or you could also play it in handheld mode. The Switch comes in the handheld configuration mode by default when you purchase it. However you can modify the configuration and change it to console configuration. Transitioning the Switch from handheld mode to console mode requires you to place the switch on the charging dock. You will also have to detach the Joy-Con controllers from the side of the display. Once this is done, the game will then be displayed on your tv screen. You can also play games on the Switch by setting the screen on a table, desk, or any other surface and use the Joy-Cons to control it. The Joy-con controllers can then be used for either a single-player or two players. So you can play multiplayer games using this. Once you are done, you can reattach the Joy-Con controllers and the Switch will be back to handheld mode. Playing for longer periods in the handheld configuration mode is easily possible all thanks to the impressive battery life of the Switch. The process of connecting and disconnecting the charging dock and the television is very easy and can be done in the space of a few minutes. This swift process enables you to easily take the Switch along with you while you are traveling. This portability isn’t something you get with any of the other two consoles. However, this portability comes at the cost of performance. This is something that we will talk more about in the later sections.
2. Lower Price Tag
Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford the high price tags of gaming consoles. And even if they can, they might not opt to pay the extra bucks because of their financial plans. If you are like any of these two types, then there’s no doubt as to why the Nintendo Switch got your attention. This is because one of the biggest advantages of the Nintendo Switch is the lower price point which is significantly cheaper when compared to the price of most of the competitor consoles. If you are even more limited with your budget and want to go even lower, then you can also opt for the Nintendo Switch Lite. It has a price tag that is 100$ less than the Switch. The biggest difference between these two is that the Switch Lite isn’t a hybrid console. This means that you cannot transfer the game you are playing on your Switch Lite to the television screen. This makes the Switch Light a strictly handheld system. The other difference is that it has a more compact design and a smaller screen. It also doesn’t come with a charging dock. Other than these, the Switch and Switch Lite are the same. You get the same number of games and can play them both in the handheld mode.
Now compare the price of either of the Nintendo Consoles with any other consoles, and you will see why the Switch is the better option. At least in terms of the pricing of the console. You can also take into consideration the speculated price of the upcoming consoles from Sony and Microsoft. While the PlayStation 5 is speculated to have a price point of 500$, the Xbox Series X might cost anything in the range of 499$ to 599$. The Xbox and the PlayStation might have better performance but they also cost a lot. So, if you are someone with a tight budget, the Switch is the console for you. Even if you have the extra money, the Switch is still a great option at this price point.
3. A large Number of Game Titles
Nintendo Switch is after all a gaming console. And what is a gaming console without a huge number of games available to play? So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Nintendo Switch has a large library of games. While launching the device, Nintendo made sure that they included a wide number of games that you can choose from which are available for the Switch. You get a huge catalog that has different kinds of games for every kind of gamer. So you have games that are suitable for those that have low maturity levels aka Kids, and then you have games for adults as well. It doesn’t matter which age group you belong to, there are games for all groups. There are also different tier games. From free games to paid games and the ones with in-app purchases, you get them all. There are games for every kind of gamer, be it a casual gamer, a hardcore gamer, or those that love to play retro games. With the Switch you get gaming titles like Mortal Kombat, LEGO Jurassic World, LEGO Marvel Super, Super Mario Brothers, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Fortnite, Pokémon, and many others. You can download or purchase them either from Nintendo’s eShop or other online retailers.
Another big advantage of the Nintendo Switch is the sheer number of exclusive Nintendo only games available. Just like you get many exclusive games on the PlayStation, there are many exclusive games for Nintendo that you won’t be able to play in any other gaming console. In fact, it might even be a stronger argument for the Switch. This includes titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, etc. So, as a potential buyer you don’t need to worry about the availability of games in the Switch. In fact there seem s to have been a continuous release of new games, for the Switch, almost every month. So, you won’t ever run out of games to play.
4. Great Co-Op Gaming
Admit it. Playing any normal game together along with your friends is many times better than playing it alone. Not only do you get to spend some time together but you also get to team up and play against each other. Luckily for gamers, the Nintendo Switch excels in this. The Switch makes playing teaming up and playing games together with your friends or family very easy. You can all have a great gaming experience while being in the same place.
This experience gets even better if you have two Nintendo Switch devices. You won’t be needing additional setups in order to be able to play multiplayer games. It doesn’t require you to be on the same type of system to play against each other. This means you can use your Nintendo Switch to play against someone playing the same game on his computer or any other console. It saves you from the hassles of setting up multiple screens in order to play together.
5. Great for playing on the GO
As we have seen earlier, the Nintendo Switch is a very portable gaming Console. So, this can be the perfect companion while you are on the move. It having a dedicated display and the handheld mode means that you don’t need any kind of setup. You can start playing any time you want. Now, some might argue that you can do the same with your mobile phone. So what’s the difference between these to then. Well they aren’t completely wrong. You can in fact do play a lot of games on your phone. There’s no denying that. But with the Switch you get a lot of other options that you don’t get on your phone. In addition to that, playing games on the Switch feels a lot better. Compared to the touchscreen on your phone, playing a game using the Joy-Con controllers is more fun. So, even though your mobile phone will do fine, with the Switch you get better controls, more games, and a better gaming experience overall. So it doesn’t matter whether you are in your regular commute via the Subway, or on the bus, or you are waiting in the airport in between flights or even if you are on the plane. With the Switch you can easily enjoy your favorite games while you are on the go.
6. Storing Games
Most games these days are of very high-quality graphics. While they are very good to look and play, the fact is they take a lot of space. So the more high graphs a game has, the more space it takes. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that most gamers have their storage completely occupied more often than not. This is why data storage is something that can act as a bottleneck and hence is a huge concern for most gamers. The Switch can help you get rid of these concerns. Let us see how.
So, when it comes to loading games into the Switch, there are two ways to do that. The first option is to purchase and download the game from the Nintendo eStore. While this is the most convenient way to load games into your Nintendo Switch, there are two downsides to it. One is that this method uses very high bandwidth which can be a problem for many. The other problem is that it will fill up the storage of your Switch very quickly. But Nintendo has a solution for this though. There is a built-in Micro SD card slot in the Switch. You can insert an SD Card into the slot and expand the storage. But there’s still the issue of high bandwidth and the risk of losing the Sd Card which is actually possible, given its tiny size. So if by any chance you lose the Sd Card and have all your games and apps stored on it, then you will lose those too. So it’s all better to be safe than sorry.
The other way of loading games into the Switch is to buy the game from other retailers. In this case you will get a storage card with the game already loaded in it. You don’t have to download these, but you still have to go out and physically buy them. Which is less convenient than downloading them. The other drawback is that whenever you need to play a different game, you need to swap the cards. And over time, with the increase in your games collection, you might find it hard to keep them organized. So these are the two sides of the coin when it comes to storage. You can opt for whichever seems more convenient for you. But be rest assured that you will hardly face any storage problems.
7. The Accessories
Nintendo Switch on its own is great. But what takes it to another level is the different kinds of accessories available for the Nintendo Switch. Most of these accessories are not from Nintendo but rather from various other third party companies. For example the steering wheel accessory, where your Joy-Con controllers go, lets you play driving games in a better way. Then there are the control bases that resemble Xbox or PlayStation controllers where you can insert your controllers. This comes in handy if the Joy-con controllers are too small for your hands. Not to forget the customized sleeves that act as screen protectors by placing them over the Switch’s dock. There’s also a travel case available for the Switch that you can buy. SO, the bottom line is that there are tons of third-party accessories available for the Nintendo Switch that enhance the overall gaming experience.
8. Can act as a Gateway console
Because of the lower price tag of the Switch or even the Switch lite, a lot of people who could never afford a gaming console can finally try it out on their own. Think about it. The Switch is a lot cheaper than the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One. So instead of opting for these two, someone who is on a tight budget can go with the Nintendo Switch. In this way the Nintendo Switch can act as a Gateway Console for a lot of gamers.
9. Other Features
Even though we have listed a lot of features of the Switch, there are still a few features that are worth mentioning. Like, there’s the ability to find Joy-con controllers using the Switch in case you lose them somewhere around. This is done by turning on the controller’s rumble feature, which can be found in Switch’s menu, after which the controller will start vibrating. You can then follow this sound and find your Joy-Cons. You can also access your Nintendo eshop purchases on another Switch by using an old GameCube controller. You can also charge other mobile devices using the Switch and it also allows you to change the light and dark backgrounds. Finally, you can also connect the Joy-con controllers to your phone by using the built-in Bluetooth.
Reasons not to Buy the Nintendo Switch
Like every other device, Nintendo Switch has a few drawbacks of its own. There are a few areas where the Nintendo Switch could have done better.
1. Not as powerful as PS4 or Xbox One
Like we discussed above, the portability of the Nintendo Switch comes at a cost. And that cost is hardware power. While the Nintendo Switch can manage all games that are thrown at it, it just isn’t as good as the PS4 or the Xbox One. The PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One for that matter are very powerful devices and can run much more power-intensive games. The games also have better graphics here. So if this is what you are looking for then the Nintendo Switch isn’t the device for you. However, you should know that the Nintendo Switch is still a very capable gaming console but just not that powerful.
2. Lack of Third-party Support
This is another issue with the Nintendo Switch. The lack of third party support in the Nintendo Switch might bother a few users. You don’t have that many third-party options available. You have to be content with the Switch-exclusive titles. I am not saying that the Switch has fewer options. In fact this is the opposite and you have a large number of titles available for the switch. It’s just that it somewhat misses out on third-party support. However, this has been changing recently with games like DOOM and Overwatch being available for Switch. So these are signs of good things to come in the future.
Should You Buy The Nintendo Switch? – Our Verdict
Now comes the million-dollar (or rather the 300 dollars) question. So is the Nintendo Switch Worth it? Well, after going through all the pros and cons of the Nintendo Switch, we can say that the pros outweigh the cons. So, to answer the question, Yes the Nintendo Switch Worth it. And if you are looking for a good yet affordable gaming console, then you should definitely buy the Nintendo Switch.
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Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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