Is Nintendo’s latest console just another gimmick, or the ‘Switch’ the company needs?
Back in October of 2016, we finally learned what the next home console from Nintendo would be after months if not years of swirling rumors and hopes, and the steady decline of the Wii U. Nintendo ‘NX’ was the code name of this fabled device, and all eyes were on Nintendo for the extremely important announcement. After it’s unveiling via a 3 minute introductory video we were introduced to the Nintendo Switch, a revolutionary change both in the way Nintendo operates, as well as how they want to move forward in an unpredictable industry. Being the first of it’s kind, a “hybrid” device, it allows you to play a game on the television, and then leave the home with the same great experience should you need. Just a few days ago, Nintendo took the stage in Tokyo to finally unveil pricing, launch date, play styles, and more importantly, Games. In order for any console to succeed, it needs both great gameplay experiences as well as great games. We had the chance to test drive the Switch just yesterday at a private venue in New York City, and left more optimistic for the company than we have been in years.
Switch and Play
At it’s core, the Nintendo Switch is a home gaming console first and foremost. Nintendo continually emphasizes that the 3DS family of systems will live on side by side, although as we have seen in the past that is typically a shallow promise. What we haven’t seen is the ability to have a console experience on the go. Whenever you want to leave the TV screen, you can easily undock the Switch and pick off exactly where you left it. Although we were not able to see this be tested in person, others have reported that the transition is instant. The Switch has a wide variety of play styles, most of which are made possible with the Joy-Con controllers. I was able to test out using a Joy-Con on it’s own, the console in handheld mode with both Joy-Cons attached, and the Pro Controller(which will be sold separately). Unfortunately I couldn’t test out some of the new HD rumble or motion control features demonstrated in ‘1-2 Switch’ and ‘ARMS’, but overall got a feel for the device and how it will work.
Sharing the Joy
The Joy-Con controllers are one of the more interesting devices Nintendo has ever developed. They offer a ton of possibilities for the console, and are loaded with technology. The first game that we played was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in split-screen on the 6.2 inch 720p screen(more on this later) with a Joy-Con controller held horizontally. The first thing that I was pleasantly surprised to notice was that it felt comfortable. I was expecting it to feel slightly awkward due to the size, but it is actually a very viable option if you want some local 2 player split screen action. It essentially feels as if you have a mini SNES controller in hand, and even offers right and left triggers horizontally as well as two triggers if you are holding it vertically in Wii remote fashion. One small issue was that the triggers felt somewhat hard to hit, mainly due to the railing that allows it to slide back into the console, but this issue can be remedied with the included Joy-Con straps which click on the railing and makes it feel even more like an actual controller. Another small issue is that the left Joy-Con uses directional buttons and the right has A/B/X/Y buttons. When playing split-screen, the directional buttons act as A/B/X/Y buttons however. This isn’t an issue for an experienced player, but to show off the console to somebody new, you’d most likely give them the right Joy-Con so that they can tell what buttons they are pressing. Each Joy-Con also features HD rumble, and really lets you get immersed into the game. We were unfortunately not able to play the games that utilize this the best, however did notice that the rumble featured is very powerful for such a small device. Clicking them back into the console is also satisfying as you’d expect, and I feel like I will end up clicking them in and out as a form of stress release, it’s that good. Other features include a Motion Camera, NFC for amiibo, accelerometer, and gyro controls. Also, we were told that each Joy-Con lasts at least 20 hours on a single charge, quite an impressive number for such a small device loaded with features.
Pro Precision
One of the more standard options comes in the form of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. This isn’t included with the system, however, and will run you $69.99 in retail. You may be asking if it really necessary. If you really want the most standard controller you can get, I’d highly recommend it. It has textured grips which makes it feel very comfortable, and compares to holding an Xbox One controller. In fact, it shares a lot in common with the Xbox One controller, everything from button and stick placement, although features digital triggers which is one minor complaint of mine as it doesn’t allow you any control over how much you push the trigger down. It also has a share button right on it, which allows you to take screenshots of games at launch and video recordings later on. Another cool feature is that it has gyro controls and HD rumble features built right into it, so you aren’t missing out on any of the Joy-Con features. It also has a built in NFC reader for amiibo, another nice feature that really makes it the go to controller for hardcore players. All in all, in feels really great in your hands and while it may not be necessary at launch, these will most likely be a big hit whenever we see Smash makes it way to the Switch.
Resolution Revelation
We learned that the device on its own displays at 1280x720p resolution at up to 60 frames per second on the 6.2 inch screen. This was very clear with Mario Kart 8 deluxe, which looks absolutely phenomenal even in split screen even on such a small device. The colors pop, the games runs smooth without dips, and you can see a ton of detail. For as well as it looks handheld, the game really shined on the TV. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe runs at 1080p 60fps while docked, and was one of the cleanest looking games they had. We also got to play Splatoon 2 handheld, another great example of the 720p screen really shining. Lots of people will be disappointed that the device isn’t 1080p on its own, but you will be shocked when you finally get a chance to see how well it looks. In an age where resolution is all people discuss on the internet, there will obviously be the people upset with this console, but Nintendo does really well when it comes to maximizing games with the hardware they provide. And what Nintendo lacks in resolution, they make up with some fantastic games.
Games, Games, Games
The games that they had on display included a variety of first parties, as well as quite a few third party supporters. From Zelda to Sonic, they had some great titles on display. The highlight of the show for me however was Splatoon 2. Splatoon really took off when it launched on the Wii U, so a fully fledged sequel really excited me, especially being portable. The game brings back gyro controls from the first, which at first can be jarring, but eventually becomes the preferred play style in my opinion. Aiming with the gyro felt natural and really immerses you into the experience, however it can be disabled for a more traditional control scheme we were told. A variety of new weapons and maps are included as well, the most iconic being the dual splat weapons which made me hearken back to the days when Halo 2 first introduced dual wielding. I feel like this could become a very iconic weapon for the series and the gameplay it offers is extremely fun. Playing the standard turf war game mode in local 4v4 mode was fast paced and most importantly fun. Playing this game in handheld mode was very comfortable and offered a great feeling for the device. It’s lightweight yet feels like a powerful device in your hand. Another great game I discussed earlier was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Offering all the DLC from Mario Kart 8 and then adding even more content, this game is a great package deal. New characters include the Inklings from Splatoon, as well as returning characters like King Boo and Dry Bones. Another great comeback is a standard battle mode with balloons, and now with two item slots the action is even more intense. As I said earlier, playing the game in 60fps on the handheld felt crisp, smooth, and looked absolutely stunning. This is the full Mario Kart 8 experience on the go and its extremely exciting. Ultra Street Fighter 2 was also playable, and we got the chance to use the Pro Controller with it. Not much to be said, but it is a great addition to the lineup of games and felt great on the Pro controller. Fast RMX was another highlight for me. This F-Zero inspired game stays true to that formula, but adds some cool variety. Keeping true to the ‘Switch’ name, the developers have added a mechanic that makes you switch between two colors to match the boost strips found across the map. If you fail to switch, you will spin out and crash. The gameplay is fast, frantic, and of course fun. Everything that we played was fun, something that has been lost in today’s gaming industry. While others are focusing on how much they can push a machine, Nintendo is content with staying true to what they do best, making great games.
I haven’t been this excited for a console since the original Wii, which promised some revolutionary gameplay. Nintendo seems to have grasped that concept once more with the Switch, and they are running with it. With a strong launch windows of games including Zelda, a ton of ways to play, and fun all around, it has never been a better time to be a Nintendo fan. Some may argue that Nintendo still hasn’t entirely gotten the 3rd party support they need, but they have shown that they have a fair enough on board already. If they continue putting out great content at a good cadence, sales will increase which will encourage more 3rd parties to switch over. To everyone skeptical about this machine, make sure to at least give it a chance and test it out somewhere. I can almost guarantee you will find something about it that makes you see its potential. I haven’t had as much fun using a piece of hardware as I have with the Switch, and cannot wait to get my hands on it once March 3rd rolls around. The hype is there, the fans are eager, and Nintendo is in a great position with a ton of potential. A great time to be a gamer indeed.