The Nintendo Switch is one of the most interesting and innovative game consoles ever made. It changes the way we think about gaming and the difference between mobile and console gaming. But with all that innovation comes change. Many people are left wondering how it differs from other consoles, what games are available for the Switch, and whether it is right for them. We have put together this Nintendo Switch review to answer those questions.
The basics
The Nintendo Switch was released in March, 2017 with a retail price of $299.99. Unlike other consoles, the Switch offers three gameplay modes. The first is plugged into your TV. This TV mode is similar to other consoles and is probably the least surprising. The second mode is handheld mode. The user slides controllers into the side of their Switch and it then becomes usable as a mobile gaming device. The third is tabletop mode. The console itself acts as the screen, just like in handheld mode, but the players use controllers that are separated from the console, like in TV mode. This is for using the console as a multiplayer system on the go.
The Switch features small handheld controllers called Joy-Cons that pick up on player movement. In this way it resembles the Nintendo Wii, a previous console from Nintendo. These joy-cons can be plugged into cases to create a steering wheel or a more conventional game controller.
The Switch sports great graphics that look incredible on a large TV, and it also makes a great mobile gaming device with 2.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life, depending on the game being played.
Who is it for?
The Nintendo Switch appeals to a variety of people. Families and social gamers will be drawn to its distinctive style of play. It certainly encourages people to gather around, watch, and participate.
However, many more experienced gamers will be drawn to the Nintendo Switch as well. This is especially true of people who enjoy immersive single player games, such as Mario or Zelda. Nintendo has always excelled at creating these kinds of titles, and by all accounts they have succeeded in creating better story-driven single player games than ever before.
How does it stack up against the competition?
The Switch’s main competitors are the Xbox One and the PS4. Each of these consoles has certain benefits and drawbacks. The Switch is better than either of these systems when it comes to mobile gaming. Neither Microsoft nor Sony can offer the ability to transfer a game seamlessly from in-home to on-the-go the way the Switch does.
The Switch is also better when it comes to interactive gaming. There are a number of games that take advantage of the Joy-Con’s ability to detect player movement. The Switch also boasts a number of titles such as Mario Kart that are designed to be played by multiple people in the same room. Families will especially love the Switch because of the reasons outlined above, as well as the fact that there are a number of family-oriented titles available for the console.
What are the best games for the Switch?
There are a number of great games for the Switch. If you like playing socially, you will love Super Mario Party, 1-2-Switch and Arms. These are best played in console or tabletop mode with multiple people.
If you like immersive single-player games that tell a story, you will probably enjoy Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Those who enjoy sports games will enjoy NBA 2K18, Mario Tennis, or FIFA 18.
While the Switch doesn’t have quite as many titles from major developers as other consoles, it makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity.
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