Got a switch the other day. These are my impressions. Yeah, it's a two year old system. If my post feels impertinent feel free to ignore.
So basically, during the psp/ds generation I became a real big fan of handheld gaming. That was where all the Japanese games went. I loved how I could play a game while also watching tv with my college roommate or girlfriend. As technology evolved and we started to be able to hook laptops up to hdtvs, and iPads and iPhones became a thing, around 2010 or so I was convinced that the future of gaming was a hybrid between console and portable. Something like an iPad tablet that you could play on the go, and when you got home you could hook up to your tv. I basically waited for any publisher to take that idea because I was literally convinced the concept was a sure winner as it could appeal to HD kiddies as well as Japanese players whom prefer handheld systems.
Basically, I started this as a preface because the Switch is essentially my dream system.
Out of the three publishers I thought Nintendo having the most likelihood and success with such a product.
When Wii U was announced I was kind of excited because it was a touching stone on the concept I envisioned happening some day. But the disappointing thing about Wii U was that it didn't go all the way. It basically flirted with the idea.
Switch took the concept and ran with it. I'm surprised it doesn't use more wires. The dock technology actually impresses me and I'm curious who or how they came up with it. I'm pretty impressed that it's the first console I've ever seen that turns my tv on for me when powering it up. Over the past few days I've transitioned it from handheld mode to console mode and back and it still never ceases to impress me how seamless it is.
I'm always so surprised how small the actual system is whenever I look at it. Has there ever been a smaller console? Even with the dock it looks thinner than a regular Wii.
The system clearly lacks power. Mario Odyssey had some pop in on some levels with distant objects, for example. Yet, I really don't care. The system is so fluid and feels so good that I would opt to play any multi-platform release on it if I could. (Related, is Doom Switch good? or is the Switch too underpowered?).
The Switch also happens to be jam packed with features. The NES app being free with subscription is pretty damn cool of an idea and shows how much good will Nintendo is willing to earn after announcing there will be no virtual console on the Switch prompting hypothetical that users will have to rebuy their library for a third time.
Only problem I have so far is the joycon. On console mode I play in puppy mode for now as I don't have a pro controller yet. The right joycon will randomly turn off despite a full charge and I'll have to recalibrate my joycons by pressing L+R. This happens regularly and I have no idea what causes it. Also charging the joycons was confusing, at least initially. I didn't realize they also had to be on the dock to charge because the Switch said to just attach itself to the switch to charge them. on a positive note, I love the technology of the joycons. Being able to slide them out and convert the system to your choosing is pretty fucking cool. I also happen to love the default Switch puppy controller. Aside from the d-pad I think it's the best stock controller they've ever made. Features like hd rumble and the sounds really add to the experience. These days I forget games have rumble but when it first came out it was a massive deal to me. HD Rumble is the first time I recall a developer using rumble with creativity in years.
I think the benefits of the system outweigh the negatives. I think we're at a point where Nintendo using underpowered hardware doesn't even fucking matter. My wishlist and playlist for Switch is fucking massive now and it's only been out for two years.
Finally, as the final piece of hardware Iwata contributed to I'm more than glad for the systems success as this little system is the end of an era - the Iwata era - for Nintendo. The concept and idea of Switch oozes Iwata era creativity. It's an ultimate combination of everything that was great about his era: creative and just damn well made. This time they perfected the recipe and made what could potentially go down with one of the greatest systems of all time. What a wonderful nightcap for Iwata's legacy.
TLDR: wanted a console/handheld hybrid for years and Nintendo delivered on everything I dreamed it was. Beat Mario Odyssey's main story today and in love with the system.
