I got my Switch on launch day and have used it every single day since. While it is difficult to separate my love for Zelda BotW from the feelings for the console itself, I do objectively love the hardware as well.
The complaints about the charging port on the bottom just confuses me… Where else should it be? If it was on the top, you’d have to dock it upside down. The only drawback to having it on the bottom is that you can’t charge while in tabletop mode, a mode that should be considered ‘portable’ and not a charging mode. If you want to charge while using in tabletop mode, get a stand that allows this for a measley $12. Nintendo shouldn’t design the hardware around this one use case.
I’ve used it a ton in every configuration: handheld, tabletop, and docked. I haven’t had syncing issues with either JoyCon and I have no scratches on the device front or back. I can’t comment on the conditions that caused others to experience these problems, but I’m guessing some people have more interference in their playing spaces, and maybe some people got bent docks that scratched their screens. Like I said, I’ve had zero issues and have seen hundreds on the Switch subreddit that have said the same. You tend to see these kind of things from the very vocal minority, which doesn’t make them non-issues, but does mean you should take the reports for what they are and not guaranteed issues with the hardware.
I have decently-sized hands and don’t have a problem with the comfort of the JoyCon. Are they the best controllers I’ve ever used? Nah. But the amount of tech packed into those little things, the ease of use attached to the console, a grip, or held separately (either one in each hand or used as an impromptu 2 player setup) and the fact that it gives me a full console experience on the go more than makes up for any complaints I have. They’re not perfect, but they’re a perfect compromise that achieves everything the system sets out to do.
The thing I see happening is that there’s this huge group of people who were NES/SNES era fans of Nintendo. They’ve wanted the company to make a super powerful system for the last few generations now, and instead Nintendo is doing their own thing: innovating and focusing on the experiences instead of raw power. If you wanted the NX/Switch to be a hugely powerful home gaming console, you will be disappointed with the Switch. But if you, like me, love the idea of having a console that doubles as a handheld and your big TV system, that you can take with you anywhere and have the same experience, that you can set up for a same-screen multiplayer session in the break room at work… then you may find a lot to love here.
It’s still super early, and the system isn’t much more than a Zelda box right now. But I love it already and am satisfied in my purchase even if I never get another game for it. But with the slew of indie games being released with added multiplayer modes and Nintendo’s famous IP making its way over the next year or so, my wallet won’t be so lucky.
Additionally, the system has inspired me to pick up work again on an abandoned project of mine, which I think I’ll talk about more in another post.
Schneider’s Buying Guide
- If you have fond memories of the Zelda series but always hated the Water Temple in OoT, go to item 2.
- If you own a WiiU, buy BotW for that. If not, buy a Switch and also BotW.
- If you love open world games and a feeling of adventure, go to item 1.
- If you love the idea of reviving same-screen multiplayer and console-on-the-go experiences, but don’t necessarily want a system for Zelda alone (or don’t like Zelda because you’re broken inside) stay tuned to the Switch’s coming titles but probably hold off for now.
- If you’re here, you escaped the infinite loop somehow.
