How To Find A Switch Near Me
The Nintendo Switch is nil brusk of a sensation. After the mediocre reception to the Nintendo Wii U in 2012, the company knew it needed to re-imagine its home panel offerings, and that solution ended up being the Switch. The chance paid off, every bit sales for the hybrid console proceed to climb even years after its launch.
In this Nintendo Switch ownership guide, we'll give you everything you could ever want to know near the console. We'll cover ownership a Switch, owning a Switch, and accessorizing your Switch. If you're on the argue about buying one, we have tons of tips here to help you make your decision. There'due south as well plenty of info hither for electric current owners who want to make the most of their gaming consoles.
Editor's note: This Nintendo Switch ownership guide is current every bit of May 2022. We will update it with new content regularly. While we mention the Switch specifically, this guide is also written with the Switch Light and Switch OLED Model in mind.
At a glance: What is a Nintendo Switch console?
Nintendo unveiled the Switch on March 3, 2017. The Nintendo Switch price was $299 at launch, which significantly undercut the prices of the Sony PlayStation 4 ($399 at the time) and matched the then-current toll of the Xbox I Southward.
Dissimilar the PS4 and Xbox Ane S, though, the Nintendo Switch is what's known as a hybrid console. This ways you tin connect it to a Boob tube and play it in the normal habitation console style. Nonetheless, you lot can likewise utilise it as a wireless handheld device — not dissimilar the Nintendo 3DS, some other insanely popular Nintendo product.
In other words, the Switch offers the all-time of both worlds: the power to run habitation console games that expect and play groovy on a goggle box as well as the ability to play those aforementioned games on the go.
The Nintendo Switch is officially the company'due south acknowledged dwelling house panel of all time, with over 107 million units sold to date. That puts it alee of the Nintendo Wii (~102 million units) in second place and well ahead of the original Nintendo Entertainment System (~62 one thousand thousand units) in third place. There's every reason to believe the Switch could eventually top 154 million units sold, which would make information technology Nintendo's acknowledged hardware ever (a title currently held past the Nintendo DS).
Is the Nintendo Switch worth buying?
The popularity of the Nintendo Switch is not unwarranted. Its unique hybrid design is enticing for people who desire versatility with their gaming experience. Nintendo has also done a terrific job of releasing some stellar games for the Switch while also bringing over a staggering number of tertiary-party titles.
That being said, the Switch isn't without its faults. Its hybrid design prevents information technology from beingness as powerful every bit a PlayStation or Xbox, for example. Also, despite Nintendo's exceptional efforts to bring over a plethora of third-party games, at that place are still enough of major releases that are simply unavailable for the Switch. As time goes on, the chances of newer, more graphics-intensive games making it to the Switch get slimmer and slimmer.
Related: The best sectional games for the Nintendo Switch
The bottom line is this: if you lot're a Nintendo fan already, the Switch is an absolute must-buy, without question. If you lot're a casual gamer, the Switch would likely be a skilful investment because you can use it for both your dwelling console and handheld console needs without buying two separate devices. If you're a hardcore gamer who wants admission to every game and the power to play them at the highest quality possible, the Switch is likely non what you're looking for.
Keep in heed that the Nintendo Switch cost is incredibly competitive when compared to other major consoles. This could also exist a gene in your decision.
What experts are saying about the Nintendo Switch
WhileAndroid Authority doesn't take an official review for the Nintendo Switch console, we do give it our endorsement. Most of the members of our staff here own a Switch, which is probably the best review any piece of tech can get from u.s.!
Other major gaming publications also say the Switch is a terrific console. Hither are some selection quotes:
- The Verge's Ross Miller in the original 2017 launch review: " The nigh shocking affair well-nigh the Switch might be how many obvious pitfalls Nintendo has managed to elegantly avoid. Going from playing on the tablet to the Tv is completely effortless, and there's no sense of compromise whichever way yous choose to play. Once yous hold and use the Switch, information technology just makes sense."
- CNET'south Jeff Bakalar in a post-launch review: "The Switch's first five months take been impressive and now that we're closing in on a yr information technology's piece of cake to give it a slam dunk recommendation. Its delinquent away[sic] success guarantees that it will run into support from commencement- and third-party developers for many years to come."
- Engadget'south Devindra Hardawar in a mail-launch review: "While I appreciate the raw power that its competitors offer, the Switch proved that power isn't everything. Instead, it harkened back to a time when we played games on the couch against our friends, and it fabricated it clear that a true console feel could travel with you during your commute. Once again, Nintendo redefined how we could think of game consoles."
- Polygon's entire staff in the original 2017 review: "Compared to the Wii U on its merits, the Switch is a slam dunk. Information technology takes the basic concept of the Wii U, of a tablet-based console, and fulfills the promise of information technology in a way Nintendo simply wasn't capable of realizing in 2012. It's launching with a piece of software that, more annihilation in the Wii U's first year, demonstrates its inherent capability of delivering what Nintendo says is 1 of the Switch'south main missions: a big-budget, AAA game that exists across a handheld device and a television-connected portable. The hardware lives up to its name in how hands and smoothly it moves between those two worlds, in how dead unproblematic it all is to brand something pretty magical happen."
Although these quotes stand for praise for the panel, there were a lot of unanswered questions when the Nintendo Switch launched. Most of these problems have been addressed in the years since its debut, but some linger on. Check out the "Known Issues" department further down the folio to find out more than.
What our readers say nigh the Nintendo Switch
Professional person reviewers are usually very trustworthy. All the same, sometimes you want to hear straight from consumers to go an "lowest" opinion. Thankfully,Android Authority readers have given us plenty of insight into how they feel about the Switch.
In this poll, we asked users how they feel virtually the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Here's how it breaks down:
The chart makes it articulate that 74% of our readers love or like their Switch, even several years after information technology launched. If you include the people who are only lukewarm on the console, y'all go over 87% of our readers who are at the very least content with their buy. That's an overwhelming ratio.
If you lot desire to see more info on how our readers feel nigh the Nintendo Switch, ringlet down to the last department of this article. There, you'll find some live polls surrounding buyers' happiness with the console today.
The Nintendo Switch specs y'all need to know
Equally mentioned before, the Nintendo Switch's specs are very weak compared to a PlayStation 4 Pro, Xbox One X, or high-terminate gaming PC. However, raw ability has never been Nintendo's focus when it comes to its systems, so specs actually don't matter much here.
Read also: Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Calorie-free
That being said, there is some value in knowing the bones specs of the console. Cheque out the table below which has the Nintendo Switch specs as sourced directly from Nintendo.
| Nintendo Switch Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brandish | 6.2-inch LCD |
| Processor | Custom Nvidia Tegra CPU/GPU |
| Storage | 32GB of onboard storage |
| Battery | 4,310mAh |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Audio | 5.1-channel Linear PCM output (docked) |
| Size | Brandish alone: With Joy-Con attached: |
| Weight | Display alone: With Joy-Con attached: |
What comes with a Nintendo Switch?
There are a total of eight items included with a Nintendo Switch, non including manuals, notices, and other miscellaneous paperwork. Essentially, there'due south the console, a single Nintendo Switch controller in the course of two Joy-Con (which tin can become ii separate controllers for sure games), and everything you need to hook it upward to a Boob tube.
Here'due south what comes in the box:
- Nintendo Switch console
- Left Joy-Con
- Correct Joy-Con
- Joy-Con straps (pair)
- HDMI cablevision
- Nintendo Switch dock
- Joy-Con Grip
- AC adapter
The higher up includes everything y'all need to play Nintendo Switch games either using just the Switch itself or docked with your telly. Since the Switch is online-ready and has a robust store for downloading games, yous don't fifty-fifty need to buy a physical copy of a game to commencement playing. All you demand is what's in the box.
Depending on the retail outlet, there might be bundles on offer that come up with different accessories, games, or other materials in add-on to what you encounter above. Even so, every Nintendo Switch retail box volition have the aforementioned cadre items.
Nintendo Switch: A very basic setup guide
Handheld mode
To get started playing the Nintendo Switch in its standalone handheld mode, you first need to attach the Joy-Con. Brand certain you remove the Joy-Con strap from each controller (if needed) then slide each Joy-Con onto either side of the main Switch display. It should look every bit it does in the paradigm to a higher place.
Note that the Joy-Con won't slide on the wrong side. If you lot feel like you lot need to force it on, y'all are putting the wrong Joy-Con in. Swap information technology to the other side of the Switch instead.
One time the ii Joy-Con are fastened, ability on the Switch by pressing the power button, which is on the top left of the console. When the device powers on, you'll need to striking one button three times in a row to unlock it. Once there, simply pick a game and start playing! Don't have any games? Scroll downwards a chip farther for help with that.
Television or docked mode
To play the Nintendo Switch on your Tv set, y'all'll need to connect the included HDMI cable to the dock. In that location's only one HDMI port on the dock, then it's easy to find where information technology goes. Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into an empty port on your Boob tube. Make certain your Telly'south input is ready to that same port.
Drop the Switch (either with or without the Joy-Con attached) into the dock so that it slides onto the USB-C plug at the bottom. Once it does, y'all should nigh instantly run across the Switch's unlock screen on your television.
Either use the detached Joy-Con or a compatible Switch controller (see the accessories section for more on this) to unlock the Switch merely every bit you would in handheld mode. That's it, you're set up to play!
What is the Nintendo Switch battery life like?
There are actually two versions of the Nintendo Switch and the biggest difference between them is bombardment life. You can tell which version of the Switch you ain by using the following info:
- Is your Switch'south model number HAC-001 and does its serial number start with "XAW"? You have an original version of the Switch produced between March 2017 and August 2019.
- Is your Switch's model number HAC-001(-01) and does its serial number starting time with "XKW"? You have the updated version of the Switch produced betwixt Baronial 2019 and today.
Nintendo claims that the original version of the Nintendo Switch gets anywhere between 2.5 to 6.5 hours of playtime on a single bombardment charge. The updated Switch can allegedly get 4.5 to ix hours of playtime.
There are two versions of the Switch, and battery life is the biggest difference betwixt them.
At present, there are 2 things to accost hither. Why is at that place such a difference in Nintendo Switch battery life between the two models, and why are the time limits so vague? The answer to the first question is uncomplicated: Nintendo updated the system-on-chip in the newer version and also upgraded the retentivity. This allows for ameliorate battery efficiency even though the battery is the same size in both versions of the console.
Equally for why the playtime limits are so vague, this is due to the types of games you're playing. Different games require different levels of graphics processing ability, which in turn either accelerates or decelerates battery bleed. As such, a graphics-heavy game similar The Witcher iii: Wild Hunt will drain the battery faster than a simpler game like Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
In general, though, we find that the Nintendo Switch battery life ends upward being very close to Nintendo'due south estimates. Your mileage may vary, of course, but you should expect a minimum of 2 hours of playtime on a unmarried charge, regardless of what you're playing.
As for the Nintendo Switch Lite, it actually sees slightly better battery life due to the smaller display and fewer internal components. The Switch OLED Model also sees slightly improve battery life than the regular Switch since the OLED display is more power-efficient.
Is the game library strong for the Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo exclusively owns some of the biggest names in gaming. Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, Fauna Crossing, Splatoon, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong, and many more franchises volition only ever appear on Nintendo consoles. As such, if even one of those properties is interesting to you, you'll demand to own a Switch to play the latest titles.
Outside of Nintendo'south own games, there are a surprising number of other options for players. The Switch has get Nintendo's near inclusive console ever when it comes to giving players the games they want.
Outset-political party Nintendo Switch games:
Some of the biggest overall game releases of the by few years are Nintendo-owned franchises that it develops and publishes. They are just playable on a Nintendo Switch (and, in some cases, the Wii U).
- Mario Kart 8: Deluxe — The all-time-selling Switch championship and part of a franchise that's a cultural phenomenon.
- The Legend of Zelda: Jiff of the Wild — Winner of dozens of Game of the Year awards and already on a few "Best Games of All Time" lists.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons — The game that anybody is talking about and helping to make the Switch panel hard to buy anywhere.
- Nintendo Labo — A kit that allows you to create physical gadgets out of cardboard, encouraging children to gain involvement in Stem fields.
Those are the major highlights, just there's also Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon two, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Super Boom Bros. Ultimate, and more games that have sold millions and millions of copies. These are all developed and published by Nintendo and can't be played anywhere else.
Exclusive third-party titles
There are also a lot of Nintendo Switch games that are not created by Nintendo but can only be played on a Switch. These include all the Pokémon games, the popular multiplayer Tetris 99, Yoshi's Crafted World, and the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise. In that location are also numerous contained games you can buy through the Nintendo eShop that are unavailable on any other organization, such as The Stretchers, the Box Male child franchise, Ninjala, and more than.
3rd-political party ports
Since Nintendo owns some of the most popular game franchises of all time, the company has never felt the need to piece of work hard on getting third-party developers to port their games to Nintendo consoles. That's why a lot of the major titles in gaming never landed on the Wii U, the Wii, the GameCube, and on and on back through the years.
Related:The best RPGs for the Nintendo Switch
That'south changed with the Nintendo Switch, though. Now, a lot of games that 1 would have never idea would always come to a Nintendo panel are here. Here is just a small collection of examples:
That list will expand as fourth dimension goes on every bit the Switch is still Nintendo's principal focus and won't be getting a replacement whatsoever fourth dimension presently.
Retro games
Nintendo'south massive back itemize of games for older consoles is a literal goldmine of content. Recently, Nintendo has been doing a much meliorate job of allowing gamers to play games from as far back as the original NES on their Switch.
Notwithstanding, Nintendo keeps all this content behind two subscription-based paywalls called Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The good news near this is that your base monthly subscription gets you access to over 100 NES and SNES games, which you can play every bit much as you wish with no actress fees. The expansion pack also gives you admission to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. The bad news is that if you just want to purchase 1 of those games à la carte, you are out of luck, equally Nintendo has done away with the Virtual Panel service nosotros saw on previous systems.
For more information on the Nintendo Switch Online services, check out the next section of this post. There's also a lot more info there related to its retro gaming offerings.
Nintendo Switch Online: What you need to know
As with every other modern console, the Nintendo Switch relies on an internet connection to deliver updates, downloadable content, game news, and more. Information technology likewise has an online shop where you can purchase new games, watch trailers, and fifty-fifty play gratuitous demos. This is called the Nintendo eShop.
In addition to this, at that place is also Nintendo Switch Online, which is a paid subscription service. This gives you access to multiple features, including the previously mentioned retro games collection. On top of that, it allows you to connect with friends through online chat, share game data, participate in multiplayer activities, and more than.
To be clear, though, youexercise not demand a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to play games on your Switch. You tin buy games, get system updates and downloadable content, set parental controls, and relish many other aspects of your Switch without paying whatever monthly accuse.
If you are interested in Nintendo Switch Online, here'southward what the service offers and what it costs.
Nintendo Switch Online: Multiplayer
The biggest attribute of Nintendo Switch Online is that it offers online multiplayer for most games. If you desire to play Tetris 99, Splatoon ii, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, or Super Blast Bros. Ultimate online with your friends, you need a Switch Online subscription. The same goes if you want to visit your friends' islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. At that place is no way effectually information technology.
The 3 major games that are an exception to this rule are Overwatch, Rocket League, and Fortnite, whichpractise not require a Switch Online subscription for online multiplayer. It'southward safe to presume whatever online multiplayer games you lot are interested in outside of those three will require a paid subscription.
Also, information technology should be noted that a subscription is simply needed foronline multiplayer. Local multiplayer does non require a subscription. This means that any couch co-op games y'all take will work just fine without the monthly fee. It too means you tin can play all multiplayer games for free if y'all and your friends are in the same place and on the same network.
Online communications
Unfortunately, the mode Nintendo set up online communication through Nintendo Switch Online is incredibly clunky. With an Xbox or PlayStation, you connect a headset of some kind to the arrangement and then conversation with your friends while y'all play. It's elementary and straightforward.
With the Switch, yous instead demand to use a smartphone app. All your chats happen through the app, non the panel. Whatever headsets, microphones, or other peripherals become continued to your telephone.
While this sounds like it's not a large deal, it'southward very cumbersome. A lot of gaming headsets on the market are geared towards consoles, not smartphones. Likewise, a lot of smartphones don't have headphone jacks these days. These problems make your accompaniment purchases confusing. Information technology's also abrasive for Fortnite players since their chats exercisehappen through the Switch console itself, not the app. It's all very messy.
The basic gist, though, is that your multiplayer experience on the Switch will inevitably require you to download the app on your Android phone, iPhone, or iPad.
Deject game saves
Another major aspect of the Switch Online service is the ability to salvage your games to the deject. Without a subscription, your game saves are on your Switch's hard drive (or microSD card) and thus non protected if something happens to your Switch. If you're the kind of person who wants to make sure their game saves are e'er condom, y'all'll need this subscription.
If you subscribe to Switch Online and save some games to the cloud and so cancel your subscription, yous'll no longer be able to access those saves (your local saves volition still be accessible). You can re-subscribe and gain access to the cloud saves, but y'all'll need to do information technology within six months. Half-dozen months afterward you finish paying for Switch Online, Nintendo deletes all your cloud saves.
At that place are a select few games that practice not support cloud saves. The reason for this is commonly that it would get against the nature of the game to include the service. A few examples of this are Fauna Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 2, Dark Souls Remastered, and a few more.
The NES and SNES games drove
The first year that Nintendo started offering the Switch Online service, it slowly rolled out access to diverse Nintendo Amusement System games. After a year of that, it dumped a huge collection of Super Nintendo Entertainment Organization games. Combined, in that location are over 100 games y'all tin play with your subscription. More games appear periodically, too.
Nintendo has enhanced the games to let for things the original systems just couldn't offer. This includes online multiplayer, the ability to salve and restore at any indicate during gameplay, and even the power to rewind your game. There are even options to brand your experience more than authentic by playing in the original iv:iii attribute ratio and adding bogus CRT browse lines.
It is likewise possible to play a curated pick of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. Caput further down to read near the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack for more info.
Regardless, you can always bank check what games are on offer with this service by heading here.
Miscellaneous perks
Being a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber can sometimes earn you some fun stuff. For instance, subscribers of the family plan recently received some unique skins for their Splatoon 2 characters. Nintendo besides makes physical NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis controllers for use with the Switch's retro games and only offers them to Switch Online subscribers for purchase (they sell out nigh immediately every time).
To celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of Mario, Nintendo launched a game called Super Mario Bros. 35. It allowed you lot to play the original Super Mario Bros. game in an online multiplayer format. This game was free and exclusive to the Nintendo Switch Online platform. Even so, it was only available until March 31, 2021.
Chances are good there will be many more unique perks forth these lines in the futurity.
Nintendo Switch Online: Pricing
There are ii unlike types of plans in the Nintendo Switch Online service: private and family. Obviously, the individual plan only works with one Nintendo account, while the family plan allows you to share your perks with other people.
No matter the plan you select, yous go a free seven-day introductory trial before your payments begin.
Private plans
For plans with just one account, you can pay each calendar month, each quarter, or each year. As one would expect, you lot salvage a bit of cash by making longer commitments to the service:
- 1 month:$3.99 each calendar month, plus applicable taxes
- 3 months: $7.99 each quarter, plus applicative taxes (saves you $3.98 every payment period)
- Annually: $19.99 each year, plus applicable taxes (saves you $27.89 each payment period)
The yearly subscription is definitely the best bargain for an individual plan. However, if y'all simply want to try out the service, the monthly programme is pretty cheap, too.
Family plan
The family plan requires a year-long investment. Yous cannot pay per month. This allows you to share your Nintendo Switch Online benefits with up to eight people.
- Family plan subscription: $34.99 each twelvemonth, plus applicable taxes
The cool thing nearly this plan is that you lot can share your benefits with literally anyone. If y'all can notice seven friends willing to chip in, you could all get Nintendo Switch Online perks for less than $five.00 per year each. That's not a bad bargain at all.
Continue in mind, though, that the purchaser of a family plan needs to be over eighteen years old. The people he or she shares the subscription with, though, can be under eighteen.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
In 2021, Nintendo appear a new expansion pack for its Switch Online subscription service. This is an add-on for the regular Nintendo Switch Online subscription fee. It is totally optional simply does requite you an interesting selection of perks. Do note that you lot can't become the expansion pack on its own — y'all must already be a Switch Online subscriber.
The biggest perk is access to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. As of May 2022, there are 14 N64 games and 25 Sega Genesis games. Nintendo will expand these selections of titles as fourth dimension goes on.
The second perk to the expansion pack is access to Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise. This is an expansion of the New Horizons game that gives you admission to a new distant resort. There are new characters, new items, and a whole bunch more than that won't announced in the standalone Beast Crossing game. This will also run across updates as time goes on.
Finally, the third and newest perk is access to new courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo calls this the Booster Course Pass. Yous proceeds access to 48 new courses released in six waves (with eight courses in each wave). The waves started on March xviii, 2022, and will happen regularly until the end of 2023.
It is possible Nintendo could offer more perks to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. For now, though, this is what your actress subscription fee gets you.
Expansion Pack price for individuals
Unlike the base plans for individuals, y'all cannot pay monthly or quarterly for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. You tin can but pay annually. For individuals on the monthly, quarterly, or annual program, the expansion pack will cost $49.99 each yr. Yes, the expansion pack costs more than twice as much as an individual annual plan to the base service.
If you pay for the almanac base programme of Switch Online, your total toll for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack would be $69.98 each year.
Expansion Pack cost for families
As with the base of operations family subscription, the expansion pack for family subscribers can be shared with up to eight people (yous and seven others). As such, the expansion pack price goes upwardly a chip to $79.99 each year. That brings your total toll for the family version of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack to $114.98 each year. If you carve up that viii ways, information technology would cost each person most $14.50 each year, which isn't bad. Withal, you'll need to find seven people yous trust to chip in each year!
Nintendo Switch Light: What is information technology and what's different?
More than 2 years after the launch of the original Nintendo Switch, the company announced a new variant of the panel: the Nintendo Switch Lite. Every bit the name suggests, this panel is a watered-down version of the original. This means you get fewer features but also a lower cost.
However, the Nintendo Switch Lite does non skimp out on the game library. The Switch Lite supports near every game the original Switch supports (with the exception of games that crave Joy-Con usage, such as 1-two-Switch). If you buy a concrete game for your main Switch, that cartridge will also work in your Switch Lite. Additionally, if you apply the same Nintendo account on both systems, yous'll have access to the digital games you've paid for through the Nintendo eShop. If y'all're a member of Switch Online, your perks volition also transfer to the Switch Lite (assuming yous are signed in under that account).
At that place are a few differences nowadays on the Nintendo Switch Lite equally compared to the "real" Switch, though.
Differences with Switch Lite
- The Switch Lite is overall physically smaller than the Switch. This results in a smaller brandish (5.5 inches compared to 6.two inches).
- You cannot detach the Joy-Con on the Switch Lite — they are permanently attached to the system. This prevents you from fully enjoying whatsoever games that rely on Joy-Con separation, including 1-ii-Switch, Super Mario Party, Merely Dance, Nintendo Labo, Ring Fit Chance, and others. You lot can, even so, use a separate set of Joy-Con (or another uniform controller) to play these games on the Switch Calorie-free, although the side by side item on this list makes that catchy.
- Y'all cannot dock the Switch Lite to play games on your tv set. The Switch Light is designed for handheld utilize only.
- The Switch Low-cal has a smaller battery than the regular Switch. However, it surprisingly gets better overall bombardment life than the original Switch due to the upgraded internal hardware and lack of other battery-hogging features.
In exchange for losing out on some features, the Nintendo Switch Lite has a lower starting price as compared to the Switch. The Switch Lite starts at $199, a full $100 cheaper than the regular Switch. This makes information technology the perfect option for parents who want to give their kids a Switch but don't desire to spend $300 on something they might suspension.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model: What is it and what's dissimilar?
On July vi, 2021, Nintendo launched a slightly upgraded version of the Switch chosen the Nintendo Switch OLED Model. This version is slightly more expensive and comes with a few new or upgraded features as compared to the original Switch.
There are five big differences between the OLED Model and the regular Switch:
- Information technology has a larger 7-inch display and that display is OLED instead of LCD.
- The OLED Model has twice as much internal storage at 64GB.
- The kickstand spans the unabridged dorsum of the console and has multiple stopping points, which allows for more stable propping.
- The audio out of the panel itself (i.e. in handheld way) is better.
- There is now an Ethernet port built into the dock.
Aside from these principal points, in that location are a few aesthetic differences. In that location's a white model, as seen above, and the dock is slightly redesigned to accommodate the Ethernet cablevision. This new Switch plays all electric current games and supports all current accessories, including Joy-Con.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model hit store shelves on October eight, 2021, and costs $349.
Alternatives to the Nintendo Switch
The only major competitor to the Nintendo Switch's hybrid pattern is Valve's Steam Deck. Like the Switch, the Steam Deck can play AAA games in handheld mode. It can also connect to a tv set then you can enjoy those games in the traditional home console mode.
Evidently, the biggest departure between a Switch and a Steam Deck is the game library. The Steam Deck plays PC games purchased through the Steam shop. That means you will not be able to play any Nintendo-sectional games on the Steam Deck (well, legally anyhow). Regardless, the Steam Deck is the first and nearly-promising competitor to the Switch since the Switch'southward launch in 2017.
See also:The Steam Deck has potential — if Valve can stay committed
Some other matter that could possibly replicate the hybrid console setup is an Android telephone or tablet. If you subscribe to a game streaming service such as Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or Nvidia GeForce Now, yous can stream AAA titles on your telephone. This would allow you lot to play them in a handheld mode and and so connect your phone to your TV to play like a traditional console.
Of course, this would also prevent you lot from playing the Nintendo-exclusive franchises. Still, it'south a viable option for someone who wants the versatility of the Switch just not the Nintendo ecosystem.
Habitation console competitors
The most obvious competitors to the Nintendo Switch console when information technology comes to playing games on a TV are the PlayStation iv and the Xbox One. Both consoles are older than the Switch so you lot can sometimes find them for even less coin than y'all would a Switch. Additionally, these consoles volition offer a lot of games and franchises that the Switch won't accept. A few examples of these are the Call of Duty franchise, The Final of Usa Parts 1 and 2, the Uncharted franchise, the Halo franchise, the Gears of War franchise, and a whole lot more.
Also, keep in mind that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are both here (although yet almost impossible to get). These side by side-gen consoles are incredibly powerful — far more powerful than the Switch. An examination of the Nintendo Switch specs as compared to the PS5 would be like night and twenty-four hours. The PS5 and XBSX will also support a lot of games and franchises that the Switch won't. And, since the Switch will be so much weaker in comparison, a lot of hereafter games might not become ported to the Switch since that would require developers to drastically reduce the quality.
Once again, Nintendo is not worried most this competition. As far as the company'south concerned, the Switch exists entirely as its own matter and appeals to a demographic of gamers that the PS5 and Xbox Series Ten pass over. Therefore, Sony and Microsoft are more than in competition with each other than either of them is with Nintendo.
Handheld competitors
Besides Nintendo, the major players in gaming more often than not ignore the handheld console infinite. Sony tried a few times to steal Nintendo'south thunder, most recently with the Sony PlayStation Vita. However, that arrangement never even came close to the sales of the Nintendo 3DS and Sony has since ceased product of the panel. Microsoft has never even attempted to accept a handheld device with the Xbox name.
With that in mind, the biggest competitor to the Nintendo Switch in the handheld space is its sister product: the Switch Lite. The Nintendo 3DS was also a large competitor, simply Nintendo officially discontinued that product in 2020. That would still be a practiced selection for handheld gaming, though, assuming yous are OK with knowing that no new games are on the manner and yous won't exist able to buy games digitally due to Nintendo shutting downward the eShop.
Finally, the previously mentioned Steam Deck is also a viable handheld competitor. However, it still has the limitations discussed in the previous section.
A few known problems related to the Switch
C. Scott Dark-brown / Android Say-so
When the Nintendo Switch offset launched, it faced a ton of scrutiny — far more than most consoles would face. That'due south because the Switch was unlike anything we'd ever seen before, so reviewers and consumers were hesitant to give it a seal of approval until some questions were answered.
Over time, Nintendo has answered a lot of those early questions. Would it be easy to dock and undock the Switch to create a seamless feel? Check. Is Nintendo going to work hard to bring over lots of third-party games? Check. Would the online experience of using the Switch work well and be reasonably priced? Check.
Yet, there are notwithstanding quite a few bug related to the Switch panel. Beneath are a few of the biggest ones for which you lot should be on the lookout:
- Joy-Con drift:If y'all're playing a Switch game and discover that your grapheme is drifting off to one side, you lot are experiencing Joy-Con drift. Nintendo has best-selling this problem and is making it adequately easy for consumers to become Joy-Con fixed or replaced.
- Joy-Con disconnect: If one or both of your Joy-Con constantly disconnects and reconnects to the system, you might exist experiencing this problem. Generally, newer systems don't experience this as Nintendo implemented a fix after it became aware of the outcome. System owners of an early batch, though, might need to become their Joy-Con repaired.
- Easily-scratched display: The protective covering over the display on the Switch is plastic, not glass. It scratches easily, which is why nosotros strongly recommend putting a screen protector on your Switch the moment you take it out of the box. You should also e'er take care to keep information technology in a case while traveling. Finally, accept care to dock the Switch without rubbing the screen, every bit this can cause scratches.
- Display section is warped:Since the Switch's body is mostly a large chunk of plastic, it tin can actually warp pretty hands. You lot can test this out by removing the Joy-Con and laying it screen-side-down on a flat table. If it wobbles, it's warped. This likely won't affect annihilation related to your enjoyment of the Switch, merely if yous really desire to repair it, Nintendo will likely take care of it for you.
Important info about Nintendo Switch software updates
Nintendo pushes updates via the internet to the Switch's operating organisation likewise as individual games in your library. There'south no ready schedule for these updates, but they come pretty regularly, commonly once every month or two. Sometimes in that location are multiple updates in ane calendar month, sometimes three months become by without any updates at all.
Game updates are commonly controlled by the publisher of that game, but Nintendo still distributes the update.
In general, you lot don't demand to do anything when it comes to software updates. The almost you'll demand to do is await for the system/game to restart after an update automatically completes.
If you don't want system updates to automatically happen on your Nintendo Switch console for whatever reason, y'all tin can caput to the console's Settings page and turn them off (Settings > Organisation > Car-Update Software). Withal, nosotros highly recommend updating your Switch regularly as the updates bring stability fixes and sometimes new features.
Awesome Nintendo Switch accessories to make information technology your own
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Since the Nintendo Switch is five years old, there is a thriving ecosystem of accessories for information technology. Controllers, cases, connectivity dongles, and even customization tools are all available for the Switch.
We accept a full list of the best accessories you lot can get for the Nintendo Switch. However, below are the four things we recall every Switch owner should buy:
- Protection:As stated a few times at present, the Switch is only a large hunk of plastic, including the brandish. It is very, very piece of cake to scratch, dent, and even warp your console. We highly recommend grabbing this screen protector and this protective case for your Switch. Both products are minimal, inexpensive, and have no effect on using or docking the console.
- Controllers:While the Joy-Con that come up with your Switch are terrific for what they are, they are no substitute for a fully-featured "normal" controller. At that place are lots of options out at that place, but none work better than the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (check our full review here). It'southward not merely the best controller for the Switch, but information technology's ane of the best console controllers in full general.
- Memory:The Switch has a pretty beggarly 32GB of internal storage while the Switch OLED model doubles this to 64GB. In either case, that'due south plenty of room for the operating organisation and your save files, simply you volition quickly run out of infinite if you lot start downloading a agglomeration of AAA games. We recommend buying ane of these microSD cards (the nigh spacious one you lot tin can beget) then yous don't run across any space problems!
- Power: When yous're on the go, you don't desire your Switch to dice on you in the middle of playing. Y'all should own a good power banking company to go on your console topped upwardly. We take a great list of power banks here. However, there's also a Switch-specific device chosen the Chargeplay Clutch that doubles every bit a grip and a power bank. Read our full review of that product hither.
There are so many other great things y'all tin can get for your Switch that will make your experience with information technology better. Check out our full list hither.
Related: The best Nintendo Switch controllers for all budgets
Frequently asked questions related to the Switch
No, the Nintendo Switch is non existence discontinued. Nintendo did end making the 2017 model, but information technology was immediately replaced by an updated 2019 version. You lot can also buy the OLED Nintendo Switch, which will continue to be available for the adjacent few years.
Yes, ownership a Nintendo Switch in 2022 gives you admission to a massive library of Nintendo exclusives that have released since the panel's launch in 2017. It also remains the best way to enjoy Pokemon, Mario, and Legend of Zelda titles going forward.
If you lot're looking for a travel console with a large display, the Nintendo Switch Low-cal is worth the money. It's more affordable than the standard Switch, but y'all do lose the detachable Joy-Cons and the ability to dock your console into a Goggle box.
In the early days, Dbrand warned consumers against using skins because the adhesive could damage the Joy-Con blanket. Still, skins are now safe to use as the new adhesive does not harm the controllers or the console itself.
The Nintendo Switch that released in 2019 offers a 6.ii-inch LCD console. However, the newer Nintendo Switch OLED does offering an updated seven-inch OLED console.
Nintendo launched the Nintendo Switch on March three, 2017. Prior to that appointment, the company had released $.25 of info on the console, most notably its debut trailer on October 20, 2016.
The core organisation does not come with any games. However, you can easily download digital games from the Nintendo Store (even free ones), and then you could, theoretically, never purchase a physical game for the console and still play whatever you like. There are some retail bundles that do come with physical games and/or digital download codes. There are also special editions that come up with games and other items, such as collectibles. The standard $299 package, though, has no games within.
The panel comes with two Joy-Con. These tin can be paired together to be used equally 1 controller either attached to the Switch or slotted into the included Joy-Con grip. They tin besides be used every bit 2 controllers for specific games, such as Super Mario Party. However, Joy-Con are not "traditional" controllers and might exit a lot to be desired for gamers more accepted to PlayStation or Xbox controllers. Just don't worry: the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will solve that problem.
You need to use the dock that comes with the Nintendo Switch to connect it to your Television. The dock has an HDMI port built-in. Connect the HDMI cable that came with your console to this port and and so connect the other terminate of the cablevision to your television. There is no fashion to connect your Switch to the Telly without using the dock (at to the lowest degree no way officially sanctioned by Nintendo). There is also no official way to connect the Nintendo Switch Lite to your Telly.
The Nintendo Switch uses Bluetooth 4.1. This is how controllers and wireless headphones connect to the console. Yet, practise notation that y'all cannot use a wireless headset with a Switch as it only supports audio out through Bluetooth. Also, you tin simply connect a maximum of two controllers to the Switch if you have headphones connected. Y'all tin besides only connect one pair of headphones. You can go effectually some of these limitations using this third-party Bluetooth adapter.
According to a Nintendo executive, the Nintendo Switch is only nearly halfway through its lifecycle. Equally far as we know, there are no plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 yet. The new Nintendo Switch OLED Model is the closest we're going to get to a new Switch anytime shortly.
At that place is no Ethernet port on the regular Nintendo Switch itself nor is there one on the included dock. However, at that place is a Nintendo-sanctioned USB dongle that you can connect to the dock. This would allow you to accept an Ethernet connexion while your Switch is in Television receiver style. The dongle is sold separately from the console. The exception to this rule is the Switch OLED Model, which does have an Ethernet port in the dock.
Although Nintendo Switch cartridges are a similar size as compared to the ones for the Nintendo 3DS, they are not the same. It is impossible to put a Nintendo 3DS cartridge into a Nintendo Switch or vice versa. However, at that place are quite a few games that have been ported from the 3DS to the Switch. Unfortunately, you'll need to re-buy those games for the Switch if you already own them for the 3DS.
This is not possible. The Nintendo Wii U uses discs for games while the Nintendo Switch uses small cartridges, similar to an SD carte du jour. There is no disc system in the Nintendo Switch or its dock that would accept a Wii U game. However, as with the 3DS, a lot of games that originally came out for the Wii U are now available on the Switch. You volition need to re-buy them though.
If you're finding it hard to go a Switch in your area of the world, you might recollect importing information technology from somewhere else would be a good idea. Technically, this is fine: the Nintendo Switch you buy in Italy will be the same equally the one you buy in the Us, admitting with a wall plug of a different style. All the same, importing electronics is ever tricky due to laws and regulations differing from country to country. Also, the warranty won't work in your area, and so if something goes wrong with your Switch, you won't exist able to ship it back to Nintendo. In full general, we would stick to ownership a Switch in your own country.
The Nintendo Switch toll and where to buy one
The Nintendo Switch is technically bachelor from all manners of retail outlets including gaming stores, section stores, large-box outlets, and online retailers. Its MSRP is $299. Likewise, the Nintendo Switch Light is also for sale with an MSRP of $199. The OLED Model costs $349.
Withal, fifty-fifty in 2022, the Nintendo Switch console family and first-party accessories have been incredibly difficult to find. The COVID-nineteen pandemic probable increased people's interest in buying the console and Nintendo is having trouble keeping up with demand. The ongoing global flake shortage isn't helping matters, either.
Equally such, buying a Nintendo Switch isn't equally easy as it may accept been previously. There are oft long waiting periods before it comes in stock and some retailers are jacking up the toll.
In full general, the best places to buy a Nintendo Switch are below. They are the largest retailers so they are most likely to make it new stock quickly and keep the price from going upward too high:
- Amazon carries the gray version, the blue/red version, and various bundles. It also has the Switch Low-cal and Switch OLED.
- Target besides carries the gray version, blue/red version, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED. All the same, the in-store stock will probable exist meliorate than online.
- GameStop also carries all the various versions of the panel. It also offers pre-owned models that might exist in stock before new ones.
If you need a Nintendo Switch speedily and don't mind spending a agglomeration to get it, overpriced new models are normally institute on eBay. Yous can besides check at that place for used models (although keep in mind there are two versions of the Switch with 1 beingness better than the other; see the Battery Life department for more).
Finally, if your expanse of the world isn't on lockdown, you might have luck going to a physical retailer to discover a Switch. Some establishments will set bated a certain number of consoles to only exist sold in stores and prevent online shoppers from getting them all. You might get lucky and discover one there!
Aid other readers out
Are you a proud owner of a Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite? Practise you play it all the fourth dimension? Do you regret buying it? Now's your chance to let other folks know. Just answer the four questions below so other people interested in a Switch know how our readers feel.
Practise you love your Nintendo Switch or Switch Low-cal?
588 votes
Would you purchase a Nintendo Switch in 2020?
741 votes
How are the games for the Nintendo Switch?
588 votes
Which version of the Switch is the ameliorate purchase?
763 votes
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/nintendo-switch-console-1135683/
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