The Nintendo Switch is a game console that is laser-focused on gaming. It doesn’t have an internet browser or social media integration and almost no streaming services — it’s for games only, the kind of big, precedent-setting, joyous games that players sink hundreds of hours into as they scour every corner of Hyrule or track down every single moon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The most popular Nintendo Switch games are a mix of multiplayer and single-player titles that appeal to gamers of all ages. Many of the games feature fun graphics and exciting gameplay that make them engaging for older adults, as well as younger children. These games can be a great way to spend time with family members or friends, and can also help improve cognitive function and brain health.
One of the most attractive features of the Nintendo Switch is that it’s portable, making it easy to take it with you for on-the-go gaming. Unlike the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, which have huge footprints that make them more behemoths than portable devices, the Switch is small enough to slip in your pocket and play in a cafe or on a plane. It also has a dock that can be attached to your TV for home play.
Nintendo’s system for getting games into the Switch is also unique. While other consoles let you copy games from an external hard drive, the Switch requires you to physically insert a cartridge, about the size of a standard SD memory card, for each new game. This eliminates a major frustration with Xbox and PS4, which have notoriously slow load times that can dampen a player’s enthusiasm for a new title.
Another advantage of the Switch is that its controllers are shaped differently than those of competing systems. While the left Joy-Con grip looks like a typical console controller, it’s actually much more like a controller for a mobile device. This makes it easier to hold and play in a more natural, comfortable way. It also gives it a distinctive look, as opposed to the more generic-looking controllers that are found on the Xbox and PS4.
The Switch is a great choice for families with kids because it allows multiple players to use the same console. This helps avoid squabbling over who gets to use the console and the television, as is often the case with other game platforms. This is especially helpful when the kids are older and can be a great way to keep them entertained while parents work or clean the house.
Pro: The Nintendo Switch has a lean lineup of launch titles. The best launch-day pick is a party game that lets up to eight players locally compete in bite-sized minigames, “1-2-Switch.” The other major addition is the acclaimed open world action adventure “Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” which has an outstanding metacritic score of 97/100.
Con: The cost of Nintendo’s games can be high compared to other game systems, even when bought on sale. The company’s first-party titles are also notorious for not dropping in price very long after release, meaning you may have to wait years to get the same price as someone who bought it at launch. This is also true for games from third-party developers. Nintendo Switch games
