With a little over 3 weeks on the market and surprising initial sales, many people already consider the Nintendo Switch a huge success. But even after launch, there is still a lot of uncertainty about the console’s potential and rumors about possible problems…

So I’d like to share a bit of my experience with the Switch and, who knows, clear up some doubts to help you decide whether or not to consider the investment.

Unboxing and Design: 10

The Switch box is the most elegant packaging I have ever had the pleasure of opening. Despite its surprisingly small size, all the components are well placed, spaced and organized. The double drawers have become a trademark of Nintendo consoles, and the Switch shows the level of refinement reached after three generations.

The Switch is the most elegant and best-finished console Nintendo has ever designed. All its previous devices had a look and feel reminiscent of a toy, but this console clearly sets out to be an attractive machine for a modern world…
Even so, I made a point of choosing the Neon colored controllers to keep some of Nintendo‘s more playful tradition!

There is so much to say that I can barely organize my thoughts, but I think I can start with its use as a handheld.

Handheld Experience: 10

First of all, let’s talk about the biggest public concern: the battery. The Switch has a generous supply of power: after several hours in Standby, the battery drops only one or two percentage points. In use, there is great variation in how long the battery can power the handheld. Even playing with high brightness, wifi and sound on, the Switch battery seems to last longer than those of the 3DS or PSVita. It’s not many hours, but the sessions won’t be shorter than the ones we’re already used to.
It’s worth noting that Nintendo’s choice of USB-C ports lets us use portable power banks easily, which can double or even triple the hours of play in handheld mode!

The complete console is quite light and there is no discomfort even after hours of use, but using the kickstand (the built-in “little foot” on the back of the console) to play with just the Joy-Con is even better! The controllers weigh practically nothing, and there is a huge sense of satisfaction in being able to play comfortably in any position.

At-Home Experience: 9

Again, I need to clear up one of the rumors that circulated in the first days after the console’s launch: using the dock does not scratch the screen. Even after weeks of use, there is no sign that anything like that could happen.

Entering TV mode is very simple: just plug the console into the dock. Everything happens automatically and quickly, both when entering TV mode and when going back to handheld mode.

The Joy-Con Grip looks small at first sight… And it really is a tiny, light controller! But, contrary to what the first impression may suggest, it fits comfortably in any hand size, leaving all its buttons easily accessible. As a bonus, its design reminds us of a puppy’s face!

Overall Experience: 8

There are a large number of small details that set the Switch apart from all other Nintendo consoles of the recent past:

• The system is Region Free, and you can access the eShop of any region with a single console.
• Screenshots can be taken at any time with a dedicated button.
• Syncing the Joy-Con is very simple: just attach them to the console.
• The menus are not only minimalist, but also incredibly fast.
• The operating system is quiet, marking the end of the era of elevator music playing in the background. There is even a certain discomfort in the absence of music while navigating the menus.
• There are countless sound effects and easter eggs hidden in the interface, revealing the good old playful spirit of Nintendo.
• Reassigning controllers between players is quick and easy.
• There is no limit to the WiFi settings that can be saved.
• There are still Friend Codes, but both parties no longer need to add each other: players receive Friend Requests and only have to accept them to complete the registration.

The console’s strongest point, as you might imagine, is its versatility. You can play with the console in your hands while walking or sitting, use Tabletop mode if you have a table or surface nearby for more comfort, or play in docked mode when you’re at home. There are also countless ways to use the controllers, alone or with friends. Splitting the pair of Joy-Con to play with two people always surprises those who don’t know the device’s concept… And I have to say it has already led to great experiences with Shovel Knight, Snipperclips and FAST RMX!

The console still has points that could be improved, such as larger storage and possibly abolishing Friend Codes completely. While one of these issues can be solved with a good SD card or in a future version of the console, the second can easily be fixed in a future update. These are small flaws that can be corrected and don’t detract from the merits of the new system, which shows enormous potential.

Other points that could be improved are the inability to charge the console in Tabletop mode (since the USB port is on the bottom of the console), the absence of media player and streaming apps such as Netflix and the lack of support for bluetooth devices (even more so because the headphone jack is on top of the device, leaving the cable in the way)… But all these details can be worked around now and/or solved in the future.

Oh! I almost forgot another controversial topic: the Joy-Con connectivity problems. In three weeks of use in the most varied circumstances, I never had any responsiveness problems with the controllers. The people who reported problems either got a defective batch or were in an area of huge interference… Don’t worry about this story – you probably won’t have problems of this kind.

Best Games: 9.2

Over time this score and the list of games will be updated, but for now the standout games are the following:

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ( 10 )

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove ( 9.9 )

Snipperclips ( 8.5 )

FAST RMX ( 9 )

I am Setsuna ( 8.2 )

Final Thoughts

Although there isn’t yet a large number of games available, Nintendo has promised a steady flow of new content almost weekly… and so far it has kept its word.

If you wanted to get the console but were afraid of ending up with an incomplete device, or a “prototype”, don’t worry: the Switch is a modern, robust machine with enormous potential and the promise of great games in the future.

Score

Unboxing and Design = 10

Handheld Experience = 10

At-Home Experience = 9

Overall Experience = 8

Best Games = 9.2

Overall: 9.3

Whether as a main console or as a complement to your PS4/XOne/PC, the Nintendo Switch is a versatile video game with enormous potential – a must-have for everyone.