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[El_Belmondo]

(Writing this post with the Smash Bros Ultimate's Castlevania tunes on background for an extra epic feeling)

Ok, so this is a thing in my desktop now

It's been almost a week since it arrived home and i've been juggling my studies and tests with my gameplay sessions so i wasn't able to get a proper impression of it yet. Just yesterday i could, finally, give it a proper run and, oh man, Nintendo didn't nail something so hard since the Wii.

- But wait a second El_Belmondo, you ARE an admitted Nintendo nut, they must NAIL every single console for you, don't they?

Well, yes and no my dear reader. Of course i love my 3DS and my Wii U (moreso since i can run emulators on them) but they always felt half-assed for me (in a sense) but i'm not here to talk about them, but about this beauty.

First of all, it gives a general feeling of slickness. It just looks cool, everything seems to fit with everything and there doesn't seem to have any wasted space. The matte colors give it a touch of material design. Overall, it's a great piece of hardware design wise, and i love it.

And then there's the screen. You know, i haye laying in my room a DSLite, a backlit modded og GBA, a PSP 1000, a PSP 3000 and a 3DS. This is, so and by far, the most crisp screen i have ever used in a handheld.

Controller wise, the only fault i can find it it's the fact that Nintendo regressed a bit with the Joycon, without the grip bumps they gave to the Wii U Gamepad. It's a bit uncomfortable to play in handheld mode.

Now, about the games themselves, i've given them enough time to form a preliminar opinion. I'll start with Mario Odissey

This is... a strange Mario game in my opinion, kind of Super Mario 64 meets Super Mario Galaxy meet Super Mario 3D World meets Banjo Kazooie. It's the biggest and most exploration heavy a Mario game has ever been, it also has some Galaxy feeling via art style and soundtrack and Mario controls like in Super Mario 3D World. So far i find it great, but being used to Super Mario 64 style in open world Mario games, this one feels a bit weird.

Mario x Rabbids: Kindgdom Battle

You know what, guys? I'm SURE that this should be part of the "Switch starter pack" everyone should get. It's pretty, quirky, fun, graphics are crazy good, soundrack is awesome, it's full of neurotic french humor and has Rabbid Peach. I'm in love with the twists it gives to the XCOM formula. Davide Soliani and his team are amazing people.

Sonic Mania plus

Not a new game for me, but it's strangely fitting for the console, moreso in handheld mode. It looks crisp and controls fine with the left Joycon. Can't say anyting else aside of feeling exactly like it should: A classic Sonic game developed for modern systems.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate
No Screenshot for this one since i play exclusively with a Gamecube controller, but i think a video is enough to convey what the game makes me feel


Seriously, this may be the most amazing entry yet. Every-fucking-one is here, literally. This is the game where i can be playing with the Animal Crossing villager and then Cloud Strife shows up so i can unlock him, and then go online and battle Marth, Pac Man and Mega-Man with Simon Belmont. The gameplay is an amazing mix of Melee and Sm4sh, the soundtrack is epic, and the Spirits mode is enough o keep you busy for weeks at least.

Aside of this, i downloaded Warframe, wich feels amazin for being a game running on a tablet, and the NES app, wich may be the best official emulator released by Nintendo?

So far, i'm loving every single second i spend with the little machine.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Nintendo hit a homerun with the Switch. I´ve never been a fan of their hardware (except GC) but the Switch just clicked and I love it to death. Best console I ever put my hands on. Its small stature, instant boot up, robust design and on the go-gaming fits my everyday life like a glove.

In fact, the Switch is so good that I don´t think I can ever go back to traditional console gaming again. The library of games is also very solid and since I haven´t been a customer of Nintendo for years I have some catching up to do. Like two decades worth of masterpieces to play through.

 

[PocoJoe]

First I just disliked switch because of weak hardware(should have better custom SoC with more ram, or cost less imo)

But i eventually got it by trade in deal, so cheaply that It didnt feel so pricy.

Well, zelda is nice, xenoblade is nice and mario&rabbids too. It is also nice to take it and play it at other places, but i rarely do that so kind of useless in that way

But after those games, nothing really good has come out for me, honestly mario Odysseu were huge dissapointment, worst game i have played in ages, i guess i dont like 3d marios at all.

Ergonomy is just bad, i can play 15mins by handheld and it feels bad. Joycons separately are ok and so is Pro controller so that helps a bit, but cant play it on bed like vita

So on overal it have been dissapointment to me because lack of good(as in AA-quality) modern games(mainly rpg/adventure kind)

Bit sad that they advertise 1000+ games but it is still hard to find some genres

 

[Mexen]

Got mine last week. Really love playing it after work.
I am looking to buy an SD Card and a Pro Controller soon. Smash is amazing. That new update though LOL

 

[clem84]

I've been eyeing the Switch for some time but I'm waiting for a decent deal. How likely is it that there will be some kind of Switch deal available during the boxing day period? Last month there was the 50$ amazon gift card available in Canada when you bought a new Switch.

I'm hoping something will come up. If not, I'll probably buy a used one locally.

 

[royox]

You got it at the right moment now that it has almost 2 years worth of games. The problem comes when you had a WiiU, got this machine at release and everything you see are WiiU rehashes and some times a quality game like Odissey, Xeno, Octopath and Smash.

Enjoy the ride while you can OP, then you can join us on the Nintendo Games drought xD

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Bought it Day One and haven't regretted it once. Closing in on 30 physical titles already and I feel like I've been picky.

Hacked it for when I want to play arcade games, so that's pretty sweet, too.

 

[JORMBO]

This is the first Nintendo console I have really enjoyed since the SNES. It has a nice balance of portability and good graphics. I like being able to plug it into the TV occasionally too.

 

[Queso de Grande]

I love my Switch so much. It is pretty much my main console now. It fits perfectly in my life too, I am able to pick and put games downs in an instant.

Also, you have to play Xenoblade Chronicles 2. I am so consumed by that game right now.

 

[ThatGamingDude]

Bought it Day One and haven't regretted it once. Closing in on 30 physical titles already and I feel like I've been picky.

Hacked it for when I want to play arcade games, so that's pretty sweet, too.

I picked up a second used Switch just to mod it; probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Having a good set of emulators and other apps on Switch is awesome; it makes me understand way more how they screwed up with Virtual Console not being on the Switch.

And if you boot into Linux you can use Moonlight and stream games from your PC (If you have one); still holding out for the Moonlight app >.<

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

And if you boot into Linux you can use Moonlight and stream games from your PC (If you have one); still holding out for the Moonlight app >.<

Woah! Didn't realize this part. I don't play on PC but that's definitely cool.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

its very cool little system. perfect for flights/commuting/bed/couch play. great compliment to an xbox or ps4

i've never hooked mine up tot a tv still and bought it when it released! bought a pro controller for tv play, but its still in the box!

 

[TheShocker]

I just ordered one for my kiddos for Christmas. They’re getting Smash, Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, Mario Odissey........and I got Zelda:BotW for myself. It’s going to be a total surprise for them, but I cannot wait until Christmas morning. This will be the first Nintendo console I’ve owned since the N64.

 

[J-Roderton]

My wife really wants one of these, so I'm sure one will be making its way into my home eventually.

 

[dorkimoe]

I am on the fence right now about getting one. Last Nintendo console was the Wii and I swore I would never buy another Nintendo console after falling for that scam. But I really like the idea of being able to play a game while I watch TV or something, I probably would never even use it hooked to my tv. I am not a Zelda person, and not a smash bros person. But tempted to get it with Mario Aces and Mario Kart. Someone sell me on it

 

[Yagami_Sama]

It is a very good system. I really like the console. I still think that Switch is what Wii U was meant to be, like the Switch is a revision of the Wii U, but it is just how I see things.

The capacity of the hardware is not something the bothers me. The only thing that bother me is that, 32GB of internal storage was a horrible ideia, they should have gone with at least 64GB. And, the lack of proper activity log, similar to the 3DS or Wii U is also something that I don't understand.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I am on the fence right now about getting one. Last Nintendo console was the Wii and I swore I would never buy another Nintendo console after falling for that scam. But I really like the idea of being able to play a game while I watch TV or something, I probably would never even use it hooked to my tv. I am not a Zelda person, and not a smash bros person. But tempted to get it with Mario Aces and Mario Kart. Someone sell me on it

It boils down to the games. Money aside, could you make a list of at least 10 games you'd buy along with the system? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best Mario Kart. ARMS is great. Pokken Tournament is great. Mario Odyssey didn't quite surpass 3D World IMO but it was more enjoyable than the Galaxy games. There are a lot of shmups out for it, so that's a big win for my personal tastes.

As far as convenience is concerned, it is the snappiest console out right now, second only to the DS when it comes to opening it up and playing. It's even faster than the PS4's sleep/suspend mode. They really nailed that aspect.

 

[dorkimoe]

It boils down to the games. Money aside, could you make a list of at least 10 games you'd buy along with the system? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best Mario Kart. ARMS is great. Pokken Tournament is great. Mario Odyssey didn't quite surpass 3D World IMO but it was more enjoyable than the Galaxy games. There are a lot of shmups out for it, so that's a big win for my personal tastes.

As far as convenience is concerned, it is the snappiest console out right now, second only to the DS when it comes to opening it up and playing. It's even faster than the PS4's sleep/suspend mode. They really nailed that aspect.

I probably couldn’t find 10 games I want. But that being said I wouldn’t want to spend 59 bucks on 10 games to add. I’d be interested in Mario party, kart, tennis. And Diablo just to play on the couch while watching tv. I should try and find a used one maybe

 

[Alexios]

I really want one... but I also want a VR set for my PC... but I also want a new hotas... but I also want to pay bills and buy food...

 

[dorkimoe]

Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con + Super Smash Bros Ultimate is $305.99 on Google Express w/ code GIFT15 https://t.co/hqa17rEykd https://t.co/sJl0Suw55Z

Thanks to warrior. No tax and free shipping and smash brothers

 

[Neverwas]

It's okay. I feel like I've bought every game I'm interested in on the system, and I only have like 10 games. Same Nintendo, different day.

 

[Chittagong]

Awesome OP. Just one thing to add:

 

[StormCell]

You got it at the right moment now that it has almost 2 years worth of games. The problem comes when you had a WiiU, got this machine at release and everything you see are WiiU rehashes and some times a quality game like Odissey, Xeno, Octopath and Smash.

Enjoy the ride while you can OP, then you can join us on the Nintendo Games drought xD

I think that drought is long over. 2019 is looking fairly strong from both Nintendo and third party publishers. It had been a long couple of months since I last really played Switch, but I don't see myself putting it down much next year. There's just too many games I've been waiting for that will keep me busy for up to a month at a time.

 

[V1LÆM]

i love my Switch. i could go on and on about it but i'll leave it at that. I love it.

the games are brilliant and i have so many right now that i'll be busy for a long time with it.

the only thing i hope for is a revision to fix some hardware stuff: better battery, less bezel, improved WiFi. but those are just nitpicks really. i don't really take my Switch out with me so battery isn't a huge issue since i can just dock it or charge it and play. bezel isn't that noticeable when focused on games. wifi sucks ass but when it's docked i have it on ethernet. if i'm lying in my bed and want to play online then i just tether to my phone connection.

 

[StormCell]

This is probably really wishful thinking, but I'd like to see Nintendo release a revised Switch every 2-3 years with substantial hardware upgrades (CPU, GPU, RAM). I can think of a plethora of reasons why a "Switch Pro" should make a lot of sense, but I understand that costs are still a major hurdle. If they could drop the price on OG Switch and offer a modest hardware upgrade in a "Switch Pro" for the same $300 -- just the immediate performance improvements in existing Switch games is enough (for me, at least) to want to make another purchase.

 

[Vawn]

Two of the most underappreciated system ever, in my opinion, were the Wii U and PS Vita.

The Switch feels like if those two got together, combined their powers and made enough noise they could no longer be ignored.

The Switch continues Wii U's legacy of HD Nintendo games that you can play on or off the screen. The obvious upgrade is the ability to not be tied to the base console at all.

The Switch takes Vita's place as the best place to play indies and has gotten a ton of support from indie developers.

Switch also replaces Vita/PS4 as the best place for AA Japanese games such as Atelier, Disgaea and the like.

I just really wish Nintendo would give us a real Virtual Console with a large library of NES, SNES, N64 and GameCube games to purchase individually.

And, as completely unrealistic as it is, I really wish I could remote play PS4 on this bad boy instead of Vita.

 

[JCK75]

Nintendo does need to beef up it's first party offerings and get a clue what we actually want from it's online service but those things aside, I adore my switch and even with the games I currently have it puts a lot of great stuff on my plate to play for a long time to come, and I'll actually be able to play it since I can do so in bed or on the toilet.

 

[WinterIsComing]

I'm waiting for my kid to be old enough to play consoles for me to buy a Nintendo (whatever the name will be in 4-5 years). I really miss playing a good Mario game.

 

[DonF]

I like the Switch, its a funny distraction. I'm not loving it right now cause of the lack of exclusives, still, I can see its merits.

I would say I play 80% of the times docked, so mobility isn't all that attractive for me. Its cool to play Zelda or Bayonetta on a long flight, but I prefer the big screen.
I highly recommend the pro controller. In my case, it turned it into a real console. The build quality is awesome, the battery lasts like a month, the ergonomics, damn!

Now with smash i'll play it more, me and my brother were huge melee fans.

Overall, ill say the switch has a lot of promise, good buy, op.

 

[Ulysses 31]

Look into them 160-170MB/s microsdxc cards, I went from a 100MB/s one to 170MB/s one and load-times are noticeably shorter.

Also Waterfield makes great pouches for the Switch. Using the black one.

https://www.sfbags.com/collections/nintendo-switch-cases/products/nintendo-switch-pouch

 

[HotPocket69]

Havent touched mine since Odyssey released last year. Been in storage since then. No reason to play it. I don't want to play weakened ports of shit I played years ago.

Thought I would break it out again for No More Heroes being a massive Suda fan, but that game looks like hot tripe. Itll probably stay boxed up until Metroid, but Im sure they'll fuck that up somehow.

 

[Danjin44]

Havent touched mine since Odyssey released last year.

Thats mostly you own fault. Switch have plenty of games thats not port like Xenoblade 2 and Octopath but you choose not get them.

 

[HotPocket69]

Thats mostly you own fault. Switch have plenty of games thats not port like Xenoblade 2 and Octopath but you choose not get them.

Im burned out on Xenoblade. Nothing is as good as the original Chronicles anyway. Chronicles X was a fuckin nightmare.

Octopath was a cool nostalgia trip for 20 minutes. If I want an old school Square RPG Ill just play an actual old school Square RPG.

 

[Silvawuff]

My interest in this thing is definitely on the rise; I'll probably get one when it gets its inevitable upgrade/slim release/price drop that Nintendo seems to do for its hardware. I think there are almost enough exclusives to make it worth it.

 

[Danjin44]

Im burned out on Xenoblade. Nothing is as good as the original Chronicles anyway. Chronicles X was a fuckin nightmare.

Octopath was a cool nostalgia trip for 20 minutes. If I want an old school Square RPG Ill just play an actual old school Square RPG.

For me personally Xenoblade 2 is my favourite Xenoblade game and Octopath had amazing battle system, If all it had " old school Square RPG" I wouldn't have bought it.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

Im burned out on Xenoblade. Nothing is as good as the original Chronicles anyway. Chronicles X was a fuckin nightmare.

Octopath was a cool nostalgia trip for 20 minutes. If I want an old school Square RPG Ill just play an actual old school Square RPG.

That's how I feel about OT as well. It was the first Switch game I bought outside of the bundled Diablo 3, and it just ended up boring me to tears after about an hour. Really disappointed with the system but I don't have anyone to blame but myself to be honest. I knew I didn't like the current library but I bought it one for Smash anyway, and even that I'm disappointed with because of how atrocious the online is.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

I am on the fence right now about getting one. Last Nintendo console was the Wii and I swore I would never buy another Nintendo console after falling for that scam. But I really like the idea of being able to play a game while I watch TV or something, I probably would never even use it hooked to my tv. I am not a Zelda person, and not a smash bros person. But tempted to get it with Mario Aces and Mario Kart. Someone sell me on it

I said the same thing as you. plus i don't love zelda that much either!

I got mine though when it launched, as having a vita made me realize the potenital of remote play and modern handheld gaming. Its a pretty solid companion piece to xbox/ps4. I'd suggest getting it. I've only used mine as a handheld and its amazing. played zelda, mario kart, odyssey etc on it with no issues. Personally I didnt enjoy zelda or odyssey as much as prior games in the series, but there are many others avail on the system. plus many of the smaller games, like shovel knight, stardew valley, axiom verge, sonic mania, etc. it's worth getting them on the switch solely for portability. DO IT. I;m sure you can find a decent deal too for a bundle out there on the interwebs like craigslist/letgo/neogaf/RE

 

[Swauny Jones]

I held off and finally bit the bullet and grabbed one about a month ago. Best decision I've made in a while. I've been loading up on games and this thing has literally taken over family game night with me and the kids. Such a fun console with a ton to offer.

 

[HotPocket69]

For me personally Xenoblade 2 is my favourite Xenoblade game and Octopath had amazing battle system, If all it had " old school Square RPG" I wouldn't have bought it.

What's your #1 JRPG of all time?

 

[Danjin44]

What's your #1 JRPG of all time?

SMT Nocturne.

 

[Optimus Lime]

I bought my Switch in June this year.

The best games I've played in 2018 have, overwhelmingly, been Switch titles - from this year or 2017.

 

[El_Belmondo]

Also as strange as it may sound i'm aching to play some of the downports

I'm a fan of that type of software. Doom for GBA is one of my favorite gba games. Go figure.

Warframe is quite a sweet experience considering what kind of hardware the switch has.

 

[Vawn]

Also as strange as it may sound i'm aching to play some of the downports

I'm a fan of that type of software. Doom for GBA is one of my favorite gba games. Go figure.

Warframe is quite a sweet experience considering what kind of hardware the switch has.

But that type of stuff is like a new game made around that hardware. Kind of like NES versions of arcade games.

Switch ports of AAA games they just cut the framerate and resolution to very low levels. It isn't charming. It ranges from, "not too bad I guess" to "this is hideous"

 

[Mr Hyde]

Warframe doesn´t qualify for "not too bad I guess" as it is downright amazing, both in docked and handheld mode. It´s an achievement in game porting.

 

[Zog]

Octopath was a cool nostalgia trip for 20 minutes. If I want an old school Square RPG Ill just play an actual old school Square RPG.

Yeah, this is also how I feel about indie clones. Instead of playing an indie game that looks like an 8/16 bit platformer, I'll just play a retro game.

 

[El_Belmondo]

But that type of stuff is like a new game made around that hardware. Kind of like NES versions of arcade games.

Switch ports of AAA games they just cut the framerate and resolution to very low levels. It isn't charming. It ranges from, "not too bad I guess" to "this is hideous"

Well, obviously that kind of game development doesn't fly anymore, is downright downporting what allows the Switch to get the games it does.

Still, i find it interesting/charming, i love to see just how much can a game be compromised by the hardware before becoming an unplayable mess.

And yes, i agree with Mr Hyde over here. Having a PC that can play the game at máx settings (R5 1600+GTX 1060) Warframe is an amazing port, i like it so much i already transfered my account. Now i'm curious for Doom and Wolfe2+many others.

The console is right there with many other consoles that managed to click on me. I just had a go at it in handheld mode after installing the screen protector (i haven't take it out of the dock since the initial setup) and goddamn it is amazing as a handheld too.

 

[Danjin44]

Switch's handheld mode is god send for someone like me who plays lot of JRPGs and playing Shin Megami Tensei V on Switch is gonna be glorious.

 

[Vawn]

Switch's handheld mode is god send for someone like me who plays lot of JRPGs and playing Shin Megami Tensei V on Switch is gonna be glorious.

It's great for mid-tier budget JRPGs. Have you checked out Labyrinth of Refrain. Great dungeon crawler. Demo on the eShop.

 

[Danjin44]

It's great for mid-tier budget JRPGs. Have you checked out Labyrinth of Refrain. Great dungeon crawler. Demo on the eShop.

I might check that one out but I wouldn't call games like Xenoblade and SMTV as "mid-tier JRPG".

 

[AgentP]

Meh. I found it expensive ($400+ with all the peripherals) and not one game to sink my teeth into that fit my taste. The kids like it, they play Smash, Party, Minecraft. I wish it had full Wii U BC.