Nintendo Switch review: What the new 2-in-1 console can do
3.3.2017
Translation: machine translated
The Nintendo Switch takes the approaches of the Wii U and continues them consistently. A home console that also wants to be a handheld? Will it be the jack of all trades or neither fish nor fowl? We put it to the test.
The first thing we did was to put the Nintendo Switch in the hands of our unsuspecting employees and film their reactions.
Tablet vs console mode
The Nintendo Switch picks up where the Wii U left off. Instead of a fat tablet that works just a few metres from the actual console, the naked tablet on the Nintendo Switch is the actual console. The dock into which you plug the Switch when you want to play on the TV only serves as a charging station and bridge to the TV. All the computing power is in the tablet. The tablet has a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, while the resolution on the TV is increased to 1920x1080.
But that doesn't make the Switch any less of a console. Switching from portable to stationary is done in seconds and both modes work perfectly. I often played on the train journey to work. However, titles like "Zelda Breath of the Wild" in particular really come into their own on the large TV. The 6.2-inch LCD display also impresses with rich colours and finally multi-touch.
Because the Switch wants to be two in one, it doesn't do any of this perfectly. In terms of performance, it can never keep up with PS4 and Xbox One. As a result, many third-party games will not appear on the Switch at all or only in a slimmed-down form. In tablet mode, on the other hand, the battery doesn't last long enough.
Despite this, versatility is clearly one of the most striking features. Docked from the sofa, on the move in tablet mode or during a lunch break with colleagues, each with a Joy Con in hand - no other games console offers so many possible uses.
The controllers
Which brings us to the controllers: the Joy Cons. There is an astonishing amount of technology in these small input devices. Motion sensors, infrared proximity sensor, HD rumble and more buttons than you can count. They are technically impressive, the workmanship is flawless and the HD Rumble feature is amazingly precise. It can give you the feeling of rolling marbles or a glass of ice cubes.
Unfortunately, they are very small. Even with normal-sized hands, you get cramps just watching them. Fortunately, this hasn't happened to me while playing. However, I have also never used a single one of them crosswise for a long time, as would be the case in a two-player "Mario Kart" match. The buttons and analogue sticks are significantly smaller than on a PS4 controller, for example.
The Joy Cons can be used in different ways:
There are also two small plastic strips with a wrist strap. These are about one centimetre thick and can be attached to the Joy Cons, making them slightly wider and therefore easier to handle. They also replace the tiny SL and SR buttons with real buttons.
The grip controller
The included grip controller is not a controller in itself, but merely a holder for the Joy Cons. With a satisfying click, you can insert them into the grip and you have a classic controller. It fits relatively well in the hand, but after playing for a while I wish it was a bit bigger. If you primarily game on the TV, I recommend the Pro Controller, which is available separately.
One major drawback of the Grip is the lack of a charging port. If the Joy Cons are connected to the Grip, you can't charge them at the same time. This is only possible with the additionally available Charging Grip. Pure money-making, if you ask me. If the Joy Cons run out of juice, you won't be able to continue playing via the TV.
The games
There are relatively few games available at launch. They come either as a module that looks like an SD memory card or as a digital download. As the Switch only has 32 GB of internal memory, you don't have much space for the latter. However, you can upgrade with microSD cards (up to 2 TB). Here is the complete list
One of the most important is certainly the fantastic "Zelda". You can find the detailed test here
The second Nintendo-owned title is "1-2-Switch".
"1-2-Switch"
"1-2-Switch" feels more like a collection of tech demos designed to introduce you to the use and versatility of the Joy Cons. "1-2-Switch" should have been included directly with the console.
"Snipperclips"
I have not yet been able to test the puzzle game extensively, but my first impression was very positive. You can play it in pairs. Each player takes control of one of two paper figures. You can customise each other by placing your bodies on top of each other. This is how you try to solve the different levels. Sometimes you have to pop balloons, sometimes balance a pencil and then sharpen it. Sounds sophisticated, but it's really tricky and a lot of fun.
Online service and expensive accessories
In future, Nintendo will charge for the online service. However, it will initially be free of charge. It is required if you want to play multiplayer games such as "Mario Kart" or "Splatoon" with friends. I wasn't able to test this yet, as none of these games were available at the time of the review.
The Virtual Console, where you can buy Nintendo classics, will also be available again. However, it is not yet available at launch. It is also unclear whether you will receive discounts for games that you have already purchased there.
You will have to dig deep into your pockets for accessories. Starting with the charging grip, which you have to buy if you want basic functions such as playing while the controller is charging. The additional Pro Controller or additional Joy Cons also cost Nintendo a lot. And you will probably also need a microSD memory card.
Difficulties getting started
In the beginning, my Switch crashed every time the screen switched off. All I got was a meaningless error message telling me to do a hard reset by pressing the power button for 12 seconds. Only after I had reset the device to the factory settings did everything run smoothly.
A colleague of mine who was also testing the Switch didn't fare much better. He was occasionally unable to start the device. However, the problem went away on its own. This was all before the first update, which I have since installed.
Availability
As we have received a lot of pre-orders, but Nintendo can only supply us with a limited number of units, there will only be a few models available to buy at the beginning. And even those will be gone quickly. But we should get new ones all the time, so hopefully everyone will get a Switch as soon as possible.
Conclusion: on the right track
Apart from that, Nintendo has developed an extremely attractive console with the Switch - with Nintendo's typical charm and quirkiness. The foundations have been laid for a successful console generation and I'm very excited to see what curious games await us in the future.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
