Despite stiff competition from Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, Nintendo reasserted its status as the World’s predominant console manufacturer. With over 139 million units sold to date, the Nintendo Switch is the highest-selling console of its respective generation, not to mention one of the most popular consoles of all time. But as much as people love the Switch, that doesn’t mean it's without its detractors. Let’s look at what people hate AND love about the Nintendo Switch.
1. Limited Battery Life
As a hybrid handheld/home console, the Nintendo Switch is expected to perform well on both fronts. Sadly, the Switch often receives criticism for its limited battery life. From the standpoint of a handheld console, this can be particularly frustrating for players who enjoy graphically intensive titles as they’re often more taxing on the already limited processing power of the console, leading to shorter battery life.
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2. Joy-Con Drift
You know it’s an issue when lawyers get involved! That’s exactly what happened when a group of parents got together to start a class-action lawsuit against Nintendo for the notorious “Joy-Con drift”, whereby the joystick registers movement without even being touched. Although Nintendo won and the suit was dismissed, the issue still remains a thorn in their side, even prompting a public apology from company President, Shuntaro Furukawa.
3. Limited Screen Resolution (Handheld and TV)
By far the most prevailing knock against the Switch is its poor performance capabilities when compared to its competitors. While the Xbox and PlayStation both support 4K resolutions, Switch users yearning for high graphical fidelity are simply out of luck. Matters are made even worse when the system is no longer docked and used in handheld mode, as the Switch’s built-in screen only supports 720p screen resolution.
4. Lack of Bluetooth Audio Support
Although remedied in a recent firmware update, the Nintendo Switch was often the target of intense scorn for not supporting Bluetooth audio, a significant oversight in a wireless-focused handheld device. Despite a fix in recent years, the Switch’s Bluetooth audio support is still lacking, as it doesn’t support in-game chat and only allows two wireless controllers to be paired at once.
5. Limited Internal Storage
As previously mentioned, the Nintendo Switch is often unfavourably compared to its far more technically superior contemporaries. Another technical gripe many people have with the Switch is its limited internal storage capacity. With only 32GB, the internal storage of the Switch is often criticized as insufficient for those who prefer downloading games. Even the prospect of adding storage, via microSD cards, is seen as a costly and unnecessary drawback for many gamers.
6. Expensive Accessories
Albeit cheaper than its competitors with the initial base price, the Nintendo Switch can cost consumers an arm and a leg in the long run. Useful (and sometimes necessary) accessories, such as additional Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller, and docking stations, are often criticized for being overly expensive, making the overall investment required to enjoy the console untenable for many gamers.
7. Inconsistent Game Pricing
Despite game prices in general seeing a steep increase, the Nintendo Switch is a whole other story! Due to a practice lovingly referred to as the “Nintendo tax”, many Switch games often maintain their high initial price points long after their release. This flies in the face of most common pricing norms, which dictate that price points should depreciate as games age, leaving many consumers frustrated with Nintendo’s perceived greediness.
8. Poor Online Service Quality
Although superior in other regards, the Nintendo Switch is often criticized for having a less robust and feature-rich online service than those offered by Sony and Microsoft. Many point to connection instability and a lack of built-in modern features like voice chat and video streaming as issues the Switch has yet to overcome.
9. Limited Third-Party Support
Over the years, one of Nintendo’s biggest selling points for its consoles has always been exclusive first-party games. Unfortunately, its third-party support has never been able to match the same highs. Although things have started to improve as of late, Switch users are still plagued with a game library that pales in comparison to other consoles and their robust third-party developer support.
10. Delicate Screen
One major complaint against the Switch is the shabby quality of its built-in plastic screen — making it susceptible to scratches and cracks. Even more troubling is the Switch dock, with its tight fit and lack of protective padding. The Switch dock has reportedly led to severe scratching on both the screen and the plastic body of the handheld device, leaving many users frustrated with Nintendo’s lack of foresight when designing the console.
1. Innovative Hybrid Design
The Nintendo Switch's innovative hybrid design, which allows it to function as both a handheld and a home console device, has proven to be a game-changer in the industry. By giving them the ability to seamlessly transition from playing in their living room to taking their game on the go without interruption, users can enjoy a full console experience anytime, anywhere!
2. Exclusive Games
With a treasure trove of high-quality exclusive titles like "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "Super Mario Odyssey," and "Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, Nintendo has firmly placed itself in the upper echelon of game development. Nintendo’s vast library of highly popular IPs is a major draw for kids and adults alike.
Photo by Francisco Gonzalez Romanelli
3. Strong Indie Game Support
In addition to Nintendo’s prolific output of major titles, the Switch also enjoys the backing of several modest (yet innovative) indie developers looking to cut their teeth in a highly competitive market. The Switch, with its distinct hybrid design and motion control features, has become the breeding ground for a plethora of unique and creative indie titles.
4. Innovative Joy-Con Features
When it comes to controllers, Nintendo has always distinguished itself from its competitors — and the Joy-Con is no exception! Featuring advanced haptic feedback and motion control capabilities, the Joy-Con enhances gameplay with immersive and interactive experiences, allowing for more unique and creative game design.
5. Multiplayer and Family Gaming
In a landscape dominated by online multiplayer, it's refreshing to see a console that still emphasizes local multiplayer experiences. With its versatile and easily-shareable Joy-Cons, Nintendo made sure to design the Switch with local multiplayer and social gaming in mind. And with first-party offerings like "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" players are given a vibrant library of games to enjoy with friends and family at any gathering.
6. Active Community
Nintendo has arguably the largest and most wide-spanning brand recognition of any company in the gaming industry. With that comes a massive fanbase that ensures that the Switch benefits from a vibrant and active community of players from around the world. Online forums, social media groups, and fan events culminate in creating one of the largest diehard fan communities in gaming.
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7. Easy Setup and User Interface
Although lacking the more complex and feature-rich capabilities of its competitors, Nintendo Switch users enjoy a far more simplified experience. Its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface make navigating the console more seamless, ensuring an accessible experience for even the least tech-savvy among us (i.e. kids and casual gamers).
8. Parental Control Features
In addition to being the most family-friendly console on the market, the Switch has also garnered much acclaim from parents due to its comprehensive parental controls. With an easy-to-use dedicated smartphone app, parents can monitor and control their children’s gaming habits, including setting limits on playtime and managing access to certain types of content.
9. Robust eShop Interface
Nintendo’s eShop is a hotbed for sales, promotions, and new experiences for gamers to enjoy. Well-organized and easy to traverse, the accessibility of the eShop helps players discover new games and savings with ease, ensuring they regularly get the best of what the Nintendo Switch has to offer.
10. Nostalgia Factor
As one of the most enduring and long-standing companies in gaming, Nintendo has always emphasized reconnecting long-time fans with their childhood favorites while also introducing them to younger generations. The Switch taps into this nostalgic sentiment by bringing classic characters and franchises back to life in new games, while celebrating their legacy with easily accessible re-releases of their most beloved classics.
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