The
Nintendo Switch is the first console I have ever bought at launch day.
Typically I’d have to wait until a holiday season or a price drop to grab up
new hardware, but the Nintendo Switch was just such a cool concept of a console
I didn’t really care if it’d put a dent in my savings or whatever the software
lineup is like. And thankfully, the console has not disappointed me in almost
any way. While underwhelming on the surface, the Switch’s early library is
filled with a good variety of games to play whenever, where ever you like!
The Negatives
Let’s
get the negatives out of the way. Buying a console early is never as smooth as
you’d hope in the modern age and the Switch is no exception. Thankfully the
console has been supported with regular patches to help fix these issues, but
it did lead to some frustration. Apparently out of the box on launch the
Nintendo Switch had issues connecting to a lot of people’s wifi which has had
some of the issues such as not being able to find password protected
connections patched out. Personally I still have issues getting the Switch to
connect at times when everything else works fine, so connecting to the net is
still a source of frustration for me, but thankfully it’s getting better. If
you are looking for power you are not going to find it in the Switch, at least
compared to the other home consoles. However, as a handheld it’s a powerhouse!
The unfortunate part of the Switch’s marketing message as a console-on-the-go
is that it’s more the exact opposite as a handheld with more options. And while
I’m finding plenty of things to enjoy on Switch people looking for bigger games
are probably gonna be underwhelmed with the library for quite some time. The
controllers not having a real dpad is a real bummer as playing 2D platformers
and fighting games without it is a bit of a pain, so I might just avoid those
games until I have the money for a Pro controller. The battery life is also
very low and no packed in power cord means I had to play with the Switch docked
more than I wanted to until I bought a cord.
Versatility
The
main feature of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware is definitely the plethora of
options you have in how and where you play. Of course you can play games as a
regular console inside the dock and play it in your hands on the go, but you
also have options to play games on a table top. You can lay the screen flat
like a tablet, or set it upright on its kickstand. The options don’t even end
there as the detachable Joycon controllers have their own list of options such
as connected to the console as a handheld, detached and held free hand much
like the Wii Remote before it, holding each Joycon sideways like a SNES
controller for some 2 player action, or attached to the packed in Joycon grip
accessory and played like regular controller. I was really skeptical of the Joycon
grip, but it works perfectly fine as a controller. The only reason I ever see
myself buying a pro controller is if I really want a true dpad, but for most
uses the Joycon d buttons(?) work as a functional replacement. And of course
none of this even gets into the additional accessories you can buy to further
expand the play options of the console.
Personally
I really enjoy almost all the options available. During the Splatoon 2 testfire
I kept changing up my controller set up every hour and found just about all of
them work very well. The Joycon Grip makes for a good reliable controller, free
hand is very comfortable, and handheld can be played anywhere within wifi
range. None of them are a clear favorite as they all have their uses.
Personally I find it a blast to play games on a console with enough options to
fit my current needs. There are a lot of games I’ll just end up buying for a
second time so I can have the option to play these games in bed, at the table,
or wherever.
Game Library
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the
Wild
What
is obviously the major launch title for the Switch and last hurrah for the Wii
U, chances are you have probably played or at least heard enough about Breath
of the Wild, so I’ll be brief. I am not a big fan of the Zelda series, while I
tend to be impressed with their overall consistent quality, but they just don’t
do enough for me for me to say I even like them all that much. They are perfect
fine, playable, mostly inoffensive video games. Though the standouts of the
series to me are the original and Wind Waker which both capture the spirit of
adventure the series is known for the strongest. Breath of the Wild to me joins
those two in capturing the same spirit of adventure while reinventing the Zelda
wheel. Breath of the Wild makes a great balance between keeping up with Zelda
tradition to keep the series identity going and making massive changes to help
modernize the series. Breath of the Wild plays a lot like other modern AAA open
world games, but is still very much a Zelda game. The game does have its issues
mostly being weapon durability being more of a hassle than a fun challenge to
work around, lack of decent rewards for combat makes combat a bit of a waste of
time, the various magic powers and puzzle items feel very underwhelming
compared to previous titles, and the boss fights feel like a step down for the
series.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Another
game that probably doesn’t need much explanation, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an
upgraded port of the popular Wii U entry of the Mario Kart series complete with
all the DLC, an overhauled battle mode, new characters, vehicles, items, and a
change to a two item system similar to Mario Kart Double Dash. Whether or not
you feel Mario Kart 8 is worth another $60 will vary depending on your love of
the series and how much you enjoy playing games on the system. Personally,
having Mario Kart 8 in my hands has made me fall in love with the game all over
again. There aren’t many major changes other than the two item system which
both makes the game more chaotic, but also more defensive when you’re towards
the front of the pack. If you are familiar with the original Mario Kart 8 or
Mario Kart in general you probably know what you are getting into with Mario
Kart 8 Deluxe as it is the definitive Mario Kart experience. Looking forward
for more time trial grinding and online fun to come.
FAST RMX
Similar
to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, FAST RMX is an enhanced port of the Wii U racing game
FAST Racing Neo. While not a replacement for a new F-Zero, FAST RMX is a great
alternative to scratch that high speed racing itch we’ve all been feeling since
F-Zero GX blew us all away on the GameCube. If Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is too slow
and gimmicky for you, FAST RMX is your hard high speed alternative (and at a
much more affordable price too). Personally, my only major gripe is that I
still don’t feel the two color system adds anything to the game other than a
distracting gimmick.
Super Bomberman R
Konami
of all people decided to join in on the Switch launch with a new Bomberman
title. As a longtime fan of the series I had to pick it up for my Switch and I
wasn’t disappointed. Super Bomberman R brings the classic Bomberman action and
chaos to the Switch. Unleash chaos in local and online multiplayer or play the
short but sweet story mode complete with adorable cartoon-style cutscenes.
While a bit bare bones and lacking in a whole lot of content (especially for
its steep price) the game still oozes in style and fun. The game also continues
to get regular updates and has some fun Konami cameo costumes lined up like Vic
Viper and Pyramid Head of all things. It’s a blast, though whether or not it’s
worth the pricetag will vary depending on your love for the series.
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth +
This
feels surreal to say, but the Binding of Isaac is one of the biggest launch
window games for the Nintendo Switch. The latest version of the Team Meat cult
classic indie hit, Binding Of Isaac feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch
as it is so easy to just pull out the console for one more run. While the Newgrounds
dead baby edgelord humor feels like an incredibly pathetic relic of your middle
school years rouglikes are a very natural fit for the Nintendo Switch. I ended
up dropping the Binding of Isaac around its Wrath of the Lamb expansion so
there is so much new content to wrap my brain around. Honestly I do feel like
the game feels way too random especially now. Still I find myself coming back
to it every so often just for one more
run… I swear just one more.
Snake Pass
From
the developers of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed comes something…
very unexpected. Snake Pass is a very fun Snake “platformer?” where you control
a snake by slithering and coiling around multiple courses. Snake Pass is a very
fun smaller title that I enjoyed learning the ropes of slithering and coiling
around. The game can get a bit frustrating with its unique controls, but feels
intuitive enough to still feel well designed. While not the meatiest game on
the Switch, Snake Pass will still give you plenty of hours of fun challenges
set to a great soundtrack by David Wise of Rare fame.
Splatoon 2: Testfire
While
obviously no longer active, the Splatoon 2 Testfire event was the most fun I’ve
had with the Nintendo Switch to date. I had a ton of fun trying out the new
weapons, maps, listening to the new music, and trying out all the new control
options the Switch can provide. I was also… shockingly good at it? While I have
probably more Splatoon experience than a lot of Switch newcomers, I never
actually got that much into the original as getting to the game late and
missing Splatfests turned me away from playing the game. I don’t really want to
brag too much, but I took to Splatoon 2, especially the new Splatdualies, so
naturally I placed the top scorer and typically the best K/D (kills to death
ratio) on my team every match! I am really looking forward to Splatoon 2’s
launch this summer as I feel it is definitely the best upcoming game for the
Switch.
The Future
While
Switch news has slowed down as we anticipate future announcements at E3 the
near future of the Nintendo Switch looks bright! Ultra Street Fighter II is
releasing in May which will bring a new version of the fighting game classic to
Nintendo Switch. ARMS is coming out in June which looks like a ton of fun that
I am curiously optimistic about. I am a bit worried that it could just be a
gimmicky multiplayer Punch-Out that no one will play seriously so we’ll see.
Splatoon 2 is going to launch in June and likely be a must have for all
Nintendo fans and my most anticipated multiplayer game of the year. Also over
the far horizon is the stellar looking Mario Odyssey come holiday season, Sonic
Mania and Forces are also coming to the Switch which you’ll be able to go fast
on-the-go on the Nintendo Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 which will add to the
JRPGs of the Switch library which the console feels like the perfect fit for,
there are also other JRPGs far over the horizon coming to the Switch like
SquareEnix’s Octopath project as well as Dragon Quest XI (please come west), an unannounced Tales game, an untitle Shin
Megami Tensei project, an unannounced Pokémon game which will be huge for the
system. I definitely see myself enjoying a lot of games on this console for
years to come.
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