Just this week, our own Patch Hearn pondered the end of the console wars. Part of his argument was that the three big boys have parted ways when it comes to corporate philosophy and end goal. Nintendo, as he put it, are sat apart from the other two “creating unique, innovative titles that seem perfect for the Switch and would not feel at home anywhere else”.
But I feel there’s so much more to Nintendo Switch than that. Today, we look at the top reasons you why you should own one and invite you to share your opinions on Nintendo’s ultra-popular portable with us below.
Indie Game Support
Starting us off, we want to talk about indie games. These days there are more and more indie companies popping up and delivering small, passion-driven projects that become just as near and dear to us as some of our old favourites, if not more so.
Nintendo has been quick to capitalize on this and give these developers more and more exposure though Indie World and its subsequent sales. Not everyone wants to pay £60+ for a game and the Switch is the perfect platform for those that don’t want to.
Original is Co-Op Ready
While the second edition of the Switch focused more on the portable play aspect of the console, the original had a nice balance of co-op and portable. When you first bought the original Switch, it would come with two of the trademark Joy-Con controllers.
While they were mainly used to control whatever game you were playing by yourself, they could be detached and used with a friend to play a game together, such as the many offered by 1-2 Switch. Easily accessible co-op on the go was one of the main factors of the Nintendo Switch and continues to draw people to this day.
Both Versions are Actually Worth It
Speaking of different versions of a console, the Switch and Switch Lite help you decide what you want out of the console. If you want a more co-op based console that is great at home and on the go but don’t mind it being a little cumbersome, then the original is for you.
However, if you want a console that is entirely for you and you alone, as well as easy to carry, then the Switch Lite will be more of your cup of tea. Both versions cater to a gamers needs and give you a lot of choice that, with most consoles being the same but slightly smaller, is a welcome sight indeed
No Region Lock
When you’re taking your gaming experience on a holiday, there’s often the chance you’ll spot something that’s not available back home. Thankfully, the Switch doesn’t have any form of region lock. Buying physical games to play is entirely possible and, while the process is a little odd, so is buying from various regions eShops.
Customisability is Cool
When you’re taking your Switch out to play with friends, you’re gonna want it to look cool and unique. Thankfully, the Switch has a number of customisation options available to you.
For starters, the Joy-Con’s come in a number of different colours. If you feel like forking out a little extra cash, there’s limited edition versions of the console with unique casing. Beyond those, a number of third party companies sell skins that you can stick to your Switch, much like there was with the Nintendo DS and 3DS. These options help owners personalise their Switch and make it feel more theirs, as opposed to just another one off the shelf
The Cheap and Cheerful Choice
These days money can be a little tight. When saving up you often have to save quite a bit to
get a console, often in the £300-£400 range. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Switch.
When it first released the console retailed for £279.99/$299.99, making it a decent bit cheaper than its competition, with the PlayStation 4 retailing for £349.99/$399.99 and the Xbox One at £429/$499. While there may have been a good four year gap in terms of release date and console prices had begun to drop, the Switch was more than able to hold its own thanks to the pricing and uniquity which still draws in fans to this day
Nintendo’s Library and Back Catalogue is Something
As we mentioned earlier, Nintendo have given a number of indie developers a huge platform to promote and present their work. Along with that you have the extensive list of IPs that Nintendo has access to as well as a legacy of legendary titles ready to pick up from Nintendo Store.
Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Fire Emblem and many more. These games are rarely, if ever, found outside a Nintendo system and are beloved classics from many people’s childhoods. As a result, playing these games in the best way possible means getting a Switch.
Stands Out from the Crowd
In a world where consoles are only really differentiated by their graphical capabilities and the occasional exclusive, Nintendo Switch offers a fresh experience. With the original, the dock it comes with allows you to hook it up to your TV and play all the games on your nice, big TV.
With it being a handheld as well as a home console, it being able to play big titles such as The Witcher III, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and more on the go is a massive bonus. No longer do these long titles have to be played at home with the limited time you have to yourself, now they can be experienced on the go.
Game Anywhere, Anytime!
And finally, with the reason we’ve been touching on with most other points, there is the portability of Nintendo Switch. Portable gaming has always existed, and Nintendo has dominated the market over the years, with the Game Boy being the face of said market for nearly a decade. Switch, as a handheld experience, is the next level. Expansive experiences that were only available on home consoles can now be experienced on the go and enjoyed so much easier than in the past.
Travelling on a train for a few hours with nothing to do? Explore Hyrule in Breath of the Wild. Sat in an airport waiting for your flight? Load up Fire Emblem: Three Houses and enjoy it’s lengthy story. Switch is a unique experience all bundled together in a single, small package. Nintendo have taken the gaming market by storm and is here to stay, ensuring that people have this unique and immersive experience
wherever they go.
And that was the list! What did you think? Did we miss what you love about the Nintendo
Switch? If so, please share below! We’d love to hear what you have to say. Thanks for
reading, and we hope to see you back here soon…