Back in March 2017, Nintendo launched its first gaming console named Nintendo Switch, in Japan and Western markets.
The switch soon became a huge success, thanks to its exceptional features like portability, seamless hardware, vibrant screen, solid battery life, and various supported games.
However, in the modern era where competitors like PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S are gaining attention worldwide, many users have started to wonder if Nintendo Switch is still worth it.
For a quick answer, know that:
The Nintendo Switch is still worth it in modern times for those who prefer a handheld gaming device. Though the alternatives, including the PlayStation and Xbox, offer advanced features, the portability and comfort of playing games give the switch a point above its alternatives.
Sounds exciting, right? The following guide covers more about Nintendo Switch, its most and least popular features, and whether or not it’s worth the investment in today’s world.
Stick till the end to know it all!
Nintendo Switch Overview
As mentioned previously, Nintendo Switch was launched in 2017. The console supports thousands of games and has a fairly outstanding design.
Available in many colors, particularly the iconic red and blue Joy-Con controllers, the console is wrapped in matte plastic material, which gives it a more cohesive look.
Some popular games supported by Nintendo Switch are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The House in Fata Morgana, and Undertale.
Though 2017 was long ago, the world also witnessed the launch of some of the other console revisions with time. The Nintendo Switch Lite (Sep 2019) and Nintendo Switch OLED (Oct 2021) are popular names in the Nintendo world, adding to the sales.
Let’s go through an overview of the Lite and OLED Nintendo Switch models.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The primary difference between the Lite and the regular switch is usage. The Lite supports handheld usage only, while the regular console can be used handheld, connected to a display (preferably a TV), or used as a stand on a tabletop with its own display.
Some pros of Nintendo Switch Lite are a cost-effective model, built-in controllers, and a fairly long battery life than the regular console.
Nintendo Switch OLED
With a more aseptically pleasing design and a larger, vibrant display, the Nintendo Switch OLED stole the show worldwide in 2021.
It’s the most recent Nintendo console available in the market and features an enhanced audio system and twice the internal storage as the regular switch.
Some other features of the OLED version most cherish globally are its 7 inches larger screen display, a wide adjustable stand, and precise color grading.
Nintendo Switch vs. Other Consoles
Now that we have explored much about the Nintendo Switch, let’s compare it to other competitors in the market to judge if Nintendo Switch is still worth it in today’s gaming world.
The two forever competitors of Nintendo Switch are PlayStation and Xbox. Though every product has its pros and cons, the Nintendo Switch offers exciting features over others.
So, let’s go through a quick overview of the Nintendo Switch versus the PlayStation and the Xbox Series. The three factors that determine the console’s functionality over other alternatives are:
- Size, comfort, and portability
- Display and resolution
- Storage
- Battery life
Nintendo Switch vs. PlayStation
The most prominent difference between the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation is the size. The latter is much larger and weighs more, meaning you would need more space to place it.
Contrary to that, the portability of the Nintendo Switch makes it one of the best handheld gaming consoles. Even when docked, the switch can easily fit in small places.
Regarding display and brightness, the Nintendo switch supports a standard, built-in 720p resolution, though some games can be played in 1080p on the TV. On the other hand, the PlayStation supports 1080p resolution and HDR for most games.
Moreover, the Nintendo Switch comes with 32 GB storage, and users can use microSDHC or microSDXC cards for up to 2TB to increase storage. On the flip side, the PlayStation 5 has 825 GB storage, while you can also get an SDD for expansion.
When it comes to the battery life, the PlayStation doesn’t feature it since it is a DC-only console. But you can get between 4.5 and 9 hours of gameplay with a Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch vs. Xbox Series
The Xbox Series features a large device that would need more room to be placed. The Nintendo Switch, on the other hand, is a tiny console compared to the Xbox and fits hands perfectly.
Xbox has the advantage of displaying games at 4K and even 8K, while the Nintendo Switch only goes as far as 1080p (for some games) with the standard 720p for most games.
As for storage, the Nintendo Switch has 32 GB storage, while microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB can also be used for storage expansion. However, the Xbox includes 500 GB or 1 TB storage which can be increased using an external storage device.
Lastly, the battery life of the Nintendo Switch lasts between 4.5 to 9 hours on a single charge, whereas the Xbox can last up to 30 hours.
Final Assessment: Is Nintendo Switch Worth it?
The primary features of a Nintendo Switch which make it better than its competitors are portability, a comfortable gaming experience, and good battery life.
Surely it cannot be denied that PlayStation and Xbox offer some advanced features over the Nintendo Switch, such as large storage or a brighter display. However, the switch facilitates its users with a handheld feature that makes the whole gaming experience comfortable and smooth.
Besides, you can also choose between the OLED and the Lite version. The OLED model offers better resolution and brightness for an enhanced gaming session. The Lite version stands out for those solely looking for a gaming handheld device.
Simply put, the Nintendo Switch is still worth it in today’s world, even if other alternatives have some advanced features to offer. Those who love playing games with minimal effort and maximum comfort should find the Nintendo Switch worth the investment!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Comes With Nintendo Switch?
Besides manuals, notes, and other miscellaneous paperwork, the Nintendo Switch includes various things you can use to play games on the console or your TV when the switch is docked up.
This includes the Nintendo console, left Joy-Con, right Joy-Con, an HDMI cable, a Joy-Con Grip, an AC adapter, Nintendo Switch dock, and Joy-Con straps.
Can Nintendo Switch Be Connected to TV? If Yes, What TV Would Be Best?
You can connect the Nintendo Switch to a display, whether a TV, a monitor, or a projector. You can use any TV, projector, or monitor as long as it supports the 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate.
Connecting your switch to the display is fairly simple: open the side panel of the dock and connect the dock and the display using the HDMI cable. The HDMI cable comes in the box of the Nintendo Switch, and you have to plug one end into the dock while the other into the TV (or monitor/projector).
Remember when playing a game on your display that every game will have different settings, including the resolution rate. Some support 1080p, while others will run smoothly at 720p resolution.
What are the Top 10 Games Supported by Nintendo Switch?
The top ten games you can play on the Nintendo Switch are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tetris Effect: Connected, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Super Mario Odyssey, The House in Fata Morgana, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Hades, Divinity: Original Sin II, Celeste, Undertale.
Note that most games can be played in 720p, while others may support 1080p if the Nintendo Switch is docked up to a TV.
Does the Nintendo Switch Require WiFi to Work?
The Nintendo Switch requires a WiFi connection to work, but only when setting up the switch. Once the switch is successfully set up, it will not need a wireless connection to play games.
It’s because the switch needs to create a Nintendo account on the Nintendo store, from where you can download games and later play them without any wireless connection. A stable WiFi connection is also needed if you already have an account on Nintendo and need to log in to download games.
Will There be a New Nintendo Switch in the Upcoming Years?
After releasing the Nintendo Lite and OLED for a comfortable and brighter gaming experience, respectively, rumors are the next Nintendo Switch will be an upgrade to the basic Nintendo Switch.
It is expected that Nintendo will launch an updated Nintendo Switch Pro in the upcoming years. Though there is no solid news, the successor Nintendo switch is predicted to be launched in 2024.
With that, the hopes of Nintendo users are even higher, for the new Pro switch is expected to have all the advanced features currently offered by competitors.