Nintendo has always been a vital company in the console wars and even though their hardware isn’t always the most powerful of a generation, they still find unique and innovative ways to engage with gamers. The Nintendo Switch has been a major success and it’s been curious to watch the console’s evolution over time and how it continues to refine its main concepts.
The Switch boasts a lot of features that at one point may have been selling points, but now with the benefit of hindsight there can be a more realistic assessment of the console’s capabilities and how it’s actually been influential this generation.
10 Dated: Friend Codes
Nintendo has proven to be an influential presence in the video games industry in many ways, but one area in which they’ve consistently been struggling is how they handle online play. Nintendo continues to utilize their archaic Friend Code system, which is clunky in nature and limited in comparison to what Sony and Microsoft offer. The Friend Codes are in turn partly present to keep the online experience safe for younger gamers, but it’s been a repeated detriment. Some were optimistic that the Switch could make Friend Codes work or create a better alternative, but that’s not the case.
9 Fantastic: Portability And Versatility
Home consoles have always been what have driven the video game industry, but there was still a stretch of time where handheld consoles were getting a lot of attention and Nintendo has consistently held control over the market. The Switch marks an interesting shift for Nintendo wherein it functions as both a portable console as well as one that can be docked and played on TV. This allows a previously unheard of level of versatility to how the audience plays their games. In some cases, it’s the potential to experience these titles on the go that’s the deciding factor.
8 Dated: Joy-Cons
Nintendo has always tried to go against the grain when it comes to their controllers. In the more recent gaming generations they’ve developed controllers that are deceptively simple, but bring with them innovative control schemes. The Joy-Con are a fun example that shows more creativity in play, but they’re quickly seeming more like a hassle than ingenuity.
They’re an expensive peripheral that use new colors as a selling point, yet there are more titles that make better use of the Pro Controllers. The whole Joy-Con drift issue has also discouraged many players.
7 Fantastic: Gyroscope
Nintendo has continually tried to use gyroscope controls in impressive ways, ever since the days of the Wii. The Nintendo 3DS used gyroscopic controls in truly impressive ways and Nintendo has tried to carry over those gameplay mechanics to the Switch. These intuitive controls aren’t perfect, but they bring a whole new life to first-person shooters or titles that are on rails, like Panzer Dragoon. It may not be everyone’s preferred method to play games, but Nintendo is still trying to do creative things with the idea.
6 Dated: Switch Online
Many longtime Nintendo fans got very excited over the announcement of the Switch Online service and the rotating stable of retro games that it includes, but the service hasn’t really proven itself since its debut. This still comes across as a subpar online option for most people. There are also severe limitations behind the game library, which is especially frustrating for people who remember the Wii’s Virtual Console. This could be a really exciting feature that celebrates Nintendo’s past, but it’s only left audiences wanting more.
5 Fantastic: Touchscreen Capabilities
Nintendo is a company that’s usually able to learn from their past so that even when a piece of hardware of a new game isn’t a complete success, there’s usually still something productive that they can take from the misfire. Touchscreen capabilities were transformative for Nintendo’s handhelds and the Wii U implemented the feature in creative ways.
The Switch has been able to effectively expand on this where touchscreen features aren’t mandatory, but they’re a well-integrated perk for those that are interested in slightly something more immersive.
4 Dated: Nintendo Labo
Nintendo is usually pretty good with taking the new features of their latest hardware and using it to take some creative detours. Motion controls led to many experiments for the Wii and the technology that’s present in the Switch is already leading to strange peripherals and ideas. Nintendo Labo is supposed to allow players to build their own controllers and toys and incorporate it with their Switch in fun ways. It’s an entertaining gimmick, but it doesn’t look like something that Nintendo will continue to support.
3 Fantastic: A Phone Can Be Turned Into A Controller
There are plenty of times where the content in Nintendo games gets considerably weird, but then there are also times when their console features also skew towards more unconventional ideas. Something truly special that the Switch can do is that an app can be downloaded that allows a phone to become a new Joy-Con controller. This is a great solution for those that don’t want to buy a new set, yet most people aren’t aware the feature even exists. Joy-Cons can also be paired together with phones or a PC to do even more.
2 Dated: Screenshot Sharing
The Switch has a great library of games at its disposal, but it’s the nitty-gritty features of the console’s quality of life and profile features where it struggles. The Switch technically provides a lot of the same options that its competition does, but it can be much harder to navigate. For instance, the Switch’s ability to share screenshots feels more like an afterthought than anything else. It’s very clunky in its implementation and both the PlayStation and Xbox show that this can be done easier, but also made fun.
1 Fantastic: Locate Lost Joy-Con Controllers
There’s nothing worse than being ready to jump into a new video game and then realize that a controller is missing or something minor has gone wrong. Joy-Cons are very easy to store, but they’re also on the smaller side and make for perfect targets to get lost in couch cushions or under something. The Switch offers a great failsafe here where it has a feature that allows players to locate their missing Joy-Con through vibration and other means. Always try this before resorting to go out and buy a new Joy-Con.