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[Nintendo Switch] THIS THREAD IS DEAD! POST IN THE NEW ONE!
MNC Dover
Full-time Voice ActorKirkland, WARegistered User regular
Full-time Voice ActorKirkland, WARegistered User regular
The Switch is Nintendo's 7th home console 5th handheld current hardware. After the Wii U's struggles last generation, especially with advertising and PR, the Switch has been Nintendo's redemption arc.
As the name implies, the Switch is a hybrid console, capable of going between standard TV play and on-the-go gaming. The console itself is actually just a thin, tablet-esque bit of hardware that's like a slightly smaller and less bulky Wii U gamepad. But don't be confused: whereas the gamepad was just a screen that streamed from the Wii U itself, the Switch is a fully independent console. It has a capacitive touch screen (a departure from Nintendo's preference for resistive), two slots on the side for controller attachments, Wi-Fi, and uses a USB-C cable to charge. Due to its mobile nature, it uses cartridges to play games. There are three main ways to play:
TV Mode
This the traditional couch playing mode. The Switch comes with a dock that uses an HDMI cable to broadcast the Switch to your TV. This is where the Switch acts like a regular home console, and there's not much else to say. You can play using the game's controller (Joycons) separated or together (there is a grip included in box to give the joycons a controller form factor, but it does NOT charge the Joycons), or you can opt for something more typical like the pro controller (Sold Separately).
Handheld Mode
The mobile mode, this is just taking the Switch out of the dock and playing on it. The Joycons slide on to each half of the console, giving you a more handheld experience. Battery life will vary based on the game and what you are doing, with estimates being a broad 2-6 hours. Breath of Wild was used as a benchmark, going three hours on a single charge. People are saying something like Shovel Knight can go as long as 7 hours. The general rule of thumb is that polygon-based games will drain the battery roughly twice as fast as ones uses sprites or less demanding graphics. Switches can also connect to up to seven additional Switches for local multiplayer purposes.
Tabletop Mode
Tabletop mode is basically handheld, but the Switch has a little kickstand that lets you prop it up. Each half of a Joycon can operate as its own independent controller, so you can use this mode to play games with another person. The Joycons also have an attachment called a strap that slides in and gives you better L/R button and a bit more grip. It's worth noting that ALL controllers work in this mode, including the pro controller, so you don't need a bunch of joycons.
Oh, and the Switch isn't region locked. You will have to make foreign accounts on your Switch for each market, AND switching markets in the eShop empties your wallet, but it is possible and easy!
There are three models of the Switch.
The Standard Switch retails for $299.99, and it comes with the following:
- Switch Console
- TV Dock
- Left and Right Joycons
- Joycon Wrist Straps
- Joycon Grip (NOT a charging grip)
- HDMI Cable
- AC Adapter
NOTICE: BUY THE LATEST MODEL. It has a fairly decent boost to battery life over the launch model at no other expense. I don’t think the older launch model is really around these days, but do your homework if you are buying used.
The Switch OLED retails for $349.99, and it comes with the following:
- Switch OLED Console
- TV Dock (includes built-in LAN port)
- Left and Right White Joycons
- Joycon Wrist Straps
- Joycon Grip (NOT a charging grip)
- HDMI Cable
- AC Adapter
The Switch Lite retails at $199.99, and it comes with the following:
- Switch Lite Console
- AC Adapter
- That's it
Need more crap? Accessories are available if you got cash to burn. Remember that a lot of these won't work with the Lite. Do your research!
MSRP: $69.99
Want a more traditional controller? That'll be seventy bucks, pal. As a bonus, it comes with a USB to USB-C cable that can also charge the Switch itself, and the Pro can connect to your bluetooth-enabled PC with little difficulty. The Pro has most of the features of the joycons, including motion controls, HD rumble, and NFC support. It doesn’t have the infrared scanner thing, however.
MSRP: $79.99
Additional Joycons can be purchased for a hefty fee. They do come with two straps, however.
MSRP: $49.99
Lose just ONE Joycon? Nintendo has got you covered, although they will charge you an extra ten dollars more than what they cost bundled together. Capitalism!
MSRP: $29.99
That pro controller sure was pricey, wasn't it? Well, for less than half the cost, you can just slap your joycons in this thing and get a similar experience while pretending it's a dog or something. This one also charges your joycons while they're connected to it, unlike the one that comes with the Switch because Nintendo is cheap.
MSRP: $14.99
Because you really want a wheel icon next to your name in Mario Kart. Slap a joycon in and race or just use it as a very awkward controller grip.
MSRP: $89.99
You can’t really buy these new anymore, so your best bet is used or refurbished, which will likely NOT include an AC adapter. Nintendo opted for wonky power delivery system for the Switch, so if you are super paranoid about bricking your console via a third party dock then this is your only option.
The Switch is Nintendo's biggest step forward regarding online play since it actually added online services to its hardware. Don’t get too excited: this is damning with faint praise. It seems like Nintendo is finally learning from its contemporaries, having all online stuff managed from your Nintendo account. Sadly, Nintendo is also learning from its contemporaries in that they're going to charge us just to play online. The good news is that the service is fairly cheap, being $3.99 on a month by month basis, or $20 for a year. Another popular thing to do is join in with other people on a Family Account, which is $34.99 a year for up to eight people. That's less than five bucks a YEAR, so definitely go that route if you can find the people.
For your money you get:
- The ability to play games online
- Cloud Saves (but not for all games)
- Access to the Switch app for voice chat (lol)
- Access to NES and SNES games, which is currently the only way to play these games on modern hardware. They have a few fringe additions like save states and online multiplayer
- Offers such as the rare coupon, ability to buy controller remakes, and small game releases such as Tetris 99
- N64 games, of dubious emulation quality
- Genesis games, of better emulation quality
- Animal Crossing DLC
- Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion (Note: Splatoon 3 is out making this a bit obsolete)
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Retro Tracks DLC
What's the battery life for everything?
The Switch: 2-6 hours (Launch iteration), 3-7 hours (Switch Lite), or 4.5-9 hours (2019 & OLED iteration) depending on the game. As a rule of thumb, 3D games like Zelda or Mario will last about three-five hours. A game with sprites or 2D effects like Shovel Knight will last about 6-9 hours.
Joycons: 20 hours. Note that that do not draw power from the Switch when attached to it and in portable mode.
Pro Controller: 40 hours. The dock does have three USB ports that can be used to charge.
Is the Switch backwards compatible?
No, it uses carts and has no disc drive to play Wii U media. And no, it's also not backwards compatible with the 3DS, DS, or any other Nintendo system.
Do the carts really taste bad?
Yes, they are coated in denatonium benzoate, which is one of the most bitter compounds for humans. It's meant as a deterrent against children eating them. Don't lick the cart, dummy.
Can I go online in portable mode?
Yes. Also, while it has no browser, if you are at a place with Wi-Fi, there will be an applet that lets you pay/agree to their terms so you can get online.
Are there seriously friend codes?
Yeah, who knows why. The good news is that when you punch in someone's code, they'll get a request instead of playing this game of "Did you send it?" Furthermore, more options are set to be added like traditional friend requests through your Nintendo account, which...raises the question of why use friend codes in the first place.
Is the Switch region-locked?
Nope! Import to your heart's content. You can even switch regions on the eShop, BUT you will lose whatever current balance your account has in its current region. So spend your money first.
Can I connect to the TV using third-party USB-C cables?
No, for whatever reason the Switch must be docked to display on the TV. There are third party docks that can be smaller, portable, offer more ports, and so on, but there is always a risk of bricking the system. This hasn’t been all that rampant in the past years after the Nyko dock became infamous for killing Switches after a firmware update, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Either buy a refurbished dock from Nintendo, or buy one that is specifically engineered to prevent bricking. Cheap docks are more prone to use half-assed parts that just work now and don’t take any future changes to the Switch firmware, so do your research and don’t be cheap.
Can I recharge the Switch using a portable power bank used for cell phones?
Depends on the amperage and voltage. There are now power banks specifically designed for the Switch, so I'd recommend those first. But those are pricey, so a phone one can work in a pinch. Just keep in mind that you will, at best, maintain battery while playing off a power bank. It just isn't strong enough to meet the wattage demands of the Switch. Power banks for laptops work better, but at that price point you may as well just get one guaranteed to work.
Which screen protector should I used?
Tempered glass. While plastic ones are cheaper, they themselves are prone to being easily scratched, which means you'll have to replace them every so often. On top of this, tempered glass feels better when using the touch screen, and they tend to be easier to apply (fewer bubbles). Tempered glass will set you back more cash, but you'll save more in the long run. Right now, amFilm is the screen of choice for most people.
How much memory does the Switch have?
32 GB, of which around 25 is usable. For reference, Breath of the Wild uses around 13GB. You can use micro-SD cards to expand the memory. Because Switch carts are so small, I recommend a micro-SD with plenty of memory, because Switch games will be large and it defeats the purpose of going digital if instead of 32GB carts you're just swapping 32GB SD cards. A Sandisk Ultra with 128GB of memory should last you a while.
Can the pro controller cable be used to charge the Switch?
Yes, the cable that comes with the Pro Controller can be used like any other USB to USB-C cable. Hook it up to power banks, charge your pro controller through your PC's USB ports: go wild.
Can I use Bluetooth Headphones?
Yes, but only after a firmware update.
Where's Virtual Console?
It's dead, Jim. Switch Online service offers classic Nintendo titles, plus Genesis titles if you pay an additional monthly fee, and nothing else.
Does this mean end of the line for the 3DS/Wii U?
As of 2019, Nintendo has ended support for the Wii U and 3DS. Long live the Switch.
The Switch has games, making it a true revolution in the industry. Oh, and in case you missed it: the Switch is not region locked. You can create separate accounts for other regions and access their eShops there.
G&T Approved!
The following games are almost unanimously praised by the community. If you need a place to start, make it here.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Snipperclips
Fast RMX
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Blaster Master Zero
Puyo Puyo Tetris
Tumbleseed
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Disgaea 5
ARMS
Splatoon 2
Sonic Mania
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Pokkén Tournament DX
Fire Emblem Warriors
Mario Odyssey
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Doom
Steamworld Dig 2
Mummy Demastered
Has Been Heroes
Resident Evil Revelations I & II
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
But what other games are good?
There are a lot of games on the Switch and some of the good ones might slip past you. Not the obvious stuff like BotW and Odyssey, but the smaller gems that go unnoticed. With so many games getting released, it's hard to keep up. So the PA folks are gonna compile some mini-reviews of these great titles in the following format:
Name
Price (mention if digital only here)
Genres
Similar games
1-2 sentence review with pros and cons
For example:
Golf Story
$14.99 (eShop only)
Golf/RPG
Mario Golf GBA
A fun and addictive golfing game that has a lot of customization. Some of the NPC side quest stuff drags a bit, but not enough to ruin the fun. Highly recommended!
Penny Arcade mini-reviews:
Dresdenphile suggests:
- Kamiko
- $4.99 (eShop only)
- Action
- Zelda 1?
- This short indie game tasks players — who control the titular priestess Kamiko — to take down demons and complete puzzles along the way, racking up combos. With 3 characters to choose from, each playthrough handles differently.
UncleSporky suggests:
- Ultimate Chicken Horse
- $15 (eShop only)
- Multiplayer Competitive Platformer
- Similar games: nothing really like it. Gang Beasts or Duck Game?
- Players take turns adding wacky, dangerous pieces to a level to hopefully prevent others from reaching the flag, while not making it so impossible that they themselves can't make it. Amazing party game.
Jazz suggests:
- Sega Ages Virtua Racing
- $7.99 (eShop only)
- Arcade racing
- F1 meets Out Run, maybe?
- Groundbreaking 1992 racing game from the early days of fast 3D in arcades. The Switch port is upgraded from the original arcade game, courtesy of retro wizards M2, with big performance improvements and even replicating the arcade's 8-player setup if you're so inclined. Great fun in short blasts without eating all your quarters!
Need a voice actor? Hire me at bengrayVO.com
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
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Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
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MNC Dover on
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Diofield
Valkyrie Profile
Tactics Ogre
Crisis Core
Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song
Octopath 2
Front Mission
Theaterhythm
DragonQuest Treasures
There's no way some of these sell decently with how they are stacked on top of each other.
Fist of the Northstar Boxing is something I didn't know I needed or wanted and now I do.
Twitch: KoopahTroopah - Steam: Koopah
Also the FFT port whenever that's announced.
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970666737/
But..... if Call of Duty can come out, so can Advance Wars. It is time.
Some people are speculating that the remake just isn't actually that great, and the war gave them an excuse to delay it while they figure out if it can still be salvaged.
Thank you Square.
Not going to complain a lot of them seem to have combat which is what i like in my farming sims the fantasy edge does it for me.
It is kind of egregious that they basicall just used the current PC version and want what, 40 bucks for it? Pass for me. Also I can't buy it for a fourth time, come on
4 and 5 have already been released on the Switch, 6 is in development. 3 seems like the logical choice.
1 and 2 are very rough to go back to without making some big gameplay revisions.
You'll pay your Switch tax and you will enjoy it!
I was not aware! 4 is the favorite right
I WILL NOT
Anyways, pretty cool Direct. Some kind of boring stuff in the middle but enough hype announcements for it to overall be pretty good. I still can't believe they actually re-announced Pikmin 4 after saying it was like basically done on the Wii U like a decade ago or something. I figured they were going to keep pretending it wasn't a thing :P (I even joked during the Pikmin Bloom thing "Here is a reminder that we will never make Pikmin 4" :P)
I am a little sad I got spoiled on Zelda. I was trying to bring up the Direct and there was a big thumbnail with the title card right there T_T Like, I guess it's not that much of a spoiler but it definitely kills the hype of "Oh the one more thing was BotW2!" because I already knew it was in this Direct before I started watching so of course it's the one more thing
I am weirdly interested in that Rain-whatever Not-ganranpa detective game. I hope it's as good as Danganranpa (it kinda looks like Danganranpa mixed with Pheonix Wright and Persona :P). It looks super super weird and strange and I am all in
Also, seriously, why the hell are there suddenly a billion farm games coming out? Like, is there some trend I missed lately? I'm used to studios all jumping on the same idea after literally one game is mega successful (i.e. battle royale, BotW-style open world, Smash Bros style brawlers, etc) but Stardew was years ago at this point... That said, woo Harvestella demo. Actually am really interested in that one.
(also the one where the characters actually age is curious.. that never happens in these kinds of games but I love the idea)
Awkwardly. But you can get a soft tip stylus that will work well enough - there are ones you can get with fiber tips now that won't scratch the screen but also won't drag like a rubber tip would.
Eh but then you have to play it undocked. No thanks. I'm fine passing on this - I got enough fun with the title on 3DS, I don't really feel the need to buy it again even if there is more music.
Oh oh, but also I forgot, how the fuck did they get Crisis Core running on Switch without it being a Cloud (*giggle*) version? (I also assume It Take Two runs like garbage)
3 and 4 are held in about the same regard in general. 3 is very good but one of its main flaws is that there's only a male protagonist, not a choice for male or female, so that kinda sets everything up in the game for only that route, some of which is....a bit dated by now. It does do a lot of fun things that the other games doesn't, and was a kind of breaking out point with a lot of the good mechanics that were kept and expanded on in 4. 4's my personal favorite between the two, though, so I tend to compare them more favorably toward 4. Grain of salt and all that.
I very much am looking forward to RF3 Special, though.
The punching weapons in RF4 are actually just the beast form combos from RF3.
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
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Expansion pass is definitely funding kickbacks to license holders, how do you think Sega got on there.
I'm also curious if Goldeneye is going to be limited time access. On the Xbox side it seems like you either have to have gamepass, or else you get it for "free" by owning rare replay. In other words you can't buy it directly. Almost like it was set to expire in a few years.
Open world exploration but with skyward style upper and lower realms only one is the twilight realm and you have to save the Twili from whatever is left of ganon because he was banished there instead of being destroyed and now he’s taking over?
Nintendo Network ID: AzraelRose
DropBox invite link - get 500MB extra free.
The second game, on 3DS, had a button control option.
I hate cloud games.
"James Bond is about to shoot you...with his mouth."
I couldn't say how prolific this particular meme was (I've never actually encountered it before, but I was born in the 1980's and was living in Japan when Goldeneye came out), but I've never run into this meme before. Obviously it's a consequence of the strange perspective of a particularly small handgun and the suppressor-thing at the end of the barrel, and the shadow it's casting, but by pointing this out, it's hard not to see it as...a horrifying second mouth and chin trying to escape Pierce Brosnan's hand.
I think that Theatrhythm has always supported button only inputs. It's coming out on ps4, so I assume there must be a non touch setup that works.
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970666737/
But for what they've shown that I care about:
Theatrhythm sequel made me super happy! I love the series on 3DS and thought it was dead now that the 3DS is gone. So glad to be wrong there.
Pikmin 4 finally announced! This was my favorite announcement of the Direct.
Return to Dreamland Deluxe also made me happy. Bring more of these older games over! Probably my second favorite Kirby game (After Robobot) so I can't wait to run through it again.
Even if the rest of the Direct was crap (it wasn't) just the announcement of Pikmin 4 would have made this a great direct for me.
Nintendo Network ID - Brainiac_8
PSN - Brainiac_8
Steam - http://steamcommunity.com/id/BRAINIAC8/
Add me!
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
Twitch Page