Which Nintendo Switch Should You Buy?

Which Nintendo Switch to pick

The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s newest game console, and a really big investment for the company. After the Wii U, Nintendo have been in a bit of a slump, even though the console itself can still be seen as a success given that it paved the way for brand new functionality and new ways of playing. But sales figures were never as high as expected. But with the Switch that’s all changed.

So far, it looks very positive. What was originally a single console is at the time of writing available in three versions:

1. Nintendo Switch

   The original Nintendo Switch. A game console that can be played both handheld or connected to the TV to play on the big screen. The controllers can be disconnected and either split into two for two people to play, or connected to an accessory to make a simpler, more ergonomic controller.

2. Nintendo Switch Lite

   The Nintendo Switch Lite is a slightly simpler model that’s only meant to be a portable game console, not a hybrid for the TV in the same way as the other two. For example, it has integrated controllers like any other portable game console, and isn’t compatible with the docking station you otherwise use to connect the Switch to your TV. The screen is smaller, the weight is lower, and unfortunately the battery life is also slightly shorter.

3. Nintendo Switch OLED

   The Nintendo Switch OLED is the newest Switch release. It is a model with a large OLED screen (7” instead of the original 6.2") ensures great picture quality. It also has twice the storage capacity (64 gigabytes) of the original and Lite model.

The Nintendo Switch can be used both as a stationary game console and as a portable game console.

What is the Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo Switch is a game console, but it works as a hybrid between a stationary and a portable console. So you can play with it connected to your TV, or take it on the bus and play it on your way to work.

What’s included in the basic package when you buy the Nintendo Switch is the two-part “Joy-Con” controller, the Joy-Con Grip and Straps, and the display and docking station (assuming you don’t buy the Lite model. See the bullet list above for more information about what distinguishes the models).

Two types of controllers, on the left Joy-Con and on the right Pro Controller.

Controllers

Joy-Con is the two-piece controller, which works together as a single slightly bigger controller, and which can be split in two and used as two separate controllers when playing with a friend. They also include an infrared motion camera and a vibrator.

The Joy-Con Grip allows you to link the two controllers together into one when you’re playing solo games connected to the TV. You use Joy-Con Straps when you’re playing games that use the motion sensor in the controller. Placing them around your wrist prevents you from accidentally throwing the controller away and damaging it, your home or your fellow players.

There’s also something called a Pro Controller, which has a design that's more like a controller for an Xbox or PlayStation. This is an alternative if you find the smaller Nintendo Switch controllers aren’t very comfortable to play with

The screen

The Nintendo Switch screen is what allows you to play anytime, anywhere. On the original model, it consists of an HD-ready touchscreen (720p) on the front. It also has a series of buttons and inputs and outputs. These include inputs for game card and extended memory, headphone output, speakers and volume buttons.

The docking station

The Nintendo Switch docking station is what you connect to your TV to play at home. The entire handheld unit clicks easily into the docking station and you're up and running. Of course, this is compatible with your friends’ Switches, so anyone can bring their Switch and play at home on your TV.

You can also buy the console with a game kit to get a number of games at a more affordable price.

In addition to the standard controller, you can also buy a more traditional console controller in the form of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, which you see on the right side of the image.

How the Nintendo Switch works

Connected to your TV, it works just like any desktop game console, such as an Xbox or PlayStation. In other words, you have a controller in your hand and the game appears on your TV. But the special feature of the Switch is that you can also attach the controller to a portable screen, so you can sit and play it in bed or take it on the train. The screen is either connected directly to the controllers by clicking them onto the short sides, or you place the screen in front of you and the connection to the controllers is wireless.

You can also connect multiple consoles and play against your friends, either in the same room by linking the consoles together, or over the internet as multiplayer games.

The Nintendo Switch is available in versions including grey and a more colourful model. Here you can see the grey one

What does the Nintendo Switch cost?

The price of a Nintendo Switch varies at the time of writing between £150-£400 depending on the model you buy, whether you want games included and which retailer you buy from.

See the lowest price for Nintendo Switch here.

Amiibo are collectables that unlock extras in the games.

Nintendo Switch Accessories

There are some Nintendo Switch Accessories that will help make the most of your Switch, everything from more Nintendo Switch Controllers so that you can play more people or a Nintendo Switch case to make sure no damage is caused when using you switch on the go.

Nintendo Switch Controller

Many people choose to upgrade from the included two-part Joy-Con controller to a Nintendo Switch Pro controller. The latter looks more like the controllers that come with your desktop gaming console. The Switch Pro Controller also contains IR motion sensors, a vibrator and Amiibo functionality, but many players feel it has a higher build quality than the controller included in the standard package.

Amiibo Figures

Another accessory is the Amiibo figures. These are collector figures that you can buy and keep on your bookshelf when you're not playing. But they also have digital functionality. By touching them to the NFC reader on your Joy-Con, you can unlock unique features in your games. Exactly what you unlock varies with the figure you've purchased, but it can range from new game characters to unique abilities or new courses.

Nintendo Switch Case

There are some great options when it comes to Nintendo switch cases, many in the theme of your favourite Nintendo games. There are cases with slots for your games, as well as ones that double as shell, that you can keep your switch in, making for easy access when travelling so your switch doesn't get any damage.

Fortnite is one of the games that came in kits with the game console.

Nintendo Switch Games

When the Nintendo Switch was launched, a new game was released in the hugely popular Zelda series. The game, entitled the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is an action/adventure game where you have to explore a huge world of games with the aim of finally defeating the evil Ganon.

But of course since the game console was released, a number of other new titles have been launched, both indie titles from small game developers and big scale titles. At the time of writing, there are something over 1000 games to choose from. Popular games in different genres, such as Fortnite, Pokémon: Let’s go, Eevee!, and Civilization VI, are available for the Nintendo Switch. But even more unique games like Nintendo Labo: Robot Kit where you construct a robot suit in the real world so you can control a similar robot in the virtual world.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

If you're a hardcore Nintendo fan, you'll also want to play retro titles. These are mainly NES games, but also Super Mario games and maybe even Gameboy titles. Because the Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet and has an online service, of course Nintendo have taken advantage of this idea. When they launched their online service, 20 retro titles were added, and more are appearing all the time. At the time of writing these include: Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. To play these, you need to subscribe to the online service.

Technical Specifications

Nintendo Switch

What: Game console Screen: Type: Touchscreen, Size: 6.2”, Resolution: 720p Storage capacity: 32 GB (internal), expandable via micro-SD Ports: Headphone jack, USB 2.0, USB-C, HDMI Speaker: Yes Miscellaneous: Movement sensor camera and vibrator in hand controller, light sensor in screen, 4.5-9 hrs battery life.

Nintendo Switch OLED

What: Game console Screen: Type: Touchscreen, Size: 7”, Resolution: 720p Storage capacity: 64 GB (internal), expandable via micro-SD Ports: Headphone jack, USB 2.0, USB-C, HDMI Speaker: Yes Miscellaneous: Movement sensor camera and vibrator in hand controller, light sensor in screen, 4.5-9 hrs battery life.

Nintendo Switch Lite

What: Game console Screen: Type: Touchscreen, Size: 5.5”, Resolution: 720p Storage capacity: 32 GB (internal), expandable via micro-SD Ports: Headphone jack, USB 2.0, USB-C, HDMI Speaker: Yes Miscellaneous: Light sensor in screen, 3-7 hrs battery life.